It felt like an eternity in the dungeon, with every passing second feeling like an hour. Alone in dark confinement for days. Veyric thought he heard voices chattering just outside the dungeon doors—but just as he shifted to listen, the voices vanished without a trace. The notion that the voices were ever-present was a lie. He shuffled around in the cell, looking at the chains attached to his wrists and ankles.

  “Everywhere you go, and anyone you meet will use you like a dog. That is the cycle for you!” Morris’s words played through Veyric’s mind repeatedly while he was sitting on the ground. He held his face in his hands and sharply exhaled.

  The dungeon door cranked open, followed by a pair of footsteps and the light of a torch.

  “It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Veyric?” King Alan’s voice cut through the deafening silence—the sound of the dungeon door slamming shut. Xena’s armor rustled as she seated herself on a box.

  “So, you didn’t forget about me after all.” Veyric’s voice was weak and scratchy.

  “Oh, there was no way I could’ve. These past few days, the only thing I could think of was what to do with you. How you answer these questions will determine your fate.” Alan said.

  “Any of those fates include execution?” Veyric asks.

  “Completely possible, but I doubt it. You’ve been rather… Reasonable.” Alan answers.

  “It’s come to my attention that I will need to bring you forth to the council and… The public.” King Alan rubs his temples.

  “Yeah? What gave you that idea?” Veyric asks.

  “For reference, the knights at this castle wandered back into Leviara for Ember’s Respite, had one too many drinks, and… The rest is history. Rumors are spreading alarmingly fast, and people of all kinds are searching for you.” Xena said.

  “I assumed my knights knew how severe this was, but… I overestimated their understanding of the situation. They don’t know the horrors of the old world.” King Alan said.

  “Why don’t you ask your questions? I don’t think I’ll last another day down here.” Veyric walks closer to the cell's bars.

  “Very well. My knights went to deal with a situation just outside Leviara’s borders regarding bandits. They spoke to the villagers, but they refused to say exactly who or what helped them. The only lead we had was from a child who babbled about the golden-horned man. You can see why I’m asking you this, yes?” King Alan said.

  “Golden-horned man? Yes, I can see why you’re asking this.” Veyric muttered, a smirk forming.

  “Was it you who helped those villagers?” Alan asked.

  “Yeah, I did help them. My friend… She dragged me into the whole thing, but I’m glad I did. By the time your knights got there, those villagers would be dead.” Veyric explained.

  “What do you mean they would be dead by the time my knights arrived?” Alan got closer to the bars, hands clenching.

  “Those people begged your council for help, and it never came. Do only the people in Leviara matter to you? Or, let me guess, you’d only take it seriously once it starts becoming a problem for you?” Veyric said.

  “You don’t know anything of what it’s like to be king! The mere rumor of your existence is brewing trouble for me! I cannot tend to every single matter the moment it happens!” King Alan said.

  “What the hell’s your excuse for the underground, then?” Veyric said.

  King Alan was silent. He looked away and sighed, crossing his arms and pacing around. The doors to the dungeon creaked open again, and peeking inside was Princess Alice.

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  “Um, this looks like a bad time.” She entered.

  “Alice, haven’t I told you not to come down here! It’s dangerous!” King Alan said.

  “Dangerous? Why would it be dangerous? He’s cuffed in mana restraints with alpha runes inside of a cage!” Alice gestured with her hand to the cell.

  “Alice, don’t tell me you’ve come down here already.” He said.

  “Well, what did you expect? You’re keeping him as a prisoner where we live. He was hungry, thirsty, and his wounds had gotten infected… What if he died once you decided what to do with him? You’re not even treating him like a prisoner, because even they get the right to food, water, and medicine.” Alice explained.

  King Alan looked over at Xena, and she shrugged her shoulders.

  “Not to intrude on this conversation, but… Can we focus on what you’re going to do with me?” Veyric said.

  “I say you suggest to the council to let him work under our military. If they believe Veyric’s loyal to Leviara, it will serve Augus well.” Xena said.

  “What? All he wants is to go back home.” Alice said.

  Veyric glanced at Alice, then back at King Alan.

  “No, we cannot allow that. If anything, putting him under our military is a far better option.” He frowned and furrowed his eyebrows.

  “Father, he hasn’t asked for any of that. Why subject him to it?” Alice said.

  “You don’t understand, Alice. Keep your mouth out of this!” King Alan shouted.

  “I’ll do anything to get out of these cuffs and out of this cell. If being under your military is the only chance I have at uncondemned freedom, then fine.” Veyric said.

  Silence swallowed the room whole. King Alan continued to pace around the dungeon. Alice’s face was clenched while she fidgeted with her fingers. Xena sat relaxed, her gaze following King Alan’s pacing ever so often. King Alan sighed, standing in place.

  “Fine… We’ll have you join our military, but you won’t be roaming beyond Leviara’s borders. Xena will be keeping an eye on you at all times.” King Alan said.

  Princess Alice stormed out of the dungeon. Alan watched her leave and began to rub his temples. Xena stood up and walked over to the cell, opening it and freeing Veyric from his chains and shackles.

  “Don’t try anything. You need to be on your best behavior from now until the council’s meeting. I'll take it from here, your majesty.” Xena said.

  “Good, I must send out a message to the other kingdoms for a mandatory meeting at the council.” King Alan left.

  “So, if I may ask, the princess visited you?” Xena said while leading him out of the dungeon and up the staircase.

  “Yes, she did… Why? I don’t know, but I'm grateful.” Veyric said.

  “Interesting. I think you and I will get along just fine, won’t we, Veyric?” Xena asked.

  “I hope so.” He said.

  “Back there, I agreed with you in my mind. Although I’m sure it must be hard on the King having so many things to deal with. Let’s hope things can improve soon.” Xena said.

  “That’s all we can do right now. When he looks at me, I can see the fear in his eyes… Why is he afraid? He could just kill me if he wanted to,” Veyric said.

  “Afraid, you say?... Hm, I wonder why, too. Anyway, let’s get you a change of clothes and… Many other things that you’ve been denied. Like a nice warm bath.” Xena said.

  “That would be nice…” He replied.