Upon entering the room, Quinus, George, and Hadjah proceeded through the impressive doorway and positioned themselves before the desk of the baron. Zellin seemed to be deep in thought about something, and he waited for a moment to speak.
He proceeded to move about his desk, advanced a few paces, and executed a profound bow in Quinus' direction.
"Your Highness! You've defeated the Dungeon Core that controlled the goblin stampede! The goblins are no longer in our lands, and we shall never have to worry about them again," the Baron said.
"It wasn't an easy quest, Zellin, but fate must have been on our side to defeat the Dungeon Core! Thank you for all the help you offered. I just wish more of our men could have lived to see this day," Quinus replied with an apologetic face.
Zellin responded with a joyful smile. "What's important is your survival... It is good to see you again, Prince Quinus. I'm glad that the rumors of your death are false. I heard that you were one of the few people to survive this suicide mission. Sadly, that's what happens when a Labyrinth's Core gets loose... Besides Sir George, who else survived, Your Highness?"
"My loyal ranger, Percy, and two remarkable demi-human females provided invaluable assistance... I fear I wouldn't be standing here without her help," Quinus answered.
"Yes, my servants mentioned you came with a Wolfkin and a Dark Elf. I thought Dark Elves only seek power. Are you sure she's not using you, Your Highness?" Zellin said with concern.
Sir George cut in. "Not only did she save my life, Baron Coldforge, but she's saved my lord's life multiple times. Lady Rya is a purist and cares for everyone around her! Even if she insults my courting methods," Sir George said with a sad look.
"I see... I do apologize for doubting your choice of companion! But how did you find these women anyway?" the Baron asked.
"Rya was chased into the Labyrinth by the goblin horde, and we were able to save Lady Dalia from being impregnated by the goblins in their nest," Quinus explained.
The Baron was surprised by the story but didn't ask further questions about how it occurred.
"Fated indeed! How did your cousin fare, Your Highness? I don't see him with you, so I'm assuming the worst," Zellin asked.
"It's even worse than that, Baron. He and his mercenaries betrayed the prince when the Goblin Horde was attacking us in the dungeon! He deserved something worse than death!" Sir George spat out.
"What!? He was mad enough to try and claim the throne!?" Zellin said in shock.
"Yes. And that's the last thing we're concerned about. One of his mercenaries survived, and we think he made it out of the Labyrinth before we did. Do you know the whereabouts of the Black Rose Mercenaries? My cousin was only able to hire 20 of them before our quest, and I remember their commander was in Ironside when we first came through," Quinus asked.
Hajdah jumped in, "100 Black Rose Mercenaries stayed inside the city five days ago, Your Highness. I believe they went north—toward Mount Skellige... Rumor has it that the main forces of the Mercenary Group have been spotted moving around the foothills... Which we believe is around ten thousand strong. It's making us nervous, My Prince."
"Are you certain they didn't head east toward the capital?" Quinus asked with a worried look on his face.
"Yes, I'm certain, My Lord... While the old mines may have collapsed over 500 years ago, there are still a lot of abandoned tunnels that they might be using to hide in, Your Highness," Hajdah answered with a reassuring smile. He hoped this would get him back in Quinus' good graces.
"Thank you, Hajdah. But I must say, I'm a little concerned that they didn't go straight to my uncle so they could report about his son's execution," Quinus said.
"Your Highness executed the Viscount!? I can only imagine what Duke Alaric Revelia will do when he hears about this," Zellin said in shock.
Quinus sighed, "I don't know if I can trust my uncle not to ambush us if we try to go to the capital on our own. I might need a garrison of your men, Zellin."
"I-I can, My Lord... But I thought you and your cousin were so close when you were children. How did it come to this?" Zellin said in confusion.
"Marcus was always good at putting up a facade when needed, but his heart is blacker than I ever could've imagined. I wish I didn't have to end him in such a way, but it's too late for that," Quinus said.
"My Lord, should we deal with the mercenaries? I'm sure they are up to something if they left the city before we arrived," Sir George asked with a hint of concern in his voice.
"Yeah, I think you're right. We'll need to deal with them before heading to the capital with Zellin's garrison as our escort," Quinus answered.
"Well, I'll send some soldiers to search the mountainside to see if we are lucky enough to find them, Your Highness," Hajdah said.
"Sounds like a plan... And I have one last thing to ask of you," Quinus said while looking over to the Baron.
"Go ahead," Zellin replied, eagerly awaiting the Crown Prince's request.
"When was the last time you or your father smithed Liquid Ether?" Quinus asked Zellin Coldforge.
"Well, my father was lucky enough to get a drop of Liquid Ether about 40 years ago. I believe he smithed it to create your father's sword," Zellin said while scratching his chin.
"He made my father's sword with only one drop?... I wonder what you and your father can make with this," Quinus said while pulling out a glowing vial of Liquid Ether and holding it up.
Zellin's and Hajdah's eyes went wide when they saw the vial of liquid light. The Baron's hands were shaking slightly as he took the vial and examined it. His face was puzzled and stunned as he saw how much Ether, the Prince, had collected.
"That's insane! You've got that much Liquid Ether!? That makes you the richest man in the world!" Zellin said, in disbelief, while carefully handling the vial.
"And what would you do with this gift, My Lord?" Hajdah asked.
"With this Ether, the possibilities are endless... I don't seek wealth, but I desire weaponry and armor for both myself and my companions. I have a feeling that we will need all the help we can get," Quinus said as he watched the Baron stare at the vial of light.
"We can do that, but it will take at least a few weeks or even a few months to forge what you want, My Lord... I'll need to research what types of weapons my father and I can make for you," Zellin said as he handed the vial back to Quinus.
"I would like for you to make a short sword for Rya first, then use the rest for me later... I could use some gauntlets or a shield," Quinus commanded while gesturing to Zellin to hang on to the vial.
"As you wish, Your Highness," Zellin said as he pocketed the vial in his leather pouch.
"Do we have any other business here?" Quinus asked.
"No, Your Highness. We can try to send a message to your father and mother about your success if you like," Zellin asked.
"Yes, I think that would be wise. Let us move on. What else do you have planned for the city?" Quinus asked.
"Well, we are going to hold a Festival of the Goddess starting tomorrow morning. It's an annual event where everyone throws money and offerings to their respective deities. With the goblins dealt with, we thought it would be a good time to hold it again," Zellin explained.
"Sounds like a plan. I'd like to attend if possible, incognito, of course," Quinus said.
"Of course, Your Highness. I'm sure the whole town will be festive, so you can blend in easily if you like," Zellin replied.
"Hm. Well, that should be enough. I'll be retiring to my room. Gentlemen, I look forward to seeing you during dinner," Quinus said.
Zellin and Hajdah bowed to the prince as he walked away with Sir George in tow, and they left the Baron's chamber.
Once the Prince left the room, Hajdah and Zellin looked up from their bows and straightened themselves.
"He's really growing up fast... It feels like yesterday when I went to the Capital to see if the Prince was gifted with being a mage... Even when he failed the test as an 8-year-old, it didn't bother him. Haha... Frankly, it was Grand Master Fennic who seemed more disappointed that the prince didn't show any talent in the arcane," Hajdah said.
"Yeah... Now, he's a 20-year-old man and the most powerful Maja warrior in the Kingdom. It's a bit scary to think that he will inherit the kingdom someday," Zellin said with a chuckle.
"I know this is bad to say... But I hope it's sooner rather than later... King Cyndre is letting the Prime Minister have too much control over the Kingdom," Hajdah whispered.
"I don't like it either. Especially if the Prince is forced to marry that Divine Three Princess... I fear for our people's lives, Hajdah. If the Alliance has its way, then we dwarves will be fighting for our lives. I don't want a civil war to erupt within our kingdom, but it could happen if Cyndre doesn't step up against Marquess Duval Wrightwood's plans," Zellin replied.
"I understand how you feel, but I pray that it won't come to that. Anyway, I have to prepare the guild for the festival. If you have nothing else for me, I'll be off," Hajdah said while walking out the door.
"Yes, we can continue this conversation another time," Zellin said while returning to his chair.
'I'd better head to the forge in an hour and give my father this Liquid Ether... Haah... He better not complain to me about finding a woman,' the Baron thought as he started writing a letter for King Cyndre.