Treachery “Do you have it.” “It wasn’t easy. She’s suspicious.” “Show me.” Croll unfolded the picture and gasped. “Mother of God!” “Graphic, isn’t it.” The Jeni’s eyes twinkled in sadistic delight. Suppressing a twitch in his left cheek Croll asked... “And the princess' necklace?... and royal seal.” “With complimentary blood and gore.” The Jeni’s grin widened as he dropped the shocking mass in Croll’s outstretched hand. Croll remained as rigid as marble, not shifting his stare from the Jeni’s eyes. “And the money?” “30 silver pieces, and the wench. Dusk tomorrow if the King’s declared war.” Croll stood frozen, not 6 inches between his nose and the mighty doors to the royal courtroom. They had been debating a week now and still the King was intransigent. Croll drew a deep breath and nodded for the guards to admit him. “NO!... I WILL NOT COUNTENANCE WAR” Boomed the Kings voice, hardly diminished by the lavish velvet wall hangings or the throngs of equally overdressed nobles. Red faced, the king flew from his seat. “We will NOT engage a war with the Gotan. Not with the Jeni poised on our northern borders.” “But my people” Blurted Count Vorsky. “YOUR PEOPLE” Vorsky stepped back a step as the King continued. “WE will protect OUR people from the safety of the inner realm. YOUR duchy will be restored in good time by the grace of god. And you would be well served to remember that it is WE…” the kings voice reverberated as he pounded his chest “…who grant God's grace.”… Croll jumped as the Herald broke the moment by clearing his throat. Quick as a snake the Kings head swivelled and his eyes locked on Croll. “CROLL” Bellowed the King. “What news. Has my daughter been found?” A chasm opened and all too soon Croll was looking up. The King towering over him. “I bear no good news my lord” Crolls hand stretched far out offering the accursed image. Croll could not erase the image of the princesses striking blue eyes staring up at him, accusing him. She was beauty personified with countenance so fair as to make warriors weep… such a beautiful face… with pieces of sinew and gore hanging from the stump of her neck…. blood congealing on the spike. A lie -- Croll swam in a sea of lies. A sea that lapped the rock that was the King and his daughter. Croll shrank inward, picturing his prize – the princess. There was a tremor in the kings hand as he lifted his eyes to Croll and then down to the necklace and seal in his hand. “AAAGGRRRHH” With eyes and sinew bulging the King howled. “VENGENCE… UNLEASH THE DOGS OF WAR”.