After the spectacle of the judgement of the tribunal on the royal family, Wyland and Malrik head deep into the Ark, the meeting room of the High priests.
As Wyland enters the room angrily, he is met with the second High Priest Arthen, who mockingly says,
"I told you not to underestimate the boy, did I not?"
"You old bat, you curry the favor of the royals every time you get!" Wyland stated.
"Wyland, so easy to taunt and quick to lose temper, mind your tongue!"
stated by the third Priest Bogarth.
Malrik simply let out a sigh and sat in his seat, thinking that despite their age, they still act like children.
Wyland having been embarrassed earlier at the plaza, finally snapped.
Wyland's hands began to glow and emit heat, slowly rising from his palms, magic. Wyland was using magic. As quickly as Wyland was to use magic, Malrik unsheathed his sword and held it to Wyland's throat, despite the age, his nickname, Warrior Priest was not for show.
Just as everything is in chaos, the door opened loudly, all the priests' eyes look toward the door.
As he enters, his presence exudes authority and fear. his body was old, yet his eyes vicious. This was none other than the first High Priest, Tilbur.
Tilbur spoke, "Surely there is no need to resort to violence?" though the question was meant to calm things down, his tone indicated otherwise. Arthen stood up and bowed, Bogarth did as well.
Wyland deactivated his magic and Malrik sheathed his sword and sat in his seat.
Wyland still standing, stared at Tilbur, and thought to himself about what made him feared by the others, he could understand why Arthen and Bogarth fear him, but Malrik? Why would Malrik, a warrior renowned across the battlefield, fear someone as old and meek as Tilbur?.
Tilbur took a step closer to Wyland,
"Is there something wrong Wyland? why don't you take a seat."
Wyland lets out a scoff and finally took his seat.
The room beneath the Ark is secure and hidden, a circular room. With only a single door, one way in and one way out. At the center was a circular table with two seats at each side and one at the center. The only lighting they have was the dimly lit chandelier, emanating blue flames.
Tilbur sits at the center and looks at his fellow priests,
"It appears that the simple task that I assigned to Wyland, has failed"
Tilbur gave a brief pause, and then continued
"But by doing so, his faults revealed someone interesting, the third prince, Claude. I personally thought he's just a helpless boy, but now? he may have some use to us, in the grand scheme of things, his involvement could potentially give us the leverage we need against the royals, if not, We can simply get rid of him"
Tilbur grinned sinisterly.
All five priests were sitting at their respective seats, all listening intently at Tilbur's words.
Arthen's eyes widened with fear, he thought that with everything going on, Claude might be spared, but appears to be added as one of the many cogs within the Grand Plans of the High Priest Tilbur.
Malrik shot a curious look towards Tilbur, feeling sorry for the boy, so young and full of potential, being dragged into the schemes of these old men, he feels sickened at the thought of it.
Bogarth simply nods in agreement, as he too shares the same vision with Tilbur.
Wyland showed interest as to what Tilbur could be planning, thinking to himself that maybe in the far future, he could get his hands on Claude, and deal with him personally.
Everyone in the room had a different expression, some showed worry and fear, while others showed excitement, this is the true nature of the High Priests, each with their own agendas.
"Bogarth, what of our plans in the southern fortress?, any news?" asked Tilbur.
"Our spies tell us that the prince Osferth is recovering quite well, despite the injury" said Bogarth.
"Well that seems to put a dent in our plans doesn't it?" asked Wyland.
"Indeed it has, for the south to weaken, we need prince Osferth gone, either away from the fortress or gone from this mortal soil" said Tilbur.
"Won't getting rid of Osferth now, make the royal family on guard?, should we not avoid that at all cost?" Arthen urged adamantly.
Tilbur raised a brow and said mockingly,
"Arthen, you and your patience for the royals will forever remain a mystery to me, we have given them time and time again to prove their worth to us, and yet you fight for them with such vigor"
"Is it not in our faith that one should be given a chance to atone?" asked Arthen
"Yes it is in our faith, but we have given them time and time again, and still, no progress. only we can correct them, and the king Aldric, is far too arrogant, far too honorable for us to control"
Malrik quickly rebutted,
"To be honest, I admire the king, only through honor can one test the mettle of a man"
Wyland scoffs and said,
"Malrik, you and your damned honor, what is honor in front of power?, what is honor when faced with death and destruction?, if you care about his honor so much, let us put that to the test."
Wyland despises men with honor, for him, they are hypocrites. When faced with true adversity man's real self is revealed, only then can one claim to be honorable. Malrik clenched his fist in protest to Wyland's statement.
Wyland let out a chuckle, he finally got under Malrik's skin, a sight to behold.
"Say, where do you stand with this honor nonsense Bogarth?"
Wyland asked curiously. To which Bogarth gave a reply,
"Honor can only truly be tested when faced with adversity, when a man is pushed into a corner, what then?, will honor prevail? or will he reveal his true nature?"
Malrik stared at Wyland and Bogarth with contempt, though what they said is true, no one can mock someone's honor.
Tilbur cleared his throat then spoke,
"Malrik, you have the resources to take care of prince Osferth yes?"
Malrik nods.
"Good, I trust you will succeed in taking care of him, I leave that to you."
Malrik gave a hesitant nod, it goes against him, this vile act of treachery, but he knows its for the better of the kingdom.
With all five priests gathered plans were hatched, only here.
Only, Beneath the Ark.