Meanwhile...Count Grummel wiped away some sweat from his forehead.
"Damned von Hexham, as if I don't have enough trouble on my own. And to reject the proposal so rudely, that little-""Little inconvenience, indeed." The voice coming from behind one of the curtains made the Count jump in his chair.
"GAH! Ernest! How long have you been standing there!?" The spy moved from behind the heavy curtain and stepped up to the desk.
"I've came in shortly before Gregor have arrived. I'm here to relay to you the last orders from Prixima for now and to say goodbye. Thankfully, your magicians were competent enough to provide me with ingredients and spells to destroy the box and grab the Rosy Quartz. With this stone, Lady Prixima is just one gem away reaching a two digit collection." The Count didn't say anything, and after a moment, he breathed slowly.
"Send Lady Prixima my regards..." Ernest cut short Count's talk with a wave of hand.
"Ah yes, your orders. Kill Gregor and his companions. None must leave your castle alive." This was too much for the Count, who stood up, his face pale for a moment.
"B-But they've been pardoned by the king himself! And I kept close ties with Gregor's father, I-I can't just go and-" "Heinrich von Grummel. Your orders. Kill Gregor and his companions. None must leave your castle alive. Or are you playing on two fronts? Plotting against Prixima Kesselring? You already have a seat at the future council of the world united under her banner; it would be bad if something would happen to you, and your people, or your beloved daughter, am I right?" The Count grunted in response, and then sat down, resigned.
"I'm pleased that we could reach an understanding. Now, do you require my help with this or..." "N-no! It... it will be settled as a... as a matter of Grummel county. I will have them restrained, or wait, I can execute them with some pretext... in the morning, I think I could, yes..." "See, I knew you're a competent man, Count Grummel. I will now excuse myself." The spy bowed mockingly, complete with proper hand motion of a courtier, and then left through a door that led onto the balcony and nearby fortifications. Count Grummel looked down at the papers, before rubbing his forehead with the handkerchief again, his hand reaching toward the jar of ink and a quill lying nearby.
"F-For the county... and for Alexandra... I must do this..." Taking a deep breath, he began scribbling orders and instructions. Outside, a small silhouette moved away from the door and silently escaped toward into the corridors.
~Timelapse~Evening reached this part of the world. The mercenaries were placed in a large barracks instead of guest chambers for every of them, but still, the beds were comfy and the food offered was varied and tasty. As most of the mercenaries prepared for sleep...
*KNOCK KNOCK* Someone was knocking on the door.
"Excuse me, is Sir Gregor here?"