"I don't trust anyone, Alikos. She's not an exception. I'm not giving her a chance because I believe her but because I've been shown no reason not to thus far, and because I am tired of Minndi controlling my life while trying to hide important details from me."
“And that Minndi told you to be careful around Summere, because Summere can supposedly charm people upon eye contact?"
"Though that seems true," Jaklyn said, "that doesn't mean Summere's bad, though it makes the possibility of her possessing mind magic seem more realistic. It could just mean that Minndi fears Summere."
They both looked to the blonde, who had been listening throughout the conversation. She nodded, then swallowed and spoke, "Minndi fears me because she has seen my persuasive powers at work, and because she has such a low opinion of my family and my people."
"You know, stating that you have 'persuasive powers' does not compel me to believe you are being completely candid with us."
There was a stiff light in her eyes when she answered Alikos. "I know." She smiled. "You have the heart of a humanitarian, the courage of a warrior, and the loyalty of the most chivalrous knight. You will not trust me around your Jaklyn until I have proven that I would not kill her even to save my own life."
Jaklyn could sense that Alikos was taken aback. He looked at her nervously, mentally asking, Did you tell her everything? Jaklyn shook her head, biting her lip.
"If you'd prefer to chain me to something for self protection, I will not fight you."
"I might. Is Jaklyn free to enter your mind?"
"Yes, but I may request she keeps aspects of my personal life private."
He nodded. "Glad you're willing to cooperate."
"I'm trying to help end the war, and I... I think that if Roan's powers bear any weight, Jaklyn's going to be very helpful."
"Roan's powers?"
"Roan is a Seer. Unlike most, however, he sees the Absolute future—crystal clear images of what will happen and under which circumstances. He has seen little with you, Jaklyn, but..."
"But?"
"But... you're going to be a powerful mage when things get more heated."
"I'm already a mage."
"You're going to be a fire mage."
Jaklyn burst into laughter. "You've got to be kidding me. If I haven't noticed fire magic yet, it's not there. Fire is notorious for being volatile and causing problems..."
"There are ways to gain it, just like there are ways to lose magic. I'm not sure where you're going to get it from, but one of my people has mentioned an archway in the woods-"
"I saw it. In Ezra's mind, after 'your people' took me hostage."
"Did you see where it was?"
"No."
"I will take you to it."
"Later," Alikos interjected. "It is late, and we should sleep."
"That is wise." Summere curtseyed. "Where would you like me to spend the night?"
After a few minutes, they had tied Summere to the end of the bed frame. Alikos spent a long minute looking at her before tucking a pillow behind her and blowing out the lights in the room. Jaklyn tried not to shake the feeling he knew more than he was letting on, but she didn’t dare peek into his mind to find out.
Chapter 13
The next day, Minndi summoned Jaklyn to the throne room. She couldn't help but wonder whether the empress suspected she was hiding the Sralossan, and she approached the throne and curtseyed with a pounding heart.
"Glad to see you've reestablished that you are my subject. Turns out the tradition of showing respect has a purpose after all."
Jaklyn stayed deep in her curtsey, continuing to bow her head toward the ground.
"I have assigned a magician to you. It is time you understood how to put up a block in your mind without deleting your memory. We simply can't have that."
Jaklyn gave a slight smile, then wiped it from her face and nodded. She didn't know how to act toward the empress anymore.
"You are to train with him within the next week, after he returns from his present engagement."
"Yes, Your Majesty. May I inquire what his present engagement is?"
"No, you may not."
"Your Majesty, I mean no disrespect-"
"Then you will stop talking-"
"-but I feel that I need to know more about the happenings if I am to help the war effort at all."
"The prophecy will be fulfilled regardless of the amount of information you know."
"If I do not know what's going on, I cannot gauge my actions to help the proper party."
"We will win the war."
"You can't know that."
"I do, actually. One of my top Seers has confirmed that one of our key opposers dies on the battlefield, leading to a Sralossan surrender. So, do not fret. The war is ours." The empress studied her subject's face. "Are you not convinced?"
"There's just a lot to take in these days."
"Well, I've got another piece of information. One of our most dangerous war prisoners has escaped from us, and several of our own have gone missing since then. We suspect this prisoner has killed within the palace, I must again state you are to stay with a guard at all times."
"Who is this escaped prisoner?"
"Roan. The one who tried to kill me, remember? I make it a point to not allow known murderers to wander my palace."
"Of course." Have you not noticed Summere's absence? "I have a further question, Your Majesty..."
"Yes?"
"Are you not a murderer?"
Minndi pulled her mouth into a side smile. "Won't rest until you know that, will you?" Jaklyn was silent. "If it is vital for you to know... Yes, I have killed a man, but you are a fool if you believe he did not deserve it."
A redhead was taking off loveliest gown Jaklyn had ever seen, a corseted silver thing with turquoise accents. As she undid the ribbons, the dress fell to the floor, revealing harsh black leather lingerie.
The redhead turned around, and Jaklyn gasped at the sight of Minndi's face. She was looking away, at a naked man who was lying on a bed. Minndi went to his side and ran her fingers through his blonde hair with what only could be interpreted as a loving touch.
"My darling," she started, "I have but one question before we consummate our marriage."
"Yes, my love?" he said.
"Where were they when you killed them? I know they were in these quarters. You've told me. Were they on this very bed?"
"Minndi-"
She straddled him, pushing him down and whispering into his ear. "Did you kill them in their sleep, or did they see you before they passed?"
"This is a topic for a later time, wife." He used the title like an insult, like a reminder that she was subservient to him.
She smiled, getting up to pace around the bed. She could see he was growing weak; he could not lift his head, he could not move his legs. "Did you enjoy your wine, dearest?"
"What did you give me?" He was angry. It was clear from his facial expression, but his voice was weak. If the apothecary she'd visited was correct, the poison was slowing his heartbeat.
"What were your thoughts? Was there blood, or was it poison, too?" She pulled his dagger from the bedside table, unsheathing it and running her fingers along the flat of the blade.
"I thought... I thought you understood why... why I..."
"I understand perfectly. You wanted power." She smiled, taking the crown from his head. "So do I. I swore I loved you... I just wanted my throne back."
"Bitch," he mumbled.
"Asshole." She smiled and thrust the dagger into his crotch. "You deserve every bit of pain you feel on your way out, and your release will come sooner than you're worth."
She let the blade fall to the ground and left the room with a side smile. She informed a maid that the quarters would need extra service in the morning, and continued on her way to the baths.
Jaklyn realized her mouth was open. It took a substantial amount of self control to shut it.
Minndi just laughed. "You aren't surprised, are you?"
Jaklyn shook her head.
"He deserved it, did he not?"
"I... I don't know, Your Majesty."
"He killed my parents."
"Right. Pardon me, I'm simply taken aback by seeing it firsthand."
A chuckle escaped from Minndi's lips. She crossed her arms.
"Why do you keep this a secret?" Jaklyn finally asked.
"Not everyone would agree it was for the best. Diveldo paraded his idea of a democracy around like a proud peacock, and the lesser minds ate it up."
"Why did you keep it a secret from me?"
"There was no reason to tell you."
"Keeping me in the dark will not make me more willing to help you."
Minndi raised an eyebrow. The action looked out of place with her attire and the throne room behind her. "Are you suggesting that you require certain things of me before you will support me?"
Jaklyn paused. "Yes. I suppose I am."
"Do you realize that not supporting me for any reason whatsoever is treasonous?"
She hadn't thought of that. "I have not said I do not support you."
"You have alluded that you might choose not to."
"If the war is on my hands, I have a responsibility to choose based on who I feel is more in the right,” Jaklyn asserted.
Minndi “scoffed. You cannot claim for one moment that the Sralossan scum is in the right."
"Have you ever actually spoken to them?"
"I've spoken to Diveldo."
"Have you spoken to Summere?" Jak asked.
"Yes, I have."
"Then why did you turn down her terms? The war would be over had you simply apologized for-"
Minndi glared at her, then nearly stomped as she turned on her heel to look away. “I will not apologize for killing a monster."
"You would have saved blood."
"If you are not on my side, say so now."
"I am on my own side."
Minndi raised an eyebrow. “And whose side is that?"
"I want the war to end as swiftly as possible."
"You think it'll take us too long to kill off those Sralossans?"
"Minndi, if someone on your side told them, you might have more traitors than you think."
"Is that a threat?"
"No. It is a statement."
"If you have inside information on the Sralossan army—"
"—That I'm not sharing, I'm a traitor." Jaklyn resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"Stop reading my mind,” Minndi nearly hissed back.
Jaklyn actually did roll her eyes at this. “I’m not. People who are angry become predictable. Look, Your Majesty, unless you've got something further to tell me, I'd like to be excused."
“Fine. You are wearing on my nerves. Eryx will escort you to your rooms. Send Alikos to me. I have a few words to share with him. Now, go. I am tired of you."
"Minndi has asked me to watch you for any signs of treason," Alikos said when he came back from his conference with the empress. "I lied, but she's suspicious. She's going to find out about Summere eventually."
"You lied for me?"
"But she's going to find out anyway. We need to put Summere back, at least for awhile."
"I... I don't know. Are you sure?"
"Otherwise she'll find out we're committing treason, so unless you've got a better idea—"
"Excuse me," Summere spoke up from her corner, "I know my opinion does not matter, but if you wanted to run away from the palace, my people have a camp a few miles out of town. They would accept you in with my blessing."
Alikos and Jaklyn stared. "How do you...?"
"Roan Saw us there. It might take some time, but we will definitely be at that camp together at some point, so I thought I'd bring it up."
"We're going to be traitors?" Jaklyn whispered. She'd heard far too much about the consequences for such an action not to be afraid.
"We're already traitors, Lyn." Summere hummed to herself, as if trying to avoid hearing the conversation. Jaklyn knew she could hear every word. "Listen, darling, I will do whatever you want. I will go with you, I will stay here, I will keep things a secret... it's up to you. If you are The One, it is your responsibility to decide which side you wish to support and to deal with any consequences that come out of that."
"Which would you choose?"
"Whichever would keep me with you."
She bit her lip. "That's not helpful."
The corner of his mouth lifted into a half smile. "It's not meant to help you decide."
"I'm scared."
"The stakes are high either way. Choose what you feel is best."
"Neither. Neither is best. I don't trust either of them."
"What would it take you to trust me, Jaklyn?" Summere spoke.
"Nothing. I mean... I don't think there's anything that will make me trust you."
"Look at me," Summere instructed. "Look me in the eyes. Read anything from my mind you'd like to know. I promise I will never keep anything from you if you want to know about it."
Jaklyn swallowed. "Well, that's more than I will ever get from Minndi. Where's this camp at?"
Chapter 14
It was a simple task to get out of the palace gates. Because Alikos escorted them, and because the guard at the gate did not have the slightest idea who Jaklyn was, he believed they were going on a normal walk through the cities.
It helped that Summere was hidden under a dull hood so her hair couldn't be seen.
Jaklyn was nervous for awhile after they'd gotten out of the palace. What if they realize we're gone? What if they come after us? Alikos caught her looking over her shoulder more than once.
The farther they made it into the city, the more she calmed down. It became less likely Minndi's soldiers would find the trio even if they were noticed missing with every foot traveled.
And then they made it into the slums.
Jaklyn, born and raised in the slums, did not fear them. Not when she traveled with others, and especially not when one of those others was a trained guard. Though the slums were notorious for being dangerous, the stories used to reinforce that reputation always featured girls wandering around at night getting attacked and murdered.
She couldn't fathom the idea that they were in any danger in the company of Alikos.
She listened to their footsteps on the ground. Alikos's loud thumps and her quiet taps, anyway; Summere seemed to move as if she belonged here. She walked down the streets, turned corners, and wove through alleys without hesitation. Even Jaklyn was not sure she'd be able to make her way through so assuredly.
Alikos watched the shadows ahead of them. Though Jaklyn had told him it was probably safe to walk through this part of the city, he was determined not to become a victim of carelessness.
But the attack came from behind.
Jaklyn was right. It was the smallest girl who got attacked—her.
She screamed as an arm wrapped around her throat, pulling her into the body of her attacker.
After a split second of thought, she did the most basic self-defense move Alikos had taught her, and sent her foot backwards into his crotch. He was taken by surprise, but his arm did not falter. After a moment of commotion, they were standing more straight and his grip was tighter than it'd been before her stunt.
She gasped for air and looked at her companions. Alikos was holding his sword out to her attacker's throat, and Summere was standing behind him looking pissed.
"Roan, I do not care what you are trying to See, if you do not put Jaklyn down this second I will send you back to our courts for punishment. You know I disapprove of your habits, and I will not tolerate you doing them in my presence."
"She's Tyikian, Summere. She's no concern of yours. I told you she's going to be a powerful mage, and we can't afford to have that working against us."
"If you Saw it, it will come to pass. You know this just as well as I do. You know that, even if you try to stop your visions from happening, they will happen. We w
ill simply have to wait to see how. In the meantime, I command you to let her go."
"I am willing to be killed for treason."
"I command you in the name of my mother. Let her go. Now."
Roan was angry; his eyes darkened. He let Jaklyn go, pushing her into Summere's hands.
"I cannot wait until you die."
"There might be a long war ahead of you, then."
"If I wasn't so appalled by Minndi's plans, I'd help her just to get you out of the way. I bet she wouldn't be so opposed to me using my Gift."
"She's just like my uncle. She likes power. Of course she'd love your Gift on her side. By all means, go. You may be a Seer, but I have the girl she thinks is 'The One.'"
"Amusing how your powers have dissolved into a few parlor tricks. Glamories? It's laughable."
"Just because I'm not using greater powers doesn't mean I don't have them, Roan. Just because you have power doesn't mean you should use it. You'd be wiser if you understood that."
"My power has been an exceptional asset to the Sralossan crown."
"So great that you told my uncle he'd be the leader of Tyiku one day, right?" There was a silence before Summere continued. "Roan, I cannot deny that you have in several ways been valuable, but you forget there is a cost."
"Some things are worth the price." He shrugged.
"You aren't the one paying it. You've conditioned yourself against empathy and cannot make that decision."
“Meanwhile, you’ve conditioned yourself to be too empathetic. You can't either."
"Everything I know about compassion I learned from my mother."
"She is great, but she is one of many."
"Even the others are growing upset with the actions of the humans in this realm."
"What are you two talking about and is this going to continue until daybreak when they start looking for us?" Alikos interjected. They both looked at him. Roan stiffly, Summere as if curious. Jaklyn was floating between people's minds, but the emotions zooming around made it difficult for her to make out anything specific.
"I... I'm sorry, Alikos," Summere said, looking around, suddenly aware of the noise they were making. "Let's continue forth, and I'll tell you when we get into the woods. Roan, are you coming or staying?"
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