“Are they gathered?” Liadon asked, finally letting his hands fall away from the crown in frustrated acceptance.
“Yes, sire. The guard brought them out to the southeastern grounds, by the far wing’s balcony. They eagerly await your royal presence.”
Liadon snorted in a distinctly un-kinglike, or elflike for that matter, way. “I’m sure they do. Just chomping at the bit to face the man handing them their execution papers. Somehow, I doubt even adventurers are that foolhardy.”
“Then you overestimate them. The more dire the circumstances, the faster they rush in. Presuming the reward is right, of course.”
“I’ll never understand that lot. They treat life as if it’s disposable, like they can go get more from a vendor once a dragon’s fang has run them through.”
“Some are more prudent than others,” Ardel said. “And it certainly helps us that we’ve kept all word of the failed expeditions quiet. I fear we might see a higher desertion rate if word of the cumulative body count were to slip into public knowledge.”
“Then, we’d just have to add those deserters to that body count,” Liadon said. “It matters little. Sooner or later, one of these groups will get it done. We just have to keep throwing them at the problem until it’s resolved. Standard kingdom procedure.”
“Yes, sire. On that topic, have you given any more thought to the rash of demon attacks currently plaguing the lands? We’re up to six confirmed so far, with several more suspected.”
“One thing at a time. The citizens are a hardy lot; they can fend for themselves. Expeditions are our first priority.”
“Very well, sire. Does that mean you are ready to address them?”
King Liadon rose from his bed, examining himself in the mirror. He was fully dressed, long purple cape flowing from his shoulders, down past his regal clothes and stopping inches above his fine leather boots. The crown sat atop his head, gleaming in splendor despite the discomfort it caused. He looked every inch the part of a king, which was eighty percent of what it took to be a king.
“I’m ready, but let’s take our time getting there. It does adventurers good to sit and stew on occasion. Keeps them reminded of who they really work for.”
“Yes, sire.”
The sun climbed through the sky, nearly reaching its zenith by the time there was finally movement on the balcony. Adventurers quickly scrambled into position, pulling themselves up and taking a respectful stance. The king’s blood-soaked reputation had reached all of their ears, and none were keen on receiving an arrow through the eye for perceived transgressions.
King Liadon emerged from the shadows of the castle and stood prominently on the balcony. He stared down at them wordlessly, face stoic and eyes hard as he assessed this fresh crop. Whether he found them impressive, or wanting, was anyone’s guess, because as he began to speak, it was in a flat, neutral tone that betrayed no more about his thoughts than his stone-faced expression.
“I welcome all of you, brave warriors who have earned my attention through your heroic deeds. Truly, your reputations precede you, and I consider it a fine day to have such folk as my guests at the castle. Today, however, is not a day of celebration or boasting. Today I have summoned you here to serve your kingdom, a privilege so few citizens are ever given the opportunity to do. You are greatly blessed, for you have the rare chance to attempt to repay me for the protections and benefits reaped from living under my rule.”
King Liadon paused, half-watching his marks soak it in, half-waiting to see if anyone would be dumb enough to speak up. When no one did, he continued, and the archers waiting unseen in various shadows allowed their bows to slacken just a touch.
“Some time ago, a group of citizens located a dungeon that had been hidden away by time. This was brought to my attention, and I undertook its investigation. After endless magical reconnaissance, we have deemed it to be ready for actual exploration. Now, there are various monsters and traps entombed there, which is why I have decided to send only the mightiest of adventurers to handle the task.”
Again, King Liadon paused, and again, the crowd remained silent. He was impressed; most of the other groups had lost two or three loud-mouths by this point.
“Your task, upon entering the dungeon, is to retrieve a highly potent magical artifact from a room at the direct center. Our wizards have been able to glean its existence and location, but nothing more. Anything else you find is yours to keep; however, the artifact should be your primary goal. The group that brings it to me will be gifted with land, titles, and gold far exceeding anything you might find in some paltry dungeon.”
King Liadon saw the greed shimmering in some of their eyes, twinkling like gold coins amidst a dragon’s hoard. That should keep them properly motivated. A few did not seem enticed by the promise of riches; however, Liadon didn’t spare much worry for any of the adventurers’ motivation. Whatever had drawn them into the adventuring lifestyle would compel them forward on their path, with or without his promise of gold at the end. Of course, the threat of death should they stray was also an effective way to keep things moving along. King Liadon was a fan of using both the carrot and the stick, when possible.
“Remember, be wary in your exploration. We’ve confirmed the presence of many monsters that could present a danger even to those as powerful as yourselves. It is your goal to see the artifact returned and your king pleased, not to die for no purpose in musty dungeon corridors. So go forth, and make your king proud!”
With a sweep of his purple cape, King Liadon slid back into the shadows of the castle corridors, leaving a large group of adventurers wondering why a guard couldn’t have just told them all that hours ago. So many were watching the now empty balcony that they didn’t notice the return of the guard who’d led them here and jumped in surprise at the sound of his voice.
“Now that our king has graced you with his voice to give you your orders, it is time for you to begin.” The guard motioned for them to follow and once more headed off, already beginning to speak as he anticipated their following. It was with a clatter of armor and hurried steps that the adventurers kicked into movement and gave pursuit.
“The dungeon his majesty mentioned is many weeks’ travel from here, so we have decided to send you to the location by magic. You will be teleported to a camp just outside the dungeon’s entrance, where you will receive a quick meal, some provisions, and a scroll with all the information we currently possess about the dungeon and the artifact you are to retrieve. From that point on, you will all enter the dungeon in whatever groups or intervals you like, provided you’ve all stepped in by sundown. Anyone who sees the night sky will be considered to have deserted their mission, and I trust there is no need to elaborate on what happens to deserters?”
There was no need indeed, as the adventurers quickened their step to keep pace. It was well known what King Liadon’s stance on people disobeying him was. Even if this dungeon were a hundred levels deep and filled with nothing but dragons, it still provided a less certain death than going against the king’s orders.
From the moment they’d set foot on the castle grounds, there had never been an option of backing out.
The teleportation was a quick affair; some wizards had set up a circle of glowing runes at the far south end of the castle grounds. Once an adventurer stepped onto the circle, they were transported to the camp outside the dungeon’s entrance, so within minutes, all twenty-eight adventurers, along with a few guards, had arrived at their destination.