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The sound had barely left his mouth before Rowan’s fist crashed violently into his face.
A sickening crack echoed through the dungeon as Griswold staggered sideways, blood immediately spilling from the corner of his lips.
Even then p>
He continued laughing.
The sound only made Rowan’s anger burn hotter.
“I’ve been waiting for you to visit me, Your Majesty,” Griswold said with a crooked grin despite the blood staining his teeth.
His smile widened. “It must be something urgent p>
Rowan looked down at him with cold, unreadable eyes. “How are you still pulling the strings from inside this dungeon?” he demanded. “Who is carrying out your orders p>
Griswold blinked innocently. “Me p>
He gave a quiet chuckle. “I’ve done nothing p>
Rowan’s gaze hardened. “You’re telling me these rebels aren’t destroying my kingdom in an attempt to force your release p>
Griswold leaned back with a look of confidence on his face.”You cannot keep me locked away forever, Your Majesty,” he said calmly. “Every day I remain here, your people will continue to suffer until you finally decide that your pride is no longer worth their lives p>
Rowan stared at him for several silent moments.
“You’ll rot in this dungeon,” he said at last, his voice as cold as ice.
Griswold simply laughed again. “I’d like to hear you repeat those words in a few more days,” he replied with quiet amusement. “By then… I’m not sure there will be anyone left for you to rule p>
“Throw him back inside,” Rowan commanded the guards, and they immediately seized Griswold once more before dragging him back into the dark cell.
Even as they threw him onto the cold stone floor, the old man continued laughing like a madman, his laughter echoing through the dungeon long after the heavy iron door slammed shut behind him.
Rowan turned away in fury and strode out without another glance, his jaw clenched so tightly that it hurt.
It was becoming clear that capturing Griswold had not brought this nightmare to an end but had instead marked the beginning of an even greater crisis.
Griswold had prepared for this long before his arrest, building a network of followers that stretched far beyond what anyone had imagined.
Among them were mercenaries, trained fighters and ordinary people who had willingly chosen to rebel for his cause, and now they were carrying out his orders even while he remained imprisoned.
If the attacks continued to spread across Eryndor, there would eventually come a point where the pressure to release him would become unbearable, yet Rowan refused to let that happen because Griswold had not even begun to answer for the countless crimes he had committed.
One council member had stepped forward with worry written plainly across his face. “Your Majesty, if this continues for even a few more days, people will begin abandoning the villages. Trade has already slowed because no one feels safe traveling between towns.” Another added, “Fear is spreading faster than the attacks themselves p>
Another messenger came before anyone else could speak, his face drawn with exhaustion after riding through the night.
“Your Majesty, the damage is far worse than we first believed… They burned the granaries before leaving, and many families escaped into the forests with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The roads leading into the villages have become dangerous, making it difficult for aid to reach them”
“Some of our patrols have also reported that the rebels attack quickly before disappearing again, as though they already know every route through the surrounding woods p>
A heavy silence settled over the council chamber. None of the men present had expected the rebellion to spread with such speed, and what had begun as scattered attacks was already becoming a threat to the stability of the entire kingdom.
So, without wasting another moment, Rowan ordered every available knight of Eryndor to assemble within the palace grounds.
Although their Lord Commander still lay unconscious and was fighting for his life, the kingdom could not remain leaderless while rebels roamed freely across the land.
Someone would have to command the knights until Cedric recovered, and even if he opened his eyes tomorrow, Rowan had already decided that he would never allow him to involve himself in this battle again until he had fully healed.
Once the knights had gathered and divided themselves into their respective divisions, Rowan stepped forward, his commanding gaze sweeping across the countless men standing before him in polished armour.
“Remember this,” Rowan started. “Your first duty is to protect the people of Eryndor. Rescue those in danger before pursuing the rebels, and if you encounter resistance beyond what your division can overcome, withdraw immediately and request reinforcements”
He continued, “There is no honour in throwing away your lives through reckless bravery. I would rather have every one of you return safely than lose more loyal knights to an avoidable battle. Capture the leaders alive whenever possible. Every prisoner may lead us to another hideout, another commander, or another part of Griswold’s network. We will dismantle this rebellion piece by piece until there is no one left willing to raise a sword against the crown p>
“Yes, Your Majesty!” they answered together, their voices echoing across the training grounds.
Afterward, each captain gathered his own men and repeated the king’s orders, making sure every knight understood exactly what was expected of him.
Once the final instructions had been given, they all bowed deeply before Rowan, then mounted their horses one after another.
Soon the palace gates opened wide, and the divisions rode out in different directions toward every part of the kingdom where the attacks had been reported.
Their mission was simple: hunt down every rebel responsible, restore peace to Eryndor and ensure that Griswold’s supporters could no longer spread fear throughout the land.
At the same time, Rowan ordered another division to remain behind within the capital so the palace and its people would not be left vulnerable if the rebels attempted to strike there as well.
As Rowan stood watching the last group disappear beyond the palace gates, he remained convinced that this was the only way to strip Griswold of the power he believed he still possessed.
One by one, his followers would be captured, his rebellion would crumble, and when that happened, there would no longer be anyone left demanding the traitor’s release.
Because the battles beginning across Eryndor were no longer about capturing Griswold. They were about saving a kingdom that was slowly being torn apart from within and no matter what it took, he would crush the rebellion.