The room below was being set up for trial.
Four chairs on the towered dais. A few smaller chairs were set up behind the pillars in the halls. People were beginning to file in.
Hagen paused and leaned over the balcony railing, and Dorian stopped to do the same. An audible sigh left the High Elder as he looked down at the room.
“The last time I saw my best friend was at your castle,” Hagen said solemnly. “And now, I’ll never see him again because of your Council… My people have been shouting for us to ride to Magnice since we received the letter.” Hagen shifted to look at Dorian. "Tell me why I shouldn't."
Dorian’s hands pressed together as he held the scene below in his gaze despite the fire dancing in his mind. The screams in his ears. The silhouette of Draven in the window. But he stifled that emotion and picked up his dropping chin.
“As much as I would love to see that—and I really would— I know my older sister and Draven died so that specifically wouldn't happen," Dorian replied. "And also because what's left of that kingdom is not yours to take. It's mine. Along with my brother's last breath."
"When did you and your sister leave?"
"Two nights after it happened," Dorian replied. "A ship arrived that morning. She and I fled after dark."
"The strangers?"
"We think maybe they saw the flames and followed them around the edge to see what they could take."
Hagen didn't turn to look at him, but another long sigh left his lips, and then he straightened up, arms crossing over his chest.
"Prince, I need you to tell me something," Hagen said, to which Dorian himself straightened.
"Okay."
"I need you to tell me why my best friend trusted you," Hagen said. "And I need you to tell me why it is not my first instinct to put you in chains and throw you into a dungeon."
Dorian stilled, his eyes flickering on the ground as he contemplated his answer. The memory of Draven entered his mind, traveling with him, his last words, and Dorian’s chest began to ache.
"Each time someone says they were such great friends with him, I find myself envious," he admitted. "I only grew closer to him this last year, and in that little time I spent with him on the road and at my castle, he became more of a brother to me than my own ever was." Dorian settled against the pillar behind him, arms hugging his own chest. "I took him his horn—“ Hagen's forehead wrinkled, and Dorian realized this was news to him “—that night."
"You were the last person to see him alive?"
"I think Rhaif was the last one to see him," Dorian replied. "But if you mean his friends, yes."
"How did he seem?"
"Pissed," Dorian said shortly. "Ready to take it all down with his bare hands if he had to. I should have helped him burn it."
"And you would be dead with him," Hagen said. "You've had many choices to make in the last few days, Prince. Yet, you're here. Even when I told you my people wanted your head, you still willingly walked into this town. Why?"
"Because I need your help," Dorian said. "I need peace with your people and an alliance if it is possible. Aydra secured that at that meeting. I'd only like to make sure it has not gone amiss because of what happened. I will do whatever you need to secure that. If things go wrong in the south with these strangers... If the reef falls or the forest is taken... Our people will need a place to go, food to eat—“
"When you say 'our,' who do you mean?"
"I no longer have a crown. Until I can reclaim my sister and I’s thrones, we will do all we can to help our King and Commander. It is their people I speak of and their people I am worried about. My own people will have to wait. I cannot fight a battle on four sides. I'll follow Bala and the Commander's guidance and assist them however I can until we are ready."
"Humble step back from a Promised Prince," Hagen mocked.
"We are not stupid enough to think we are some sort of saviors just because of who we are," Dorian said. "The Promised crowns should not sit on any head that has not earned them. I plan on earning my place, as I'm sure my sister will. That crown has been given to too many who only sought it as a birthright."
Hagen considered him another moment, and then he pushed off the pillar. "You know," he started, clapping Dorian's shoulder again, "I can see now why Draven liked you."
The words almost made Dorian nauseous. "Why?"
"Because you're as crazy as he was," Hagen said. "I imagine he saw some of himself in you... And if that is the case..." He paused to glance back over the balcony, and then he looked again to Dorian. "This will be fun."
A slow smirk had spread over Hagen's lips that Dorian wasn’t sure he liked.
