Chancellor Guinness's face darkened as he listened.
"Your Grace, have you sent the promised treasures and compensation to Lord Michael?" he asked.
Guinevere widened her eyes in surprise.
"Of course! If I hadn't, that marksman might have shown up with his Sphinx and dragon to kill me and Alfonso. What choice did I have?"
She laughed smugly, clearly pleased with herself.
"Besides, he handled the situation flawlessly. Calling him was the best decision I made. The empire has retreated, hasn't it?"
Guinness sighed heavily. If Michael had been paid, the royal treasury was now likely empty. Outside the audience chamber, the rising voices of the disgruntled nobles grew louder, their complaints now audible even within.
Soon, the nobles from the border regions would storm in, demanding reparations. Guinness wondered how they would possibly address the situation.
