by M. D. Laird
“There are two of them!”
“Yes. One of them appears to be allied with the king. We found an adamantine drawer in his desk and a sealed bunker which we believe contains weapons.”
“This situation is worse than we imagined. Why is the queen marrying the king’s son?”
“The king threatened war unless she did.”
“He could threaten war unless she crafts adamantine. We need to find the other alchemist and assassinate them and encourage the queen to fade out.”
“That seems drastic,” said Thomas.
“It’s practical. How long before another is worthy enough to take the power comes along? This could buy us thousands of years of peace.”
“Except people know about it now. The Alchitch found the power and the only reason they did not use it to its full extent was that they did not know what they held. No one will make that mistake again. They may still be able to craft adamantine even if they are unworthy. As it stands, you have one of the adamantists in your midst, and she is your ally.”
Tarrin bristled. “Perhaps you are right.” He answered slowly. “Many would assassinate the queen.”
“Then you need to protect her.”
“I do. I provide four demons for her guard.”
Thomas nodded. “If you did not provide the adamantine, do you know who did?”
Tarrin shook his head. “I was not aware of any loophole. My adamantine reserves are intact. You are free to check.”
Thomas declined Tarrin’s offer for them to stay for supper and they set out on the flight towards the Guild of Asmodeus.
“It will be after nine when we arrive,” said Thomas. “We haven’t made as good time as I’d hoped. We shall spend the night at Asmodeus and fly to Laurasia and then Vernasia tomorrow.”
The discussion with Prince Nakhiel followed a similar line to the one with Prince Tarrin. Upon learning about the missing adamantine, Nakhiel immediately directed his anger towards his queen whom he too wished would fade out, and he too accepted Thomas’ advice that the power was better amongst their alliance even if it did increase the threats to their shores.
“It’s a shame you’re not involved in politics, Thomas,” the princess had said to him as they were getting into bed. “You’d be rather good.”
The princess was fast asleep with her head resting against his chest. Thomas lay awake and tried to piece together everything they had learned so far.
It’s just fragments. Nothing that will get us anywhere. What will solving any of this achieve?
Even if he did learn who had supplied the adamantine and found the adamantist, what would they do? They still couldn’t deal with the king. Even if they confirmed they had found the Crown they still could not get them onto the throne. The task seemed impossible, and Thomas was starting to wonder why he had ever started in the first place.
He groaned and rolled onto his side pulling the princess into his arms. He wished she would wake up and attend to him. He sighed.
We’ll just stick with the plan. Perhaps we’ll uncover something unexpected.
He closed his eyes and fell asleep.
“We should call in and check on the queen before we head to Laurasia,” said Eleanor to Thomas as they ate breakfast the following morning.
“I’m not visiting her,” grumbled Thomas.
“I know you have issues with her but her life is in danger and you said yourself that it is imperative that she remains alive.”
“And what would visiting her achieve?”
“We could just check on her.”
“We have other things we need to do. The queen has guards keeping her safe.”
“Fine,” said Eleanor, accepting defeat. “We should get going.”
They finished their tea and, after bidding their host a good day, they boarded the vector to make the journey to Laurasia
“I still think we’d be better off without her,” said Berith Prince Avalon after Thomas had explained the predicament with the queen’s magic.
“You should keep your thoughts to yourself,” said Thomas. “If you maintain this line you could encourage someone to assassinate her. You are endangering the queen by declaring your belief that the country is safer without her.”
Avalon grumbled. “You’re twisting the decree. I am not a danger to the queen. I have no choice but to protect her even if I don’t want to.”
“You’re a danger if you advocate that she should end her life. People may agree with you and take matters into their own hands.”
“I’m sure she will be just fine. She has my demons in her guard, and they wouldn’t follow my orders even if I commanded them to leave her. They only take orders from Calab and Jacob where the queen is concerned.”
“Still, you should be careful what you say.”
Avalon denied supplying the adamantine and had no idea who may have done so. Eleanor and Thomas accepted lunch from Avalon before boarding the vector again for their journey across the ocean to Vernasia.
Despite the long journey, the time difference meant it was only supper time when Eleanor and Thomas alighted the vector at the Guild of Samael.
“I’m exhausted,” said Eleanor. “I’m not accustomed to travelling.”
“Stop complaining,” grumbled Thomas, leading her to the door of the guild and ringing the bell.
Eleanor stifled her gasp when a demon answered the door. She had never seen a Samael demon before and was not prepared for how frightening they appeared with ruby-coloured eyes. She swallowed and followed Thomas and the demon as he led them to the prince’s office.
Prince Jael was seated at his desk completing ledgers as a Samael demon led Thomas and the princess into his office. Jael requested the demon fetch wine and supper, and Thomas and the princess took a seat at the desk.
“This is unexpected, Thomas,” said Jael. “I don’t believe you have ever visited my guild before.”
“I haven’t,” said Thomas. “I rarely venture to these shores, but I have a matter of some urgency that I need to discuss with every prince.”
“Oh. And what is that?”
“I shall be as diplomatic as I can, though my questions will no doubt cause offence.”
Jael pressed his hands together and considered Thomas with a guarded expression.
“I want to ask if you have supplied the king of Axandria with adamantine.”
Jael’s eyes burned at Thomas. “What is it to you?” he asked.
He does not deny it.
“Have you?” Thomas asked.
“I say again. What has it got to do with you?”
“If the king has adamantine and access to someone who can craft it, then it gives him a great weapon. That is everyone’s business. Now did you supply the adamantine?”
“The metal is no more dangerous than any other.” Jael shrugged. “So what if I did.”
“The smallest wound is lethal. It is far more dangerous.”
“Any well-placed strike is lethal—even for demons.”
“Only a strike to the heart can kill demons. With adamantine, we could be killed with a scratch.”
Jael snorted. “So is that all you came for? To ask me that.”
“Not just that. I want to know how…and why.”
“I don’t see why this is any of your business, Thomas.” Jael snarled. “Who do you think you are? You have no rights to question me.”
“Then I ask as a friend. Why?”
“The king made me a good offer.”
“What did he offer you? You have more than enough wealth.”
“Well, I have more now all of the guild’s food and wine has been supplied by Axandria for the last three hundred years.”
It would have been easier if we’d spotted that in the king’s ledgers before travelling around the world.
“You gave away your adamantine to save on your grocery bill?” asked Eleanor.
Jael flashed his eyes towards
the princess. “Can’t you control your pet, Thomas.” He growled.
“She is my wife not my pet. And it is a good point. Why would you make such a deal when you are already so wealthy?”
“You can never have enough wealth.”
“Are you saying you gave the adamantine away three hundred years ago?” asked the Princess.
“There about.”
“Why has no one known about it.”
Jael shrugged. “I don’t know, and I don’t care. I held up my end of the bargain. I gave the metal and kept my mouth shut, until now, and I received my supplies for my trouble. That’s all I care about.”
The man is absurd. Why would he risk his decree for a few loaves of bread?
“How was this accomplished?” asked Thomas. “How have you avoided breaking your decree and who removed it? Who is the alchemist?”
“I don’t know who the alchemist is. It was some woman—I don’t know her name.”
“Can you describe her.”
“She was thorian—they all look the same.”
“How did you avoid breaking your decree?”
“The king found a clause.”
“What is it?”
Jael glared. “Why do you want to know, Thomas? Are you going to try to get in on my deal because if you mess things up for me, I will not be happy?”
“I have no interest in making a deal with the king.” Thomas huffed.
“Really?” Jael sneered. “That’s why you’re married to his daughter.”
“That was another matter. Now, please, Jael, what is the clause?”
“I haven’t given the adamantine to the king,” he said.
“Then why are you wasting my time?”
“The king doesn’t own it—he is borrowing it. The decree states that the adamantine belongs to Hell and we have no rights to sell it or trade it or give it away. It says nothing about loaning it.”
“That’s it?”
“As simple as that. I have loaned the adamantine in exchange for my guild being supplied with food for as long as the king wants the metal. I can take the metal back anytime and the king can return it and stop sending food.”
“This is ridiculous,” said Thomas. “What were you thinking? Take the adamantine back right away before the king starts a damned war.”
“Why should I do that?”
“Because you have supplied the king with a weapon.”
“He’s had it for three hundred years.”
“He will use it at some point and when he does, it is on you. Take the metal back.”
“How dare you, Thomas?” Jael glared at him, his eyes revealing the depths of Hell. Thomas caught the scent of the princess’ fear at his side. “Who do you think you are? You’re not a high prince. You can’t tell me what to do.”
“And you’re not a high prince anymore.” Thomas sneered. “You cannot use the metal of Hell like your own personal property. You don’t own the metal anymore.”
“Get out of my guild! And take your pet with you.” Jael reached to grab the princess and Thomas stood in front of him, glowering. Jael ceased his movements towards the princess but growled fiercely, eyes blazing. “Leave now!”
“Good day, Jael,” Thomas said icily. “Come on, Princess.”
They boarded the vector and Thomas programmed the console to return to Axandria.
The Princess smirked. “I think that went well.”
Thomas grinned. “I believe this means we’re no longer friends with Samael Prince Jael.”
“It seems that way. It seems impossible that he would take such a risk for food he could afford to buy anyway. He couldn’t have known for certain that my father was right—it was an enormous risk.”
“Demons are greedy and selfish,” said Thomas. “Aren’t you glad your father married you to me and not Jael?”
The princess shuddered. “Very. Now what do we do?”
“I don’t know. Contact Hallward on your watch and tell him what we have learned.”
Calab had just returned to the Guild of Sonneillon when he received a call from Princess Eleanor informing him that Samael Prince Jael had given the adamantine to the king. Now that he knew what the loophole was it seemed obvious. It was so brilliantly simple that he had missed it despite spending every available minute trawling through the Michælis. Calab had informed the princess what he had learned and was now awaiting their return before they planned their next move.
Eve and Lord Tharazan had finally finished the draft of the new proposals for the Crown and were ready to present it to the quorum. Eve rubbed her stinging eyes. She had barely slept recently, and the lack of sleep was catching up with her. Her guards had arrested two heavily armed men attempting to break into her guild the previous night, and she had stopped opening her own mail as she had received so many death threats and pleas from the public for her to end her life.
Her stomach twisted, and she barely felt like eating. She had taken to consuming glucose tablets as she could not face eating the large quantities it took to power her shields. She had to hope that the consequence of her power wouldn’t mean she developed diabetes. Eve had learned to use her body heat in equivalent exchange which was rather refreshing when she was hot and sweaty from training but not quite so comfortable the rest of the time.
“I think we’re done, Your Majesty,” said Tharazan. “I’ll ask Shanna to look over it and type it for us.”
Eve nodded as Tharazan emailed the plans to the Impærielas secretary who was based in an office down the corridor in the Guild of the Crown.
“Is everything okay, Your Majesty?”
“Yes,” she said, attempting to brighten her expression. “I’m just tired that’s all.”
“Your guards will protect you.”
“I know they will. But I ask too much of them. I monopolise so much of their time. When they’re not with me, they’re on decree. They barely have a free moment.”
“Why not ask Jacob for more guards?”
She nodded slowly. “Yes,” she said. “I should. Avalon can’t hate me any more than he already does.”
“He doesn’t hate you. He just thinks about people in the same practical manner as he would…I don’t know…his vector. When his vector broke he just bought a new one—he did not even try to get it fixed because he thought it was easier to simply replace it. He doesn’t intend to be mean, but he doesn’t think about people any differently.”
“I know.” She sighed. “It’s a demon thing. I doubt if I will ever understand them. I keep thinking I do and then one of them throws a curveball—like Prince Thomas paying all that money to rescue Princess Eleanor.”
“It still falls within the realms of demon selfishness. Prince Thomas likes being married. He spent the money to maintain his life not necessarily because he wanted to save the princess from a terrible fate.”
“He insisted on dressing her wounds when he returned her to the guild.”
“He doesn’t like other people touching his stuff.”
Eve chuckled. “But he did give her that stone so she wouldn’t suffer.”
“He was likely concerned that her suffering may breach his decree. He had her sign papers relinquishing her claim as a member of his guild should she be caught, but he likely wanted to make extra sure that he had done what he could to prevent her from suffering as well as stop her from implicating him in some way in response to the torture.”
“There’s no such thing as a selfless act.” She smiled recalling a conversation she had once had with Calab.
“Exactly. The decree is strict for a good reason. Because demons lack the emotions and guilt we experience from hurting another, it would be all too easy for them to abuse other members of their guild—lesser demons perhaps—but their decree prevents them from doing so. Aristotle said that a good life is one lived where all things are in moderation except virtue. But demons are not virtuous beings. They lack the self-discipline required t
o be a virtuous being, so Heaven imposes it upon them with their decree. They don’t live a life of moderation, but they do live a life of discipline. It’s actually rather marvellous, in many ways, demons could be considered more benevolent than the rest of us—with the exceptions of the angels of course.”
Eve smiled softly. “Barakel wants to get married to Calia.”
“Really?”
“He told me this morning. He asked Prince Nakhiel, and he agreed. Barakel proposed yesterday, and she has accepted him.”
“How wonderful,” said Tharazan.
“I’m happy for them, but I can’t help thinking that no demon would have been married if it wasn’t for me. I’ve made so many drastic changes to this world in such a short space of time—it scares me.”
“Why shouldn’t they be married? It’s not a bad thing. Your acceptance of Calab has put the idea in their heads, but it is still their decision. They probably never considered it as a possibility before as they’ve grown accustomed to the same way of life for thousands of years.”
“I suppose. Though I think people will find it strange and they’ll blame me.”
“Then they need to get over it.” He grinned quoting her old mantra. “If people are concerned with who other people—consenting adults—are marrying then they need to find themselves a hobby. I honestly would not waste your time worrying about what they will think.”
She smiled. “Well, that’s told me.”
Eve arrived home after a surprisingly positive meeting with her quorum. True, they hadn’t much liked that the rules would be tightened up and Eve would have more of a say than she had previously; however, as Jacob had said, the news was not wholly unexpected. She did not give them the opportunity to vote on the new changes and just informed them that they were implemented. The quorum seemed shocked that she had taken such a bold step after spending her entire reign hitherto seeking their opinions; however, they recognised her authority as queen, and despite a few grumbles, they accepted it.