Gabriel took a deep breath. He and Rosa were alone in the master bedroom, a room that should have been theirs but, for the last few years, had been the queen's alone. Beautiful tapestries from around the world hung from the wide pale stone walls. Weapons, armor and various exotic items could be seen in the antechamber, they withstood the former queen's numerous attempts to get rid of them. Rosa liked to reminisce about her travels. Gabriel sat down on the gigantic four-poster bed, and with his head on hands he spoke again, this time in a softer tone.

- Spiny, I'm just worried about you, the Minstrel has been seen...

- AGAIN WITH THIS! - Rosa huffed annoyed - Everything's about this Minstrel now!

- YES! He was spotted near my homeland! On the roads that come in this direction! 

The queen glared at her husband. He was a heavyset man in his thirties, just like she was. He had the dark skin and square features that characterized Red Sand's population. His black hair was braided as was the custom of his people. Rosa loved the face that the nobility of Celegorm made when they saw Gabriel's appearance, which, according to them, was “too wild”. The queen, on the other hand, found her husband's looks charming and never asked him to change, just as he never demanded anything from her. Never, until now.

- Bandits have always existed and always will - said Rosa trying to calm herself down. - I don't believe this Minstrel guy is everything people say he is, or even that he really exists. Maybe it's just a new name for criminals to put the blame on and try to get away with it.

- I have received several reports that the types of crimes have changed since he came to power. In fact, they decreased against the population and intensified against the nobles.

- I am well aware of the reason for my three-year house arrest.

- People are enjoying his actions! It's all organized, there's a pattern to his behavior! - continued Gabriel ignoring Rosa. - He even has a preference for kidnapping nobles. Everyone who has returned describes him the same way…

- I already know that he and his group wear masks.

- Not only that, they say he wears a long and dark cape, has black hair and a voice capable of bewitching anyone.

Rosa stared deep into her husband's eyes and laughed.

- Are you afraid he'll seduce me? You know I like women!

- Rosa! I'm serious! If you think you've seen someone with even remotely these characteristics...

- I can take care of myself, Gabriel.

- I'm not saying you can't. - Gabriel rubbed his brows, irritated.

- Great, at least we agreed on something! - said Rosa in a tone of one who ends the subject. - Take good care of Henrique while I'm away.

The king consort frowned.

- I think he is mad at me.

- Of course! You sprained his ankle!

- He fell.

- You knocked him off his horse.

- It was a joust, what did you want me to do? Let a 15 year old beat me?

- It was a friendly match! You're twice his size, if only you'd put your spear against his armor you'd have won without having to knock him down.

- Okay okay, he's your protégé, but you don't have to spoil him! The boy is almost a man! He needs to be strong if he wants to be a  good king.

- He's smart and sociable, people love him. He'll make an excellent king, without needing you to break his bones.

Gabriel grumbled.

- Fine, I'll talk to him. Perhaps I could offer to teach him how to fall off a horse standing straight.

- You suck! - laughed Rosa throwing a pillow at her husband.

- That's why we get along so well, Spiny.

***