[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/BKV06Ya.png[/img][/center]


Moving through the castle halls, Steph and Peter were careful to avoid attracting undue attention. Thankfully, there didn’t seem to be many people around, probably due to the siege Tornel had mentioned. This did pose something of a problem, however, as neither Steph nor Peter had any idea of where the king’s chambers were located. They needed directions, and for that, they needed someone to provide them. After ascending a few flights of stairs, they came to a large central chamber, at the far end of which, a figure in fancy armor was giving instructions to a group of several men-at-arms. 

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/KYG3Zie.jpg[/img]
Sir Gravy[/center]


[color=DeepSkyBlue]“Pardon us, sir,”[/color] Steph said as she and Peter approached the group. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“But would you be so kind as to tell us the way to the king’s chambers? We’re apprentices of Master Minoc of Tinkertown, and we have an urgent message for the king.”[/color]

“Do you now?” the knight who had been giving orders responded as he turned to face them. “In that case, it shall be my honor to take you to his majesty myself. I am Sir Gravy, a paladin in the king’s service, and you can rest assured that you shall be safe in my care, even in the midst of this deplorable siege! Sir Snack!” he called, and a knight in substantially less elaborate armor jumped to attention. “Continue overseeing the preparations in my stead.”

With that, the paladin began leading the way to the king’s chambers.

“I must say, I find myself somewhat perplexed as to how you made your way here with the dark forces of Draygon having thoroughly surrounded us,” Sir Gravy noted as they walked.

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“We used a secret underground passage,”[/color] Steph explained. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“It’s only known to a select few. In fact,”[/color] she added, [color=DeepSkyBlue]“we didn’t even know of it until Master Minoc showed us.”[/color]

“Ah yes, wizards and their secrets,” Sir Gravy said with a chuckle.

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“I know, right? Anyway, Master Tornel was supposed to meet us when we arrived, but we haven’t seen him anywhere.”[/color]

“That’s most likely due to the siege,” the paladin noted. “A wizard of his power is undoubtedly quite busy at a time like this, preparing mighty spells and crafting grand strategies.”

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“Oh, of course,”[/color] Steph replied, while doing her best not to roll her eyes at the paladin’s high praise of Tornel. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“We figured as much ourselves. That’s why we were looking for someone else who could show us the way to the king.”[/color]

“Speaking of his majesty, we have now arrived!” Sir Gravy declared as they stopped before an ornate gilded door. “Your Majesty,” he announced. “It is I, Sir Gravy! I have with me two envoys from Tinkertown, apprentices of Master Minoc! They say they carry an urgent message for you!”