CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO For the second time, Patrick thought about the words he heard from the General and realizing that it was the only way that he was going to be able to get into the palace without being attacked, he grunted at the fact that he was left with no choice than to agree with what he said. He grunted again, and then he stole a glance at some of the soldiers who refused to leave their positions and were patiently waiting to get a command from their General. “I hate that I am even thinking about this, General. This is really dangerous, and I don’t want anything to go wrong.” “Maybe that’s the price you have to pay for your freedom. You have no other choice, Ian.” Titus said calmly, looming at Patrick whose countenance was enough to tell that he was greatly troubled and unable to make a decision. Patrick let go of some of the air he had taken into his lungs, and then he discarded his deep concern so that he could be able to freely agree to what the General suggested. “Ve

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR The moment the soldiers set their eyes on the council member, they stood still while they waited for him to approach. He sauntered toward them from the point where he stood, lifting the edge of his garment as he walked down to them without taking his eyes away from Patrick who was nervously standing with his hands bound together. “I hope I haven’t made a terrible mistake,” Patrick whispered to himself, and then he turned around in search of the General who was still nowhere to be found. At that point, he could only imagine what was going to happen to him if things didn’t go as planned, and his heartbeat increased again as though his heart was attempting to finish up a race. “Lord Zane!” One of the soldiers said as they saluted the council member who stood in front of them with his hands clasped behind him. He observed the soldiers for a while, and when he was done with his observation, he turned to look at Patrick who struggled not to run away at the sight of

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX “Move!” Two of the soldiers behind Patrick pushed him toward the passage up the stairs while Lord Zane watched him closely with both hands behind him, his countenance showing signs of intense contempt. Patrick grunted as the soldiers continued pushing him from behind, not minding the fact that he was going up the stairs with his hands bound together. “What is happening? Is that the way to the Royal Palace?” Tamer George appeared from a corner of the palace, glaring at the soldiers who halted instantly with their lips sealed, and their eyes stealing glances at Lord Zane who was facing the gate of the palace. “I am certain that I wasn’t talking to animals! Where were you taking him to? Why isn’t he yet in the Royal Prison?” The General’s tone was resonant, but the soldiers were skeptical about giving him a response, as they were not sure of the best way to present the situation to him.The General and Lord Zane were always at loggerheads with each other, disagreein

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT Patrick continued to pay keen attention while he waited patiently to hear what else the man was going to say. For a while, nothing was heard, and he felt that those were the words of a crazy fellow who was just trying to get his attention. He sighed softly and after he had looked at his bound hands for a while, he took a step backward and looked at the entrance to the prison, hoping that the General was going to show up really soon. “You are still there, aren’t you? You heard everything I said, didn’t you?” The strange man questioned him with a loud tone, but even though he returned to his previous position close to the iron bars to be able to hear all the things he was saying, he refused to give him any response. At that time, it had already occurred to Patrick that he couldn’t trust everyone, not even the General who had left him for a while only to return just when he was about to be thrown into the dungeon. “Have you sworn an oath of silence? Have you bee

CHAPTER FORTY Patrick was certain that Lord Zane couldn’t see him, but that didn’t stop the conflict that nestled in his mind from making him feel very nervous. He watched as the councilman approached with slow but steady steps, looking toward his direction with so much suspicion written all over his face. At that time, the soldiers who were moving with him had gotten close to the doors that led into the King’s Chambers, and they stood still, waiting for him to join them. Lord Zane continued to approach, and when he got a few steps close to Patrick, he lifted his robe and gently pulled out a bronze dagger which was strapped to a leather sheath. “What?” Patrick whispered to himself while he watched the councilman hold up the dagger in front of him with his eyes still showing flashes of suspicion and uncertainty. For some reason, Lord Zane could feel the presence of someone around there, but he was unable to tell if the person was gone and if he was still hanging around, with each