Chapter 3 - To be a rogue

"See, captain?" Came the triumphant voice of the nobleman as his horse trotted around. "I told you. Lord Kalthuz Plaguefang and his son would come around tonight and try to breach the wall, no doubt to join that traitor Crowley and plot behind our king's back. Lucky we that the brat spared us the trouble of ambushing them down the road and told us where they were right now. Seize him!"

"Wait, hold on a moment..." Dalrus took a step back, sweat trickling down his brow. He was about to make a run for the way he had just come when the sound of heavy steps came from behind. "Bloody hell, the twat runs... But you got nowhere to climb to now, you sneaky little bugger!" Surrounded, Dalrus looked around, desperation quickly growing inside of him. He was seriously considering attempting to disarm the closest guard - who was foolishly approaching him with an outstretched hand to grab him by the wrist - when suddenly the sharp voice of his father cut through the night. "What in the bloody hells do you think you're doing to my son, Godfrey!?"

Turning around, his heart still drumming on his chest, Dalrus saw his father standing by the corner. Surprised he was, however, to see not his brother standing by his side, but instead, the town's priest - the very same man who had performed Dalrus' birth years ago. The man looked like a dried old prune now, his back very arched and his hand gripping tightly at the staff, although his eyes still glowed with sharp wisdom. "May I inquire why you have a full damned battalion chasing my son like a criminal?" Lord Kalthuz' voice once again echoed through the night as he began to march forward, his face twisted in fierce anger.

Unfazed, Godfrey took his horse forward and stood between Kalthuz and his son. "You can't fool me, Plaguefang. I know fully well you intended to smuggle your son out of our walls tonight. You would have him join that insurgent Crowley and bring war to our peaceful Gilneas! The king has explicitly forbidden anyone from joining this war. And you know damn well the price for treason. And yet here you are, with him and so late at night!"

"Have you gone senile at your age, you damned fool!?" Kalthuz shouted right back. "I came here as fast as I could because my wife's condition took a bad turn today. She wouldn't wake to have her dinner, so I ran as fast as my feet would carry me so I could call the priest. And I'm guessing the boy was worried and chased after me, even after I told him to stay behind and take care of her." Dalrus somehow doubted that his father's glare at him was part of the act. "Thank the Light I found the priest out on my way to him. And we are already heading back to the manor."

"A tall story, Plaguefang." Godfrey said, an odious smile lifting his long white mustache. "But you can't fool me. I know this man is an old friend of yours! His testimony is worth nothing. And how do you explain the fact your son is out here, with all his armor and-" As Godfrey spoke, he pulled out his sword and turned around to point at Dalrus, only to have his words catch in his throat as he realized the boy was only clad in his regular black shirt and trousers, with a simple belt strapped around his waist. "A-and besides!" He was quick to recompose himself. "That you two are here like this at this time is very suspicious!"

"When the mother of my children is ill, I could not give a lesser damn to your bloody notions of time. I would tear these bricks down with my bare hands if I had to bring a healer from the other side. Now if you want to fine and sentence me for whatever the hell you want, you do it after I bring him to see my sick wife! And I swear to heavens and hells if you don't get out of my way right now, I will MAKE you move, Godfrey!" It was amazing how Kalthuz could look so imposing and threatening when Godfrey was the one on horseback and his sword drawn out. Before the threats, however, the man was once again quick to recompose himself. "You would dare threaten me, you ruffian? That does it. Guards, seize this-"

"What's all this commotion about, Vincent?" Suddenly a new voice cut out through the night. This time, no other than Prince Lyam Greymane himself came down the road, fully clad in guard armor and riding one of the patrol horses. "I suggest both of you calm down before you wake half the city. Although by now it might already be too late for that." And surely enough, by now there were several lights on the windows, most of them open and with people peering outside, as well as from the doors below.

"Prince Lyam!" Came Godfrey's somewhat sarcastic sneer. "I am here apprehending this criminal after I received a tip of his betrayal! I was told that Lord Kalthuz Plaguefang and his son would, tonight, commit an act of treason against our king! They would join that traitor, Darius Crowley outside and go fight in this war alongside the Alliance." Crowley's horse was now impatiently stomping the ground, and it's rider had no choice but to sheathe his sword so as to bring the beast under control.

"Well now." Lyam replied, his eyes shifting to Dalrus on the floor. "I dare say the boy looks rather ill-equipped for war, no? Unless you propose a youth who isn't even of proper age is to face this undead plague with his bare fists?"

Before that, Crowley had nothing to say besides hesitant muttering. "I-Well, yes, I suppose, but-"

"And I did have the pleasure of hearing today that Lady Dallys had called for her son in the middle of the afternoon. We all know of her condition well enough. I wouldn't be surprised if, as a result from this strain, she found herself even further weakened. Nor would I be surprised if her worried husband decided to call for help at the slightest sign of her condition worsening."

"I-Yes, I know, prince Lyam, however, this boy attempted to escape us! He ran away from the guards, and even if his father was supposedly out to find a healer for his wife, then what is he doing here?" Clinging on to his last hope, Crowley pointed an accusing finger at Dalrus.

"Ah, yes. Indeed, I suppose you are right. We cannot have children out during the night alone during these troubled times. Lord Kalthuz!" And now Lyam turned to face Dalrus' father, who stood up straight and faced the young prince without uttering a word. "I trust you will discipline your son. It's bad enough he was out past what should be designated time, but he also gave our guards quite the chase, from what I've heard. Anyone could have mistaken him for a criminal and would be within their right to seriously injure him."

Dalrus could almost see the tension leaving his father's shoulders as he inhaled sharply and nodded. "Aye, your majesty. You rest assured I'll be giving him a lot to hear as soon as we get home. After tending to his mother, of course. Now, forgive my boldness, but I was so focused on finding someone to treat her I forgot to get a horse and simply ran all the way here without much thought. Mayhaps you could be so kind as to provide us an escort back home?"

"You can't seriously-" Crowley began to speak, but was cut off by Lyam. "How fortunate, I was about to suggest that some of the sentries accompanied you. Not that I doubt you, but I'm certain it would bring great peace to Lord Godfrey to know that you didn't stray off the path on the way back, true to your word. Guards." Lyam snapped his fingers, and a couple of knights on horseback stepped forward, each of them with an extra horse for them. "Give your wife my best wishes, Lord Kalthuz. As for you, Dalrus..." Maybe it was just his imagination, but Dalrus swore he almost saw Lyam smile down at him. "Be a good lad and don't give your father and the guard so much work again, alright?"

"Aaah... Yes. Sorry about that, Lyam." Dalrus said, launching an apologetic smile up at the prince. "How's Lorna, by the way?"

"We don't meet very often, though I hear her hounds are growing well. She says soon they will be fit to track even worgs. Now, stay out of trouble. Men, back to your posts!" And then, just like that - and with Crowley launching them one last venomous look - Dalrus climbed onto the horse with his father, the priest taking the other one, and silently rode home. Just as his father was hoisting him up, however, Dalrus glanced one last time towards the alley he had left his brother with his cloak... And there he saw Felrus glancing from over the edge of a garbage can, his eyes full of gratitude towards his brother. The siblings both stared into each other's eyes, and it felt like they sustained that look for an eternity.

'Go make a difference, Felrus.' Dalrus thought as they silently rode back to their manor. 'I'll be waiting for you.'

The ride was long and silent, not one person uttering a word the whole time. As soon as they arrived, the guards gave them one last warning not to attempt something like this again, and left. The priest, who had been silent for that whole time, finally let out a long, tired sigh. He then stood straight up, shook his head like a dog, and it looked as if his face was turning into smoke, shifting until it had assumed the shape of Silvius Moonbite. "Bloody hells, that was close. I'm surprised Lyam played along with it, though."

To that, Kalthuz turned around to face his brother-in-law. "YOU'RE surprised!? What the hell are you two even doing here!? We were supposed to leave in secret, yet apparently half the damn town knew about it!"

"Ah, well. Yes, about that..." Silvius looked down at Dalrus, who had fully expected the man to shoot daggers with his eyes later on with his hands. The look he received, however, was quite far from that. He almost looked... Satisfied? "Why don't you ask your son? He was the one who found out one of your so-called 'allies' was reporting to Godfrey."

"Oh, ah... Oh, yeah! Yes, definitely!" Dalrus was quick to say, launching his father a rather forced innocent smile. "Yeah, I, uh... I heard them saying something about... Telling Godfrey and stealing your fortune. Or... Something. So I went to... Warn you. Or distract them. Yeah, that's what I went to do. Because I knew Godfrey would try to ambush you outside."

His father launched a suspicious glance towards his son. "You don't say. And it didn't occur to you to warn me in advance?" His look then settled upon Silvius, a brow raising inquisitively up on his forehead.

"Naturally that would be the first thing we would have done. Unfortunately, there just wasn't enough time. We had no choice but to... Improvise." It was amazing how naturally Silvius was able to lie right in front of Kalthuz' scary suspicious face without a moment's hesitation. "Fortunately, in the end, all ended well. Felrus is well on his way, and no one is the wiser. We will only need to keep the ruse and make it look like Felrus is still here for the next few months."

"Hmph. Well, I suppose that's good enough. Still, it was a very foolish thing to do. Making the guards chase you around like a petty criminal?!" And now he once again turned to Dalrus, each of his hands resting upon his hips as he pushed his chest out. "Think before you act, boy! What if one of them pulled out a gun? What if they decided you were too suspicious to take in uninjured?"

"You father is right. That was rash, and absolutely not what we had decided upon. But..." Dalrus could have sworn he saw Silvius hide a chuckle behind his father's back. "All's well that ends well, I suppose. I'd say this was a good lesson for him. You can be sure I'll be drilling a lot more in this empty head of his soon."

Kalthuz's look of surprise as he turned around to face Silvius was priceless. He then launched the same puzzled look at Dalrus, who was inconspicuously whistling as he looked up at the moon. Finally, the father slumped his shoulders in defeat. "You two are up to something, I know it. But I suppose neither of you would be a rogue worth their salt if I could imagine what it was. Blast it, you're right. All's well that ends well, let's leave it at that. I need some sleep... And prepare my fingers to squeeze someone's neck tomorrow." With that, he turned around and took three steps towards their manor when he suddenly stopped and slowly turned right back. "That reminds me... Which one was the noble who whispered into Godfrey's ear again, Dalrus?"

The boy froze. His heart racing in his chest, he dared not even launch a side glance towards Silvius as his father glared down upon him. His mouth had gone dry, and his palms began to sweat. "Ah... W-well, that's, uh... Y-you know, the one with the mustache."

Kalthuz squinted down on him. "That's strike one, son."

Dalrus was almost hyperventilating now. "I-I mean the really big one. You know, the one who's always looking at you funny during your secret meetings."

If it were possible, Kalthuz squinted even harder. "And how exactly did you come to know about those?"

All the boy could hear was his own blood pumping into his ears. "Oh... I mean... No, ah... I meant when they... That is, uh-"

"I was the one who told him." Silvius nonchalantly said.

"And how in the blazes did you-" Kalthuz began to say, then realized who he was talking to. "Oh. Bleeding hells Silvius, I should have imagined you would find some way to know everything that happens in my damn house, but the least I'd expect would be for you to share some of that with me beforehand!"

"It was just a suspicion. That's why I began to follow him. And just as I got back to the manor, you had already vanished to make the preparations for Felrus to go. So I called Dalrus up and we ran as fast as we could to try and thwart Godfrey's plans." Silvius shrugged. "I supposed we were a little too close for comfort this time around, but... Well. That's usually how rogues do things."

"Don't I know that." Kalthuz grunted, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "Alright, I'm satisfied. I'm going to bed. And, ah..." One final time, he turned to face his son, and this time he was holding a wide smile. "Good work, I suppose. Not a lot of boys could lead an entire platoon of soldiers on a chase for that long. Not even your brother at your age." And with that, Kalthuz entered the manor as Dalrus and his uncle stood there watching him.

As soon as his father was out of earshot, Dalrus turned to glare at Silvius, his mouth stretched into a thin line and his eyes narrowed down, an attitude which his uncle regarded with a loud: "What?"

"Don't you bloody 'what' me! You knew, didn't you? We weren't just bloody making things up on the spot, you knew Godfrey was going to ambush them down the road!" It took a lot of his self-control not to scream that moment, though his hands did curl into tiny fists as he vented off.

"Ah, well. Yes, I suppose you could call that 'Plan B'." Silvius said with a shrug. "If you somehow screwed up, I needed to be prepared, no?"

"If I screwed-? Wait, were YOU the one who told them we were coming?" Dalrus was so shocked he forgot to be angry for a moment.

"Don't act so surprised." Dalrus could see the rogue was sustaining an amused grin under his cowl. "It wouldn't have made any difference. I was just making sure things would go our way. Though I am very surprised by your last minute change of heart. Why did you decide to let him go?"

"That's none of your bloody business. And it's one thing to arrange for them to get caught before they are out, it's completely different to throw them into the bloody lion's den! Godfrey would have torn our family apart!" He could not believe how casual Silvius was being about this... Like he didn't really care so long as things went his way.

"Ah, yes... But that would only be the case if you failed, boy." And now suddenly the amused smile had disappeared. "If you had failed to perform your mission, your brother would be in some deep problems indeed. He would be here, but not on your terms. And as you said, your family would also suffer dire consequences. Do you understand, boy?" And suddenly Silvius' face was mere inches away from Dalrus, who had to take a step back in surprise. "That's what happens when we, rogues, receive a mission... And fail. To people like us are given some of the most vital, ugliest tasks. Sometimes, we must absolutely make sure we achieve our goal, even if it will bring a lot of people a lot of pain. But so long as you commit to the cause, and don't screw up..." Dalrus felt a light poke on his side, and when he looked down, he saw the pommel of Silvius' dagger rubbing him there. "Everything will turn out OK. Now go to sleep, tomorrow I'm gonna teach you how to actually lose those chasers before you're caught."

Dalrus was silent, his face staring down at his feet. Silvius was already halfway in through the doorway when suddenly the boy whispered: "No."

Stopping on his tracks, and without looking back, Silvius grabbed the door and said over his shoulder. "You say something, boy?"

Anger rising within him, Dalrus looked up and stuffed his chest out. "No, that's unacceptable. I refuse to just forget everything else and focus on nothing but the results. What about everyone else on the way? Should I just turn a cold shoulder if I end up ruining someone's life? I would never do something like that to my family... Or bloody anyone, for that matter! So if that's what you want to teach me, to turn me into some cold blooded, calculating monster who only cares about the ends and not the means... Then don't bother coming to train me tomorrow, because I'm through being a rogue!"

Without waiting for a reply, Dalrus turned around and began to race down the road, trying to hold back his tears. He hadn't taken five steps before tripping down on something, falling down on his face and feeling the massive weight of Silvius pressing down against his back. "Nice speech, but you were about to throw off all you said away so you could run off to cry, get caught and put your father into even more trouble. Think before you act, boy."

"Get the bloody hell off me you hook-nosed scrunch!" Dalrus screeched, trying to wriggle himself free.

Silvius let out a loud sigh. "Alright, I will." Thankfully, Dalrus felt Silvius get off his back... But as soon as he tried to stand up, his arms gave out and he fell flat on his face once more. As he looked up, he saw his master wiping his dagger on the boy's own pants. "Though I can't imagine why you'd rather be poisoned than held down. To each their own, I suppose."

Dalrus tried to speak, but his tongue felt very heavy in his mouth. Other than his neck and eyes, he couldn't move much of his body. "Sorry about these extreme measures, but I got a feeling you wouldn't listen to me another way." Dalrus felt a boot pushing his side, then he was rolled onto his back, his face staring up at the bright full moon in the sky, which was then eclipsed by his uncle's serene face. "Now, I get that you're very angry at me, so I'll let that comment of yours slide. But now you need to listen to what might be the single most important lesson I could ever teach you as a rogue."

Slvius sat down cross-legged besides his nephew, who in his poisoned state, could do little more than lay there and launch angry looks at him. "You need to understand there is such a thing as a greater good in this world, boy. To you that would be things like friends and family. To me... That would be the majority of the people who inhabit this city, and Azeroth itself. I am an assassin, boy. I have lied to, poisoned and killed many people. Each time I felt a life slip through my blades I told myself it was for the sake of the greater good. That each person I killed would mean saving the lives of many others. That sure worked wonders on the last two wars we had against the orcs and their demons." And then he grew silent, his face assuming a more somber... And maybe... Saddened look? "But that is a very dangerous line of thought... Because it can end up turning us cold. Very, very cold. I have done things I'm not proud of, boy. And I did them in the name of my kingdom. Of my family. Of my wife and son. And I kept doing it... Until the day I had to make a choice." His voice thone had lowered, and his eyes grew even sadder. "I had a mission, see. Probably the most important one of my life. A warlock was amassing demons to launch an attack on GIlneas. He would start with the villages surrounding us, and eventually make his way through a weak spot in our defences. I was to go and eliminate him. Problem is, I wouldn't make it three steps into his camp before I had my organs clawed out by hungry demons. So for that to happen... A diversion was necessary."

Dalrus could see his uncle was now clenching his gloved hands. "See, Dalrus... The Moonbites weren't a prestigious family. Nor were we rich, or influential. We were just another one out there. We could live around Gilneas, trade with the city, mingle with its people, even go so far as to call ourselves citizens... But still, we weren't as important as the thousands of people living in the main city. So when the demons began attacking my home... Your mother and I were supposed to kill their leader and help save thousands of lives. For the price of two old people, a woman, and her child." Silvius looked down upon him then. His wrinkly face was soaked with streaming tears now, which made his sunken eyes look even more hollow. "I did what I knew was necessary. It wasn't my call to make, Dalrus. I didn't even know. All I was told was that a small family on the outskirts would be the bait to lure out the demons and leave their leader unguarded. I killed him with my own hands, and that broke his control over them. The demons lost what little reason they had and went feral, making them easy prey for the extermination squad sent to deal with them. But that also meant anyone in their way would be slaughtered, like animals. And when I joined the squad and saw where they were fighting... I also saw the mangled corpses of my parents, my wife, and my son in the burning remains of what was once my home."

Silvius closed his eyes and brought his hand up to them. "That's how your mother and your father met, you know. Kalthuz was so mad that his captain had chosen to use a family like that as bait, his fellow soldiers were holding him back as he screamed profanities. But your mother was the one who was truly angry. She did not say a word, nor did she shed any tears. I just looked at her, and I could feel the killing instinct emanating from her. In her head, the captain was already dead. The rest was just a matter of how she would do it. That very same night, me and her were on our way to his quarters... But as we got there, we met a very... Surprising scene."

The man took a moment to wipe his tears and took a very deep breath before resuming his tale. "Kalthuz was already there. It would seem he took the matter up with his superiors. No one cared about the captain's call in using those people as bait to save the city... Except for one person. And that was the one who was besides your father that night. Someone you should know very well... His name is Darius Crowley. That's how way back he and your father go, you know. Crowley found those kinds of actions unacceptable. He said he would hold the line himself against the demons if he knew what was going on, and sacrificing innocent people was just as bad as what the orcs did. Next thing we knew, the captain was demoted and relocated to serve in his squad. The day after, Kalthuz walked straight up to me and your mother, got on his knees and said: 'What we did to you was unforgivable. I know nothing in this world could possibly ease your pain and make up for your loss. But I swear on this blasted life I will do everything in my power to make sure nothing like this ever happens to anyone again.' We didn't know what to say, what to think... See, we wanted to hate the army, and everyone in it. But knowing there were men like your father and Crowley out there, decent people who truly wanted to make things right for everyone... It helped me make a decision."

Finally, Silvius looked straight down at Dalrus' face. "I decided I would become better. I would become so skilled I would be able to save everyone. I would never again follow orders blindly and let the people I loved die like that. It took me an irreplaceable loss to learn that lesson, Dalrus. But you... It seems that empty head of yours already has a lot more than mine did twenty years ago, if you already know what's right and wrong. You should know this, boy. Every single life in this world has value. No matter who dies, someone is gonna miss them. Someone is going to be sad. Doesn't matter if just one or a thousand die at once. Only you are capable of deciding what's right and wrong. Only you can decide if your actions are going to save people or damn others. And that's what's so wonderful about being a rogue... Because we can be free to make that call. We are not mindless soldiers obeying orders and doing as we are told. We can make a difference, for one person, or all of them. And each has the exact same value. Today... You made the right call. You let your brother go and live his life. He understood the risks... And he is willing to take them on. For the exact same reason you will one day do the exact same thing he is doing now. Do you understand what I'm saying, boy?"

To his surprise, Dalrus found he could speak. He didn't even realize when the poison wore off; probably a good while ago, but he was so enthralled by his uncle's tale he didn't realize it. "Then why... Did you say those things? Why did you try to manipulate Felrus and me like that?"

"Ah, well. I suppose that's what you could call a calculated risk. See, I needed to teach you this lesson. You needed to understand the pain of loss. You needed to understand what would happen if you failed. To be under pressure. To know that something worse than dying can happen to you. And now you do. So I trust from now on, you'll better understand the consequences of your actions... And the weight behind every single decision you make in this little life of yours." And with that, Silvius stood up. "If you really want to rise above the need of putting the ends before the means... Then become such a skilled rogue you will always be able to decide the means. A weak person has no right to complain about things they are powerless over. You can't just lower your head and hope everything will work your way. If you want things to go different... Then no one besides you can go and make a difference." Then, moments before vanishing into a small purple cloud, Dalrus heard his uncle say: "I'll see you again tomorrow at sunrise, boy."

Dalrus didn't know how long he remained there, laying on his back, staring up at the moon, mulling over his uncle's words. He thought of his brother, who was going out to fight in a war and protect a nation that wouldn't welcome him if he survived. He thought of his mother who sacrificed everything just to give birth to him. He thought of his father who swallowed down his pride and remained there to help take care of his family. And then there was he, Dalrus, a carefree boy who wanted nothing with life but to live lazily and without any worries.

And yet, despite that, when he looked into his brother's eyes, he knew he had to let him go. He realized Felrus was determined, he was ready to fight for something he truly believed in, so much so he was willing to leave his family behind to enter a war that wasn't his. Even now Dalrus didn't fully understand what led him to save him instead of ratting his brother out... It was more like his body acted on its own before his brain could register what he was doing. His instinct made the call before his rational mind. And now, he felt... Good? Like a weight had left his shoulders. He knew Felrus would never forgive him if he had truly betrayed his own brother like that.

"I guess in the end..." He said out loud to himself. "It's not really about how long you live. It's more about... Living a good life until then." Even if Felrus did end up dying... Dalrus doubted his brother would regret his decisions. And he was damn sure that if he had the choice, he would do it again.

"Bloody hells... Who am I to decide what's best for them?" He sat up and stretched his arms over his head. "If he goes and dies, that's his bloody problem. But I guess no one knows how to live our lives better than ourselves." Satisfied with his conclusion, Dalrus noticed the night sky was already starting to clear up, and let out a soft sigh. Dawn was already coming. He had been there alone with his thoughts for hours. Then he remembered Silvius would be expecting him behind the manor to continue his training. "Bugger that, I'm gonna go have some fresh bread in town..." He muttered, rubbing his hands mischievously as his tongue already began to wet in anticipation for the warm meal. Maybe even get some coffee to help with his fatigue from a sleepless night.

He was already halfway down the road when he heard the screams.

Dalrus froze. He lowered his head, closed his eyes and cupped his hands behind his ears. Angry shouts could be heard faintly in the wind. Curious, he began to follow its source. It became soon apparent they were coming from no less than the Greymane manor. Darius Crowley was standing there atop his horse, and a couple of guards had their swords crossed before the gate leading to the manor, barring Crowley's way.

His curiosity growing ever more, Dalrus stalked down along the hill, taking advantage that he was against the setting sun for some extra shade as he approached the he reached the bottom, he found a bush close to the base of a tree near the road as a hiding spot. He could now make out what the man was saying.

"...OF OUR PEOPLE! YOU HEAR ME, GREYMANE? OUR PATIENCE HAS REACHED ITS LIMIT! NOW YOU EVEN SEND YOUR GUARDS CHASING CHILDREN DOWN THE STREET? WHAT'S NEXT? WILL WE NO LONGER BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE SAFETY OF OUR HOMES WITHOUT YOUR ROYAL PERMISSION? I WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS TYRANNY ANY LONGER! THE ENEMY APPROACHES US WITH EACH DAY, AND YOU WOULD RATHER COWER BEHIND YOUR WALLS AND OPRESS YOUR OWN PEOPLE RATHER THAN PROTECT THEM!?" Darius was screaming at the top of his lungs - and quite the lungs were those. Dalrus suspected if the whole town wasn't sleeping that moment, they would all have heard Crowley's angry yells all the way from the square.

"That's it! Let me through, you damn pawns! I demand an audience with the king, and you have no right to barr me!" Crowley urged his horse onward, but the guards stood their ground, now pulling their rifles from over their shoulders. "Lord Godfrey has ordered us not to let the king be disturbed while they are having an audience, no exceptions! And if you try any longer, we're gonna hurl your holey corpse over the wall full of lead!" Came the guards' retort, their rifles loaded and aimed straight at Crowley's chest. The man, however, was not intimidated. In fact, he seemed to calm down after that display. "So this is his answer." Were Darius Crowley's cold words. "Time and again I have come, always hoping we could settle this through words. But now he refuses to see me, and goes as far as to threaten his own people." Tugging on his horse's saddle, Crowley turned around and began to throttle down the road. "Very well then. I am leaving. Tell Genn I am done relying on words."

Dalrus watched as the lord began to ride down the road, his expression solemn, yet hardened with grim determination. He was approaching Dalrus' hiding spot, so he lowered his head and remained silent. He could hear the hooves approach the tree slowly, until suddenly, they stopped. Before he had time to react, Dalrus felt a huge hand tugging the back of his collar and raising him off the ground. He was then face to face with Lord Crowley, who apparently could easily support the child two feet off the ground with his arm strength alone. "Well, I remember you. You were the boy who was with Lorna that day last year, weren't you?" Dalrus half expected the man to be foaming from his mouth, but his demeanor was the perfect figure of calmness.

"Ah... That's right, sir. Name's Dalrus. Don't think we were ever properly introduced!" Trying to act as casually as he could when he was hanging like pork on a hook, Dalrus offered his hand towards the lord along with his most charming smile.

Crowley looked at Dalrus' hand, then the boy's shameless smiling face, then threw his head back and burst out in laughter. Dalrus shook in the air as the noble howled in enjoyment, but soon he was focused on the boy again. "Aye. That's true, lad. I would love to call you over for tea sometime. I'm sure Lorna could make good use of a friend or two about now. Sadly, I don't think I'll be welcome here for much longer. As I'm sure you're well aware of, after all that eavesdropping." With an amused smile on his face, Crowley dropped Dalrus down on the floor. "Damn shame, too. Your father and I go way back. Would be nice to sit down and enjoy some good chin wagging. How is he these days?"

"Ah, you know." Dalrus said, wiping some dust off his shirt. "Same old, same old. Worrying over mother. Helping train Felrus. Blasting things left an' right." Dalrus then launched a look towards the manor to their left. "So, ah... I'm gonna take a wild guess and say you're probably thinking of joining that war out there."

The smile on Crowley's face froze, and slowly his expression returned to what it previously was. "And whatever gave you that idea, boy?"

"Well... I just got this feeling in my gut that you and the king aren't really seeing eye to eye as of late." He said with a shrug. "I just assumed you're about to do something that will make him really upset. And I can't imagine anything Greymane would hate more than someone going off to join the war he went as far as to build a gigantic wall to keep us away from."

Sitting atop his horse, Crowley's expression was now one of curiosity. "Sharp as a whip, eh boy? Let me ask you this, then. What do you think we should do? You think we should listen to Genn and stay in our homes, relying on this wall to keep us safe for the rest of our careless lives?"

Dalrus opened his mouth, then hesitated. He took one more look towards the king's manor, then another one down the road that led to the city. He then looked up to the massive walls surrounding everything around them. "I think..." He began to say. "Folks should have the right to choose, at least. Of course some people will want to stay here away from harm. But if someone feels like something should be done about it... Well." He shrugged. "What right does anyone have to stop them?"

Darius seemed to be taken back by his response. He leaned his head to the side, and watched Dalrus with a whole new look. "Well. That's a great way of thinking, lad. And you know what?" The sun was now showing up over the wall, it's warm light spreading over the dark fields like a tide of light that was soon covering them both with its warmth. "I think you are absolutely right. We are not slaves. We all deserve the right to live freely... Make our own choices... And our own sacrifices." Dalrus felt the lord's hand resting upon his head and giving him a gentle pat. "Nice talking with you, son. Hurry home now. A boy your age shouldn't be out so late. People might think you're up to something you shouldn't." And with that, he led his horse away and resumed his throttle towards the gates. Dalrus wondered how was it that someone who so loudly opposed their king was even allowed to come and go as he pleased like that.