With King Thoradin himself leading the way, Rhode had much less trouble finding the royal palace this time.
The greatest difficulty lay in... reaching the palace without being stopped along the way.
When their group reached a square, the sound of hoofbeats and footsteps came from the other side.
Rhode looked up and saw a squad of fully armed Stromgarde guards.
At their head was an officer riding a tall white horse.
He looked about the same age as Thoradin and wore the standard red-and-white armor of Stromgarde. Behind him were two ranks of Stromgarde infantry, their armor likewise predominantly red.
The officer soon led his guards over to surround King Thoradin, Rhode, and the others. Even so, there was a noticeable hesitation in their steps.
"Marshal Oslight, have you come to arrest me?" King Thoradin asked in a ringing voice.
The officer addressed as Marshal Oslight hesitated briefly, then gritted his teeth and told the guards, "Stand aside. All of you, keep your distance from our king."
The guards dispersed. Their expressions visibly relaxed a little.
They had their orders, but anyone would have hesitated when asked to turn their weapons on a man who had still been their king only a few days ago.
Marshal Oslight dismounted and walked up to King Thoradin.
Ignoring Rhode, Arthas, and the others, he looked straight into Thoradin's eyes. "Your Majesty, you know I cannot let you pass."
"If you still call me your king, do you intend to lock me in prison again?" Thoradin asked. "Do you no longer trust your king, Oslight?"
Marshal Oslight shook his head. "I don't know, my king. Truly, I don't know. Prince Galin said you had already..."
"No, he is the one who has become a demon! He is a Dreadlord now!" Thoradin said. "Do