#{melgrad}

“I think it would be wise if you have a moment where you’d mourn the loss of everyone along with the people. It makes you a king of the people and not a king above the people. After that, you can return to your royal duties and me and lady Davida will guide you to the best of our ability. As for lady Elanira, is there an assignment we could give her? She and her people have proven to be worthy warriors that could help guide our kingdom into the bright future your mother was working towards.” Melgrad knew what Elanira had done, at some point it would come out and when that time came and everything would collapse on top of Hinrik, he would finally have his inner-demon awaken. It was the bigger plan Melgrad had been working towards since the loss of Marcin.

“That seems like a wise decision. The less issues we have and the tighter grip we have on ‘your’ people, the sooner we have this situation under control. Once we do, your mother will be safe from all harm that those rebels wish upon her. Now, for those that break the rules you set in place, what do you wish to do with them? We can’t lock them in the dungeons here, that would be too risky. Do you want to imprision them elsewhere, let them get off with a warning or do something else. Our knights need clarity, otherwise we put them in needless danger.” 

“Did we not agree that it was the best course of action to protect the legacy of your parents? That’s what it sounded like to me and my prince. If I miss understood, then I can go retract my statement to the prisoner. However, consider the following. He didn’t commit just a crime, he killed one of your men and you have hundreds more who expect you to make a decision. After all, they’re at risk as much, if not more than anyone else. I think you owe it to them to make the call, swiftly.” 

“I’m sorry my prince but it felt inhumane to leave him to wait any longer. I don’t want people to think we’re torturing him, that would ruin the good image of this family. However, I understand that I should have let you know first. I must say, despite the news he took it well. Like a man who accepted his faith.” Melgrad spoke calmly before letting eyes meet with those of the prince. “You did ask me how to go about it, right? I think a straigthforward manner is the best manner.” 

“I’ll be beside you through this all. I helped your father with tough calls too. Sometimes people don’t understand the toughness of choices.” 

“I know it’s drastic but remember, this peace you live in is due to your mother’s hard work and the sacrifice of your father. Now we have forces from outside targeting you and your mother while prisoners attack and slaughter your men. Leading up to your coronation, you need to show people that you can maintain this peace. If not ... then your mother’s hard work will all be for naught.” 

“Hinrik ... no, prince. I have bad news from one of the guards. It turns out that last night, one of the knights in the dungeon was beheaded by one of the prisoners. They used his own sword against them, pulling them against the bars and kept pushing the sword through his throat ... it’s quite gruesome. However, at this point the prisoners are trying to get out, start a commotion and escape. I suggest we surpress them and clean house. None of these prisoners deserve to see tomorrow, not after this.”