[Bonus chapter] The Tangled Web 

~ STARK ~

"Captain Stark? The King requests your attendance. He's holding Audience, Sir."

I nodded and took the note—scrawled in David's hand, but little more than a demand to attend him. Then I thanked the young messenger and marched as quickly through the halls of the castle as I could without drawing attention.

His Audience Chamber was at the center of the castle and would take several minutes to walk. But I would not delay. David had been avoiding me as much as possible for days. If he was calling for me now, there was a problem.

As I passed the servants scurrying through the halls, and the guards on patrol, I kept my eyes high and gait determined, so none would be tempted to ask me to slow or speak. But I sighed through gritted teeth.

David was the problem.