“How do you not ‘exactly’ assassinate someone?”
Ducot sighed and collected his thoughts. “He killed the Voice, claiming the Voice had allowed thieves to infiltrate the Archives and steal the Flame of Yargen. But Deneya later discovered that Ulvarth had been the one to steal the flame and framed the Voice for it. When he killed the Voice, everyone thought it was noble. Theycheeredfor him.” Ducot grimaced.
“I see…” The story was becoming more convoluted by the moment. Why would Ulvarth steal the Flame of Yargen—a sacred relic as far as Eira understood—that he was sworn to protect? And even if he stole the flame, why would he extinguish it? And how had Deneya uncovered the truth? Something wasn’t adding up, but Eira kept her mouth shut on it, for now.
“Ulvarth ultimately claimed he was the one framed, and that he was innocent. He said he had nothing to do with the theft of the flame or it being extinguished. He was a raving lunatic, speaking madness about Deneya, Taavin, the Dark Isle, and some grand conspiracy to frame him.” Ducot shook his head. “He even claimed that he was the Champion of Yargen come again.”
“Champion of Yargen?”
“A legendary warrior destined to save the world, if you believe all the myths about our world and great battles of good and evil.” Ducot shrugged.
“Which is why Queen Lumeria was afraid of turning him into a martyr,” Eira pieced together.
Ducot nodded. “In any case, Ulvarth is locked away, and his most loyal generals and supplicants that weren’t imprisoned or killed split off from the Swords of Light and the whole Faithful of Yargen underneath the Voice. They formed their own organization—”
“The Pillars of Truth, Justice, and Light,” Eira finished. “Does the group want to free Ulvarth?”
“Who knows what the group wants. They say they’re the last pillars upholding the moral fabric of Meru, but their demands and declarations seem to change by the hour.” A deep frown crossed Ducot’s lips. “They’re butchers wearing the shrouds of holy men who just want one thing—power. If you’re ever unlucky enough to come across one, avoid them at all costs.”
“I appreciate the warning.”
“Warning and a history lesson, see how nice I am.” Ducot pushed away from the wall. “Now, we really must be getting back.”
“Thank you for answering my questions,” Eira expanded on her gratitude as they started up the stairs once more.
“Well, thank you for not meeting the worst of my expectations,” Ducot replied, equally sincere.
Eira wore a small smile the rest of the way back to the Solaris chambers. Dangers might lurk in every corner. But the faster she learned about Meru and its undercurrents, the sooner she could traverse them with ease.
* * *
Dawn broke the same on Meru as it had in Solaris. Eira woke to a gray haze and low rumbling that heralded a storm in the distance. The first thing she did was open her window to stare out at the quiet city.
There were a few small vessels on the river, making their way out to the bay and perhaps the sea of Meru for what looked to be fishing—based on their rigging. But, for the most part, the air was still and quiet. No one walked along the riverbank on the far side. The windows of every building were shut tight and curtains drawn closed. Yes, it was early. But there was the same heaviness to the air as there had been during their walk through the city yesterday.
Risen was a city under siege. Held hostage by one man who seemed to be at the center of more than she could’ve imagined.
Eira performed a quick search of her room when she woke, looking for some kind of message or communication from the court. When she found none, she dressed and went to check on Alyss. Unsurprisingly, the woman was unresponsive to Eira’s soft knocks, so Eira went downstairs to the main common area alone.
A woman with silver hair and soft lilac eyes was just finishing laying out a yet untouched spread of food. She startled at Eira’s presence. “Oh, good morning, I was just finishing.”
“Thank you for breakfast,” Eira said as the woman bustled toward a back door.
“Certainly, it’s my job.” She ducked her head and quickly left before Eira could get in another word.
Eira had seen how the palace staff would go about their business, determined to be an invisible support for the royalty and other nobility. It appeared the expectations of servants on Meru were similar. Eira perused the glistening breads and foreign fruits, eventually settling on a boiled egg, a pastry filled with what appeared to be sauteed edible flowers, and a wedge of melon that was stripped red and white on the inside. She was just finishing her meal when the sounds of a commotion upstairs had her dashing to the main atrium.
“I am not about to be sequestered in here!” a man shouted with a growl. “I am the son of King Tortium, heir to the skies, and I fear no man or woman.”
“Your Highness, there is credible reason to believe that someone might try and take action against those involved with the tournament.”Eira recognized the second voice as Deneya’s and slowed up the steps. “Until this potential threat is uncovered, or otherwise nullified—”
“Elfin are just like humans.” The man snorted in disgust. “Soft and weak. I’m not afraid of any threat here in Risen. I survived the culling at just twelve years old.”
Eira halted, gripping the stair rail and clenching her jaw.Soft and weak. Her brother’s face flashed before her eyes. His panic. His serene state after his spirit had departed for the Father’s realms. Eira pressed her eyes closed and drew a steadying breath in and out through her nose. She didn’t dare open her mouth. She couldn’t trust what she might say if she did.
“I assure you there is every cause for concern but that Queen Lumeria has a handle on the situation,” Deneya said. “Now, please follow me, your chambers will be on the fourth floor.”
Fourth floor was where the draconi were staying. Eira eased her grip and stalked up the remaining stairs to the atrium. She caught a glimpse of the group—five of the lizard-like people she’d seen the night before in the court. None of them noticed her.
