Disciple of Madness

Today, the southern entrance to the fortified city of Woodrock City was silent. Guards were stationed on the walls, their body on full alert and the grips on their weapons tight.

Their posture was quite similar to that of a lizard breathing down their prey.

At the gates were several important figures, adorned in the best of the clothes they had. They were mainly from the classes of businessmen whose wealth was enough for them to buy a title. Mixed with them were a few nobles, their hereditary titles worn with pride on their sleeves and in their features.

All of them were waiting for the royal consort to appear.

They didn't let their guards accompany them. Guards were just that. Pay them a little and make them responsible for the security of your estate.

In other words they lacked the discipline of the military and were mainly local rogues.

Instead these nobles had the soldiers from the barracks position themselves on both sides of the gate, spears in front of them.

The entire formation on and below the wall looked almost like an army preparing itself for a battle. While in reality they were simply waiting to greet the crown prince.

Gestures among nobles needed to be profound as was the custom in these lands. And Evenstar Kingdom was built on the waves of countless battles; a military greeting was what the royals of the kingdom deserved.

And the lords of the Woodrock City made sure of it.

Suddenly the sounds of dozens of hooves thumping on the ground were heard, followed by the appearance of the royal procession.

Royal Commander Victory Marchand led the cavalry in his full armor, looking both newly made and tough enough to crack a bastard.Closely following him was the Crown Prince Malcolm Evenstar.

He too had dressed like the Royal Guards around him save for the low crown resting on his head.

At their sight, the Woodrock lords parted and bowed, allowing the procession to enter the city.

The soldiers on both sides of the gate pounded their feet on the ground as their captain standing on the wall bellowed in a commanding manner, "All Hail Prince Malcolm, the Crown Prince of Evenstar Kingdom!"

Everyone repeated the line as a greeting. Prince Malcolm, trotting his horse grounded his teeth in slight disappointment.

He wasn't disappointed with the lords or the soldiers.

But with himself.

The greetings rang hollow in his ears, making him lower his head in slight embarrassment.

He was the Crown Prince of the kingdom. But that was it.

He wasn't the famous Sword King like his father. Neither was he the Rebel of the East like his grandfather.

He was better than his brothers, that was true. But not enough to be a king.

As he looked in front of him, at the Royal Commander, at the lords kneeling on their knees, he exhaled a mouthful of breath.

He would soon get the power node and break through the Elite rank. Probably it shall come at a sacrifice but he was ready to train himself more, even through the haze of burnouts.

He would be a good king.

He would be worthy of all the respects the lords gave him.

The royal procession halted at the gates. Pleasant words and formal exhanges followed among the prince and the lords.

Among them was Jeffrey Colde. He was with his elder brother Matthew. As they followed the prince into the city, Jeffrey tilted to his side and asked Matthew.

"Brother why do you think he has arrived here? Surely the incident last night wouldn't be enough to bring him here. I mean such attacks happen throughout the kingdom. But they don't come out of their cozy homes for that."

Matthew's sharp eyes scanned their surroundings as he replied. "It's true that they only overlook the commands given to us. I don't think the prince would come here for such a paltry reason. The mountains might be his aim. Something is happening up there. Isn't that what the report said? That the mountains has trembled during midnight?"

"Yes, that might be. But then again I don't see any member from the ducal household. They didn't care to greet the prince." Jeffrey analysed.

Matthew remained silent for a moment, as if calculating something only he could understand. The he said, "They are getting bold. These dukes. One of them has created a hell for the slave miners, another is secretly plotting against the king."

Jeffrey turned on his horse in apparent shock. "Plotting? Against the royal family?!"

"Yes, it would seem so." Then changing topics he asked his brother. "Anyway, have you warned your guard about any reference to them?"

"Obviously. Don't worry about him..i might simply discard of him if he remains this careless. He doesn't even have a family to search for him." Jeffrey waved off the issue. To him it was only a mere guard.

What harm could a powerless creature like him do?

They rode in silence. Few times laughter would ring out from the front as the lords took their turns exhanging jokes and informing the prince about promising deals.

Suddenly as if remembering something quite important, Matthew turned to Jeffrey and in the lowest of voice he could manage, whispered.

"I almost forgot to tell you. Seat 1 has sent us a letter." Seeing Jeffrey's eyes full with admiration and excitement, Matthew nodded his head as if confirming him it was true.

"The letter said that the Seat 2 has arranged a sudden meeting with us. Today at midnight. Obviously we need to go. Including you. So if you had any secret endeaves for your night..." He stretched out the words with a smug on his lips causing Jeffrey to blush furiously.

"I am afraid you would need to cancel those plans." Matthew continued, " I wonder what's the sudden meeting though. First the prince arrives all of a sudden. And now the Seats demand a meeting with us. I can't help but think it's related to each other."

Jeffrey whispered in a wistful tone, "Let's hope we get some sweet deals again...just like the last time."

"Hopefully."

Meanwhile while they were arriving at city, at the garden of Cafe de Delicis, Luna visited Adrian again.

Wiping away the sweat from the beating sun, she said to Adrian. "The preparations are all done. Our forces are waiting for the orders."

Adrian smiled. "I see, then we wait for the night."

Luna however asked in a worried tone. "Adrian, can you pull this off? I know you can be quite deceitful when it comes to works like these, but still are you sure they won't suspect you...you know from the low power you have now."

He shook his head with a light chuckle. "You worry a lot, Luna. The night shall be an eventful one. One that even you shall remember for a long time."

For some reason, Luna felt uncomfortable hearing those words especially the last ones directed at her.