"What are we to do now?"
Having sent Hansel away, the young count—so confident-seeming only moments before—now paced back and forth anxiously. He will deliver us to the king! I should have spoken softly! What if the royal court commands a troop of soldiers to wipe us out? He cursed himself for his momentary bragging.
His friends gazed at one another, bewildered.
"You were so great just now." Why the jitters?
Ford cried, attempting to bring back some sanity, "My lord, please, calm down!" You did what was correct. In fact, the king might not even mind if a small household like ours defies the Heraldry Academy authorities. We are in a far-off location; we cannot anticipate any serious military activity. The Princess also gave us a stay of execution on carrying out the crown duty.
Although Baron Abbott is most probably seeking honor and will be wanting troops from us, if he pushes too hard he may not inspire all-out war.
Uh. all right, the count said, but the confidence sounded hollow. In this struggle for power that seemed to engulf the entire world, he was but an ant—small and easily crushed.
Ford cried out, attempting to divert the attention of the group,
"Let's make Baron Abbott silent, then."
The eyes of the count gleamed with excitement and terror. Silence him? Ha! Something far more extreme we could do!
Ford went pale. That would be treasonous! Treason against the king!
The young man wavered between cowardice and bravery. One moment he was ready to take on the world; the next, he was paralyzed by the repercussions of his actions. "No, no. I was considering a clever maneuver to make it evident we cannot mobilize troops at present.".
Hansel raged, bursting into his own house and slamming the door behind him, "How dare that miserable country have high reputation in speaking to me in such a fashion!"
Who does he think he is to speak to me in such a way? I am representing the king. She walked, growing more furious with every step before plunging into horror at what would be the outcome of the meeting.
Before Eugene came back, Hansel had already conducted reconnaissance of the area. The pirate menace, while close, was not around Huxin Town and did not thus threaten his reign as of yet. Collecting taxes like all nobles did, he would let things remain as is. Following the archaic dictates by Rodney was a farce, and he could not help but consider the absurdity of the situation should he get caught.
What if I do it differently? Hansel pondered, rubbing his chin. Kids love hearing about knights and heroes. Maybe I can turn that to my advantage.
What if someone else does better, though? Matthew, the one who got left behind in the army, came to mind as he considered That terrible clown might just win the king's approval.".
Not jealous! He rebuked himself inwardly. I'm just worried about whether he can carry out his duties, particularly if he were to speak out against Her Royal Highness.
He heard a noise outside when he was preparing to sleep for the night. Looking out of the window, he saw torches and distant cries. He called Tommen, his servant, immediately to find out what was happening.
Tommen came back a few minutes later looking terrified. \"Master, it's awful! The patrol uncovered bandits near the town. The army has been guided by the lord to protect the region; the guards are advising the people to prepare!
Hansel was astonished. What kind of daring bandits would seek to assault the lord's estate?
The door opened and a guard entered, sword at his side, before he could consider any more of it.
Kill me not; I pray thee! Hansel exclaimed, answering the opposite direction under the bed; the lord is upstairs on the second floor and I have none!
Attempting to suppress laughter, the guard responded,
"Lord Hansel, I am a guard of the lord."
"Bandits are coming, and my lord ordered us—we may need to hide you downstairs."
Rising and attempting to compose himself, Hansel muttered under his breath. People in these small towns, They cannot even knock!
The guard said nothing, pushing him on, \"My lord, we have to hurry to safety.\"
Hansel commanded, pointing for Tommen to straighten his hair and clothes, \"Wait!\"
Hansel said, "Were it not for the urgency that we are in, I would be teaching you a thing or two regarding manners," before presenting a face of indifference. Let us continue, however.
Bursting in, another, his face carved with urgency as the guard pushed the door open. "Has the baron left already? We must make haste!
First guard became impatient. "Master Baron, come on! Where are you?"
His eyes landed on Tommen, who smiled sheepishly and pointed at the bed where the sheets were barely moving.".
And out of town, Eugene led a group of troops, disdainfully at the mayhem he thought he had caused. "That arrogant commissioner is probably trembling in his boots by now!" He was pleased with his sinister plot.
By the time he reached Bryce, he was grumbling, "Who does he think he is? Some impersonator lion with a chicken feather on an arrow. Were it not for the spears and armor, I would not bother with him.".
A soldier ran up to him, carrying a flashlight, his eyes filled with horror just as he was about to turn to head back to camp.
"It's bad! Lord! Battalion Commander Bryce! The pirates are coming!"
Eugene laughed, assuming it was more of the same. "Take it easy! That fool baron is hiding. A man should not shout.".
The soldier took a sharp breath, hardly able to breathe. "No! I am not joking!" Real pirates are coming! The others turned around when the soldier indicated out on the lake, and their eyes widened in horror as they noticed flashing lights traveling across the lake.