[h2]Prince Erik Reighn - Dawn, Miricia[/h2]

King Jacob listened to Zachary's explanation about the day's events carefully, feeling the need to address it first. "I see. Then, this mage, is he laguz?"

"Human," Erik replied curtly. 

"Human," King Jacob repeated. "We shall keep him confined to the weeks end, and release him then." The King ordered. Erik was about to protest, believing some stricter action may have been necessary for the violent mage. However, Gregory grabbed onto the Prince's arm and motioned him not to say anything. Erik was tempted to ignore his companions behest, but ultimately decided this was for the best. 

The young King Jacob furrowed his brows and glared at Gerwazy. "Allow me to explain one thing," The young ruler began. He grasped onto the throne room vigorously. "The sub-humans of Miricia are [i]my[/i] people, not yours," Jacob snapped. "You are allowed here simply because I wanted to figure out what happened to my father."

"Then let us figure out what happened to him," Erik interjected, as he rose and took a step forward. "Your highness, your father and I were good friends. I fought with him. I laughed with him. I cried with him. Let me bring the bastard that did this to justice."

King Jacob fell silent for a moment. A shorter, portly man whispered into the King's ear. Erik didn't necessarily recognize him, but his garb was very much something typical of Monos. Erik was beginning to dislike the involvement of the northern nation more and more. Yet as of now, Erik was more concerned about finding out more about his friend's death. "Very well. On behalf of Miricia, I would charge you to bring back the traitor who murdered my father, [i]King[/i] Temerus, to face the King's justice."

"I... king Jacob, surely you don't really believe that the laguz King of Miricia was behind this, do you?" Erik asked the young King.

"Of course I do!" Jacob exploded angrily. "All the signs point to him. He is guilty, and he must pay."

Erik shook his head. "We can't know for sure. A better idea would be to investigate here first, and-"

"While we wait here," Albert, the mustached commander interjected. "Derak protects Temerus. What if he flees through their aid? What if he departs and is never heard from again? Even if what you say is true, and Temerus has not done anything, then hear it from his own mouth. Show us that he has nothing to hide. Clear his name, if you must."

Erik gritted his teeth. This wasn't what he had planned to do. A trip to Derak would take time. It would be a couple weeks journey at least, and that's if it was a straight shot. And Erik knew the likelihood of finding actual clues more likely in Miricia itself. Yet Erik knew now his best bet was to first clear up the matter with Temerus. Even if there was a small chance he could have done it, the sooner they ruled him out, the better. Erik looked at Albert, and then toward the two Monosian knights from before, Joriah and Derius. Their involvement here was even more troubling, but Erik saw now way to help it now. 

"All right," Erik finally conceded. "I'll go to Derak and clear this up. And when I return, I'll find the answers I seek." 

The King leaned back in his chair, a look of satisfaction on his face. "Good. I presume you will have a team with you on your travels?"

"Gregory and Zachary will accompany me," Erik replied as he looked over his knights. He then glanced at Gerwazy, then the wolf and raven laguz beside him, not sure what to make of them at this point.

"And the bird, dragon and wolf?" Albert asked the prince. "What's their part in all of this?" Erik fell silent and looked toward the two, figuring he'd give them to explain for themselves their involvement, if any really.