Chapter Two - Desperate Measures

The great hall was silent; the emptiness was void of movement and sounds of breathing as the occupant’s of the throne room held their breath. The eyes of the men and women of the court were either downcast in sadness, staring straight ahead in shock, or studying the king’s drawn face, having pity for the man who had just lost his eldest son. They watched as the king’s face went from shock to rage in the blink of an eye. He had only just recovered from Faolan’s news, when a violent fury burned through his veins and lit his eyes aflame with unmitigated wrath. No words would come to King Thanos of Torase, so the stillness and silence hung heavy over the great hall, the throne, and the court for what seemed an age.

Clothed in his most kingly garments and crowned with a wreath of gold, the king had only just began his day in court, preparing to hear only news of the land—matters of the people wishing to right wrongs and justly settle matters of importance. When Faolan entered the throne room—clothes, torn and bloodied—the king had risen from his throne to a point of half-standing and commanded the young man to speak. He had not moved the entire time the man spoke of his journey and his capture. After recounting the whole tale and informing the king of Caden’s death, Faolan collapsed in exhaustion. The king seemed frozen in place and did not settle back into his chair for some time. When he finally did—after the shock and rage had registered—it looked as if he simply collapsed into the depths of his throne. The anger that had flown so quickly to his sharp features, faded just as rapidly, seemingly draining the king of his energy and leaving him a desolate shell of a man. In only a moment’s time, the king had gone from his usual lively, commanding self to a man lost and alone—separated from all he has known and love. His fatigue and sadness overtook him, and he wept.