Knight of Shadows, page 33
“That will not be an issue. I have no intention of marrying him, nor would he marry me.”
“We are in agreement, then. We shall go forth and claim the throne together.”
For the following days and weeks, Yserria, Malcius, Serunius, and Nayala campaigned for support among the courtiers. Alania Dormisk and Thia Helanis both arrived within two weeks, and each made her own claim to the throne. Unlike other challenges, claims for the throne were decided via popular vote amongst the nobility, and the men and women of the noble households were granted equal votes. Yserria’s pro-empire stance made it more difficult to garner support among the noble ladies; however, she experienced growing popularity among the men who saw the empire as a means for greater personal independence.
The three contenders for the throne and their retinues were gathered in the throne room campaigning amongst the nobles when Grizelda Tynan arrived. She swept into the room like a tempest, grabbing everyone’s attention as she flaunted herself before the nobles. With her chin raised and her silk gown trailing the floor behind her, she strutted across the room to ascend the dais. When she turned toward the crowd, she grinned smugly and said, “I, Grizelda Tynan, ruler of the Twelfth Echelon, claim the throne of Lon Lerésh.” She met Yserria’s gaze. “Any who stand against me will perish.”
Yserria leaned over and whispered to Nyala. “What is she talking about?”
Nayala shrugged one shoulder. “I do not know, but I doubt she will leave us wondering for long.”
They did not have to wait long. Grizelda waited for the curious mutterings to die down. Then she said, “I invoke the right of trial.”
The nobles burst into a chaotic chorus. A shiver went through Yserria. She did not know what the right of trial was, but she was certain it was nothing good. Beside her, Nayala hissed.
“What is it?” asked Yserria.
“She has invoked the right of trial. That has not been done in more than a hundred years. This does not bode well for any of you.”
“What does it mean?”
“It means you and your champion and possibly members of your household must endure three trials if you choose to remain a contender for the throne.”
“So if I win the trial, then I become queen?”
“No. The trials do not determine who will be queen. They are designed to showcase your talents and experience so that the nobles will be more inclined to vote for you.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad.”
“Do not be fooled. The trials are not easy. And you need not win every trial. Your primary goal is to survive.”
Yserria’s eyes widened. “The trials are deadly?”
“Oh, there will be death. It is guaranteed.”
Yserria gripped the hilt of her sword for the comfort it brought her. “What are these trials?”
Nayala lifted her chin toward a group of women speaking heatedly in the corner. “That is for the Queen’s Council to decide. They will design and administer the trials. In some of the trials, the nobles will cast their votes of approval. In others, the council will decide the winner. As both a foreigner and a mundane, you will be at a disadvantage.”
Yserria was at a disadvantage as she was the only mundane among the contenders. Alania, Thia, and Grizelda were each accomplished mages, traditionally trained with rule in mind. With Serunius as her champion, though, she had a chance at overcoming the deficiency.
After Grizelda’s harrowing announcement, the council members adjourned to discuss the trials, and Yserria and Nayala met Malcius and Serunius back at Yserria’s suite. They sat sharing tea in the sitting room as Nayala further explained that the trials were designed to test the contestants’ political, economic, and martial aptitude. Two hours later, a page brought the news that the first of the trials was announced. It would be a public debate. Each contender would be given one day to consider the topics and form their opinions. Then each had to present their stance before the court and defend it against any who would oppose it. The catch was that there were deadly consequences for failure.
“Not everyone will survive the first trial,” said Nayala in Ashaiian for Malcius’s sake. “Each contender and her champion will be placed in a cage covered in runes to prevent them from using their talent. The cage is then hung over a massive fire pit. With each poor answer, the cage is lowered farther into the pit.”
“That’s horrible,” gasped Yserria. “Why would anyone want the throne if the stakes are so high?”
“Will you withdraw your claim?” asked Nayala.
“I cannot,” replied Yserria as she inwardly cursed Rezkin.
“Then you will have to endure the debate,” said Nayala. “You will receive the debate topics tomorrow morning. You will have one day to consider them. The trial will begin the following day.” She paused in thought, then said, “Ienia Vesqu will no doubt champion Thia. They are close friends. Ienia is the foremost debater in Kielen.”
“I am ill-suited to a debate,” said Yserria. “I have never participated in one.” She looked to Serunius. He merely stared back at her. Then she turned to Malcius. He anxiously ran a hand through his hair.
He said, “I have participated in numerous debates and came out the victor in most of them. I can teach you.”
“There isn’t time for that,” said Yserria. “You will have to act as my champion.”
Malcius’s eyes widened. “But I cannot! This is Lon Lerésh. I know nothing of debate here. I know very little about their politics. I do not even speak the language.”
Yserria said, “But you must, Malcius. I know no one else to ask.”
“Fire, Yserria. We will die by fire.”
“You do not have to win the debate,” said Nayala. “You just have to impress enough people with your answers that the cage is not lowered too far. There will be five questions. You will be given four of them in advance so that you may prepare your answers. The fifth question remains a secret until the end.”
Malcius sat heavily in a chair and dropped his head into his hands. After a moment, he looked up. “What about the language barrier? Surely this debate will be held in Leréshi.”
“I have a solution for that, “said Serunius, breaking his long silence. “There is an amulet used in negotiations with diplomats that will enable you to speak and understand any language so long as you are wearing it. I will ensure the runes on the cage do not interfere with the amulet.”
“An amulet?” said Malcius. “It would have been helpful to have that all this time.”
Serunius said, “There is only one in existence, and it is property of the crown. It is only to be used for official business. I think the selection of the next queen of Lon Lerésh qualifies.”
Malcius groaned. “You all have answers for everything except how we are going to survive the fifth question.”
“Hopefully, we will not be lowered so far after the first four questions for the fifth to matter that much,” replied Yserria.
Malcius looked at her meaningfully, “You are gambling with our lives, and you are depending on hope?”
Chapter 23
Rezkin waited for Nayala and Serunius to leave Yserria’s suite before letting himself in. Yserria and Malcius both drew their swords as he shut the door. He pushed back his hood, and they visibly relaxed. Sheathing their swords, they advanced on him.
“What is the meaning of this, Rezkin? Did you know this was going to happen?” said Malcius accusingly.
“Know what was going to happen?” replied Rezkin.
“The trials. The cage and the fire and whatever else they have planned.”
“The right of trial has not been used in over a hundred years. I did not know Grizelda would invoke it now, nor did I know which trials they would choose,” he said as he walked past them. He warded the room against anyone attempting to listen, magical or otherwise. They watched him curiously as he set about searching for traps, poisons, and listening devices.
“Just what are you looking for?” huffed Malcius.
“Things that should not be here.”
Yserria walked over to him and planted herself in his path. “What are we going to do about the first trial?”
“Do? We are going to prepare you for a debate.”
Yserria crossed her arms. “I am not debating. Malcius is.”
Rezkin nodded. “Good choice. Malcius is an excellent speaker.”
“I am a decent speaker in Ashai, not in Lon Lerésh,” said Malcius.
“On the contrary, the Leréshi may find your style to be different and refreshing.”
“And if they do not?” queried Malcius.
“Then your answers to the questions will see you through,” replied Rezkin as he finished searching the room.
Yserria said, “How do you know our answers will suffice?”
“Because I am going to help you,” said Rezkin. “And because I already have the questions.” He said this last as he pulled a folded paper from his tunic and held it forth in offering.
Malcius snatched it out of his hand and unfolded it. Then he grunted and held it out for Yserria. “It is written in Leréshi. Even so, I can count. There are only four questions on the page. What of the mysterious fifth question?”
Rezkin tried to look apologetic. “Unfortunately, I cannot help you with that one. It will be decided the moment before the trial begins.”
“Great,” said Malcius. “Then we just have to come up with some answers the Leréshi will like for the other four questions.”
“It is not that simple,” said Rezkin. “The cages will contain a spell that will force you to speak only truth. You will not be able to hide your true sentiments.”
Malcius threw up his hands. “Of course they will. Why would they not? It makes perfect sense. We are doomed.”
“Not doomed, Malcius. We only have to word your answers in such a way that the Leréshi will think you are in agreement with them. Shall we get started?”
They worked diligently through the remainder of the day then gathered again the next day. Malcius did his best to memorize the answers as they progressed, but given such little time, it was difficult. Seena remained hidden in Rezkin’s satchel the entire time he was working with them but not without complaint. Her interruptions of his thoughts came frequently, and he found that his concentration was not ideal. Finally, Rezkin allowed her out of the satchel. She scurried onto the table and promptly spilled a bottle of ink.
“A baby,” said Malcius, shaking his head. “That means she will get bigger.”
“Much bigger,” replied Rezkin as he attempted to keep Seena from tracking ink all over the table. “Although how much bigger is hard to say. I believe her growth was hindered during the time she spent in her egg without vimara to feed her. It was only after I began wearing her egg around my neck and inadvertently sharing my vimara with her that she matured enough to hatch.”
Malcius crept forward to get a better look. “That stone you wore was an egg?”
“Yes, although I did not know it at the time. I felt better when wearing it because it was syphoning off my vimara thereby holding the madness at bay.”
“And now?”
“Now I am linked with her, bonded. It is not unlike the bond I share with Tiseyi, the omessa she-wolf.”
“You are bonded to them both?” said Yserria.
“Yes,” said Rezkin. He believed he was also bonded to Azeria in some way, but he did not say that. He was still uncertain of the nature of that bond, and he did not care to divulge that secret, even to them.
“What do these bonds do?” asked Malcius.
“Each one is different,” said Rezkin. “Perhaps most importantly, though, they are preventing the madness from claiming my mind.”
“I do not know about that, Rezkin,” said Malcius. “I cannot help but think that what we are doing here is madness itself. If you just came forward, there would be no need for Yserria to claim the throne.”
“If I came forward, Lon Lerésh would be thrown into civil war. We cannot afford to be fighting a war within while war rages on the Souelian. Lon Lerésh needs a queen whether I live or not. I intend to make sure that queen is Yserria.”
“And if we are sacrificed in the process?” asked Malcius.
“Have faith, Malcius,” replied Rezkin.
Malcius scoffed. “I have never known you to depend on faith in the Maker.”
Rezkin shook his head. “No, I was saying to have faith in yourself. I believe you have the Skills to accomplish this. You are only lacking the confidence.”
“You’re not the one staring down a fiery death.”
Rezkin motioned to the copious notes scrawled across the pages on the table in front of him. “All you need is here, Malcius. You will do well.”
A knock sounded at the door, and Rezkin called for Seena to get back in the bag. Luckily, she complied, and he was quickly striding across the room to flatten his back against the wall next to the door. Yserria glanced at him as she went to open the door, and her eyes widened as they darted around the space. He knew she could no longer see him since he had pulled the illusion of the wall around himself and Seena. Someone knocked again, and Yserria turned back to the door with a shiver. She opened it to find Serunius standing there.
“Are you prepared?” he said without further greeting.
Yserria turned to look at Malcius. He wiped his palms on his tunic and said, “I believe so. I have only to memorize a few more things.”
Serunius held out an amulet with a large, fiery opal set into a gold disk decorated with runes. Yserria took the amulet as Serunius said, “Good. You are nearly out of time. Wear the amulet during the debate, and you will be able to understand and speak Leréshi. The amulet must be returned after the debate.
“Of course,” said Yserria as she held the amulet up for her perusal. “You are sure this will work inside the cage?”
Serunius nodded curtly. “Yes, it has already been tested. I will return in the morning to escort you to the debate arena.” He met Yserria’s gaze. “Are you certain you want him to be your champion. There is little time, but we may still find a worthy debater to take his place.”
Yserria shook her head. “No, Malcius can do this.”
Rezkin slipped through the doorway behind Serunius, quickly taking on the illusion of a palace guard. Then he headed toward the arena. He was traversing the palace corridors, when he spotted Thia and Alania heading toward a door to a courtyard. They looked around suspiciously then exited. When Rezkin got to the door, he peered through the window beside it and saw that Grizelda awaited them in the courtyard. Curious, he hurried down the corridor to the next courtyard. Once outside, he scaled the wall that separated the two courtyards and peered over the top. The three women were preoccupied, and none were looking his way, so he wrapped his invisibility illusion around himself and dropped down into the courtyard. He hid behind some foliage close enough that he could hear their conversation.
“She does not belong here. She has no right to the throne,” said Grizelda with vehemence.
“The Queen’s Council recognizes her Leréshi heritage,” replied Alania.
Grizelda scoffed. “When I am queen, my first order of business will be to replace the council.”
“You mean if you become queen,” said Thia. “But that will not help us now. She is already recognized as a contender.”
Grizelda said, “That is why we must work together to ensure she does not survive the trials.”
“Work together?” said Thia with a chuckle. “Since when do you work with anyone? Everything you do is for your own advancement.”
“Of course it is,” snapped Grizelda. “But there are great rewards to be had for supporting me as queen. You would do well to cease this charade and recognize my claim.”
“You are no more likely to be queen than either of us,” said Thia. “I believe you have fewer supporters than you think.”
Alania huffed, “That is enough. We each want to be queen, but only one of us can prevail. At least if it is one of us, it will be a Leréshi. I agree that something has to be done about Yserria.”
Rezkin peered through the branches to spy on the three women.
Grizelda raised a fist. “She will not make it through the trials, are we agreed?”
“Agreed,” said Thia and Alania in unison, each of them raising a fist in return.
Thia and Alania exited the courtyard, and a man stepped out from the shadows on the opposite side from Rezkin. He recognized the man as Grizelda’s first consort. Grizelda turned to him. “What did you think, Martis?”
Martis grinned. “I think it is a clever plan. They will be so focused on Yserria that they will not see you coming for them. As far as Yserria goes, all the plans are in order. I have done as you asked and contracted with multiple assassins to end her before the trials are through. You need no longer worry about her.”
Grizelda closed the distance between them and planted a passionate kiss on Martis’s lips. Then they turned and left the courtyard together. Rezkin wished they had said more about the assassins to give him some direction, but wishing was frivolous. He would need to find these assassins before they followed through on their contract.
“No, Malcius can do this,” said Yserria. She said the words with a confidence she did not quite feel. Malcius may have been an excellent debater in Ashai, but they were in Lon Lerésh, and his disdain for the Leréshi ways was sure to be reflected in his answers should he stray from the speeches they had written.
Serunius nodded then left them to finish preparing. Malcius did not even take the time to complain. He immediately threw himself into the work of memorizing his lines. Yserria was disappointed that Rezkin was no longer there. He had disappeared right before their eyes. Somehow, the warrior emperor had grown more mysterious the longer she knew him. His power was unlike anything she had known, and now he had a dragon as well. His speak of bonds and madness had concerned her. Although his reasoning for maintaining the illusion of his death made sense, she could not shake the feeling that Rezkin was not thinking clearly. Why would he give up the power of being emperor in favor of skulking in the shadows?
