Pheyald Baran was the second son of a family of small nobles from the west. Given his situation as a young man, he had been prepared to join the royal army, and was now one of the youngest Satapatish in the kingdom. That said, due to the same plague that almost ended with all the royal descendants, overnight Pheyald went from being one more commander to being an heir. Which led him to visit his family home, and that's why that troublesome rebel was there, in the western region.

According to Malakar, the renegade Satapatish was a skilled strategist, who had weakened the royal army on the basis of small surprise confrontations; taking advantage of the terrain and climate. But if that was so, then it made no sense that no attack had taken place since it was known that the king, that is, Alanzor, would go west to resolve the conflict. The only plausible explanation for that was that Pheyald was waiting to see what the young monarch was doing and then act accordingly.

—Your Majesty, at least let my men and I surround you to...

—Tanmi, keep quiet —He ordered his guardian.

They had raised the white flag and withdrew the army to create something resembling a neutral terrain in which the boy was easy prey for any average archer.

—Putting his life in danger... —Continued his protector.

(This is no more dangerous than when I allowed Malakar to enter the carriage armed) the boy thought as he let Tanmi vent.

By his order, there was only his shadow, the slave that Hokas recommended, his half brother and himself. And the truth was that he was regretting not asking that they set up a tent or that they put an umbrella under which to take shelter from the scorching sun.

—Someone comes! —Malakar exclaimed.

Apparently it had been impossible for them to talk face to face with the rebel, since he was ignorant of all requests for dialogue.

—Long live the new king of Sults —Greeted the newcomer, who was on horseback and followed by two men wearing the royal armor.

Pheyald Baran was enviously tall from the perspective of someone as small as Alanzor, and also a man of somewhat rude manners, for he did not bother to hide his disappointment at seeing the young monarch.

—Get off the horse, Satapatish —The boy ordered—. I refuse to talk about the end of the war with someone without manners.

He chose the words on purpose to see what the man's reaction was. If it really would dismantle or if it would go away from there; if he was really interested in helping his people or he was just a bored warlord who tried to kill time causing trouble.

—Your Majesty must forgive me —The soldier commented as he and his men dismounted—. Since this war began there has been no attempt at dialogue, and I have lost my habit.

(He walks, he has blue eyes) the boy thought, surprised to see that exotic feature outside the palace.

—How dare you lie in front of the king! —Malakar exclaimed—. All our attempts at parliament were ignored and...

—That's enough —Alanzor said, partly happy because his instinct had not failed him—. Pheyald Baran, I want to hear your version of why this conflict has started.

—Brother!

Even the slave seemed surprised by the request of the young monarch.

—I have read the version of the reports, listened to my brother's and the governor's. And now I want to hear this man's.

—With all due respect, your majesty...

(Does everyone think I'm stupid for being a child!?) I was furious.

—Why come here and risk falling into a trap if it is not because you want to be heard? Well: talk! —He ordered.

—I do not know what your majesty will have heard, but this conflict began when the royal army attacked the agricultural village of Minusla for no reason, not far from here, by order of the regional governor...

—Hold on —Alanzor interrupted before anyone else did—. According to the governor, your men attacked your home...

—That's a lie! —Exclaimed the rebel—. The only time I've been in the governor's home was when I met him as the farmers' representative to ask him to revalue this year's tax rate —He said—. The next thing that happened was the Minusla massacre and then... we got to where we were, your majesty.

He seemed a sincere man, but the young man could not help but feel that something was being hidden from him.

(In the end all I have is the word of this man against the governor) let out the child king sigh, somewhat disappointed by what little he had obtained after putting his life in danger.

—I'll be brief: this conflict will end today —He announced—, so tell us your conditions to lay down your weapons and I will tell you mine.

He tried to ignore the smiles that were reflected in some of the faces present.

—That's to the point, never better —He heard Tanmi mutter behind him, surely the good man had been unable to keep that comment for him.

Pheyald looked at his men somewhat surprised, and then looked at the little king as if he feared that this was a kind of mockery. Realizing that it was not, he cleared his throat and spoke.

—We want to reduce the percentage of taxes in the western region, that the regional governor be dismissed and that the women who were kidnapped during the battle be returned to their homes —The leader of the rebellion demanded.

—Which women do you talk about? —Was the first time that Alanzor heard anything of all that.

—Of my sister, her majesty, and also of the young women who lived in Minusla when she was attacked and looted.

He then looked at his brother for answers.

—If what he says is true —Malakar still doubted the word of his enemy—, then they must be part of the spoils of war.

(Do we now dock ourselves? How low has Sults fallen?) lamented the boy king.

—Who ordered the attack on Minusla? —He asked his stepbrother.

—The men who attacked the governor's home came from there, so...

—Impossible, Minusla was a residential town!

—Were you present when the governor's house attack took place, brother?

—I tell you that it never happened!!

—And I believe you, Pheyald —Said Alanzor after glancing at Malakar—. Well, you have said your conditions; now you will listen to mine. The percentage of taxes will not be reduced, but I will allow your people to pay only half this year and what remains in the next five. As for the women, I assure you that all those found will be returned safe and sound to their respective homes, and I even promise to look for your sister personally. In exchange for this, they will lay down their arms and free the hostages, if they have any.

—What will happen to the governor? Because I fear that this "covenant" will be null if the charge remains in the hands of that soulless one.

There was hatred in the words of the warrior, but above all a tremendous scorching force, capable of shaking his enemies without the need of any weapon. That Satapatish was a man to be reckoned with.

(The governor is a problem. As a man I do not like it, but I have no evidence against him.) thought the young king.

—Without a doubt, the regional governor has not been able to fulfill his duty well and manage the conflict, although these are not sufficient reasons to dismiss him. Now —He said, not pausing too long to be interrupted—, given what happened and the complaint you have just filed, I will order an investigation into the matter of the attack on Minusla. If the guilt of the governor is proved he will be dismissed and punished, I can promise that.

—Your Majesty... No one will investigate anything if the governor is still in office.

—Would you believe more in my words if someone else governed while the investigation is carried out? —The faces of those present spoke for them—. So be it: Malakar, now you are the acting regional governor of the West.

—What!?

(Why is he so surprised? I'm not going to give the charge to one of the rebels, and he's the only noble here) Alanzor thought.

The conversation was extended a little longer, but broadly the terms proposed by the boy were accepted, especially when it was learned that the little king was willing to depose the governor. Alanzor might not know much about politics and practically nothing about governing, but he had spent his whole life agreeing with his brothers to exchange sweets and favours, and he knew well the rules of that game of giving and taking.