King Nelson sat quietly in the wooden carriage. Outside, the clatter of hooves and the clink of chainmail accompanied the procession.
The sun had not yet risen high, and already the road ahead seemed long and suffocating.
Receiving an ambiguous answer from Bain, Nelson can only hope that Riz value their past friendship and will be lenient toward them. Else, he and his family will truly be damned.
Nelson made up his mind to negotiate with Riz. If there was even the faintest hope, he had to try. At the very least, he wishes for his children to be spared.
Thus, with a heavy heart, both the army and the former royal family depart for Bideford.
....
Meanwhile, in Bideford, Riz receive a letter from an unexpected person.
Riz's eyes flicked toward the seal. He knew it immediately.
"Kempten," he murmured.
The sender was Lord Hadrian Kempten, the overlord of medicine in Blande. The Kempten family controlled an expansive and lucrative network in the medical and alchemical industries.
