A Power of Old(39)

“It’s Hadalix,” Memenion breathed.

If that was the sound he’d been making throughout the forest all day, it was a miracle he was still alive. He stormed through the bushes and thorns that stood in his way, heaving a club left and right as he knocked down everything in his path.

The goblins fell silent. Then, as if there’d been some silent command that we couldn’t hear, they scattered back into the undergrowth and disappeared from sight.

Queen Trina darted after them, changing direction.

What’s she doing?

We were only a few yards away from the scepters…

I stayed with Memenion, both of us crouched down low, and watched as she walked silently back the way she’d just come, appearing right behind Hadalix a few moments later. They were only a few paces apart. Hadalix was making so much noise that he hadn’t heard her approach.

She reached into the folds of her robe.

What in Nevertide is she doing…

“Look OUT!” I bellowed across the forest to Hadalix, but I was too late.

Queen Trina had leapt up into the air, her dagger aimed for the king’s back. He moved to turn just a split second too late. He screamed as the dagger plunged into his spine. Bright red blood splattered across Queen Trina’s face as she smiled.

Hadalix’s body crumpled pitifully to the ground.

Are we next?

Queen Trina looked up in my direction. I knew she could see me. Her smile became a laugh, and she waved.

“I think she knew we were following her the entire time,” I breathed. Memenion didn’t answer. His gaze was fixed on the body of Hadalix, blood slowly spreading across the back of his robe.

“She doesn’t care that we know,” I continued, outraged. “She thinks she’s untouchable!”

She leapt over Hadalix’s body, running ahead toward the golden glows of the scepters. When she was out of sight, we both rushed toward the body of the king.

“At least we have proof,” I gasped. “The Impartial Ministers can’t ignore this—her dagger’s been left as well.”

It had been plunged into his body to the hilt, the unmistakable crest of the Seraq kingdom carved into its ornate pommel.

“Let’s carry him back. Forget the scepters,” Memenion agreed. “Even if the ministers turn a blind eye, we have the evidence to bring her down. Not a soul in Nevertide will accept her rule as empress.”

“You take the head,” I replied, positioning myself at the other end.

As soon as Memenion bent down, I heard the menacing laughter of the goblins. They surrounded us, appearing as if they’d been lying in wait all along. I drew my blade as they approached.

They ignored us completely. Their little green bodies scurried forward, launching themselves on Hadalix till he was covered by a swarming green mass.

What are they doing?

“Get off!” I yelled, poking one of them with my sword.

“What are they…” Memenion trailed off as we heard the unmistakable sound of tearing flesh.

“Oh, no,” I muttered.

They were eating him.

“ENOUGH!” bellowed Memenion, attacking them with his scythe. One of them grabbed the end of the blade as it came swooping toward them, and, yanking it out of Memenion’s grasp, threw it back onto the forest ground.

The sounds of their munching grew louder, accompanied by breaking bones and the slosh of Hadalix’s organs being pulled out of place. I’m going to be sick.

I lifted my sword, ready to strike, but before I could bring it down on the fiendish monsters, they scattered.

“Oh, of all the things…” Memenion turned away from the body. It wasn’t a pretty sight. There was certainly nothing left that resembled Hadalix—and the dagger had gone.

“Let’s get the scepters.”

Memenion nodded, picking up his discarded weapon, and walked on, not once looking back.

I didn’t understand how Queen Trina had the audacity to be so brazen. Did she not care at all that we knew? Taking Ruby and Julian was one thing—if we’d exposed her for that, not many of the ministers would have batted an eyelid, and certainly not the Impartial Ministers. But killing a king was an entirely different matter. Queen Trina obviously thought she was above the law—above an attack from Memenion, me and Tejus, not to mention the entirety of Hadalix’s kingdom. Did she think no one would believe us? Or, more worryingly, was Queen Trina accessing some kind of power that meant she no longer feared the blade of a sentry?

“Do we say anything to the Impartial Ministers?” I asked Memenion as we claimed our scepters.

“I no longer know.” Memenion sighed. “It’s what she expects us to do…”

“And she’s no fool.”