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No one answered, and everything around him seemed to be so quiet.

A short while later, three Royal Guards released him from his cell and led him upstairs to a huge, lavishly decorated room.

So this is why Dyrant wants to become King, Greyith realized. It sure beats the old castle--by far.

Greyith was forced to bow down before a man sitting in a jewel embedded chair. Must be the King, he surmised--King Jauhn. Greyith smiled at the King, but the King just stared firmly back at him, with a look of justice upon his face.

Sitting in chairs on the left of the room were the Black Knights. They all had stopped talking when they saw Greyith enter the room. Sitting on the right were a number of well dressed people, including the girl he had seen outside the palace.

The Royal Guards led Greyith to three chairs located in the center of the room, in front of what appeared to be the throne. Greyith sat in the middle, with one guard on either side of him.

A man in a black robe, sitting to the right of the King, stood up and addressed the people.

"Subjects of Saachenland, we are gathered here for the trial of the thief who has repeatedly stolen valuable items from our palace." He paused, looking directly at Greyith. Then he continued. "As you all are aware, we suspected no certain person up until this day. However, early this morning, this peasant boy was discovered while attempting to rob the palace. After being arrested by our Royal Guards, this villain seriousy injured one of the guards, and broke free.

"Now that he is before us, I shall ask him to personally make us a word in explanation."

Then, turning to Greyith, the speaker asked, "Why have you done this?"

"I--sire, well, in the first place, I never have stolen anything from your palace or from any other place. I assure you, I am innocent on that charge. However, yes, I did escape from your guards, and I sincerely apologize for hurting one. I do hope he will recover." Greyith wiped his eye with a grubby finger. "But, I do have explanation, sire. This man here, Lord Dyrant, has devised a diabolical scheme to remove the present King of Saachenland from the royal throne, and replace him with himself. Your Majesty, he wishes to--" Greyith was abruptly cut off by a furious Lord Dyrant.

"Enough of this foolish peasant-tale nonsense," Dyrant shouted. He regained his composure and continued. "My friends and Your Majesty, this desperate peasant has lost his sense. This poor boy has lost his mind. I believe he should be punished well--perhaps he might learn something from it."

"Indeed, Lord Dyrant, you have spoken wisely," the King spoke for the first time. "I hereby find this lad guilty of the foresaid charges. The penalty for stealing in Saachenland is a long prison sentence, and a complete repayment of all that was stolen. The penalty for lying is death by hanging."

The King turned to his Royal Guards, "Please see this criminal to his cell."

Greyith was dragged out of the room and back down to the dungeon. Once again, he was thrown into his jail cell.

Giving his final hope up, he pulled himself over to the farthest corner from the door, and cried.

Some time later, he was woken by a noise. Someone was calling him. He raised himself to a sitting position and looked out his cell. He was astonished when he recognized the person. It was the exact girl he had seen not only outside the palace, but also in the courtroom.

"It's about time you finally woke up," the girl said, studying him carefully. "What's your name?"

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