“Crystal Lake Kingdom is not happy about this. They claimed they had sent the Duke for diplomatic reasons.”

“Yes, but they didn’t realize Joseph is a war hawk, a hungry one at that too.”

“Keep your voices down. Would not be good if you got overheard by any of the king’s people.”

Amongst the chatter, Lisk noticed an older man, taller than everyone else in the room by at least a foot and half, held a quill in his hands. He stroked the feather with his thumb and index finger gently. Appearing to be deep in thought, he seemed to intend to write something, but he probably never came up with what he wanted to write down, for he simply just repeated the same motion with his fingers and the quill for hours.

The man’s hair said he was eighty, his face claimed fifty, but his body disagreed and conveyed thirty. A man his size doesn’t go unnoticed, and his scruffy hair and unkempt beard made sure of that. To say that his clothes were rags would be too generous, and his hygiene would probably benefit by rolling around in the mud.

“That’s an interesting looking homeless guy.” Dusk remarked.

Lisk was unsettled by the man’s presence though. He couldn’t explain it, but he got a chill every time he snuck a glance at the man. Finally he decided it was best to not look that direction at all.

“What are you talking about? He looks so peaceful and grandfatherly.” Dusk replied when Lisk told him something about the man was unnerving.

Dusk observed the proceedings in the room with caution. The taverns, the restaurants, and the teahouses are where people gather to discuss current events. Dusk had heard and learnt plenty from simply sitting in and overhearing conversations. While Lisk no longer looked in the man’s direction, Dusk stole a few more glances that way. The man’s eyes answered back. Dusk quickly turned around and pretended to be minding his own business.

It was too late. The man paced around the room, but with each coming second he was getting closer. “Sad death, wasn’t it.”

The man was talking to them. Lisk glared at Dusk as if Dusk had awoken the devil, which seemed ridiculous to Dusk. Why was Lisk so afraid of this man? Unique presence? Sure. What exactly was so intimidating about this man?

“He will be forgotten in no time. Things, when they are gone so unspectacularly, they don’t get remembered. Isn’t that right?” The man’s voice was grim. To Lisk, his voice was what death would sound like if death had a voice.

“Maybe the general public will forget him, but there will be those who remember him. Every death is like that.” Lisk replied.

The man laughed hysterically, “You are too young.”

Lisk observed the man’s face. Beneath the white hair and beard were scars, and lots of it. There was also an imprint on his right cheek in the shape of a crescent.

“This death itself won’t be remembered, but its effects will be well-felt. I’m afraid that Birchland would likely not be a paradise in the coming years.” As soon as the man uttered his last words, he disappeared. Lisk didn’t see him go out the door. It was like he simply vanished.

“Do you think he’s right?” Dusk asked pensively.

“No, Crystal Lake won’t start a war on us. One, they usually had a good relationship with Birchland and they are understanding enough, so if Joseph can send envoys along with gifts to ease the tension…” Lisk was not convinced by the suspicious man.

“I’m going to stop you right there. Maybe the old and dead king will do what you said, but Joseph won’t do anything to ease the tension.” Dusk reminded Lisk, “This is a guy who started invading all the smaller kingdoms and autonomous tribes up north as soon as he took the throne. Have you heard his motto? Cross the Pearl Sea on the east, and journey the Camelback Plains on the west, upon arrival, we ravage all the kingdoms and take gold and slaves upon victory.”

“That’s a rumor. Also, Crystal Kingdom know they won’t be win a war against us, so they won’t start one.” Although Lisk also knew Joseph was a warmonger, he couldn’t believe Joseph’s ambitions to be so wild and unchecked. East of Pearl Sea were the Parable Pennisula, which had contents that not many people in the main landmass knew about. To the west was the Camelback Plains, and somewhere farther west laid the Disconnect Hills, which had a kingdom that was maybe a bit smaller than Birchland, but still a very large and formidable one. Both directions were uncharted territory for many in Birchland.

“I absolutely believe Joseph said that.” Dusk told Lisk.

Lisk paused for a moment. Dusk pressed on, “Lisk, come on, think about it logically. Your high profile diplomat dies on the turf you are trying to make peace with, who do you naturally blame?”

Lisk was not convinced, but he wouldn’t doubt for long.

A man entered, and the crowd gathered around him. Lisk recognized the man. He carried three things on him at all times: a bag, tobacco, and a silver cup. His name was Angers, the most reliable information in town. It seemed like he knew everything that was happening, and why it was happening. Naturally, everyone tried to listen to what he had to say.

“Crystal Lake tried to blame King Joseph for the death of Duke Yastin.” Angers cut straight to the point.

“What did King Joseph say?” Someone in the crowd yelled out.

“Did he deny it?” More questions followed.

“Did you find out who killed the duke?”

Angers raised his hand to quiet the crowd down, then replied, “King Joseph told the king of Crystal Lake Kingdom that they were crazy at first. When the king of Crystal Lake demanded more, Joseph said he sent the assassins to kill the Duke.”

The crowd gasped in shock. Dusk turned and looked at Lisk in triumph.

“Sir Pearce is going to have a discussion at his manor in a week on this incident.” Angers said, “He lives not too far away from the Crossover, he invited an exclusive list of guests, but you all can go feel the buzz.”

“I’m going to go to Sir Pearce.” Lisk told Dusk.

“He won’t let you in.” Dusk gave Lisk a look that combined amusement with confusion.

“I will find a way in. I’m setting off today. The Crossover isn’t close to here.”