Kenneth ran a hand through his full head of hair and sighed; stress like this was what caused his cycles to terminate so quickly, and he thought he looked particularly handsome this time around. Of course, each iteration of Kenneth Hughes thought that his most current face was certainly the best to date.<br/><br/>Except the few times heâ€™d been a red-head. Dreadful times those were indeed.<br/><br/>Of course Kenneth didnâ€™t quite show his stress in ways that were comprehensible to most normal people; oftentimes it manifested in a propensity to summon small globes of fire to entertain him when he was alone, but more often than not Mathis could pick up on his change in mannerisms and posture; he tended to start looming predatorily over those who bothered to speak to him at such moments of annoyance. This was quickly becoming one of those times.<br/><br/>Kenneth had always been fortunate; his fatherâ€™s death had left him great wealth and a fiefdom all his own. He had a lavish castle, loyal staff, and consistently semi-terrified peasants. Indeed, he lived a life of luxury without much worry, and after meeting Mathis, one of very few beings that could give him pause, heâ€™d been relatively content. Of course, he viewed himself as power incarnate in some sense, and he did usually believe that might made right, so the thought of lesser humans encroaching on his right to do as he pleased was quite unwelcome.<br/><br/>For now, though, much of his discontent was voiced through the slightly warmer temperature inside the carriage. â€œI am curious as to why our little kingdom has gathered their interest lately. Weâ€™ve not waged war in a good while, we sell surplus at a fair price, youâ€™ve only eaten four ambassadors that Iâ€™ve burned this year. All in all, it has been unremarkable, yes? Why bother us now?â€<br/><br/>"Well, there have been the attacks. Perhaps they don't trust us to keep monsters from entering their borders through our own."<br/><br/>Kenneth clicked his tongue and rubbed his chin. â€œPerhaps, but thatâ€™s hardly new. There have been more attacks, though, but I doubt they can make a good case as to what an independent kingdomâ€™s obligation is to their border protection.â€ he wondered aloud. â€œThough I suspect we shall see.â€<br/><br/>There was a light jingle of a bell as the driver requested their attention. â€œYes, Jacob?â€ Kenneth called out, the driver (his butler) pulled back a curtain to look at them both â€œMasters, there seems to be a vagrant alongside us headed towards the city.â€<br/><br/>"He's not trying to pry off one of the diamonds, is he?" Mathis asked, frowning.<br/><br/>â€œNot yet, Master Mathis. Shall we leave him to walk? I dare not intrude on the Mastersâ€™ conversation, but perhaps a local may have insight into the capitolâ€™s newfound interest in our home, sires.â€ Jacob suggested.<br/><br/>Kenneth rubbed his chin â€œWell, if that doesnâ€™t work I suppose you could just eat him, Mathis.â€<br/><br/>"It would save us the trouble of stopping on the way there," he replied, nodding sagely. "But let's ask him what he thinks of his king, first."<br/><br/>Kenneth agreed and opened the carriage door as they passed the stranger. â€œHail wanderer, would you happen to be heading to the capitol? We might ask you some questions if youâ€™d care for a lift.â€