“…from a distance, it will be unnoticeable.”
“Yet to me, it remains unthinkable.”
It was preposterous, Aldric had thought. Twelve men in the court, eighteen spread across six guard towers, fourteen by the gate, and not to mention the extra twenty mercenaries hired for the Karnivale, and yet someone had been able to enter the castle treasury without detection, leaving with the two most prized coins in the kingdom. The words of his attending vizier Morlus did little to slow the king’s pacing in his court.
“I’ve seen to it personally that a few of my men have been dispatched to find the royal coins. At the moment they’re searching the back rooms of the less reputable taverns, as well as the alleys through the Haverdrum district. Rest assured your majesty, within a week, the whole of the city should be checked, and the coins returned before the closing ceremonies.”
“And until then? Counterfeit coins? Where did you even acquire these?” asked Aldric, disdaining the reproductions in his hands.
“I’d procured some assistance by some knowledgeable people—”
“By the isles?”
“Of course. If I’d used our own minters the theft would be revealed in a tavern by midnight and known in every kingdom by daybreak.”
“And you suppose you could trust these…”
“Pirates? In truth, not completely, your majesty, but if any of them were to speak they’d hardly be believed, and besides, after this situation has been dealt with these pirates too may be easily managed.”
Aldric was never comfortable with how Morlus made crises sound as palatable as they did, yet his skill was still appreciated with visiting diplomats and other royalty. He sighed, turning away from the portrait of his grandfather, Aldric the First, hanging by the east wall.
“And what about the court spies? Have they been notified?” Aldric asked.
“They have, but in truth your majesty, I’d not expect much help from them, being preoccupied with the festivities. It is their busiest time of the year after all,” Morlus responded.
A knock came from the doors of his chambers, followed by the presence of Allistair Drake, Head of the Royal guard. “Apologies your Majesty, am I interrupting important business?”
“Nothing which you are not already privy to, Captain. Do you have news about our situation?” Morlus asked.
“Not yet Vizier, but the men are still searching—quietly, as requested. My news actually comes from Princess Drusella, who awaits your Majesty by the south balcony. She wishes to have a word with you before the opening ceremonies. Something about your outfits.”
“Outfits?” asked the ever patient king.
“Yes, your Majesty. She insists that she wears a floral, wide-brimmed hat, and for you to be dressed in an accompanying tunic.”
“Has she shown you the hat?”
“Yes.”
“And the tunic that I’m to wear?”
“Indeed your Majesty, I have.”
“And Captain, if you were me, would you in place of the traditional regalia wear whatever outrageous cloth my daughter now proposes that I wear?”
“Well your Majesty, I do not ever imagine myself to be in such lofty position as to assume your pla—”
“Captain! May I remind you that I am Aldric Montefaire the Third, of House Montefaire, King of the land in which you now find yourself in, and in which my proclaimed word is sovereign law? You are to answer me with the utmost candor of which you are capable. Do you wear the tunic?”
“As King of such a glorious land as this, I would not interrupt such a time honoured tradition nor fail to wear the regalia of your most renowned ancestors. However, as father of Drusella Luciana Montefaire, I would be a fool not to.”
“Gah!” shouted the King, as he paced towards the exit.
“Counterfeits, counterfeits, counterfeits! Is that all you people ask of me?”