Fabian was sitting on the bed in his private room applying ointment to the wound on his shoulder. It stank like troll piss, but it did feel good and seemed to help numb the pain. He'd already thoroughly searched all of the drawers and shelves in the room and pocketed everything that seemed to be of any value. He was about ready to blow out the candle by his bedside and turn in for the night when he heard a soft knock on the door.

"Probably some serving wench saw me and wants to go to bed with the legendary Fabian," he said as he stood up to answer the door. "Hopefully she brought some dreamweed with her."

He was surprised to see Gareth standing in the doorway when he opened it.

"Uh, hey dude. What are you doing here? If you're looking for a piece of the legendary Fabian, I'm afraid I only party with the ladies, but I'd be willing to sign an autograph for you if you want."

"I hate to intrude, I was just hoping I could speak with you in private," Gareth said.

"Uh, okay. Come in. What's going on?"

"You strike me as a man of great wisdom and experience."

"This is true, and obvious to anyone who has a working brain in their skull. I'm gaining respect for you, Gareth."

"I've got to be honest with you here. I think I've managed to get myself in a bit over my head."

"How so?" Fabian asked.

"Being chief advisor to the king. I thought I was ready for the responsibility. But I just can't handle it. Especially with His Majesty's illness."

"Do you have to wipe his ass for him?" Fabian said. "Because honestly I can sympathize with you if you have to do that. That's just nasty."

"No, he has doctors who attend to those kinds of matters. I don't have to get my hands dirty. Mostly I handle his finances."

"His finances you say?" Fabian said. "I'll bet a guy like that has a lot of finances."

"He does indeed. Therosh is a very wealthy country and I have to personally handle the many gold shillings that come into his coffers."

Fabian drooled a little involuntarily. "Go on."

"I just worry about his health so much. I find I can't eat the extremely delicious meals that are served to me, nor can I sleep in the extra comfortable bed that's provided to the king's chief advisor. I'm surrounded by every luxury imaginable, but I'm unable to enjoy any of it."

"That sucks," Fabian said.

"I've been trying to hold on for the king's sake, but I just don't think I can do this anymore. When I saw you I thought to myself here's a man who's up to the task. I mean Irwin's a good man, but he's just not cut out for the responsibility of a position like this."

"You are a fine judge of character indeed, my good man. So let me get this straight. Are you offering me the position of chief advisor to the king?"

"I am indeed, if you would be willing to accept the honor."

"Hang on, I just want to be clear on this. I don't have to touch the old sick dude at all?"

"No, he has doctors who attend to him as I mentioned."

"And I get to eat all the fancy food I want?"

"The finest in all the land," Gareth said.

"And there's a big super comfortable bed to sleep in?"

"It's like slumbering on top of a cloud."

"And all I have to do is handle a whole bunch of gold coins?"

"Well, yes, and worry about the king's health of course."

"Oh, I'll be deeply concerned with the king's health," Fabian said.

"You would also be expected to advise the king on any and all matters once he's well enough to return to the throne, gods be willing."

"Yeah, yeah, I can give excellent advice."

"So you accept the position of chief advisor to the king? It would mean abandoning your quest to rescue the princess Wartha and remaining here at the castle."

"Yeah, I think I can handle that. My first piece of advice to the king will be legalizing dreamweed. And prostitution, if it's not already legal. Then this place will be paradise. You better believe I accept the position."

"Oh thank heavens," Gareth said. "I can't tell you how relieved I am. Bless you, good sir." He turned to leave the room.

"Hey, aren't you forgetting something? I'm the chief advisor to the king now. I need the fancy bed. You can sleep in here."

"Of course, sir, I'll make the preparations right away."