***
“How’s the boy?”
I looked at Martha. She was the only one allowed into my chambers, now and forever. After the previous time, the guards got a good thrashing from me and I sent half of them to the city guard—tasting some real action would do them good. The other half was scared so much they were doing the best work of their lives.
“Rene says everything’s fine. Too bad they couldn’t find a wet-nurse.”
“Not many people would feed a quarter-demon, ye know.”
“I know. What’s new?”
“Nothing much. I have a small list of Alethar citizens, take a look. They seem to be missing Rudolph’s times a bit t’much.”
“What are you offering?”
“Well, killin’ them is a bit too much, but how ‘bout we shake them a little?”
I nodded. Who told you that necromancers were bloodthirsty? Neither Martha nor I was; we didn’t care about those people enough to want their deaths. There was no point in ending a human life without any reason. For enemies, it was different, however.
“Your Majesty...excuse me...”
The secretary.
“Yes?”
A scroll of parchment with a seal on it appeared on my desk. Yellow wax, a sun disk, a sword, a pigeon...the symbols of the Bright Saint weren’t hard to recognize.
Hmm, could someone survive all that?
The temples of Alethar were still empty and, if anybody served there, it was strangers like Shimaris. Of course; show me a swamp anywhere and I'll show you the demon there. Sooner or later, there would be more scumbags wanting to have a good life at the expense of the parishioners—but I would rather it be later. And then, one-fifth of them would be my agents, anyway.
I broke the seal with a sharp gesture.
“Lemme.”
“Of course, Mother.”
Martha looked over my shoulder. Inside, the letter was all smooth letters, straight lines. Argadon take them! Rene! You’ll pay for it, you curs...
We had eaten the shark, but forgotten its teeth...or maybe just hadn’t ripped out all of them.
Using the most respectful of expressions, a knight of the Church named Attoren informed me that Viscount Morinar was his prisoner and if I didn’t present myself at the negotiations, time and place included—barely enough time to get there, actually—I would get the remains of the viscount in a box.
I was allowed to take people, but no more than fifty. Is it a trap?
“Ye won’t go.”
Martha’s face was cold and calm.
“Mother, I have to.”
“I don’t give a damn. I won’t let ye.”
I would have already given my answer to anybody else and it would have been a sharp one. But I did love Martha, and I knew what she was thinking.
“Mother, they won’t just kill Rene, they’ll disgrace me all over the country. You must know it.”
Oh, Martha did.
“So ye’d rather have ‘em kill ye?”
“They’ve already tried and failed.”
“A miracle.”
“Mother, I would lose the Morinars and that’s just for starters. I would lose the respect of the nobles as well and then the trust of the common folk. And that’s only the most important things, there would be other consequences, I’m sure of it.”
“So ye’d prefer to die?!”
“I already have a son. The throne won’t remain empty. But just in case...could you call the chancellor here?”
Martha sighed.
“If ye survive, I’ll give ye the whipping of yer lifetime.”
“Mother, at my age, it’s a kink rather than a punishment.”
A hearty slap upside my head made me swing to the front. Martha left, only to return with Henry Morinar in ten minutes. As was his custom, the chancellor had stayed inside the palace overnight. Over a month, the idiots had made such a mess he couldn’t hope to clear it in ten years’ time.
In the meantime, I started writing my will. My human half was whimpering and whining, but the demon didn’t care a bit. Who said that demons were fire? They’re ice, heavy and grey, solid enough to cover everything and let nothing through.
“Your Majesty?”
Silent, I threw Henry the scroll. As he read it, he aged almost visibly. His shoulders slouched, wrinkles appeared on his face, his eyes faded...
“Your Majesty...”
“Henry, you will be in command while I’m gone. If anything happens to me, you’ll be the regent.”
I had never seen such a transformation before. Henry raised his head and looked at me in shock.
“Y-your...M-maje—”
“I’m going after your son. I suspect I might not return, and so...you, the chancellor, will become the regent. My child with Dariola has already been born. She died in childbirth.”
Henry’s blue eyes slowly widened.
“Listen closely. If I don’t return, Martha will tell you the details. She’ll raise the child until he turns sixteen. After that, he’ll be able to return to the capital and accept the crown. Until then, however, he must stay in Torrin.”
“Err...”
“I repeat, Dariola died some time ago, in childbirth. I have a child, a son. His name is Rickard Henry Radenor, and right now, he’s in Torrin. If I’m killed, you—”
“I’m old, Your Majesty.”
“After you’re gone, Rene and Tom will take your place. Swear on the life of your son.”
“It belongs to you, Your Majesty, as does mine.”
I nodded absent-mindedly. Morinar wasn’t lying or cutting corners; that wasn’t him. He was devoted to Radenor to his core. More than I was, actually, and he might make a better ruler than me, even if only a regent. And he was definitely a better man.
“I will leave instructions, of course. Otherwise, heed Martha’s call. Nanny, will you tell them what to do, if worse comes to worst?”
“I promise ye, baby.”
“And before you attempt revenge,” I emphasized.
Martha nodded once more.
I quickly finished writing the decree, signed it, sealed it, and handed it to Martha.
“To be opened after my death.”
My nanny looked at the scroll as if it were a venomous snake.
“Alex...”
“I’ll be back, anyway. I have to summon a guard regiment...a score will be enough, I think.”
“Weren’t ye told about fifty?”
“Mo—err, Martha, but what’s your point?”
Martha’s eyes shot daggers, but she stayed quiet. She knew that if the templars were ready for the meeting, my people were doomed. There was no point in sending more of them.
“As you wish, Alex.”
Lost in thought, I pulled at the end of my long braid.
“I’ll try to make it. But if I don’t...”
Should I mention Innis?
I decided not to. Obscurity was her best defense. That thought brought her face to me, her dark hair, her bright lips, her shining eyes... Everything human inside me coiled into a tight string and I crushed it with ice, cruel and merciless. Don’t think. Don’t feel.
“Alex?”
“I’m fine. When will they be ready? I would like to leave soon.”
“I’ll take care of that, Your Majesty.”
Morinar left and Martha rushed to embrace me, while I awkwardly stroked her shoulder, noticing grey in her dark braids. I caused you so much pain, my dear. But even if I ordered you to go away, just for your peace of mind, you’d never leave me.
Is love always such a heavy burden?
“Come back...my son. Come back.”
***
Once again, I found myself leading a small group of warriors. As we went forward, the road stretched under our feet—a familiar feeling. How many of them have I already passed? How many have I ridden?
I forced the longing away, as was my custom. Whatever happened, I could never display any weakness; even if later, I would get hurt, and
my demonic nature would take its toll, at that moment, so many things depended on me.
Crap, how could the King of Rats let them slip away? And it was my fault, too. I hadn’t finished them off, I hadn’t checked everything...and I had let my guard down. First, I had to kill the enemy; relaxing came second.
Whatever, I will be smarter in the future. If I get a future, that is.
In any case, it wouldn’t be such a loss. I had a son; I had people to raise and guide him; I had a chancellor who would never forgive such an offense from any templar. I could disappear.
Yet, I didn’t want to. I liked living; I liked my world. What would await me after death? Well, a half-demon’s soul could be melted into anything. It could be reborn, it could find its way into the netherworld... I didn’t know for a fact. I wasn’t afraid of death, however. Necromancers knew that it wasn’t the end, only the next loop in the eternal spiral of life.
At the moment, we were going where I had never expected to return. Riolon, a small town on the border.
What happened to Rene? I swear if he’s dead, the King of Rats will be a mere prank compared to what I will rain down on the templars. I’ll crush them; I’ll rip their hearts out...
Hate boiled inside of me, unable to find an outlet. Dark, heavy rage, ice and death, anger and cruelty, and for the first time in ages, I let them take control. Was I turning more demon than human? Perhaps. But if only a demon could find a way out of this situation, then a demon I would become.
Templars! Just you wait, curs!
***
I didn’t even try running away from my people or summoning Ak-kvir; there was no point. If the templars were waiting for me, they could certainly detect magic at a distance, and then, it would all be over.
Who am I to them? Do they know about my part in destroying the temples? What information do they have?
I had so many questions that my brain felt like it was about to burst. I could only exhale after the three-day journey, when we were greeted at the town entrance.
A templar appeared on the road. He was a tall blond man dressed all in white. Probably a hit with the ladies, I thought.
“Stop, Alexander Leonard Radenor.”
“What a long address! You may simply call me Your Majesty.”
I jumped down from the horse so that I would be on the same level as the templar. I didn’t do it out of respect—it simply made it easier to strike.
A slight smile appeared on the knight’s face.
“Perhaps, even Majesty.”
“Are there any doubts?”
“You’re here to clear them up, King, aren’t you?”
“I’m here because the Church captured my friend, and I’m going to get him back. Is Rene alive?”
“If you promise to stay to talk, I will order Viscount Morinar and his people to be released.”
I shrugged.
“You have my word. I will stay and talk to you. I can’t promise you’ll like it, however.”
“And do you promise to give an honest answer?”
“Don’t you have anything to check my answers for truth? Knight Attoren, I’m disappointed.”
“Will a truth crystal suffice?”
“Quite. But I want your word as well.”
“What about, Your Majesty?”
“That Rene and my people will be allowed to leave without any problems, and you won’t hurt them no matter the outcome of our conversation.”
“You have my word.”
“And the word of your men, I hope? The other templars?”
“Do you doubt them?”
I saw anger flash in the blue eyes of the templar. Is he hoping to scare me with that? What a naive fool.
“Who are you in the Church ranks? A retainer? A servitor? Why shouldn’t I doubt?”
“My people have chosen me as their leader.”
“And it’s just your men here?”
“I can understand your hesitation, Your Majesty. But I promise you, the Church will not harm any of your men.”
“Then I want to see Rene. When they leave, I’ll stay.”
The knight nodded. Is it just my impression or did he relax a little bit? As if I have done something...right, in his eyes?
“I will command him to be brought here, Your Majesty.”
He waved his hand, gesturing to his people.
In the meantime, I went up to my men.
“They’re going to bring Viscount Morinar and his people here. After that, all of you will leave.”
“No, Your Majesty.”
“What!”
I was at a loss for words. The nerve!
“You dare...”
The squad commander looked at me, calm and a little bit tired. He was a veteran soldier in his forties who had probably served long enough to know my grandfather. I had never asked him about it, too much stuff on my plate. And then, we had been so tired after a day of frantic riding that we had had no strength to talk; we could barely stand.
“I dare. You can hang us later if you want, but I won’t leave you with them, and neither will my men, am I right?”
Twenty men nodded in unison as if they were puppets. No, we won’t leave you here. I was mad with fury, and the soldier used that opportunity to his advantage.
“Your Majesty can’t be left alone with those scum, that’s for sure.”
“You forget your place, slave!”
The knight heard us and was gripping the handle of his sword, pale with anger. The soldier, however, threw him a mocking stare.
“Don’t threaten me, boy. How old are you? Twenty-five? Twenty-seven? Yeah, and I’m forty-five. I started serving during the old king’s time, back before Rudolph, and I tell you what: His Majesty’s a worthy successor. Who knows what might come into your heads? Maybe you’ll kill us all here, but then, I could spit into your snouts from the netherworld, at least...”
“You filth—”
I caught the hand of the templar, stopping him from pulling out his sword.
“Does the Church punish people for honesty?”
The knight twitched, but finally ceased his attempts and looked at the soldier with pure hate in his eyes.
“Nobody dares to—”
“Really? You’re wrong, boy. When Rudolph was king, the Church burned my neighbor. She was a good herbalist, saved my children from dying. We couldn’t save her, though. What was her fault? Was she of the Dark Tempter? She never even spared him a thought! All she did was gather her herbs and dry them. You could declare our ruler to be of the Dark One as well, and nobody would get in your way. After all, he doesn’t burn anyone, doesn’t chase anybody away, doesn’t do any evil…”
“Do you want necromancers and other unholy creatures to walk free?”
“If they don’t break any laws of the kingdom, in particular, don’t kidnap people, let them. But using their powers to hurt people, such as hex them, curse them, raise the dead in order to do harm—” I started to drone, but the knight interrupted me.
“Necromancers are evil!”
“My friend almost died fighting a plague. I won’t name the town, but he saved a few thousand people there. And he’s a necromancer.”
“It’s—”
“It’s true, I swear by my blood. Check me with your crystal if you want to.”
The knight seemed to stammer.
“Such...incidents are few.”
“He almost burned himself down to do it and had to flee as your people entered the town. They wanted to kill him, but he survived.”
“You know that man, Your Majesty?”
“I do. I won’t give him to you, however, and will never tell you his name. It’s his life and his business. I can swear that he would never do any harm using necromancy.”
“Morinar will be soon be brought here, and we’ll go—”
“Not so fast. You should either kill us, or we’ll go with you,” the soldier butted in on the conversation once more.
I threw him a scorching stare.
/>
“Should I hang you?”
“Go on, Your Majesty. If we aren’t killing, then our fate is to die for our homeland. We won’t let you go in alone, in any case. You never know what those guys are thinking.”
“I command you—”
“Do whatever you want. Our duty is to protect you, the rest doesn’t matter.”
The templar and I cursed in unison. At last, Rene was led outside. He was exhausted, gaunt-looking, but finally free.
“Alex!”
I went up to him and embraced my friend, using the opportunity to slip an envelope into his shirt. It contained instructions in case of my death, as well as my immediate plans.
“Are you all right?”
“I never thought you’d come here.”
“You’re such a fool.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. A fool.”
“Where are your men?”
“Not far from here, I saw them.”
“Take them and leave. Wait for us in the town. If we aren’t back in three days, do as instructed.”
“You—”
“I’m going to stay here.”
“Alex—”
Rene grabbed my hand.
“You can’t do it! They want to kill you!”
I shrugged. Rene was a smart guy, but he was nowhere near his father. If they had wanted to kill me, they would have done it already. We hadn’t been traveling in secret, and I wasn’t even wearing chainmail. They could have easily attempted to murder me. But no; they clearly wanted something from me. And if those templars had survived, they were either more decent people than the rest of the servitors or... I didn’t know what, but I intended to find out.
“They aren’t the first. Go away, and all of you with him.”
“Your Majesty—”
My patience finally ran out.
“Get. Away. From. Here.”
My tone left no place for argument and even the commander obeyed. He silently offered Rene his hand, but I shook my head.
“Rene, take my horse and go.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.
When the clatter of hoofs died down in the distance, I looked at the templar.
“Are you going to kill me right here?”
“First, we would like to talk. After you, Your Majesty.”
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