"I hear that you've made the announcement of your intent to marry."
"I did."
"Have you set a date yet?"
"With everything going on, we have not. But now that things are calming down, we will." He intended to talk to Sarah about that the first chance he had.
"May I ask where the prisoners will be kept?"
"For now, they're safely stowed away. Once we make a final decision, they'll be transported to wherever their final destination is."
"He should be tried in front of the delegation that he himself frauded. When we are ready and have a plan in place, we can arrange transport. If you are willing to hold him long enough, of course."
"And what of his daughter and my guard who betrayed us?"
"That's for us to decide as a collective, not me alone."
Luke nodded in understanding. "They will remain safely locked up here until your kingdom is ready."
"Thank you." Rafe stood. "It was good seeing you again, Luke. You were knee high to a grasshopper the last time I visited your beautiful city."
Luke shook his hand. "Don't be a stranger. You're welcome here anytime. And let me know how I can help."
"I think," Rafe started, "that we need to figure this out on our own if we are to continue being a free and independent realm. No offense to you, of course, but we need to stand on our own two feet."
"Very well," Luke said. "A totally honorable position."
He walked Rafe out to the courtyard and bid him farewell before he turned toward the prison building. It was time to face the prisoners.
Gerard stood as soon as Luke walked in the door. "Sir, I would like to speak with you."
"Too bad. Sit down."
"I made a mistake. They tricked me and took advantage of my position. I was duped, just like you were."
"Did you assist in the plan to kidnap Sarah?"
Gerard stuttered. "Well... I... we..."
"I'll take that as a yes. And as so, there will be no further conversation about your situation." Luke pointed at Aaron. "I have spoken with Rafe."
"Oh, that air-headed imbecile won't know what to do."
"I think you'll be amazed what people are capable of once they realize how gullible they were. They are going to duly elect a king to be your replacement."
"You can't do that!" Aaron's face turned red.
"I already have, and Rafe is currently on his way back to get the plan in motion. You are hereby stripped of any formal titles."
"You have no right, you sonofabitch. You can't do that to me!" Aaron was almost screaming.
"What about me?" Kayleigh asked. "I'm completely innocent in all this. I had no idea that my father was fooling the entire kingdom."
Luke looked at her. "You are the worst kind of prisoner; do you know that?"
Her eyes narrowed and her nostrils flared. "How dare you."
"You know you're caught, and you know the game is over, and yet you continue to lie. Not only does that make your situation worse, but it tells me that there is no hope for remediation into a contributing member of society."
