Each of the two great houses sat by their part of the map, the kind centred the both of them, the table was made of rocks, the mountains, rives, hills and known castle had the same treatment, the corners of the room they seated had those tentacles coming down
"I guess they never end" said Lord Varyon looking at them
"I brought you here seeking discussion over some big matters, across the sea," said King Gerdon
The both of them stared him awaiting the continuation of it
"First of all, I would like to show you something" said King Gerdon as Prince Rafam handed a piece of paper to him
Opening it had a bell drawing over it, weird letters and symbols covered the sides, the bell seemed huge, the paper was old as well, some parts were torn out, others had their ink starting to fade
"And this is?" said Lord Varyon
"This is what Kailer's son brought alongside him in the latest trade, this is what the mountain man found about the old history, for now," said King Gerdon
"And what is it?" asked Lord Varyon
"Some remnants of the old history," said King Gerdon
"This definitely doesn't seem fake, and they wont risk faking such a thing hurting the only hand to feed them," said Lord Varyon
"They managed to open up some parts of an old library, amongst the ruins, this was from the very few distinguishable things in there," said King Gerdon
"So, you are saying there are others," said lord Kailer, finally getting more interested
"Indeed, there are, the box your son brought was full of them" replied King Gerdon
"I guess you not bringing them out is for a purpose," said Lord Kailer
King Gerdon smiled and said "Yes, we've got info that these, bells, exist in our continent as well"
"And you think we are hiding their existence," said Lord Varyon
"Never hurts to check such things" said King Gerdon "Once the bell is 'found', I shall share the rest with you all"
"We will be sure to contact you once we get info" said Lord Varyon "Anyways, I don't guess this is all you wish to talk with us about"
King Gerdon stayed silent for a moment, then spoke saying "The other matter is about the black sheep men"
"You mean that bandit group that attacked Torden on his mission? I heard the mountain men drove them off the same day, it is a matter of time before they get disposed of" said lord Varyon
"I wish it was like this, Sigh… the reason the mountain men gave me such info seeking more supplies, is because they can't handle that group," said King Gerdon
"Can't they track them?" said Lord Kailer
"No, it isn't that, it is much worse, even if they did track them, they won't be able to fight them" said King Gerdon "The group is growing bigger with each passing day, they already declared war on us with their last action"
"They are using the people's hatred for us to their use, controlling them into a large bandit's group, they are already strong enough to fight the mountain men in an open field, it is a matter of time before they are a threat" said king Gerdon
"So what? Even if the mountain falls, all you need to discipline them is to cut off the food supply," said Lord Varyon
"They found a way to make up for food, wish we don't know of, some say it is through cannibalism or pillaging, others theorized about them finding a way to harvest crops in the sands," said Lord Kailer
"These papers were only given at a time of need; we don't know how much the mountain is keeping from us. At the rate that group is growing, the mountain might collapse before another trade happens," said King Gerdon
"But what about the sea, they can't cross that, the region barley has any trees, and they are mainly used for crops harvesting," said Lord Varyon
"That doesn't mean that it is impossible for them to do so," said Prince Rafam "They have already proven themselves by building battle rums, who knows what they might be hiding"
"But I heard their leader is not that smart, I mean Torden was able to outsmart him if it wasn't for the number difference between two group," said Lord Varyon
"That wasn't their leader" said Lord Kailer "Their leader's origin or face are unknown, he might not even exist,"
"Anyways, we need to be allies with the winning group, for we have no control over that land, and with both motives clear, we know wish ones to side with," said King Gerdon
"Anyways, this is all I had to say, be sure to inform me if you are to get any info" said King Gerdon as they all stepped out the place, the guards from both the front and the back guarding the way and rear
In the surface Torden came back home with nightfall after checking the streets for a time, going inside he found his Borther, Fraymon, sharpening an axe while sitting on a chair of 4 around the fancy table they had
"And... what is this?" said Torden
"I bought it" replied Fraymon spinning it in the air with each throw he did upwards
"I am asking why?" said Torden entering inside and closing the door behind him
"Never hurts to be ready" said Fraymon
"Just so you know brother, the nearest bandit camp is all the way across the split rivers" said Torden
"Who said anything about bandits," said Fraymon making Torden more confused as he sat down to hear the story
"You know, the capital isn't all flowers and rainbows, it is a rotten place, and this, is a weapon of justice!" said Fraymon staring into his own reflection
"A warrior of justice, I see…" said Torden "And who perhaps told you all these stuffs? I don't think that you are much of a thinker in these kinds of topics no offence of course"
"Grandma did" replied Fraymon still excited about the weapon
"And did she tell you to buy that?" said Torden
"No? but as I said, it never hurts, to be ready" said Fraymon
"You know what just did is illegal," said Torden
"No, it is not" said Fraymon
"Yes, it is" replied Torden
"If I was, why did they allow it to be sold on the street" said Fraymon
"You probably went to the guards and knight's street, and seeing how miserable you look, none of them thought you to be a noble" said Torden staring him up and down checking his clothes
"I wouldn't have missed that" said Fraymon laughing to himself while looking to the side
"Were their any nobles there?" said Torden
"I…" said Fraymon trying to remember, he stared back up at Torden and said "Oh no, what will happen to me?"
"Well, seeing your status as a big noble house, and how close you will be allowed near the king at the parties, they will accuse you with attempted harm towards royal blood, wish at best leads to prison" said Torden
"And, at worst?" asked Fraymon
Torden did not reply, he moved his hand from the front to the back on his neck, that was enough to make Fraymon understand
"What do I do?!" asked Fraymon
"Well, start by getting rid of it, and wear some clothes, we are attending the party, and most important of all" said Torden walking closer as he put his hand on Fraymon shoulder
"If any one says they saw you in that street, deny" he walked up stairs leaving his brother alone
By the time he went back down, Fraymon held no such thing
"Great! oh…" he said before seeing the clothes Fraymon wore
"These, are the same from yesterday…" said Torden
"Yes, what's wrong? They are clean, and I don't think they are of any illegal origins… are they?" said Fraymon
"I will just leave you to mother and grandmother" said Torden as both of them left the house, beneath the table a little plank was off place, peaking into a dark place