"Erm, Silver?"
"Yeah? What's the matter?"
"Why did the king summon for me?" Clay asked nervously as he stepped closer to the wizard.
Silver shrugged and replied, "We'll find out soon. We're already here." Stepping into the dazzling room, he bowed in front of the king and motioned Clay to do the same.
"Well, Your Highness, here is Clay as you wished," he said, his head still bent down. King Midgard looked at the young novice appraisingly. "Very well," he said and motioned his servant to call his knights forward before continuing, "Well, my good man. Can you please do me a favor and tell me which knight is the rotten apple here? I know you might at least know a few, considering I have heard a few rumors myself about this problem. Too bad no one has ever been brave enough to step forward and tell me so."
Clay looked at the king in astonishment before glancing at Silver. The silver-haired wizard smiled encouragingly. He then looked at the row of knights. The knights glanced at each other uncomfortably, their pose still erect. "Umm, this knight," he motioned to the knight nearest to the king with a slight tremble, "used to bully me nearly everyday by taking what I have, until Silver stopped him the other day."
King Midgard nodded encouragingly while giving the errant knight a frowning glance. "And this one here had stolen my heirloom given to me by my dad on the day of his death," Clay continued as he pointed towards a lavender-haired knight, whom looked most uncomfortable at the accusation.
Again, the king nodded as motioned Clay to continue. Pretty soon, all of the rotten apples were picked out and the king dismissed the remaining knights. He looked pretty much disgusted at the result. There were practically more than half of them that proved to be dishonest and cowardly.
Silver bowed again. "You Highness, we have already done what is to be done. Do you wish our presence here still?" he asked, hiding a grin. He knew that the king would still need his help, but he simply enjoy word playing with him.
The king did not smile, however. He was too disgusted with his bully knights. "Stay, the both of you," he said curtly before continuing, "Derek, I demand you to return the stolen items to this young man at once and leave this castle." Derek gasped dismally, but not daring to object, he muttered, "Yes, Your Highness."
What would happen to Derek no one knew, for Clay, feeling sorry for him, stepped up and said boldly, "Your Highness, I wish not to cause any havoc in this city. If Your Highness permits, I wish to suggest that this knight, erm, Derek, is to merely be suspended from his duty for a certain period of time."
Startled, everyone but Silver stared at him. The king stroked his snowy beard and said, "Hmm, you have a point there, young Clay. Very well then, I shall not banish all of you from this castle. Instead, you are relieved from your duties for two months and in the meanwhile, you are to begin new duties: Helping the citizens in their duties. Perhaps that will teach you of hard work and honesty." No choice left, the knights bowed and muttered, "Yes, Your Highness."
Turning to Derek, who was bowing as well, he said, "As for you Derek, you are to accompany Silver and his wandering party in their journey and protect them at any cost. I trust Silver and I am sure he will see that any dishonesty will be punished, am I right, Silver?" He looked at Silver, who looked amused at the order. Bowing, Silver said, "Quite right, Your Majesty." He sneaked a look at the lavender-haired knight and nearly burst out laughing. Derek's face was just about enough to turn milk sour.
"Very well, if there is nothing else, you are all dismissed," stated King Midgard.