“It seems like his target was just simple anarchy with the added bonus of drawing power from the most widely believed lie of his thus far short career.” Machus said to no one in particular.
Leía tilted her head to the side as she considered Machus’ assessment of her son.
The Nine stood to leave the room so that they could confer among themselves: the trial nearly over, and her son’s punishment would be decided.
“War will see us all benefit.”
The Nine paused, most turning to face the young demigod who had just spoken. Some bowed their heads and sighed deeply. For her part, Leía was shocked that he felt so cornered that he had to lie now, directly to the Nine.
Having each silently concluded that no discussion was needed, the Nine returned to their seats. The just and fair Taskevi had conclusive decision-making powers over the closing remarks about what would happen to Leander.
For Leander to be so callous was not in his nature. Leía had long suspected foul play, and now she knew it. This wasn’t her son. Something was twisting his heart.
“It is the decision of the Nine that the demigod Leander,son of Leía, hereafter known as the condemned,” Taskevi began the official notice of retribution, her voice ringing throughout the large hall in which they were seated. “Shall be given a suitable punishment to match the crimes he has committed against both the immortal realm and the mortal realm. The condemned will be stripped of his immortality and divine gifts, there to be sent to Cariun in penance for his crime.”
It wasn’t nearly as bad as Leía had expected, but Taskevi carried no ill will towards her son. All she saw in Leander was a wayward child who needed guidance, and a second chance to make something of his life. Perhaps with years of reflection, Leander would find his own way home to her.
“Sentenced to mortality by the Nine, this punishment will be effective immediately. The condemned will be escorted directly from this hall to the care and protection of his mortal father in Saeren. The condemned’s mortal family will be entrusted with the safe keeping of him until he is wholesome and worthy of the domains he controls. The condemned’s divine powers will be held in trust by the God Cysan, until such a time as the Nine deem him deserving of wielding them once again.”
The Goddess of Nature, Taskevi, in all her wisdom, had the solution they all needed to arrest this spiral of unbridled hubris. Taskevi stood and cast a sideways glance over towards Leía—they both knew it was a kindness to allow Leía some closeness to her son by placing him with his father in Saeren, capital city of the Kingdom of Vyrica.
She issued a final affirmation to her conviction. “May you find your way back to us, Lord Leander Talius.”
Part One
SHADOWS OF SUNSET
Chapter One
If Leander had thought about the fact that this would be the last time he would see his mother for a long while, he would have said something… heartfelt. His mother would have liked it, he would later muse.
As it was, he simply stood there sullenly as they both waited for the door to the Talius residence to be opened.
Pre-warned of their arrival, Lord Flavian Talius himself opened the door instead of one of his other sons or many slaves. He stared down at Leander, his youngest son, with an impenetrable expression.
“This is him?” Flavian asked the redundant question as the corners of his lips curled upwards into a smile that was far from comforting.
He looked like the sort of man who would find entertainment in snapping the necks of ducklings, Leander decided rather rapidly as he stared up at the man he had idolised from a distance all his life.
“Yes.” Leía nodded. “Leander, say hello to your father.”
“A pleasure.” He didn’t extend his hand in greeting, knowing innately that it would not be accepted by his father.
“That remains to be seen.” Flavian turned to his side and gestured for them to come into the house. He led them through to one of the many parlours. The grand room they were shown to was as to be expected in the property of the king’s chief advisor.
“I honestly thought that, after twenty-eight years of silence, I would never meet my son. Now you bring him to my door in a clandestine operation with the vague forewarning that my deity son is now… mortal? In a time of political upheaval, this could not be more suspicious if you tried.”
“Your discretion is appreciated, Flavian,” Leía said with a sigh. “Are we safe to talk?”
“My sons are both out of the house on duties and any slave in the household has been set on a task far from this room. We will not be overheard.”
“Good. Do you want to explain to your father, Leo, or shall I?” Leía used her nickname for Leander, probably to ease him in.
Leander shrugged, feeling every bit the berated child his mother was going for.
“Fine.” His mother sat and Flavian followed suit. Only Leander remained standing, preferring instead to feign interest in the various ornaments and paintings than listen to his mother lay out his shame for his father to understand to its fullest extent.
The goddess sighed. “Leander is responsible for the presence of the king’s latest surprise houseguest.” She dovestraight in without preamble. “I have no idea what possessed him to do so, Leo is being uncharacteristically taciturn on the subject. But Prince Jarryn is here as a result of a lie Leander told. There was no conspiracy to murder the departed King of Desanne. Or, if there was, it was not Jarryn Eleinium’s doing. He is innocent of his accused crime.”
