The Game Begins

The following days at Lord Sebastien’s stronghold were filled with tension and deceit. Thomas kept his guard up, always cautious of what he said and did, knowing that any misstep could cost him his life. Sebastien remained polite and gracious, but there was an unspoken understanding between them—they were both playing a dangerous game, and neither trusted the other completely.

Despite the uncertainty, Thomas had been granted access to Sebastien’s court. He spent his days mingling with the nobles and soldiers, listening carefully for any clues about the rebellion. But Sebastien was careful, revealing little to anyone, even those closest to him.

The lord’s fortress was a place of cold efficiency. Unlike Alexander’s palace, which was filled with life and luxury, Sebastien’s halls were stark and practical. The soldiers were disciplined, and the nobles spoke in hushed tones, their faces lined with anxiety. It was clear that many of them feared the outcome of Sebastien’s plans.

One afternoon, as Thomas was walking through the training grounds, he overheard a conversation between two guards.

“Lord Sebastien says it’s almost time,” one of them whispered, glancing around nervously. “He’s been gathering forces from the eastern provinces. The king won’t see it coming.”

Thomas’s heart skipped a beat. This was the first solid piece of information he had managed to gather since arriving.

“When?” the other guard asked.

“Soon,” the first guard replied. “He’s waiting for word from the last of the northern lords. Once they pledge their support, we march.”

Thomas quietly slipped away before he could be noticed, his mind racing. Sebastien’s rebellion was closer than anyone had realized. He needed to get this information back to Alexander as soon as possible.

But escaping the stronghold wasn’t going to be easy. Sebastien had eyes everywhere, and any attempt to leave without permission would raise suspicion. Thomas would need a plan.

That Evening

Thomas returned to his chambers and sat at the small wooden desk, staring at the flickering candlelight. He had to think carefully about his next move. He couldn’t afford to rush this. If he left too soon, Sebastien would know something was wrong. But if he waited too long, it might be too late to warn Alexander.

As he sat there, lost in thought, a soft knock on the door broke his concentration. He tensed, quickly rising to his feet. No one visited his chambers, especially not at this hour.

“Who is it?” Thomas called, his hand instinctively moving toward the hilt of his sword.

“It’s me,” came a familiar voice from the other side of the door.

Thomas frowned, recognizing the voice immediately. He opened the door to find one of Sebastien’s advisors standing there—a man named Dorian. He was tall and lean, with sharp features and an air of arrogance that made Thomas wary from the moment they met.

“What do you want?” Thomas asked, keeping his tone neutral.

Dorian stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, his eyes scanning the room. “I wanted to speak with you privately,” he said, his voice low. “About Lord Sebastien.”

Thomas’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What about him?”

Dorian closed the door behind him, then turned to face Thomas, his expression serious. “You and I both know that Sebastien’s plans are dangerous. If he succeeds, the kingdom will be thrown into chaos.”

Thomas’s heart raced, but he kept his face impassive. “And why are you telling me this?”

“Because I don’t believe in what he’s doing,” Dorian said, his eyes narrowing. “I know what kind of man you are, Sir Thomas. You’re loyal to the kingdom, not to rebels and traitors. And I think we can help each other.”

Thomas crossed his arms, eyeing Dorian warily. “Go on.”

Dorian glanced around, as if making sure no one was listening, then leaned in closer. “I have information that could help you. Sebastien is planning to meet with the northern lords in three days’ time. If you can get word to the king before then, you might be able to stop him.”

Thomas’s mind whirled with possibilities, but he remained cautious. “And what do you get out of this?”

Dorian’s lips curled into a thin smile. “When Sebastien falls, I don’t want to be caught in the crossfire. If you succeed in stopping him, I want your assurance that I’ll be spared.”

Thomas hesitated, considering the offer. He didn’t trust Dorian—there was something slippery about him—but this might be the only chance he had to stop Sebastien’s rebellion.

“Fine,” Thomas said after a moment. “But if you betray me, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Dorian’s smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Two Days Later

Thomas had spent the last two days preparing for his escape. He had gathered enough information to know that Sebastien’s forces were growing by the day, and the northern lords were the final piece of the puzzle. If Alexander didn’t act quickly, the rebellion would be unstoppable.

That night, under the cover of darkness, Thomas made his move. He had memorized the guard rotations and knew the quietest routes through the stronghold. With Dorian’s help, he slipped out of the fortress and into the surrounding woods.

The ride back to the capital was grueling. Thomas pushed his horse to the limit, barely stopping to rest. His mind was consumed with thoughts of what might happen if he didn’t make it in time. Alexander needed to know the truth, and he needed to know now.

After what felt like an eternity, the capital’s walls finally came into view. Exhausted and battered, Thomas rode straight to the palace, demanding an audience with the king.

That Night in the Palace

Alexander was waiting for him in the throne room, his expression unreadable as Thomas entered, dirt and sweat covering his armor. The king dismissed his advisors, leaving them alone in the vast room.

“Thomas,” Alexander said, his voice low but tense. “What news do you bring?”

Thomas stepped forward, his heart still pounding from the ride. “Sebastien’s rebellion is happening sooner than we thought. He’s meeting with the northern lords in a day’s time. If you don’t act now, they’ll pledge their support, and his forces will be unstoppable.”

Alexander’s eyes darkened, his jaw clenched in anger. “So it’s true, then. He’s betrayed the crown.”

“Yes,” Thomas said, his voice steady despite the exhaustion. “But you still have time to stop him. If we move quickly, we can cut him off before he gains the full support of the nobles.”

For a moment, Alexander said nothing, his gaze locked on Thomas. Then, without warning, the king crossed the room and pulled Thomas into a tight embrace.

“You’ve done well,” Alexander whispered, his voice rough with emotion. “You’ve saved the kingdom.”

Thomas stiffened at the sudden contact, his heart racing for reasons that had nothing to do with the rebellion. He wasn’t used to such open displays of affection from the king, and it caught him off guard.

“I… I only did what needed to be done,” Thomas muttered, unsure of how to respond.

Alexander pulled back slightly, his hands still resting on Thomas’s shoulders. “You risked your life for this. For me.”

Thomas met Alexander’s gaze, his own emotions swirling in confusion. “I did it for the kingdom.”

A flicker of something—pain, maybe—crossed Alexander’s face before he quickly masked it. He released Thomas, stepping back. “Then let us prepare for war.”

And just like that, the moment was over. The king’s mask of authority was back in place, and the weight of the rebellion loomed over them once more.

But as Thomas followed Alexander out of the throne room, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something between them had shifted.

And he wasn’t sure if that was a good thing—or a very dangerous one.

To Be Continued...

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