Drabble Challenge: Pryderi's moment of betrayal

Double-Edged

"I am charged to deliver this into the king's hand."

The courier is weary, having ridden hard for days, but even in his fatigue he can sense the tension in the air. Men cluster in the courtyard; snatches of their conversation prick at his ears.

"An ill mood…"

"Ever since that emissary…where was he from?"

"All in black…"

"Hasn't slept…"

He is led to the council table, where the mood does nothing to quell disquiet as grim-faced advisers trade covert glances while their golden-headed monarch paces the floor. Parchments delivered, their deliverer awaits an answer.

Pryderi snorts at the sunburst crest on the seal, and his handsome face settles in hard lines as he reads. But suddenly he draws his sword from the scabbard and binds it naked to his side, raising eyes as grey and cold as the blade.

"Tell them I will come."

It is, somehow, not comforting.