“Yes. It is terrible,” King Alaric said, voice flat. “Do you have any leads?”
Shoulders drooping, the grand monk held out his hands, palms up. “I am sorry, Your Majesty. Unfortunately, we have not uncovered who could have been colluding with Warden Flint. But the grand shield has been working tirelessly and has put many more warrior monks on duty. I hope this has made you feel safe.”
“No one is safe until we discover who is working against the peace treaty,” King Alaric said.
“Of course. You are right.” The grand monk bowed once more. He seemed to bow lower each time.
Gerard felt a pang of sympathy. The monks really were not well equipped for this sort of thing. Creating magically binding treaties they could handle. But powerful individuals plotting against their treaties and willing to kill in order to do so was another matter.
“And now we have to worry about bandits too!” The queen consort gripped her skirts in her hands.
Everyone in the room stared at her.
“Bandits?” Senta asked. “What bandits?”
“Have you not heard the reports?” Queen Consort Adelina glanced around the room. “Bandits have been kidnapping lords and ladies throughout the different kingdoms and demanding ransoms! I received a letter about it the other day from my dear friend, and she said?—”
The king waved his hand at her. “We don’t have to fear that. It’s only unimportant and weak lords and ladies who are being kidnapped for ransom. These lowly bandits wouldn’t dare attack us.”
“Oh.” She leaned back. “Of course.” She ducked her head. “Of course you are right. How silly of me.” She gave a weak laugh.
Gerard frowned. He did not like the way his father constantly dismissed and belittled his stepmother.
“Is there anything else I can see to, to improve your stay?” the grand monk asked.
“Just let us know if you manage to find out any information on who is plotting against the peace treaty,” the king said.
The grand monk bowed once again. “Of course, Your Majesty.” He bowed once more. “May peace guide all your steps.” Still bowing, he backed out of the room and left.
His father turned to Gerard. “We aren’t relying on these warrior doves for protection, right?”
“No. I would not put our safety in the hands of the warrior monks,” Gerard said. “I have ensured we have Draconians protecting us at all times.”
His father nodded. “Good. That is good.”
Gerard wondered about Elias. Did he have protection? He’d be an easy target and would be unable to defend himself. The dossiers on Emperor Hugo and Empress Emmeline suggested that the power in their combined kingdoms lay almost entirely with the empress. And considering the empress’s dislike of Elias, his betrothed probably didn’t have decent guards.
Gerard would have to look into that. And of course, once they were married, Gerard would see Elias’s safety ashis responsibility. Gerard would enjoy ensuring Elias was protected.
Konrad cleared his throat. “So as I was saying before the grand monk entered?—”
The king turned on him. “Do not start with me, boy.”
Gerard, Senta, and Luther tensed.
But Konrad jumped to his feet. “Gerard just said we don’t have any spies amongst those from Necros.”
“A lack of spies and information does not mean they are guilty,” the king said through gritted teeth. He rose to his feet, glaring at his son. “Do you have any actual proof of your accusations?”
Konrad opened his mouth, but their father cut him off first.
“And you better not just say that you have afeeling. Or that you just know that the necromancers are evil. I know what the necromancers are. I want proof, not some gut instinct. So, Konrad, do you have any proof or are you just running your mouth?”
Konrad breathed heavily but didn’t speak.
The king flicked his gaze up and down Konrad. He shook his head. “You are my heir. I expected better from you.”
“I … I am just trying to point out that?—”
