The Palace. Morning.
Edward stood at the window of his study, looking out at the city below.
The sun was rising, painting the rooftops gold and red. The streets were already crowded—merchants setting up stalls, servants running errands, soldiers patrolling. Life continued. The kingdom continued. The people didn't know how close they had come to losing everything.
A knock at the door.
"Enter."
Gwen stepped inside. Her clothes were plain, her sword at her hip, her face calm. She had been with him since the capital, since the King's summons, since everything had become complicated.
"Edward. The council is waiting."
Edward didn't turn. "Let them wait."
Gwen moved to stand beside him. "The Duke of the north sent another letter. He wants to discuss troop placements. The Vargr are massing."
"I know."
"The merchants are demanding more protection. The creatures are getting closer to the trade routes."
"I know."
"The King's physicians say he has weeks. Maybe less."
Edward turned. His face was tight, his eyes tired. "I know."
Gwen held his gaze. "What do you want me to tell the council?"
Edward was quiet for a moment.
"Tell them I'll be there shortly."
Gwen nodded. Left.
---
Edward returned to the window.
The strangers were in the guild hall. Grog had sent word—they were being questioned, contained, studied. They claimed to be running from Vorlag. They claimed to have rejected him. They claimed that Aldric might still be alive.
Edward wanted to believe them.
He couldn't afford to.
The King was dying. The nobles were circling. The Vargr were massing. The creatures were spreading. And now there were strangers from another world, locked in a basement, waiting for their artifact to recharge.
He needed to see them himself.
---
The guild hall was busy when he arrived.
Adventurers came and went—signing contracts, collecting bounties, heading out on missions. Garret stood behind the counter, his hook gleaming, his voice steady. Grace sat at her desk, papers spread before her, her quill scratching. Petra ran messages between them, her face flushed, her steps quick.
Sera looked up from the front desk. "Your Highness."
Edward nodded. "Grog?"
"In the basement. With the prisoners."
Edward walked to the door that led downstairs. Sera didn't stop him.
---
The basement was cold, dim, lit by torches.
Grog stood outside Ben's cell, his arms crossed, his face still. He looked up when Edward approached.
"You're here."
"I needed to see them."
Grog nodded. He opened the door.
---
Ben sat on his cot, his wrists bound, his ankles tied. He looked tired, but his eyes were sharp.
"Another visitor."
Edward closed the door behind him. "I'm the King's son."
Ben studied him. "The prince."
"Yes."
"You're younger than I expected."
Edward pulled up a stool. Sat across from him. "You're not what I expected either."
Ben almost smiled. Almost. "What did you expect?"
"Monsters. Servants of Vorlag. Something we could fight without thinking."
Ben was quiet for a moment. "We're not monsters. We're survivors."
Edward leaned forward. "You killed seven of my people."
"They attacked us. We defended ourselves."
"They were scouts. They weren't attacking."
Ben met his eyes. "We didn't know that."
Edward was silent for a moment. "Tell me about Aldric."
Ben's expression flickered. "The man who closed the portal."
"Yes."
"I never met him. But I know what he did. What he sacrificed." Ben paused. "He was a true vessel. Powerful enough to resist Vorlag. Brave enough to close the door."
Edward's jaw tightened. "Is he alive?"
Ben shook his head. "I don't know. If the hunters are still looking for him. That means Vorlag doesn't have him. That means there's hope."
Edward stood. "Thank you."
He walked to the door.
"Your Highness."
Edward paused.
"Your friend is alive. I've seen it before. Vessels who reject Vorlag don't die easily."
Edward left.
---
Grog was waiting in the corridor.
"What do you think?"
Edward was quiet for a moment. "I think they're telling the truth."
"And if they're not?"
Edward met his eyes. "Then we deal with it."
---
Edward returned to the palace as the sun began to set.
Gwen was waiting in his study.
"The council?" she asked.
"Postponed."
Gwen raised an eyebrow. "The dukes won't be happy."
"The dukes can wait."
Edward sat behind his desk. The papers were still there—reports, letters, requests. The weight of the kingdom pressed down on him.
"I visited the strangers," he said.
Gwen moved to stand beside him. "And?"
"They say Aldric is alive."
Gwen was silent for a moment. "Do you believe them?"
Edward looked at the window. At the darkening sky.
"I have to."