By the time Mathias put the Prince back to sleep, the sun was already glaring down on the Kingdom from above. He was exhausted from the commotion from whatever the Stone Empire was up to caused, but he was not one to ignore orders just because of fatigue. Mathias knew that ignoring an order from Geredyn would not only put his job at risk, but also his life. Being the Prince’s best friend since childhood and being the closest thing the Prince could call family would not save him from Geredyn’s wrath. Geredyn’s chambers were only down the hall from the Prince’s. No one lived in the upper residence hallway because no one could stand the smell. Even Mathias had a hard time following the Prince to the King’s chambers time and time again, but the Prince was too stubborn to listen to anyone concerning matters about his father’s condition. Mathias let out a grunt of frustration as he approached the simply polished door that was the portal into Geredyn’s chambers. He tensed up as he tensely knocked on the door

“General Geredyn, sir?” Mathias called into the room. “I am here, as you requested.”

“Permission to enter, Captain.” Geredyn’s voice boomed from the other side of the door.

“Thank you, General.”

Mathias took hold of the simple handle on the single door entrance and took a deep breath in before entering. Dealing with Geredyn on matters of state was always a stressful task, and this time would probably be no different. In one strong tug, Mathias pulled open the door and walked in to the room. Geredyn seemed to immediately take notice of the Captain’s behavior because the moment he laid eyed on the man he was holding back a grin.

“I have said this before, you do not have to act so stiff around me. It is very uncomfortable and we are family, after all. You have some strange notion that I will have you hanged for disrespecting me… I wonder if our King was the one who gave you that idea, hm?”

Geredyn was seated in the center of the room in one of two arm chairs. His feat were propped up on a simple, wooden coffee table and a crystal goblet lolled in his hand. Judging by the sweet, distinct smell that wafted through the room, Mathias had to assume that it was some sort of fruity wine. Bringing a hand to his nose, Mathias narrowed his eyes on the General,

“Do not bring my sister into this, General Geredyn. And yes, Zephèl was the one who warned me of you years ago. What do you want from me, and be quick about it. I don’t have time for idle chatter.” Mathias’s voice and body was stiff as he addressed his brother-in-law.

Rather than angered by the insubordination that Mathias exhibited, the General’s smile widened at which the younger man could only be taken aback. At first, he did no respond and only made a simple gesture towards the chair adjacent to his. Mathias stared at his superior with an almost defiant look, and then he begrudgingly took a seat.

“That’s more like it.” Geredyn teased, clearly enjoying Mathias’s frustration.

Mathias immediately bolted to his feet and glared down at his superior who remained calmly seated in his chair, taking another sip of his wine.

“Out with it, man! I do not have time to play games with you! I’ve already had to enter that accursed hell-hole this morning while you conveniently were giving orders to the outside guard. I’m in no mood to play house with you.” Mathias pinched the bridge of his, his fingered extended to rub at his eyes. Oh, how he was exhausted.

Geredyn let out a rumbling laugh which caused Mathias to tense up as realization washed over him. He had played right into the General’s tricks, and he felt like a fool. He sat back down as Geredyn gave him a knowing look.

“Alright then.” Geredyn cleared his throat, “You and I are both aware that the Prince’s actions have been strange since….well, you know.” He waited for Mathias to acknowledge him before continuing, “This can’t continue, Mathias. The people are starting to talk! About my treachery and about their mad king!” If Geredyn was upholding any facade, he had completely dropped it now. The man’s usual cockiness started to fall into something a little more recognizable to Mathias. The man looked tired and distressed, the lines in his face became more visible and his age started to show. It was not the face of someone who wanted to be king.

“I am aware, Geredyn. It’s not your fault.” Mathias sighed. This wasn’t the first time Geredyn came to him about such matters. They had this conversation pretty regularly. With any new conflict, it repeated all the same.

“I’m more worried about those in the lower quarters and the nobles in the neighboring peaks than I am about people here in the First Holding. People talk, Mathias. Even his fianceé refuses to meet with him anymore unless it’s on official business. How can I deal with the possibility of conflict with the Aeastalth in the Stone Empire when there is so much unrest here already?” Geredyn took another long drink from his glass and slammed the empty goblet on the coffee table. “He is your childhood friend, Mathias. There has to be something you can do about this!”

The captain studied his brother-in-law, long and hard. His dark eyes narrowed and then shut as he shook his head. Mathias was starting to look just as tired as Geredyn, as well as slightly annoyed.

“You may be family, but my duty to the king comes first.” Mathias sighed, pinching his nose between his eyes to ward off a rising headache. “If the king is giving you orders, then you should follow them.” His voice was steady but his eyes were averted away from the General in a look of pity.

“But the king is giving me orders to be the king, Mathias!”

“What do you want me to do? Tell him the truth? Set him straight? I can lose my life for that, or worse… I don’t want him to suffer anymore than he already has.” Mathias stood up again and bowed his head to the General, “I am sorry, brother, but I can’t help you.”

Mathias bolted for the door without giving Geredyn a chance to stop him to continue their useless conversation. Once in the hallway again, he sighed in relief and massaged his temples. ‘I can’t continue like this much longer,’ he thought to himself with a grim look. Collecting himself, he promptly started back towards the Prince’s chambers. On his way back, he couldn’t help but stop and stare at the spiral staircase leading to the upper chambers. He silently prayed he wouldn’t have to go back up there anytime soon.