It had been five days with no result. Five excruciating days. Finally, they had something. It was great news. The commander waisted no time bringing his findings to the young King.
It was a new week hence the day for the council. The commander barely made it in time before Arthur had to leave.

"Your Grace." He said with a bow.

"Commander Boulivir." Arthur said in acknowledgement. "Is everything alright?"

"We finally managed to get the guards to talk." He replied.

Arthur felt his stomach churn. He remembered the last time they had spoken of the prisoners. He had pretty much given him the go ahead to use torture to extract the needed information.

"What did you find out?" He asked, keeping a straight face.

"They were paid to look the other way whilst the prisoner they had been holding was led away." The commander said.

"Did they say who paid them?" Arthur asked.

"Apparently it was some merchants." The commander replied.

"That doesn't make any sense." Arthur said thoughtfully.

"I agree." Commander Boulivir agreed. "Perhaps these merchants were hired by someone within court."

"Question is who." Arthur said. "What about the escaped prisoner?"

"We found him dead yesterday. I believe they knew we would go after him so they silenced him." The commander said.

"So right now we have nothing tangible, huh?" Arthur asked.

"I'm afraid not." The commander replied slowly. "But I'll keep digging."

Arthur nodded in acknowledgement.

"Well, I have a meeting to get to." He said. "Take care, commander Boulivir."

"I will, your Grace." The commander replied with a smile.

It was a small start but the young King was eventually warming up to him. With all said, he left to continue with his investigation, leaving the protection of young King Arthur in the hands of his most trusted lieutenants.

When Arthur made his way to the council room, he realized that Miraz had showed up this time. Even more shocking, he was the first to rise to his feet in a show of respect. Arthur decided it would be best if he didn't react in any way. Rather, he takes his seat at the head of the table. All the council members followed suite. There was a parchment neatly laid out in front of him. He  gingerly skimmed his fingers over it as he read the contents of the parchment. It was a number of issues that the council was meant to discuss that day. Except that whatever seems to be on the agenda for the meeting involved a petition by Lord Brutollë to impose a new tax law. One that required every person entering the gates of the city to pay one copper coin as gate fee.

"What's this? Why do we need a new tax law?" He asked curiously.

"We have two events coming up within a couple of days and both require the crown to stretch its pockets." The sandy haired Lord replied. "This new gate law will try to replenish the coin we will most likely be depleted after the coronation."

"So you're proposing we take everything from the people instead?" Arthur inquired.

"Not at all your Grace." Lord Brutollë argued.

"Then what is it you're suggesting? Because that's what it looks like to me. One copper coin for every head that enters the city gates seems too much for the common man." Arthur pointed out. "In fact, I think it's preposterous that the same tax is paid by the privileged. If anything, they are the ones to who should feel the burden of these tax laws you've put in place. If I am to endorse this new law you suggest, I want it to be fair. If you want the common people to pay one copper coin per head then I will decree that for noble families this fee will be one silver coin."

There a few murmurs and grunts of disagreement but Arthur had anticipated this.

"If you're all disagreeing then how will the people agree. If you want to impose something on other people then you must consider how you will react to it first." He said.

"I also agree with this." Miraz chirped in.

This caused a lot of heads to turns towards him. They had not expected him to side with his nephew.

"Why are you all looking at me?" He asked the Lords who were now staring at him. "You all know our King is right. Besides, it's not like you will miss one silver coin. That is unless you bring an entire town as your household. Perhaps now you'll think before you decide to travel extravagantly."

After that, no one had any objections. It was a dangerous game but Arthur knew he had to keep things balanced. He needed the people's love but more than anything, he needed the support of his liege Lords. In the end, he was able to convince them to accept his condition for the new tax law. After the meeting, he retired to his chambers. It was still early but he felt more tired than usual.

Finding himself a comfortable chair, he sat by the window so he could watch all that transpired beneath him. It wasn't much but he found it rather soothing. At least here, in this moment in time, he could be himself. Closing his eyes, he allowed the calm to envelope.

His peaceful slumber was short lived when he heard a short sharp knock on the door. With a deep sigh, he turned his head towards the door.

"Come in." He called out.

One of his guards came in and bowed before him.

"Your Grace, Lord Miraz requests to speak with you." The young guard said.

Miraz? He thought. How strange. Whatever does he want.

He knew he couldn't trust Miraz but he didn't want to give him that kind of power over him. He willed himself not to fear the man.

"Bring him in." He said to the guard.

Commander Boulivir would probably chastise him if he ever found out that he had let Miraz within close vicinity of himself.

The man himself was a good actor, feigning the part of a model citizen. Arthur wasn't fooled. He had no doubt Miraz would kill him first chance he got. He watched as Miraz walked into the room.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, uncle?" Arthur asked in his most civil voice.

"You must forgive me for dropping in unannounced." Miraz said cheerfully. "But I just couldn't help notice how tired you looked."

"Thank you for your concern, uncle, but you mustn't worry yourself. I'm only sleepy. That's all." Arthur replied.

To this, Miraz simply gave him a knowing look.

"You don't have to put on an act with me, nephew. I know this... Job, is taking a greater toll on you than anyone anticipated." He said with a kind smile. "It's okay to ask for help from time to time."

Arthur chose not to say anything. He decided to figure out what the man was planning. So he played along with his game.

"This isn't something anyone can help me with. It's something I have to bear alone." He said.

"But why? Why would you exert yourself to such torture?" Miraz asked.

Why indeed? Was it because he felt bound by duty? What duty? As far as he was concerned, he owed nothing to Oberon. So why was he going through with all this?

"I know you want what's best for the people but have you thought that maybe what is best for them is not what you are giving them?" Miraz continued without waiting for his answer.

"And what do you suggest, Lord Miraz?" Arthur asked, no longer bothering with the false courtesy.

"I don't know if I'm the right person to tell you this. You may doubt my attentions. That is if you don't already." He said cautiously.

"You've already started talking. So get on with it." Arthur said sternly, with a rather annoyed voice.

With a sigh, Miraz continued.

"There's nothing binding you to the throne. You can always give it up, if that is what you want." Miraz said. "You can abdicate your position."

"I see." Arthur said in a low voice. "And once I do that, who takes over? You?"

"Your Grace, I was merely suggesting..." Miraz said.

"Oh please, uncle. Drop the act." Arthur said in a threateningly low voice. "We both know you didn't come here to share that piece of information simply out of the goodness of your heart."

"So I was right, you do thing lowly of me." Miraz said with a chuckle. "But you're wrong. I do have your best interests at heart."

"Really?" Arthur asked.

"Yes. You see, I do not blame you for my brother's foolish gamble. You're an innocent in all of this and innocent blood need not be spilt." Miraz said. "I'm simply giving you the opportunity to walk away from all of this."

"And if I refuse?" Arthur asked.

"Well, although I might not desire to spill innocent blood there are times when it becomes necessary for the greater good." Miraz said with a dark tone.

"Is that a threat?" Arthur challenged.

"No. It's a warning, your Grace." Miraz said darkly. "Wise Kings heed to the warnings of lesser men."

"And the lesser man best remember his place before he speaks." Arthur warned. "Lest he finds said King in a foul mood. Would that be all, uncle?"

"Yes, my dear nephew. That would be all." Miraz replied with a smile.

"Good. I trust you know where the door is." Arthur said.

Miraz bowed his head before he turned to leave.