Eustathios and Rinan exchanged glances. Both men were equally puzzled by the news.

“Let us speak with the king,” Eustathios said to Rinan. “Perhaps we may be of assistance.”

“Why would the meeting be canceled?” Eustathios asked as they walked. “We had troops across the land all night. Why put this business off?”

Rinan frowned.

The knights walked the shining halls until they found their king.

“Your majesty—”

“If you’ll excuse me, Sir Eustathios,” the king interrupted as he walked by, “I have not the time at the moment.”

“So I hear. May we help in any way?”

“No, Sir Eustathios, I must ask you to conduct no business today and to leave matters in my hands.”

With that, the king left the two knights to their bewilderment.