Shouts rise from the crowd, but I can’t make out any words.
“It’s true that I call myself princess, but that’s merely a title I was born with. A title I would gladly give up. This woman—” I point toward Vanora “—she gaveherselfa title and created an entire religion to control you.”
I still don’t understand how she did these things, and look toward Zogar, hoping he’ll help fill in the details, but he nods admiringly at me, encouraging me to continue.
“Please,” I say to the crowd. “I know this is difficult to believe. I only ask that you keep open minds. Come up onto the altar.” I gesture around. “Take a look behind the curtains to see the depths of the klericks’ deception.”
Saxon appears back on the stage, pushing a cage on wheels. He stops beside me and under the amplifying horn.
“Behold whom youtrulyworship,” he says, pointing to a creature who cowers inside the cage. “Vanora has consumed this poor manticore’s blood to gain power over you.”
Saxon opens the front of the cage, and gestures for the manticore to come out. The poor thing seems emaciated as he crawls forward. Saxon releases a clamp around his tail and then helps him to his feet.
His tail swishes to the side behind him.
The crowd shifts back toward the altar, clearly fascinated, some bowing and seeming to believe they’re now truly seeing Othrix in the flesh.
I point toward the Prime Klerick, still restrained by copper. “Did this woman hold you prisoner?”
The manticore nods.
“Did she drink your blood to stay alive and increase her powers?”
The manticore’s chin rises, and his paws brush through the mane around his human-like face. “Yes, she has used me.” His voice is very soft.
Saxon pushes the amplifier in front of him.
“This mage trapped me,” the manticore says. “She trapped every last one of my kind. We were the last remaining manticores. And I have not seen my mate, nor my children, since we were taken over four hundred years ago.”
The crowd expresses their dismay.
Seeming to gain strength and courage, the manticore points toward Vanora. “This mage held me captive. She drank my blood. She kept me weak and helpless.”
He glances around the room at all the banners and statues. “And to add insult to injury, she stole my image and my name to trick you.”
Tynan’s father strides across the stage. “My loyal subjects.” He holds his arms to the sides. “As King of the Light, I promise to right these wrongs.”
“You will do no such thing!” Zogar shouts. “On your knees.”
Zogar strides toward the former king, who quickly drops to his knees, pleading for mercy.
Zogar turns toward the audience. “Justicewillprevail. With the help of my people, we will gather the surviving sovereigns together, and the kin of any kings who were slain. The Seven Kingdoms will be restored. The principles on which these kingdoms were founded will be reinstated.”
The crowd cheers, and pride and joy fill my heart.
“Today,” Zogar continues, “everyone wrongly held captive in this temple will be freed. And those responsible for their captivity will take their places in chains, until they can be fairly tried for their crimes.”
He looks toward the klericks and workers. “I expect some of you knew the extent of Vanora’s deceptions, while others did not. Some of you may have been coerced. You will all have a chance to plead your case.”
Some of the guards and workers surround the klericks, keeping them contained, and Vanora struggles against her bindings.
“Until order is restored,mypeople will keep the peace,” Zogar calls out. “There are many more dragons in the Light.”
The crowd cries out, both in approval, but also in obvious fear.
“Every dragon breathes fire, but I promise you, no harm will come to the innocent.”
The crowd cheers, and Zogar lifts my hand and kissses it.
