Snippet #1445559

The sun was setting over Baile and the sky was painted a glorious pink as King Lawrence slammed the butt of his staff into the floor and his voice boomed throughout the room: "This court is closed for the day! Begone! All of you!" Nearly a hundred peasants--some leaving in good spirits after having the King grant their requests, and some leaving in sorrow after rejection or not being seeing at all--exited the gigantic chamber through the large doors opposite the King's throne. The King handed his staff, crown and cape to the nearest servant and stood up to leave for his dinner.

"Wait!" exclaimed a voice nearby. The King turned around and saw Ulrich MacManus striding towards him. "My liege, you can't leave yet. We have to wait for the other members of my team to arrive so you can give them their instructions."

The King sighed. "Ah, yes, yes. The group that will rescue my daughter. When you're my age, you'll understand, Ulrich, even the most important things begin to slip away. But do choose your words more carefully around your new comrades. It isn't your team. I handpicked each and every one of them. They're the best and the brightest. You'll all be equals and I doubt they'll take kindly to your condescension. Understand?"

"Yes, your highness," Ulrich responded enthusiastically, but the King thought he might have caught the young man pouting a bit as he turned to sit again.

"Where are they, Ulrich?" Lawrence asked, sinking into his chair. It was after a long day such as this that he really felt his age.
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"I'm sure they're on their way," Ulrich said. He descended the stairs from the King's platform and stood on the ground floor where the audience always stood during the court. When the others arrived, they would have to stand there and, even if Ulrich wouldn't be a leader, he knew he should still set a good example. His heart felt heavy with the events of the last few days, as he was sure King Lawrence's did too. Princess Elena had disappeared, her kidnapper's note spelled out on the wall of her room in the night guard's blood. 'I, Azazel, have taken the Princess. You will never see her again.'

Why leave a message like that? Ulrich wondered. He answered his own question, To taunt us, of course. That's what it's always been about. To weaken Baile, to weaken Midas, to weaken King Lawrence. Azazel's only aim is pain and chaos. He heard footsteps from the other side of the door across the room. "I believe the first has just arrived, my King."

"Ulrich," the King said. "I don't blame you for this. If I did, I wouldn't trust you to be a part of this group. I know you'll do your best out there. Just... Just bring my daughter home. Please."

Ulrich watched the King's face for a moment. He seemed on the verge of tears. The sight of his Lord in such a state made Ulrich quite uncomfortable and so he just nodded silently and turned to meet his first teammate.