Tim smiled within himself and looked at Francis to ensure that he was recording the event. He looked back at the two actors and waited for the elder's response.

“He promised to compensate all who prayed for him to die and I mentioned your name as one of us. Did I do anything wrong?”

“Not at all,” the other elders chorused and the forty-two-year-old Duke was at his wits' end.

“When? How can you level such a heinous allegation against me?” He asked with an intimidating look.

The ...