The silence was broken as his heavy boots echoed a steady rhythm through the dark hall while he made his way to the chamber at the end of the hall. A sliver of moonlight fought against the ominous clouds to shine into the three windows that littered the hall sporadically. The wind slapped against the stone wall of the castle as the man tightened his cloak around him.
This kind of late night summoning from the King was rare but he hurried as he turned left and then turned right down the vast hall. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he cursed under his breath. As the King's Life Guard, he was used to being summoned at all hours of the night but it didn't leave for much of a personal life for him.
Winter was harsh this time of year as ice started to find a home along the black stone walls of the castle. As he neared the chamber, an orange glow tried to escape from behind the closed door as the man smiled just briefly. He would welcome the warmth that the hearth generated with all of his being.
The man tapped once and pushed the creaking door open. The warmth of the room rushed to greet him as he looked to the far wall and saw the hearth roaring with life. The light of the fireplace interacted with the shadows in the room as both tried dancing with the other.
Bookshelves lined the quant room from floor to ceiling as maps splattered across what was left of the floor and walls as the middle aged king gazed out of the large bay window that sat in front of him. In this environment, the King looked older than his fifty years as the strain and stress of leading took its toll. When in official capacity, the King held his own.
"Such a frigid night Acero," the King spoke as he watched the waves crash and echo against the stacked rock foundation. "I don't know how much longer these old bones can take them."
Acero bowed, as was customary to do when in the presence of the King, even in non official meetings and took a few steps Into the center of the room before answering. The firelight exhibited his features. Acero was tall. He had about two head lengths over the King. Dark emotionless eyes twitched and scanned the room for any potential danger. His eyes were always the most nervous in any situation or environment. He blamed it on his training. The Life Guard always kept a sharp eye out.
A deep scar split his chin in two while light brown hair rested on his shoulders. He wore a black leather jacket that paraded his toned muscles and he wore his blue pants tucked into his black boots. The blade of his broadsword strapped to his back glistened in the light. His two steel daggers slept inside his boots.
"What can I do for you Sire?" Acero was calm but the King had a way of wearing his patience thin. Acero respected the man and would trade his life if the time came but the King was not one to get to the point of a conversation quickly.
The King turned to face Acero but remained next to the window. His many years of fighting kept his muscles strong and toned as his dark bald head shone in the firelight while scars filled his face.
"Did the Emperor get our letter?" Cortdz asked as he slowly took a seat at his desk.
"Yes Sire," Acero bowed slightly. "I swapped our message with the courier before be entered the Emperor's presence. He thinks his assassin succeeded in killing you."
"Good," the king exhaled. "That should by us some time."
"My King I should have been there on the night the assassin tried to kill you," Acero felt shame cross his face. "It is my job to protect you."
"I have guards for that," Cortdz answered calmly. "Besides I need you to collect intel so I can stay one step ahead of the Emperor's murderous intent."
"I think the prisoner could be of use to us Sire, " Acero dared himself to say.
"Let me hear what you're thinking Ace," the King motioned for his Life Guard to sit in the seat across from him.
The frigid dampness lingered longer in the dungeon and he hated going down there. He motioned for two guards to escort him to the jail cells. The smell of deceased rodents and piss and subtle darkness of the dungeon hit him hard and rocked him on his feet and he was thankful for the dark so his guards wouldn't see his sudden weakness. Cortdz had just got done with his meeting with Acero and was pleasantly surprised by his Life Guard's plan for the prisoner.
In the five years that he knew Acero, he was a great fighter and conducting his business with no questions asked but he wasn't much for using his brain and before today, Cortdz would never believe that Acero was the son of Asert.
Asert was the best strategist that Cortdz ever knew and when Asert came to him to bring his son to serve him, Cortdz made Acero his Life Guard without hesitation. Now after all these months of playing defense with the Emperor, he would finally have the chance to get ahead.
He arrived at the prisoner's cell to find him staring into the dim light of the cells. Now that he was down here, Cortdz was having second thoughts of trusting a man who, had in fact saved his life when he had no right to, but he had no idea where he came from.
"Let's go!" The king had to seem confident in his choice. "I have decided your fate."
Cortdz stepped aside so his guards could open the jail cell and escorted the prisoner out of the cell. They led him out of the dungeon. Cortdz watched carefully for any sudden movement by the prisoner but he saw the prisoner had just accepted his fate and let the guards lead him away.