When Archeron returned to his throne room the next morning, he was surprised to find his spy seated on the steps of the dais. He jumped to his feet at the sight of his King, sketching a low bow. Archeron was tempted to take his head off for taking so long to realise he was in the room, but he managed to control his disapproval. The spy had bowed for long enough and was allowed to stand straight once again as Archeron sat on the throne.

The King was told of how the spy was able to trick one of the nobles he had befriended - a noble who just happened to be a member of the new Queen's Court - and place the noble within one of the many cells below the palace. The prisoner's name was Hasib, the spy was saying. Apparently he was a sort of friend of the new Queen. By sort of friend, he meant someone who she questioned the presence of. In other words, someone who possibly did not like the Queen.

Archeron found himself leaning forward, his arms bracing on his legs as he rested his chin on the backs of his hands. The spy seemed to be optimistic at the thought of Hasib turning against the Queen. While the King did not deny it, he did not believe this nobleman would be turned so easily. It would take work. Sadly, it would not take his preferred work. This was someone who would have to be charmed instead of broken. How disappointing. Even so, Archeron could not deny the good work his spy had done. 

He crooked a finger towards one of the guards who came forward. "Bring me our . . . visitor." 

The guard did as was asked and dragged Hasib in minutes later. The dark-haired Lyriumian man looked between the King and his spy, realisation forming in his eyes. He now understood that he had been played and he was far from please. The King, on the other hand, was quite pleased at the realisation that was had. He joyed seeing the man's face fall at the sight of his thought-to-be-friend next to the Dark King. 

"Traitor," Hasib growled. "You are a traitor to your people."

"Hardly," the spy laughed. "You are not one of my people."

His eyes widened. "That is why you were acting so strange this morning."

Archeron clapped his hands, his way of commanding attention of all those in the throne room. He resented not having attention on him. He was the King. He was supposed to be the center of attention, not just some spectator. "Now," the King spoke, "tell me what you want."

Hasib only started. "Want?"

"Yes," Archeron said, leaning forward in his throne. "I'll give you whatever you want if you join our cause."

The King was expecting that to be enough. He knew people. They were selfish creatures. Especially nobles, such as the man on the floor before him. They were only there in order to gain some sort of power or favour from whoever was in charge. He had not intended to ever use a favour in order to get someone to join his cause, but it was the best way to go about it.

"There is nothing you could give me that will make me join you!" Hasib yelled defiantly.

That was not true. The King knew that much. There was something this man wanted more than anything, and he would be the one to find it. It may take a while, but he could be patient when he needed to be. A click of the fingers brought four guards around the man. "Take him back to the dungeon," Archeron said with a smile. "Place him in the darkest cell. Let him out only when he decides to change his mind."

Two of the guards yanked a struggling Hasib to his feet. The man tried to pull away and ended up having the guards drag him, yelling and screaming, down the hallway. The King sighed, raising a hand to his head. This was going to be difficult, he realised. Another snap of the fingers brought a woman with a tray to his side. On the tray was a glass, the contents of which Archeron gulped down before allowing her to leave. 

The room was once again empty aside from the King and his spy, who was watching with great interest at what the next move would be. A wave of the hand. "Leave me," the King said. "Do not come back until that man joins us. Go make yourself useful somewhere else." The spy bowed before leaving. 

Archeron eyed the many guards standing against the walls of the Throne Room. "All of you, leave me be!" They left as fast as they could. Once again, the King found himself pacing the length of the room as he attempted to come up with anther plan to get the girl's necklace.