The Wolf and The Sheep

His face was covered in blood and bruises all over his body. Crawling trying to ask for help. Whoever it was. His legs couldn't even be used to walk anymore, after falling into the river from a height. It seemed broken. In the distance he could see a city that felt foreign, even so he still limped to approach it.

A young man who was riding in the area saw a middle-aged man, badly injured and asking for help. He was quickly carried and put on his horse. There were no doctors in that small country, let alone hospitals. After arriving at the residential area, the young man immediately took him to a healer he knew.

"Sir!? What happened to you?"

The man in question did not answer, all he could do was groan. While an old woman took off all his clothes. Cleaning his body from dirt and dried blood. There was a gaping wound on his leg, bleeding profusely. While his hand was dislocated. His head was hit and also bleeding.

The young man helped the healer do his job, because he was too old to move much. He observed the face of the middle-aged man, who looked like he had just escaped from a big problem. The healer asked the young man to cover all the wounds with the herbs he had made, then waited for them to dry.

The man was called several times, but he seemed to have completely lost consciousness. He didn't know who he was, where he was going, or where he had come from. It was almost evening and the young man was ordered by the healer to look after him.

"Thank you, Grandma."

"Maybe he will have a fever, but because of the medicine I gave him. But after that he will feel better." she explained in a stuttering voice.

"Who is this man?"

"I found him on the riverbank near the border. He was lying unconscious. Could he be a fugitive? Or a criminal?"

"Not necessarily, but be careful."

The sky was completely dark. The young man lit a lamp from a fire torch to illuminate the small house. The healer had already rested while he himself was still with his foreign guest. He touched the man's forehead - it felt warm. With sweat pouring from his forehead.

His breath was ragged, and sure enough he might have a fever. His body was shivering and his mouth was muttering words he couldn't understand. Another layer of cloth was added to cover him to make him feel warmer.

*****

His suspicions about the involvement of foreign countries in this case grew. First, Adam couldn't find any connections or networks between the Ministers and nobles, a good thing that indicated that they were clean. He didn't think this case would be so complicated. Even one of the nobles was the victim. Therefore, he didn't think that there was someone inside who betrayed him, besides Francilius of course.

This was clearly a threat, a bluff or an insult directed at him. And Adam didn't like being threatened. If there was a rival who wanted to kill him, he could immediately declare war. Instead of creating negative rumors in his country. And even though only two people died mysteriously, they were still human. It couldn't be ignored.

Gwylion had been Wilhelmia's best friend since ancient times, even their ancestors were connected in the same family tree. Moreover, King Henry loved Adam like his own son. It was impossible for Gwylion to do something like that.

Adam tried to recognize who his enemy was. Who might be standing in the shadows and laughing at his stupidity. Grissham, there was no clear reason behind the tension they had, even in history there had never been a written conflict. But the attitude of the Southern Kingdom was to withdraw and create ice between them. Adam understood, because it was common for a Kingdom to maintain privacy.

Even though the King and Queen did not come, they sent the Princess. That was a good sign. Princess Carmellia was sent all the way to be a peace cure. Although not officially only as a symbol. If Grissham, for example, had a grudge, why didn't he declare it directly.

Noxawest, the Western Kingdom. The only one who only sent a servant of the Kingdom. There was no word of thanks or apology. Even though his father and mother used to have good relations with the Noxawest Royal family. That could be seen as odd. But there was also no reason for a dispute or hatred with the Noxawest Kingdom.

What about small countries like Yorkshire, Edovale or Yale. Those around Wilhelmia. The man shook his head, there was no way they would want to harm themselves by doing something to Wilhelmia.

"Have you looked into Francilius's network?"

"Your Magesty, Minister Jaquet has nothing to do with this. He doesn't know anything. Francilius himself doesn't have any close friends. either fellow servants in Jaquet's residence or in the neighborhood where he lives on Lotus Street. I think he works alone here."

"How is that possible? Was he also the one who poisoned the two victims?"

"I think the one who made the poison was an outsider, Your Majesty. From the data I read about Francilius, that man has no education in medicine whatsoever. Then isn't he the younger brother of your Royal Advisor? Is he also suspect?"

"Ackerley? No, he's clean. I guarantee it."

Adam looked so stressed, it was very readable from his face. His eyes looked out the window as the train started to leave Wilhelmia. His big project with the fortress was going well, he could see significant developments in construction.

"I don't even know my enemy, how can I win this game. It seems like they are stalling for time or want to make me understand something."

"What do you mean, Your Majesty?"

"I mean maybe they want to show me something. Like playing a puzzle."

"Is that so? Does that mean that all the things that happen can lead us to something?"

"Yes, it could be. What does it have to do with the rumors of witches, poison, night women and nobles? Tsk. I really hate this way of working." His voice was suppressed.

"Calm down Your Majesty, I've only been working for a day but I've already gotten a lot of information. I'm sure this case will be solved soon."

Adam just stared at the vast green meadow.

Anthony with his jet black eyes had been watching the King all this time. Without looking away at all. "Then does your Knight really behave like that?"

Adam sighed, "I don't know. I don't know him that well."

"I noticed that he seems unprofessional."

"Is that so?"

"I mean, if his behavior is that despicable. Does he deserve that title?"

Adam listened silently. His mind was alert not to think about unimportant problems. "I just don't want you to be with the wrong person. There are still many who are loyal and better than that young man. Besides, isn't he still too young? He definitely doesn't have much experience."

Adam didn't answer.

"Aren't you angry that I interfered in your personal affairs?"

"No."

"Then how about I replace him? I don't need any title. You can count on me. Anytime."

Adam glanced at the man beside him. "Anthony, enough. I don't want to hear anything else."

The man sighed. "I can do more than him."

"I know."

"Then why did you send me that letter? Is it because of him, your knight?"

Adam looked deeply into the eyes of the man in front of him, "It was my own decision."

Anthony fell silent hearing Adam's answer, it wouldn't be good if he forced his will. "Alright. I give up. In this conversation. Sorry for being rude."

"No, it's just... there are places where we can't go together." He continued, "King Henry doesn't need to know."

"He doesn't know anything."

They were silent for a moment. Silence fell again. Anthony smiled because he realized that he should be grateful for their meeting that time.

"Maybe now we can talk about this problem."

Adam nodded slowly.

"My friend told me that two days ago a man was found on the outer border of Yorkshire. With severe injuries. He couldn't get any information out of the man. Unconscious for a whole day. If I'm not mistaken, the man could be Doctor Louis."

He didn't know how many hours he had been sitting beside the middle-aged man. Occasionally pacing around the house. Confused because it seemed like the stranger was very important, that he had to be guarded.

Yesterday he was completely unconscious. The fever lasted quite a long time. He even thought that the man would not survive. His grandmother who worked as a trusted and fortunate healer in the country continued to give him herbs that would close his wounds and lower his fever.

Luckily that morning he regained consciousness and managed to drink and eat a bowl of porridge. A little energy to keep him alive longer. He himself patiently fed the stranger. Even though he was asked any question the man could not remember. Even his own name. His head must have hit hard that he could not remember anything.

A small groan was heard, as if trying to say something. He brought the young man's ear close, and a plea for help was heard. "What happened to you?"

"Y-your M-..."

"Your Majesty? Sir. Heremi? The leader of this country?"

The man shook his head weakly, "Your majesty, the king."

"The king?"

The man struggled to speak. "He did this to you?"

There was no answer, but the man nodded - suddenly unconscious again. The young man was confused, what was the connection between this mysterious man and a king.

"Leighton? Hello?" suddenly a man's voice was heard from the yard of his wooden house - calling his name.

The man called Leighton immediately opened the door for the guest he had been waiting for. "Mr. Tivius! Welcome. Come, this way."

Anthony embraced Leighton intimately, "This is my old friend, Your Majesty."

"Of course." Adam smiled, stepping in. Walking behind Anthony, through a narrow hallway with wooden floors and walls. They entered a fairly large room with a pungent smell of spices. Then Adam saw a man lying on a thin mattress on the floor.

"He is Doctor Louis. Thank God he is still alive." A happy expression was visible on Adam's face. Taking a seat beside Louis and observing him. "You are right Anthony. Thank you very much."

Leighton sat beside Adam, "Who is this rich man?" he asked Anthony while occasionally glancing at the King's luxurious clothes. The man just laughed, "You don't know him? Be careful, you could be hanged if you are rude."

Adam smiled and extended his hand, "I am Adam. Anthony's friend. A nobody, just an ordinary person."

Leighton greeted him warmly. "I am Leighton, Sir."

"You treated this man? Then take it, to cover your medical expenses." Adam gave a few pieces of silver into the young man's hand. His expression was so shocked, "Really!? This is too much Sir! I was only there to accompany him, while my grandmother treated him." The young man looked hesitant towards Adam.

"Can you tell me in detail, what happened?"