The man's last words echoed in the large council room. A heavy silence fell. The only sound was the man's uneven breathing. He kept his head bowed, not looking up. King James of the Roland Kingdom had a small, satisfied smile on his lips. He had made his move, and it seemed to have worked just as he wanted.
Emperor Sir David listened to every word the soldier said. He did not move. His face was like a stone, showing no feeling at all. After the soldier stopped talking and the silence continued, Sir David slowly closed his eyes. He stayed like that for a long time. To everyone in the room, it felt like forever. It seemed like he was thinking very hard, weighing all the words he had heard from everyone.
King Noor IV watched the Emperor. His heart felt like a heavy, cold stone inside him. The soldier's story was full of lies, but he told it with such real-looking fear. It was very harmful. King Noor had not thought Roland would find one of Baron Noble's men.
