Irri nodded in agreement. "I will return soon," she whispered. She bowed her head a little to him and then slipped out of the room. She quietly went in search of the other knight.

Jouthon was out with his horse alone. He looked pale and worried stuck, and just glad to be with her. He was young, really. Around twenty-five or six. There was a tremendous cap between the elders and the men. There were women of all ages, but the men were either into their forties, or around Jouthon's age, and many younger.

Irri slowly approached the man. "You look upset," she said softly as she walked up to him.

Jouthon shifted. "Wouldn't you be too? To learn your king would rather wait then prepare for the worst?" He whispered. "Your king...your King of Stuhn. He is young no? But he knows more than most. You're lucky."

Irri smiled a bit and nodded in agreement. "I am," she whispered. "Have you... tried to speak to your king? About all this?"

Jouthon nodded slowly. "He laughed and sent me to get him more wine." He whispered. "He thinks I was doing it because I fancied you and wanted to impress you. Obviously...not. I mean not that...you're not beautiful. You are, I mean. You are beautiful in respectful ways. and..." He stumbled. "I barely know you."

Irri nodded a little, but mostly ignored all that. "Is there no way you could convince the man?" she asked quietly. "Make him see... what will happen if he does nothing?"

"He thinks me a boy." He said softly. "He never listens." he swallowed a little. "I suppose that's what fathers do with their sons."

Irri blinked at that. "You are the king's son?' she whispered. "The prince?"

Joulson frowned. "He won't acknowledge it. But I know it." He whispered. "Don't we look alike? And my mom...she told me..." he sighed a bit and pet the horse.

Irri studied him and nodded. "Then you must act," she whispered. "It is your right... and now it is your duty to save your people. You must make him listen. And if he will not... you must... save them at any cost."

Jouthon shook his head. "You don't understand." He whispered. "He'd send me to be executed sooner then he'd change his mind. I want to save my city. I do..." He whispered. "I don't know how."

Irri frowned and took a quiet breath. "You must take charge," she whispered. "You must lead the defense... And if he would stop you... You must have friends to back you."

Jouthon frowned. "You're talking about a coup aren't you?" He asked softly, looking to her and swallowing.

Irri sighed a little, glancing down for a moment. "I know it is... much to consider," she whispered. "But if you are the rightful heir... and the king is set to kill all his subjects... It is your duty to your people. Do not... abandon them. The weak, old, defenseless..."