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The doors of the monarchs burst open with a bang, no force unopposed to stop it. A fox sat in the throne, despite windows shattered and pillars fallen. His eyes golden green met the figure at the far end of the room, an otter in armour well worn, his broadsword dulled by battle. He stood about the same height as himself, form made both in strength and endurance and purple eyes stared back.

"You know, I have been here once before," remarked the otter. "Right here, in your presence."

The fox stood up, a glinting blade of his own at his side. "I know of no such thing, Lutrinae."

None had set foot in the palace for such a long time, but his father had always spoken of them poorly, warning him constantly against them. They were the enemy which they had battled, sides opposed for a number of decades. It seemed at last the Lutrine had found their way to their doorstep. "None of your kind have set foot in this palace willingly, and lived."

Salin knew of those who would challenge the kingdom, and of his family's legacy which would face it head on. Constant practice on his part made him prepared for what would happen next. "Given that you have made it this far, you are commendable. But you are my enemy, and as such you will fall here."

The otter gave a little smile, which unnerved the prince. Despite the training, the fox himself had little experience and his cautiousness gave it away. "I have done much, and here I stand with blade drawn. But your death is not what I seek."

"You should've saved that for long ago," said Salin. "Not after your decision to launch a seige on my kingdom."

"If I may say so, the actions of the king warranted that course of action. I however am not here for that reason."

Something was very wrong about this, and Salin knew that what was said was intended to get his attention. A slight curiousity however clouded his judgement, and he decided it would be best to respond. "If your reason isn't for my life, what is your reason for being here?"

"You are wrong, Prince Salin," stated the otter, who began to approach. "I said my reason is not for your death, but for your life. Your father has committed severe crimes of which he must bear, but you must not. He means to implicate you as the scapegoat so that he will thwart the rule of law."

"How dare you!" exclaimed the fox. "You truly believe my father would stoop to cowardice on false allegations? Have you no understanding the pact in the house of Vlanfair!?"

"You are a prince Salin, not the king." The otter's voice grew solemn. "Your father intended for you to lose your role so that he might save his own. His sworn honour to the house of Vlanfair means nothing compared to this kingdom."

Salin was in disbelief. The fact the otter before him was slandering the character of King Geris made his mind burn, but to claim that Gerris would dare turn on Salin just to save face?

Even so, he did all he could to remain calm. The Lutrinae before him was like any other Lutrine. If he could prove himself a swift death, the fox would hear it. If there was substance to his claim however, he knew he would have to take action. "You would have me believe you... why?"

The otter had now closed the distance, but was just out of reach of his sword. "Why, and how would you prove my father to be setting me for the fall?"

He said nothing. With his left paw, he reached into a pocket. Salin saw a glint of silver, and then amber. "That pendant. Where did you get that?"

The pendant was an important heirloom to the house of Vlanfair. It was passed down to the next in line, always without fail. Presented during his childhood, Salin had always kept it on him and was reminded constantly of its importance. It was only ever presented by the heir to someone they planned to court.

Salin remembered how angry his father had been at him after the pendant had disappeared. He had been struck and left without food the remainder of the day, being scolded about the signficance that it had and how foolish it was to lose it. Salin knew he hadn't lost it, but he couldn't bear to tell King Gerris what had happened.

Eventually, another pendant had been made and passed onto him, and he was sworn to never lose it, although the truth would probably would've been worse if it had gotten out.

"You know where I got it, Salin." Eyes downcast, he returned the pendant to his pocket. A rumble shook the ground. The forces were near. "We need to leave."

The otter grabbed the fox's paw, and they fled into the settling smoke of the day. There would be many soldiers heading through where the otter had been before, and so led the fox down a passage at the back of the chambers, concealed by a switch in the walls.

Salin was lost for words as he was led by the otter, and everything felt like a blur. The light of the palace chambers soon replaced with darkness, then a warm light. As they finally made their exit from the castle, they found themselves beyond the walls and in the city below them, a narrow alleyway, damp and a little cold. It was thankfully out of the way of the military forces, who were more focused on the main entrance of the palace. "Who are you?" he finally uttered.

"Me? I guess the years have taken you, Salin." The otter removed his cape and wrapped it around the fox. "I didn't really know why you ever spoke to me, but you did. I kept visiting you even though you tried to keep me away. That went on for a while, until the King made motion to crush the Lutrine. The public executions..."

A pit formed in the fox's stomach. He didn't want to remember that day at all. Despite the knowledge of life and death, the fact that someone at all passed the judgement of death on a living being didn't do well for him. He didn't know that his father had decided that would be the fate of the Lutrine. He knew that the King disliked them, but not that execution was just.

"I shouldn't have said anything. You aren't safe yet." The otter began to move, arm holding the grasp of the fox. "We need to get you back to Keldrin."

Salin's eyes widened and resisted for a slight moment. "I can't leave Tarsin at a time like this! If my father is apprehended, what will become of my nation?"

"Your father has what he needs already, Salin. You can't disprove it without time, and that is what you lack if he moves that motion while you remain here. My mission is to get you away from here, and I intend to do that."

The otter led the fox out into the streets, and away from the castle. As the view of the stone walls and the palace disappeared behind them, the fox spoke. "You still haven't answered my question."

The otter signaled a carriage down, and offered a hand to the fox. "Alexander. But you may call me Alex."