Argrave finished explaining what had happened with Durran and Garm to Anneliese, and leaned back in his chair with quite the sigh. She sat on the edge of his desk, listening patiently for her chance to interject.
“I would be very interested to know what kind of person Llewellen was,” Anneliese commented. “Garm… I suppose we might change the name of our first son, if he’s returned.”
Argrave laughed. “I already said that.”
“If it’s any consolation, I got Artur to agree,” she said with a subdued brightness. “Given the trouble with Durran and the fact the research team assembles tomorrow morning, I suggested that he hold off from consuming it. Still, he’s ready, and he has conviction.”
“Thank you.” He looked up at her, nodding with a smile. “Thanks.”
Quiet set in between the two of them, and then there came a knock at the door. Argrave came to focus, then asked, “Who is it?”
“Knight-commander Orion, Your Majesty.”
“You don’t need to knock,” he called out. “It’s an office, not a bedroom. Come on in.”
Orion opened the door. From the way he carried himself, and the strangely formal greeting he had offered, Argrave could tell that this was something that warranted close focus. He stood up from the chair.
“What’s bothering you, Orion?” He asked intuitively.
Orion shut the door, then walked up to Argrave’s desk. “When were you going to tell me?”
“About the lottery?” Argrave guessed. “I’m sorry, but a lot came up today. I was intending on letting everyone know as soon as possible.”
“I know.” Orion nodded seriously. “I spoke to Elenore. She told me everything that came up today.” He leaned in and placed his arms on the desk. “Did Your Majesty even ever seriously consider my offer?”
Argrave’s jaw tightened uneasily. “Of course I did.” He nodded.
“Then why did you decide against, Your Majesty?” Orion’s voice was calm, but it still unsettled Argrave.
“Orion…” He softened his eyes as he looked upon his brother. Orion remained firm and unshaking in waiting for an answer. After casting a glance at Anneliese, he looked back at Orion. “It was my judgment that requests made in the throes of grief might not reflect the true desires of, or the best option for, the parties involved.”
not feel any grief, Your Majesty? Or rather, do
“But I was considerably less
rather than Vasquer’s attacker, you would continue to put the vast majority of our efforts forth
distraction intended to divert our intention away from Traugott, we might miss our opportunity. Then,
my request born of heavy-hearted conviction? Regardless of the enemy we were fighting, you would
a way that I allowed the Fruit of Being itself to choose who best it suited. Anneliese can attest to the
fixed forward, right on Argrave’s face, in total silence. Then, he stopped
from my duties as
leave?” Argrave repeated.
Your Majesty does not permit it, I am duty-bound. I will stay and perform my duties as best as I am able. However, I desire a
that Argrave needed of him while expressing his desire
leave, then.” Argrave
heel and
walked out from behind the desk. “Where
the door and walked out. He nearly bumped into someone, but gave her a nod and walked by. Elenore walked inside, a question on her
on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent.
his head and scratching his forehead. “If you could, it would ease my mind if you check in on him. Maybe just talk through the mental link. He’s not happy
are.” Elenore also shut the
could tell from the look on
when I gave it
voiced protest at the idea.” She walked into the room. “Now,
he assured her. “Garm is already thinking of ways to separate himself fully
mind? Did you give the fruit to Durran knowing this would happen?” She shook her head. “I know you didn’t. You put on this little display to avoid the responsibility of the choice being yours, because
a response immediately. Perhaps it was because this all came out of left field, or
Elenore stepped forward. “You’re intended to guide and direct us. These difficult decisions are left upon you to make. And if you make the choice and some of us feel wronged, we’ll know that we
Durran, if I’m being frank. And if
“Maybe you did. I can’t deny that Garm will bring us incredible utility. He might even grant us all the opportunity to know what
mean?” He
everyone know what you were doing. You didn’t
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