At Last We Come to a Decision

"For all we know, he might have tried but been unsuccessful, for any number of reasons," Teran says. "If you don't have a friend at court, then it's not easy to get to speak to the King. Or he might have been threatened with what could happen to him if he did so, and decided that he wasn't prepared to take the risk. There's even the possibility that he tried, but was killed before he could get anywhere."

"I think we ought to put this to a vote," I say. "You have put yourselves in great danger on my behalf, and since it seems that you are all going to stick with me - for which I'm more grateful than I can say - then what we decide will affect you just as much as it will me. So who thinks we should try to get an audience with the King?"

"I do," John says. "Not because it was my idea, but because geting Gustav and his henchmen locked up for a long time is the only way to ensure your long-term safety. As well, it will make Theras a much pleasanter place - for a while at least. Going to the King seems the only realistic hope of achieving it."

"Anybody else favour that option?" I ask. After a moment's silence, I go on: "All right, so who wants to stay here?"

Moula pute her hand up. "We seem safe here, and it's a pleasant enough place. When our money eventually runs out, we should be able to find enough work to pay for our board."

"I'm afraid that they would find us here sooner or later," Teran says. "So I favour moving on, and getting as far from Theras as possible."

"It looks like you have the casting vote, Hari," Moula says. "I'm glad, as I think it's right that it should be you who ultimately decides."

"Very well," I say. "I really do want Gustav to get what's coming to him, and I don't think that I shall feel safe until he's seen to, so we'll try to get to speak to the King."

"I'll attempt to talk to my father then," John says. "I can't guarantee that he'll even be willing to see me, though, so don't get your hopes up too high...

1. "You had better all wait here while I go to see him. I hope that I'll be back in a few days with good news."
2. "I suggest that you should all come with me. You might help to sway the old man. Also if he will take us in, you should be safer in the family castle than you would be here."

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