Ian returned that night as George had asked him to, the man nodding his greeting to the guards when he entered the gates. Everyone knew him rather well and his appearance at such a late hour was not unusual. The man had spent his evening mulling over the king's dilemma and while he didn't have an answer, he knew his company could at least be a small balm to his best friend's soul. For one night at least.
The halls were cool with only the soft glow coming from the hall lights, placed on a dim setting that made everything shimmer between light and shadow. Ian nodded towards the guards near the throne room and slipped through the cracked open doors.
"How are you doing?" His voice echoed in the silence, no response coming from the king who sat back in the throne, head inclined towards the ceiling. "That bad, huh? Clearly you've had one too many drinks, good friend." Ian continued his walk forward, unease creeping through his body as no response came.
"George? George, are you alright?" His steps quickened, each stride lengthening to eat up the space in the fastest way possible. Still, no movement came from the king. As he came close, reaching out with tentative fingers, he couldn't see any movement on George's chest. His hand rested on George's shoulder with just enough force to cause the king's head to loll off to the side and forward.
"George!" Panic and horror bubbled through the shout. Ian grabbed George's shoulders and shook them, the stiffening body unable to do anything but shift with the forced movement. "No, NO!" He pressed his fingers to George's neck, a gasp sticking in his throat at the cold skin and lack of pulse. In a rush of disbelief, he released him, stepping back as he shook his head. George, his best friend, a man who was loved by all, was dead. Gone. Nothing but an empty body...
Ian spun around, rushing to the wall to pull the alarm. The sound reverberated through the palace as the lights brightened and oscillated. Guards poured through the doors, shoving Ian aside. The moments flashed by as he stood there, still, watching the guards check for a pulse. Shouts filled the room, gestures pointing towards Ian and all around. Men rushed to watch the door while others grabbed Ian's arms, demanding answers.
Ian heard their voices, loud but distant in his ears, his gaze locked on George's lifeless body. Nothing could have prepared him for this moment, to see the guards bow their heads in respect, a few blinking back tears as they fought to keep their composure. Anger, sadness, and disbelief swirled through the room as they looked to him for answers.
"What have you done? Answer me!" The words hit Ian as a stabbing pain in his arm brought clarity to his mind. The guard pressed his arm behind his back, twisting it around and forcing Ian into a sharp gasp.
"Nothing! I did nothing! I found him like that!" Ian attempted to pull away, only to find himself yanked back and the captain grabbing his shoulder to restrain him. "You have to believe me! I would never hurt George!"
"Someone alert Queen Eya. Tell her what has happened, but be delicate when you bring her the news. She will know what to do with Ian," the captain barked. One of the other men nodded and made a dash towards the door, only to be stopped by the queen herself entering, looking around at the chaos before her.
"What is all this commotion about? Why was the alarm triggered?" Eya demanded, looking around quickly as though to make sense of all the chaos.
"Your Majesty!" Ian started, only to let out a sharp cry at the sudden twist to his arm.
"Silence," the guard hissed in his ear.
"Your Majesty," the captain spoke up, pushing his way through the group of men towards the queen, "I'm afraid there's been an incident. Please, come with me to the hallway."
"No! Tell me this instant what has happened!" Eya shoved the man aside, careening her neck to try and see George. "George? George, what has happened?" Only silence followed her questions, the guards doing their best to try and block her view.
"Your husband is dead," the captain admitted. "I am sorry. Now please, let us speak in the hall. This is no place for you."
"Dead? No!" Tears streamed down Eya's face as she ran forward, pushing past the men to see George's lifeless body. A small amount of foam had collected at the corner of his mouth, his skin white, and expression empty.
"George! Oh George! My George!" She threw herself on top of him, grabbing his face as sobs ripped through her body. "You can't be gone! Wake up, George! Please!" She looked into the crowd of faces with desperation, clinging to her husband.
"Where is the medic?! Someone get the medic!!" No one moved at her yells, only watched with broken expressions and sullen faces. The captain approached her, gently pulling her away from his body. With no strength to fight it, she only sobbed all the harder, shaking her head, "Surely the medic- a doctor could do something!"
"I'm sorry, my Queen. We both know there is nothing to be done now. I understand you're grieving but we need to know what to do with Ian."
Through her tears, Eya looked in the direction the captain pointed, eyes widening as though this was the first time she noticed Ian in the room. He looked at her with desperation, gaze imploring her for mercy.
"Ian?" she managed to choke out, desperately trying to gain control of her own voice.