The next morning Sir Eustathios and Rinan walked down the palace hall.

“It was a long night, wasn’t it?” Sir Rinan said when he saw his friend’s weariness.

“I actually slept rather well after my patrol,” Eustathios said. “Yourself?”

“I didn’t sleep,” Rinan said.

“It’s understandable,” Eustathios replied. “Your patrol was split in two.”

“Have you heard of any attacks last night?” Rinan said as they reached the meeting hall doors.

“From what I’ve heard, there were none,” Eustathios said as Rinan reached for the door handle. “What is it?”

“It is locked.”

“Excuse me,” Eustathios said to the nearest handmaiden. “Why is this door locked?”

“I apologize, but I believe the council was canceled,” the young woman said. “The king has other matters to attend to today.”