“Exactly.”
If Queen Trina was happy for us to inform them of her deed, then there was really no point in doing it whatsoever.
We continued our journey back in silence. Soon we found the markings on the trees that we’d made on our way in and the whispering of the leaves returned. I couldn’t wait to leave this forest.
I had one more question for Memenion before we exited the forest. I just didn’t know how much I trusted him. It wasn’t his actions that made me question him, more that this was Nevertide, and if I’d learnt anything over the last few days it was not to trust a single soul in this land till they’d proven themselves worthy of it. But perhaps Memenion had. Tejus trusted him, at least, and despite my personal opinion of Tejus, he now counted as one of the few I did trust—besides Ruby.
‘The Impartial Ministers,” I blurted out before I could change my mind. “Do you think they’re involved in this? Do you think they’re assisting Trina’s rise to empress?”
“Be careful who you share that opinion with,” Memenion snapped at me. “But yes, I do. I can’t really make sense of her flaunting her treachery otherwise. Even without proof, the word of a king would ordinarily prompt an investigation at the very least. But in this case I doubt that’s going to happen.”
“Maybe we should tell them, then,” I replied. “If they knew her plan, and she tells them that we saw her kill Hadalix, then it will look suspicious if we don’t say anything – like we suspect them of being in league with her.”
“Good point,” Memenion grunted. “Let me do it—they’ll pay no attention to you.”
I nodded, knowing that he didn’t mean the words unkindly. It was perfectly true—the Impartial Ministers didn’t see me as a valid champion—but that didn’t matter to me. Once it would have—it would have mattered a lot—but now I only cared about ensuring Queen Trina never got anywhere near that crown.
“I’ll let Tejus know. I think it’s time Queen Trina got a taste of her own medicine,” I replied.
“I don’t know if I’d trust Tejus to be the one to do it,” Memenion replied. “He may deny it now, but he loved her once. He’ll find revenge harder than he thinks.”
I turned to the king in surprise, and he gave me a level look.
“Just heed what I say,” he replied simply. “Matters of the heart are never as straightforward as we think.”
We took our last steps out of the forest, holding our scepters aloft. The Impartial Ministers stood off in the distance. Queen Trina was not among them – she’d either left already or continued petting her creatures in the forest. They politely clapped our success as we drew closer, but all I could see on their faces was the smug satisfaction of treachery and betrayal.
You’ll pay for this too, I thought to myself. All of you will pay, eventually.
I turned away from the ministers in disgust, letting Memenion explain what we’d seen in the forest. I heard the skepticism in their voices, but eventually a few of them returned to the Dauoa to investigate. I waited with Memenion – knowing that it was pointless. Undoubtedly, they would return to say it was a goblin attack, without any evidence of Queen Trina being involved. But if we were to keep up the charade, then we should play our part – if we could convince the Queen that we were dumb enough to believe the Impartial Ministers were keeping these trials fair and unbiased, then hopefully we’d stay a step ahead of her…
A few hours later, the Impartial Ministers returned from the shadows of the forest. They approached us slowly – their heads downcast and grim.
Is that an act?
I couldn’t tell. We waited for them to speak, to give their verdict of Hadalix’s death. The fact that they hadn’t returned with his body suggested to me that there probably wasn’t much left of it to return with.
“Goblins,” said one. “That was Hadalix’s fate. You accuse the Queen unjustly, Memenion and Ashbik. We shall hear no more of your folly – let the dead rest in peace.”
I met the eyes of the minister. He gazed back at me, unfazed. Perhaps he did believe what he was saying.
“Let us leave, Ashbik,” Memenion muttered so only I could hear. “These ministers are either lying or stupid, or both.”
“Queen Trina?” I questioned before we left. “Has she emerged yet?”
“Before either of you, yes,” another minister replied. He glared at me reproachfully, as if I shouldn’t be questioning them – or her.
“Fine,” I spat, before joining Memenion. As we strode away from the forest, I now had serious concerns about the outcome of the trials – the ministers were clearly against me winning. If they wanted me out of the running it would be all too easy for them to achieve that – and make it look like an accident. It seemed that Memenion would be Nevertide’s only hope in keeping Imperial power away from the clutches of Queen Trina.