Magnus had to request an audience with the king and queen, which had not been any trouble, since they had been grateful to him for finding their son in Amir in the first place. They had been parted with Roland when he was a mere babe, and though they mourned that he was in endless sleep, they were hopeful they could eventually bring him back to them.
“There has been no change in our son,” the king said, his face a twisted mask of pain and sorrow. Roland resembled his father except that the king wore a full beard.
They met with Magnus in an anteroom. They both appeared tired and forlorn, with the queen keeping her eyes downcast.
“This is all our fault, of course. If I had been a stronger ruler, then Veronious would never have taken over the kingdom.”
“It does no good for regrets. At lea
