Before the day Magnus was finally summoned to meet Zalyric of Evadene, he had already endured three long days of waiting. Each sunrise, he prepared himself, hoping that word would come from the palace. Each night, he returned to his guest chambers reminded of just how immense the King's authority was.
Zalyric was known for his calculated distance, for making people wait until he decided they were worth his time.
Despite the obvious hostility, Magnus didn't protest.
Not even internally.
If Zalyric wished to stall, then Magnus would simply continue waiting, whether it took three days, weeks, or months. He understood perfectly well that an audience with the ruler of Evadene was not something granted lightly.
So, when a servant finally approached with a deep bow and announced that His Majesty would grant him a chance to speak, a subtle weight lifted from Magnus's shoulders. Even so, anticipation pressed at him as this meeting would determine far more than mere political courtesy.
