(Almost) unanimous decision for B. Let's see if the priest will be so kind as to spill the beans.
An amicable conversation.
"And so the head priest, seeing the disappointment in the eyes of his young king, felt shame. Shame at his subterfuge, shame at the subterfuge of his predecessor, and he broke down crying...."
(From 'Life and Deeds of King Saras the First')
The king nodded. The head priest wasn't a good liar. He was obviously hiding something, but just the right amount of pressure, Saras though, would be enough to make him talk. From past dealings with the man Saras knew he wasn't dealing with a paragon of courage.
The young king moved to a cupboard and took out two stone cups. He filled them with mushroom liquor. He brought a cup to the head priest and motioned for him to sit on a chair: "Here, have a seat and a drink."
As for himself, he stood, immobile, holding his cup without taking even a sip. He waited a few seconds, until the priest had taken a long draught and started to seem more comfortable.
The king spoke: "So. My faithful advisor, my head priest... why are you lying to me?"
The head priest choked on his liquor and started coughing. The young king, an expression of concern on his face, approached and gave a few amicable slaps on the priest's back.
The fit of coughing continued for a few seconds, until the priest took a deep breath: "My... king?"
Saras smiled: "Jordian – that was the high priest's name – I have known you my whole life. I can see right through you. You are holding something back – Saras held his hand up – no, don't speak. You are not in trouble... yet. You still have time to tell me what I want to know."
"My king, I... I don't know what you're talking about!" Jordian protested, too vehemently.
Saras smiled again: "Don't you now? Think carefully, my faithful subject – the tone was growing almost mocking now – you are starting to annoy me..."
The head priest gulped, emptying his cup in one long drink.
Saras approached and held out the stone bottle: "More liquor?" then he poured without waiting for an answer.
Saras sighed: "Again, one last time before I grow angry. Anything else you want to add? Where have you seen that kind of writing before?"
Jordian shook his head, sweating profusely: "I swear, king Saras, you are mistaken. As I said, it is the first time..."
Saras slapped the palm of his hand on the table, loudly: "Enough with the lies! My patience is growing thin! Where. Have. You. Seen. That. Writing!"
Jordian's face drained of all color: "My king... please... I can't..."
Saras moved his face inches from the priest's: "You can't. I see. - he moved to a stone shelf, where his crown was resting. He took it, holding it in front of Jordian's face – Do you see this? Do you remember what this is? - he put it on the table, carefully – I am still speaking without wearing it on my head. I still haven't given you a royal order. Do not force me to do that. You know what the consequences would be..."
The priest took another long draught from his cup: "Please, Saras... I have been your advisor since you ascended to the throne... and your father's before that. Please, I can't... it is nothing important, I swear..."
King Saras sat on the table, growling: "Nothing important? Nothing important? Do you take me for a fool, Jordian? Would you lie to me about 'nothing important'? Damn you. Before this really turns ugly, speak!"
Jordian gulped down some more liquor, spilling most of it on his robe: "Yes... yes. I have seen something like that. It is true. But it's nothing that concerns the crown!"
King Saras narrowed his eyes: "There is NOTHING that doesn't concern the crown happening in these caves. What is it?"
The high priest took a deep breath: "Very well. I will speak, out of the respect I have for you and your father before you."
"I have seen that kind of writing in one of the oldest books in the Temple's posession. The former high priest, may he rest in peace, took me to the oldest part of the library the day after he named me his successor. He moved a brick from the walls, and inside, covered in dust, was a bundle of papers...."
"Jordian, he said, read these papers. Then put them back here and forget they are there. You will take them out only when you name your own successor. All the high priests before me did the same. It speaks of the origin of our nation. The secrets within must never be revealed, lest they ruin our way of life..."
The high priest continued: "I have read the book and, as my predecessor said, put it back in its place and never looked at it again. I assure you, my king, the secrets within are of no concern to us in our current situation."
King Saras frowned: "Alright. Take me to the book, now."
Jordian paled again: "I beg you, my king! Please reconsider! Trust me in this, what is written in those books is of no use to us!"
Saras stood silent, for a few long seconds, then:
A. He said: "I cannot trust you on this after you lied to me, priest. Take me to the book now, or I swear, I will dismantle the Temple stone by stone until I find them myself!"
B. He sighed: "Very well. I will trust you. The matter is dropped. But Jordian... do not ever, ever lie to me again. Next time, you will face my wrath."
