Neco nodded. “Yes, and you’re taking an unnecessary risk. Just promise Siris whatever he wants, and after he’s done away with Padus’s knights, both he and Padus will be defenseless and all too easy to eliminate.”
Aharon sent him a frown. “Wouldn’t you prefer not murdering your last surviving brother?”
“I’d prefer having this over with.”
Aharon shook his head. “Let Aya and I make our determinations. Then we can decide how to proceed.”
Neco shrugged. “If that’s what you deem best, Aharon.”
Still frowning, Aharon exchanged a glance with Aya before gesturing back at the shaft. “After you,” he invited, suddenly feeling very weary.
Chapter 12
They’d scheduled their meeting with Padus for late afternoon, although the circumstances again left Aya and Aharon in the quandary of whether they should risk leaving Neco behind with his knights. In the end, Aya suggested that Aharon remain with her brother, while she brought Molli into the tunnels to protect and accompany her. While not appearing thrilled with the idea, Aharon grudgingly agreed, and now warned her to be careful as she wedged herself into the shaft and began crawling away.
Since Neco’s private guard still refused to allow Molli’s presence inside the prince’s apartment, the handmaiden had entered the tunnels from Aya’s rooms, and now stood waiting for her at the end of the shaft. After helping the princess to her feet, she gave Aya a tense look. “Are you certain this is safe, highness?” she asked.
“Fairly,” Aya replied, creating a small flame to see by.
Molli nodded. “Either way, this should all be over soon.”
Morbid as the statement sounded, Aya could only hope it was true. Resolution was needed, and as quickly as possible, or Ceja itself would soon suffer. Uncertainty wasn’t productive, and instability a sign of weakness. Fortunately, neither Kolasa nor Mialystin had yet tried taking advantage, and the continent’s final realm, Kathwei, wasn’t a concern. A peace-loving country, the Kathwein would defend but not attack, and overall kept to themselves.
But Ceja was the wealthiest realm in the north, as well as the hub for most intercontinental trade, so any amount of detectable vulnerability was dangerous. One way or another, she and Aharon needed to see Neco crowned, and soon. Depending on how this meeting unfolded, Neco had agreed to spare Padus, but only if the king was eliminated. All things considered, she understood his position, although this meant Aharon might still have a weighty task ahead of him.
Dagger in hand, Molli now took the lead, starting along the downward-sloping corridor that would bring them to the third floor. Stepping just behind, Aya kept herself alert for danger but didn’t truly expect it; she was reasonably confident Siris had spoken truthfully this morning, so a threat would only arise if her conversation with Padus resulted poorly. In the event this happened, she’d instructed Molli to slay the prince while she faced off with the jester.
The possibility that they were walking into an ambush, and were about to find themselves confronted by Padus’s knights, couldn’t be discounted either. Aya believed this was unlikely, but was prepared to burn them all to ash should it happen.
“Which shaft?” Molli now quietly asked as they reached the third floor tunnel.
“The second,” Aya told her, listening for sounds of Siris and Padus but hearing nothing except their own faint movements.
Molli quickly closed in on their destination, then turned to her. “I’ll call to you once I’ve determined it’s safe.”
Aya nodded. They’d argued over which of them would enter first, but in the end Aharon had intervened and insisted that the handmaiden take the lead and assess the scene prior to Aya’s appearance. Having given him her word, Aya now hung back as Molli shimmied into the shaft and started away.
Remaining still, and keeping an eye on the surrounding shadows, several minutes passed before she distantly heard the handmaiden call out.
“Come, princess,” her voice invited.
Releasing a quick breath of relief, Aya extinguished her flame and entered the shaft. Moving as quickly as possible, upon reaching the end she found Molli standing by to assist her from the fireplace.
“The prince and jester already await you,” the handmaiden said, helping her to her feet.
Stepping from the hearth, Aya straightened and glanced about. While not in current use, the apartment she’d entered was a near-replica of her own, meaning she’d exited into the main sitting room. Padus was seated over by the window, while Siris stood next to his chair. Noting the jester’s tense expression, Aya found herself grateful that he hadn’t deployed his power at Molli when she’d emerged.
“I was expecting Aharon,” the jester said now, meeting her gaze.
“We thought you’d find my handmaiden less threatening,” Aya told him, moving closer.
Siris shrugged and turned to Padus. “My prince?”
The young man nodded back. “It’s fine.”
The jester started forward. “Come with me,” he instructed to Molli while stepping past.
The handmaiden looked to Aya for confirmation, and after receiving a nod she obediently followed Siris from the room. Now alone with her brother, Aya moved to settled on the sofa across from him before meeting his look. Both products of their father’s third and final union—all three queens now long-deceased—she and Padus were full siblings while she and Neco only half. But the king’s children had all inherited his aqua-colored eyes, and she now held her brother’s gaze in silence until he spoke.
“I’m sorry for the deaths of your handmaidens,” Padus opened. “Until this morning, I had no knowledge of the deeds my knights were performing.”
Deeds? What else had they done? Or had Siris simply given them credit for the killings he’d actually committed?
“Siris informed you?” she asked him carefully in response.
“Yes. To think they were taking such measures without my knowledge or approval,” Padus said with a shake of his head. “No matter their reasons, I can’t condone such behavior.”
Hearing this, Aya silently concluded that yes, it appeared the jester had indeed shifted the blame for his crimes onto the knights. If Padus was to live, she’d have to advise Neco and Aharon not to reveal differently.
“Something needs to be done about them,” she said now.
Padus nodded. “Siris already saw to them, upon my wishes. He used his Magic, and reported that for the most part, they didn’t suffer.”
Aya gave a blink of surprise. The jester had eliminated eight knights by himself, and only since dawn? Considering Siris hadn’t appeared fatigued at all, she was forced to conclude that his Magical blessing must be quite strong—probably stronger than hers, information she deemed useful.
Padus went on. “He further spoke of his conversation with you and Aharon this morning. Have you since discussed matters with Neco? Will he agree to spare me?”
Aya gave him a short stare. “I’m sure you can understand his caution, Padus. We need to be absolutely certain of you.”
His expression turned frustrated. “Then tell me how I can convince you.”
“Do you truly have no care for the throne?”
“I’m the last born of a dozen royal children—I never expected to wear the crown, and despite the situation we find ourselves in, my way of thinking hasn’t changed. All I want is to carry on with my life.”
She nodded, now nearly convinced of his innocence. Still, she needed to be entirely sure.
“Despite all that, you’re now next in line for the throne,” she replied. “After these past few weeks, you must understand why Neco has no choice but to consider you a threat.”
“He’d be a fool not to,” Padus agreed. “Although, I’d think willingly depriving myself of my private guard makes for a good show of faith. I’ve left myself defenseless.”
Except for Siris, who single-handedly deprived you of those eight formidable protectors. You are not defenseless, brother.
> “Would you agree not to replace your guard until after Neco’s coronation?” she asked him. True, Siris was the larger threat, but so long as he maintained the position of jester, he’d have no reason to desire Neco’s death. And once Neco was crowned and gained command of the entire royal guard, he’d possess more than sufficient protection.
Padus was now nodding. “Absolutely, I’d agree,” he told her. “It isn’t as though I’ll need them, so long as Neco lets me live.”
The statement was somewhat cringeworthy, but also true. Neco was the only threat Padus had left to fear.
“Then I’ve only one more question to ask you,” Aya said.
“Yes?”
“You claim to have never considered inheriting the crown, and that you don’t desire it. I’m therefore curious what you have envisioned for your life.”
The question was a trap, for the speed and content of his reply would be telling. If he’d truly never wished for the crown, he must’ve given at least some thought to what his future might hold, and therefore would have no trouble supplying a response.
Watching him carefully, Aya was surprised to observe how quickly his eyes lit up.
“My passion has always been economics,” he told her with evident enthusiasm. “I’ve studied the realm’s—and the continent’s—merchantry going back centuries, and think I’ve discovered several areas where vast improvements can be made, relating to not only foreign trade but also our domestic dealings.”
Aya’s eyebrows rose. Having taken some of their lessons together, she recalled Padus’s proficiency for numbers, but she’d never realized just how deeply this interest ran. Furthermore, if he was lying, he was the best deceiver she’d ever encountered. Faking such a genuine reaction seemed next to impossible.
“Keep to your studies, and I suspect you’ll make a wonderful royal treasurer one day,” she now told him.
Padus gave an excited nod. “Nothing would please me more. Would Neco consider it, do you think?”
Since this would essentially negate Neco’s fears that Padus was a threat, Aya thought there stood an excellent chance of this happening. Furthermore, Padus wouldn’t be the only sibling on his council, for Neco already planned on making Aya his royal advisor. While not desiring the associated power, she’d agreed to accept the position because it would allow her to officially dedicate her life to the betterment of Ceja. Having recently discussed the matter with Aharon, she’d been relieved but unsurprised to receive his full support, the conversation illuminating the path for their life together here in the palace, a life that finally seemed near to beginning.
“I’m sure he’ll consider it,” she said to Padus now, “although you’ll need to do some apprenticeships beforehand.”
“Of course,” he replied, nodding again.
Feeling the discussion had unfolded far better than she could have hoped, Aya moved to rise. “I will take this to Neco,” she told him, “but before any decisions can be made, I’ll require proof of your private guards’ demise.”
“Siris meant to take Aharon to view their bodies while we spoke,” Padus responded. “If your handmaiden isn’t squeamish, perhaps she attended in his place.”
Curious, Aya started into the next room and saw the main door leading into the corridor standing open. Molli and Siris were in view just beyond, emerging from the opposite doorway. Spotting her, the handmaiden then hurried forward.
“Is everything all right, princess?” she quickly inquired, drawing near.
Aya nodded. “Yes. Did you observe the bodies?”
“I did, and found all eight knights accounted for,” Molli reported.
Aya shifted her look to the jester. “I don’t foresee any trouble, but before any promises can be made, I must speak with Neco.”
“Naturally,” he returned, “but I implore you to make him see sense, highness. I’m offering a solution where everyone can win, so he’d be foolish to reject it.”
She briefly debated mentioning his deceitful confession to Padus, but then decided there was no point in doing so. Siris was merely trying to survive, just as they all were. “I’ll bring word,” she told him instead.
With no threats remaining and nothing left to fear from walking the corridors, she then moved to exit, and didn’t speak again until she and Molli were several paces away. “How did Siris kill the knights?” she then asked curiously.
Molli’s head turned to address her. “He brought me to the terrace, which looks down upon the practice sands. Somehow, he must’ve lured the knights to the area, then ended them all with lightning. It was a ghastly scene.”
While having witnessed the jester perform multiple executions at her father’s behest, Aya was stunned to learn that he’d eliminated all eight knights in this fashion, and in what must’ve been quick time. Again, she was grateful that she’d never had cause to confront him with her own Magic.
“And what of Prince Padus?” Molli now asked, as they rounded onto a stairwell and started upward. “Did you deem him trustworthy?”
Aya nodded. “Yes, so I’ll be advising Neco to spare him. Presuming he agrees, only one task will remain.”
“A rather daunting task, highness,” the handmaiden murmured in reply.
Aya glanced at her but made no response. Undoubtedly, the endeavor of killing her father would prove the most dangerous yet attempted, and it was a task Aharon had chosen to accept. Finding it impossible to stifle her mounting worry, Aya silently decided that it might be time to start praying.
“He’ll find a way,” she then stated confidently as they neared Neco’s chambers. “Aharon always does.”
Chapter 13
Two days later, Aharon was walking the royal grounds with Neco. With all threats against them now laid to rest, the prince was enjoying his renewed freedom while Aharon simply reveled in knowing the danger had been thwarted. Still, overshadowing his relief was a strengthening wave of anxiety, for tonight he aimed to move on the king and finish this business once and for all.
Sunfall was upon them as they strolled over the sandy practice fields, an area devoid of activity at this time of day. Not without an agenda, Aharon waited for a lull in the conversation before moving to address it.
“Neco,” he began, “have you given any further consideration to tonight?”
The other man glanced over. “No, and I thought we already went over this.”
Aharon nodded. “I just wanted to be sure.”
“You volunteered for this, Aharon. I didn’t ask you to do it.”
“I know, but the king is eighty seven years old, and bound to die soon anyway. Moreover, you’ve no more danger to fear, so why not just wait it out?”
Neco paused and turned to face him. Now standing roughly in the center of the practice field, no one was within earshot and they’d easily spot anyone who came near. A few knights of Neco’s private guard were following at a discreet distance, and now halted approximately twenty paces back.
“I understand why that appears the more sensible course,” the prince then replied, “but my father can’t be trusted. His ruthlessness has already brought the deaths of nine of my brothers and sisters, and there’s no predicting what he might do if he finds himself displeased with the result of his scheme.”
Aharon’s eyebrows lifted. “You’re worried he’ll favor Padus or Aya over you, and take the appropriate measures to see they’re crowned instead?”
Neco shrugged. “I can’t discount the possibility. As you well know, I wouldn’t have been my father’s first choice to succeed him—Fermin and Loh always held his favor.”
“Well, Fermin and Loh are dead, and by way of his majesty’s own rules. It was his decree that stated the last of you standing would inherit the crown, and that’s you, Neco. Neither Aya nor Padus wants it.”
“Which isn’t to say my father won’t prefer one of them over me.”
“You honestly believe he’d strike at you?”
“Do you think I’d be letting you take such a
risk otherwise?” the prince insisted. “Aharon, we’ve been friends our entire lives, and no one, not even Aya, has my trust as you do. The thought of what could happen tonight horrifies me, but it’s the only way to finish this.”
Aharon nodded. “Unless I fail.”
“Don’t fail. Succeed, and we can all start anew, finally free of his tainted and vicious sovereignty.”
Admittedly, Aharon thought a fresh beginning sounded wonderful, particularly since there was no guarantee that the king, if left alive, wouldn’t send him away again. While thus far ignored by his majesty since his return, Aharon felt it was only a matter of time before he was called to an audience, the outcome of which couldn’t be predicted. So, for the sake of his own future as well as Neco’s—and Aya’s—he would attempt this final task, and strive to bring peace and stability to all their lives.
“All right, Neco,” he said now. “I’ll proceed as planned.”
“Tomorrow will be a much brighter day, Aharon,” the prince responded. “Not only for us, but for all of Ceja.”
“Here’s hoping. But should it go the other way, I need your promise that you’ll see to Aya. She’s given you her loyalty, and you need to do the same.”
“I’m insulted you’d even say this. Of course you have my promise.”
“One other thing.”
“Yes?”
“The moment you don the crown, toss my father out on his ass.”
Neco laughed. “Consider it done. Furthermore, know there will always be a place for Zaun here in the palace. In fact, I expect him to follow in your footsteps and become one of my royal thieves.”
“I appreciate that,” Aharon said, his thoughts briefly turning to his youngest brother. He’d spent most of the afternoon with Zaun, and in anticipation of his possible, imminent death later tonight, he had assured the boy that no matter what happened, Neco and Aya would always be there for him. Unfortunately, the discussion seemed to have frightened Zaun more than anything else, but if the Patrons were kind Aharon would still be alive to allay those fears tomorrow. If not, at least his brother would have Aya and Neco looking out for him.
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