|Ace>

  There was a whole plush queen-sized bed in there along with an armchair and table. That tent was nicer than the place Cherry and I rented. Sitting at a vanity and buttoning up a freshly ironed shirt was Prince Nicolaus, his shaggy hair still wet from a shower. Seeing us in the mirror, Nicolaus turned and greeted us with a warm smile.

  "Ah, two of the adventurers that helped us defend Rosenburg! I've been following your exploits; welcome to our little slice of paradise."

  Wanting to press the character on how much it knew, I managed to stammer out a response. "Our exploits?"

  "Yes!" Nicolaus fastened the last button on his shirt and turned fully to face us. "As I understand it, you helped put down one of my father's unholy abominations - that thing he used to keep his gardens alive. Excellent work. And, of course, I respect the work you've done for the newspaper - I know when I see your names I can expect a hard-hitting article. Though I have to ask, in the styling of your signature, is it supposed to be 'Ace Reporter' and 'Cherry Keane', or is it 'Ace' and 'Reporter Cherry Keane'?"

  I was flabbergasted. Not only did this NPC recognize us, but he was familiar with our bylines? "It's, uh... just a pun on my name."

  Cherry looked like she was about ready to explode, torn between her natural disdain of authority and the genuine recognition of our work. Her mouth opened and closed a couple of times before she managed to regain her composure.

  Nicolaus asked, "I don't suppose you've come to swear allegiance to our side of the cause? We would be very grateful to have your services."

  "Sorry; it's important for the press to stay independent." I replied.

  "Of course, of course." Nicolaus nodded. "Well, come in. I'm afraid I don't have long, but I will answer any questions that it is in my power to answer."

  I hesitantly walked a bit further into the tent, while Cherry lingered near the entrance, eyeing the NPC prince with suspicion. I didn't actually think we'd get this far; we didn't have any questions prepared.

  "Uh, so... will you be staying long? In the city?" I asked.

  "I do not intend to leave ever again - at least while my father still sits on the throne. This war has gone on long enough, and we must make bold moves to bring it to an end."

  "And... the King just lets you guys camp out here? Outside his gates?" I asked.

  Nicolaus's face twisted. "My father is... no longer a sensible man. There's some malicious joy he gets in our suffering - in the suffering of his people. He is so certain of his victory that he will allow us to invade his very walls. That is why we must remain careful - he's waiting to spring his trap."

  Cherry asked, "Is that why you leave all the real work to us adventurers?"

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  Nicolaus bristled at that, his shoulders tensing visibly. "We have left the duty of the assault to any who wish to undertake the peril, and I am grateful for every volunteer. We have provided all the support that we have been able to in breaking down the fortifications that have stood in the way of the assault. If you think that is not enough, then be assured that the battle is still to come. Once we have a direct route inside, we will be able to safely commit our forces without fear of being trapped and annihilated by that madman's machinations." He frowned.

  "Are you nervous?" Cherry asked.

  The Prince's gaze drifted toward the tent wall in the direction of the Citadel. "Nervous? No, I don't think that's the word. This place... it was my home once. I remember running through the halls, the celebrations we held in the gardens. It's the echoes of the past that I fear - what will we find inside? What hollow shell has my father let the palace degrade into? Is there anything left of the joy, the staff, the flowers? Or has he given it all over to that twisted voice?"

  "Voice? What voice?" I asked.

  "Has no one told you?" Nicolaus asked. "This all started when my father began to hear a voice - something calling to him from... beyond. Sometimes it was from above, sometimes below. He claimed it was the Goddess' own words, but..." He gestured toward the Citadel. "You've seen what it has wrought. He grew increasingly paranoid."

  "Could anyone else hear it?" I asked.

  "Some claimed to, but not I." Nicolaus shook his head. "Apparently it had happened before - my uncle Alephred - then the Royal Spymaster - claimed a similar phenomenon occurred to my grandfather. He refused to tell me more and left shortly after - he warned me that I should do the same. And that's when the madness took hold. Men tore each other apart in the fervor of their worship, innocent citizens were jailed and subjected to dark experiments in the name of the Goddess' wishes. My own mother - what that man did to her..." He paused, visibly collecting himself. "I know not what is truly at play here. Alephred believes it is to do with the crown - that abolishing our position and returning power to the people will prevent it from manifesting again. But he's wrong. I've seen what it does to people - to all those it touches. This is not something limited to my blood - there's something dark waiting for us inside those walls. I'm not here to kill my father - I'm here to find the source of that voice and to rip it out by the root."

  He suddenly seemed to remember our presence and shook his head slightly. "My apologies; I didn't mean to monologue. You had questions, yes?"

  "I... think you given us a lot to chew on right there." I said.

  That's also when the secretary knight leaned in through the door. "Your Majesty, you are expected in the briefing room soon - please wrap it up."

  "Of course." Nicolaus nodded, standing up and putting on a jacket that had been draped over a nearby chair. "I'm sorry this conversation had to be so brief, but there are always more plans to be made - we only get one shot at this. If you have further questions, feel free to schedule a formal interview."

  "Thanks for taking the time to see us." I said, closing my notebook.

  Nicolaus started to leave, but paused in the doorway, looking down in thought. He turned to face us again. "Could I ask a favor of you, while you're here?"

  "Sure." I replied.

  "As a neutral party, would you mind checking with the Resistance supply officer for me? They have an industrial welding machine in their Townsville factory that they had promised to import here to build our siege equipment, but last I heard there was some trouble moving it. We must begin preparations as soon as possible, so I would like to offer any assistance I can to get it here. Please tell one of the guards to pass the information on to Lieutenant Anderson if there's anything I need to know about it."

  "Townsville welding machine import - got it. Not a problem." I assured him.

  With that, the Prince and his secretary left, and Cherry and I walked toward the exit of the camp.

  "What do you think - still worse than a landlord?" I asked Cherry with a small smile.

  Cherry seemed to be mulling it over. "Well... he may not have been worthy of the position on birth, but maybe he can prove himself for the job, you know? We've got some time before he has to be crowned - let him show if he can handle it."

  "Uh-huh."