>>5748321The Patriarch had always been a mystery to you. What little you knew of him was from secondhand sources that had dealt with him in the past. They’d described him as a talented and cunning orator. Someone capable of inspiring others and, ultimately, winning them over to his side. But from what you’d seen of him so far, he was prone to violent mood swings without any notice. Had he always been this way? There was just no way you could see someone like this scheming their way to the top. Furthermore, the way he spoke of Montgomery implied he held him at some level of contempt. Perhaps most concerning of all though, was that you were unable to gauge his power. Was he truly unhinged, speaking from a place of grand delusion? Or did he possess a great power beneath his exterior? Leif is far closer to him than you are, so you decide to follow the prince’s lead.
Leif stares at Bennett intensely, perhaps pondering the right answer to give him. Before he can open his mouth though, the tent flaps behind you open. At least 10 additional armed guards swarm into the room. They bear the same armor as the soldiers you saw outside the smithy. Their appearance forces the non-combatants in the room to flee. The soldiers take up their arms just as the last figure enters the large tent. Montgomery stares at your group once more with those tiny, beady eyes.
“Still wandering about, raider?” The priest says in his soft, tiny voice. “The wall is set to fall any minute now, and yet your men are still not in position. I find this most curious. I have to wonder…if your Oracle were still around, would this level of incompetency be occurring?”
Bennett laughs from his seat. “I hear she suffered from a poor constitution. You should take care to safeguard yourself, elder. I’d hate to see you share the same fate.”
“…My lord.” Montgomery says. You can sense that edge once more in his voice, and you suddenly get the impression you’re in the midst of an ongoing feud that’s lasted for ages. “I would ask that you take this seriously. I believe that the situation at hand warrants we-“
“Oh, of course, my sincerest apologies, Commander.” Bennett says, sarcasm dripping off every word. He sits back in his chair. As he does so, his own retinue of guards move away from the tent’s newcomers, taking positions in front of the Patriarch as if to protect him. “Please, do what you must.”
“…Prince Leif.” Montgomery says, turning his attention away from the Patriarch. “I’m afraid this has gone on long enough. You were sent here by Cornelia to assist our fight, not to prance around asking questions. Join us at the front, or I’ll be forced to take drastic action.”
