"Druid, listen very carefully before I slit out your tongue. Would I be correct in thinking that no living soul will know it was I that caused this?"
"Nobody will suspect a thing my lord."
"And you're sure it will leave King Volodar exposed and ready to... crush?"
"Of course sire."
"Excellent. I'm prepared to extract my vengeance," the man smiled wickedly and spiralled to his battle map. "This will not be pretty for those thieving little bastards, they must pay for what they have done." There was a chill of bitter silence.
"You're oath my lord. Will you let me go so I can return back to Kholis? I've done as you asked, and there's nothing that can stop your plan now." The King grunted, and hummed quietly as he moved his long, pale finger from one city to the next on his drawing.
"At least let me leave you a parting gift before you depart wizard, your service has been... most useful to me."
Reaching into the sleeve of his white, silk gown, the king seemed to rummage until he had found what he was searching for, and flicked the object down into his hand. It glinted in the fire wisps flare from the light above them like a rare onyx from the Dwarven mines in Laeroth, but it was no gem. Before the wizard could react, the black, sinthian knife pierced his throat, staining the King's expensive outfit a sea of crimson betrayal. "My need for you has ended."