A Power of Old(34)

They have wanted me dead for a long time. It seems it may finally come to pass.

I tell you this to warn you. All of you.

Their power and influence is far-reaching indeed. The members I know of include Lithan, who I believe to be still involved, and there will be other ministers too. Memenion’s son I now believe is a member, and a number of villagers in Hellswan. I should have exposed them earlier, but I was threatened with my own exposure if I shared their secret. I was reassured that Tejus was so prone to hate and mistrust of those within his castle, that he would be unlikely to overtly trust anyone who might pose a threat to him – I thought he would be safe. I was a coward, and I am profoundly sorry.

There will be others. Trust no one.

Ruby, please don’t hate me. I did what I did in my youth, and despise myself more than you ever could.

Tell Tejus that I never meant to betray him—he was my only friend, and I loved him as a brother.

Tell him to follow his heart.

Varga.”

I re-read the letter several times.

I couldn’t believe that Varga was one of the Acolyte members.

No!

I didn’t want to believe it.

To me, Varga had been a knight in shining armor when I needed him most. I vowed that was the way I would remember him—courteous, honorable and a good man. He was not a coward—he had written this knowing full well that his friend might hate him for it, but also that it was necessary for our survival.

I looked over at Tejus.

I hated that I would need to pass on the message - that I would be the one who would have to destroy the memories he had of his only friend. But I had no choice in the matter—the known members would have to be dealt with as swiftly as possible…and as for Queen Trina, well, her time was up as far as I was concerned.

Lithan.

He was no surprise…but he was also the minister at the trial right now, with Ash.

The thought made me queasy with fear and dread. What if Ash was walking into a trap? None of us even knew where he was…

“Tejus!” I called out. “I need to speak to you—now!”





Ash





Lithan and Qentos led the way to the pavilion. The remaining royals, Memenion, Hadalix and the abomination that was Queen Trina, were already gathered and waiting. I tried my hardest to avoid looking at the queen. Whenever I did, pictures of Julian’s malnourished body would flicker through my mind, and I could recall Ruby’s desperate cry for help when Queen Trina’s barrier had come down around the cell. I didn’t want to ever remember Ruby trapped and miserable like that, and I certainly would never let it happen again.

Each of the royals were permitted to bring a maximum of two ministers from their kingdom with them. I had been one of Queen Trina’s advisors, and I looked around to see who had been roped in as my replacement. As we got closer to the pavilion, I recognized a face—it was an older woman, one I’d never really spoken to much, who went by the name of Idiana. She was reputed to be tough, but also extremely intelligent…far more intelligent than the ministers of Hellswan, that was for sure.

Memenion greeted me with a nod as I stepped up to the pavilion, but Hadalix and the ministers ignored me completely. I could almost feel Queen Trina’s gaze on me, no doubt mocking me, but I still refused to look in her direction.

“Kings and Queen of Nevertide.” One of the Impartial Ministers stepped forward. “Today we fly to the Dauoa Forest to commence the trial.”

What?

I heard the sharp inhale of our collective breaths. Had the ministers gone mad?

“What is the meaning of this?” Hadalix bellowed from beneath his arch.

The Impartial Minister didn’t even bother looking in his direction—in fact, he wasn’t looking at any of us, but straight ahead as if we weren’t even there.

“You heard me. The Dauoa Forest. The integrity of the Imperial trials will not be questioned, King Hadalix. Not by any sentry here,” he warned.

“The forest is forbidden!” Hadalix continued, ignoring the minister. “Not a soul has been in there in my lifetime. For good reason!”

“Rumors and myth, Hadalix. Have you let yourself be swayed by common talk?”

The king scoffed, but his face had drained of all its color. The rage was an act—it was mind-numbing fear that was making Hadalix speak as he did, and I didn’t blame him.

I looked at Memenion questioningly. The king returned my gaze with a short shake of his head. Clearly this latest insanity of the ministers made no sense to him either.

“Did you learn nothing from the last time? More bloodshed on your hands—is that what you want?” Hadalix raged.

“We are not going to alter the traditions of centuries just because you are afraid,” the minister replied. Queen Trina laughed cruelly. I hadn’t seen her expression when the minister had announced our destination, but I wondered if she had already known. That, or she thought herself truly so powerful that the Dauoa could not harm her.