“The Emperor gave your father the same offer before this year’s campaign started. Though he rode off rather than heed the goddesses' will.” The priest made a dismissive gesture, and Korin could see that the priest was favoring one arm. “It cost him is life and those loyal to him. Surely the prince need not make the same mistake. Give in and no more accidents need occur.”

Korin’s hands clenched the chair’s arms, and pulled him self up angrily. He did so with more force than he meant, because the chair toppled behind him, falling off the dais with a crash. “Silence!”

“Every year for as long as I can remember, the king’s council planned the campaigns against the empire’s encroachment. Never before was a representative of the church present.” Korin shook with rage as he walked down the dais, finally understanding what happened. “It was you. You are the one who betrayed us to the empire!”

“I betrayed no one!” the priest spat stepping backwards. “I serve only the goddesses. Your father did not see that the kingdom was leaving the path. People are drifting from their paths, they defy the goddesses’ plan. This must be stopped.”

Korin’s hand was on his sword and he lunged forward only to be caught by Sir Walter. “No your highness! The goddesses watch after their priests. Look what happened to Sir Golrich! Only the church can sanction him.”

His sword was half way from its scabbard, but Sir Walter’s grip was firm and he could not shake the large man. “We cannot loose you too. Please your highness.” The knight’s words were pleading.

The fear in his friend’s voice made him flinch. “The traitor is right there! How can I just stand idly by?”

“You must! All is lost if you fall as well. There are other ways of dealing with priests perhaps a condemned criminal can be convinced. … Wait!” Sir Walter’s words were cut as a shadow appeared from his right.

Korin saw Toln, appear from his blind spot running toward the priest. Is that a dagger?

“It is your fault. You killed my FATHER!” Toln’s yell filled the hall as he rushed the priest.

The head priest’s eyes went wide as he saw the young knight’s hand smashed into his stomach.

[Mareen’s POV]

Mareen raced forward as the priest fell clutching his stomach. On his knees the priest manged to croaked out a curse, while blood stains spread quickly across his white robes. “May you all suffer by your path…”

The prince yelled for everyone to stay silent and stand back, but the words did not register for her

Ignoring the threats and yelling she reached Toln’s side. Heedless to the blood covering the floor, she dropped to her knees and lifted his head onto her lap. Her eyes went wide as she saw the three red spots growing on his chest.

“I got him.” Toln coughed, tears welling in eyes that were not seeing her. “I avenged him.”

No, no. no. Watching his life fading before her eyes she placed her hands on his head, and threw herself into him.

There! Close that! Then that, she all but yelled directions at the little bits of green, rushing from one critical injury after another, as she felt the energy draining from her.

She pulled herself back once she felt he would not immediately die. When her eyes opened, he was laying still, his head on her lap. He was still, and his ever present smile was gone. Come on you idiot, you are not allowed to die until I get even with you for hiding you were a knight.

The prince’s voice came from close by “How is he?”

Toln’s eyelids flickered, then slowly opened looking up at her. She smiled, “He is…”

“Goddess.” Toln mumbled looking up at her with a pained smirk.

She groaned feeling the exhaustion hitting her all at once. “He is alive.”

In a softer voice she continued staring at the fool. “There is no fixing the damage between his ears.”

I should have never said it. He is not Krazzak, but he is definitely a fool… Mareen thought before collapsing from exhaustion.