บท 80: King’s Banquet iii
"Well, what would you like for this information?" King Victor cut to the chase.
Alexander turned his head. He leaned on his palm as a sly smile crept up his face, "I don't think you want the information."
Narrowing his eyebrows, King Victor added pressure to his voice, "And why do you think that?"
Emile took a second to observe the reactions of the rest of the table. Most of them seemed concerned. Their brows were lowered and their foreheads creased. Many of them had clasped their hands on the table, unmoving; meanwhile their eyes darted between the two Kings.
"Where's Murik, King Victor?" King Alexander questioned.
"My advisor? I told you already, he's absent today."
"I know. I know. I'm asking where he is. Surely you, the King of Rising Tide, are aware of the location of your most trusted aid, no?" King Alexander continued to toy with Victor. Every one of his questions ended in a cocky demeanor.
Silence pressed down on the bunker. The only two who moved a muscle at the table were Victor and Alexander.
"I sent him to the forest." King Victor replied.
"When?" Alexander shot back.
"When I was informed of Black Gates situation. Are you implying something, King Alexander?" Victor lowered his voice even further, his tone bordering on that of a growl.
"So you sent your advisor, presumably alone since you haven't mentioned otherwise, into an abandoned forest at the same time I sent the first team of Forerunners. Since then, I've determined my people missing. But Murik is just absent for today, yes?" King Alexander spoke with extravagant hand gestures and he made a point to look into the eyes of the other people sitting around the table.
"Why are you so confident he'll return?" King Alexander finally asked.
More silence crushed the room.
"I trust my subordinate. Now is that all?"
"Oh!" King Alexander flamboyantly shifted his body in his chair. He leaned over the table and pushed his head into Emile's personal space. While staring at the youth, King Alexander continued:
"He trusts him! I guess I should call it quits, huh?"
Emile absentmindedly gazed into Alexander's eyes. This whole ordeal was unexpected. King Alexander was not what Emile expected.
'Does he want me to answer him?!'
'He wants me to go against Victor?!'
Emile finally pulled his eyes away from Alexander's stare and found every other pair of eyes looking at him.
'Oh my God I really do have to answer'
"The position of advisor is not something to be mistreated. If he really were missing, it would be a great loss to Rising Tide." Emile regurgitated the words that appeared in his mind.
"Right?!" King Alexander almost yelled, "Murik's absence needs to be taken care of immediately! That's why I find it so odd that King Victor is treating it so mildly. Wouldn't you agree? Um…"
"Spright." Emile filled in.
"Spright! Wouldn't you agree?!"
"I—yes."
'Smile and wave boys'
'Smile and wave'
"Thank you!" King Alexander thankfully pulled away from Emile and returned to his seat alone. After crossing his arms and leaning back, Alexander made one final remark:
"So where's Murik?"
"I told you he's in the forest." King Victor replied through clenched teeth.
"I don't believe you." King Alexander replied once more without hesitation.
The tension in the room grew palpable. In addition to the weight brought forth by the King's auras, the bunker also became incredibly warm.
Beads of sweat condensed on Emile's forehead and his palms very quickly became slimy. Emile felt like an ant in a room full of locusts; he was just waiting for the tension to snap and one of them to strike.
Meanwhile, just to Emile's left King Ulmor watched the two Kings fight with glee. He was usually the cause of fights during their meetings and from what Emile could tell, King Ulmor had no interest in interfering.
"You know what, I have an idea!" King Alexander took to the stage once again since he noticed King Victor's choice to remain silent, "Can you describe to me Murik's characteristics? Height, weight, those sorts of things?"
"And why should I do that?"
"Just call it a King's curiosity. I'm sure you understand." King Alexander preemptively dismissed Victor's opposition.
With his eyes glued to Alexander's, King Victor answered.
"Murik is six foot three inches. He has a medium build and a shaved head with dark brown eyes."
"Hmm—" King Alexander brought his hand to his chin, he truly is an animated individual, "and what was his Gift again? Could you remind me?"
"I will not."
"I give you permission to reveal all the information involving the Dead Tree." King Alexander maintained his eye contact with King Victor, but he spoke to his advisor.
"Yes sir—" His advisor stood from his seat and bowed towards Alexander, "The Dead Tree is located in a labyrinth ten miles beneath the surface. From what we've gathered, there is only one entrance into and out of the man made structure. Standing outside of the entrance is a guard: six foot three inches, bald, and brown eyes."
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