by Cheryl Oblon
Once the healers left, I slid to the edge of the bed. The man was a traitor, but he hadn’t tried to kill me—that I knew of. Life at court always had dangers but weeding out traitors was part of my job. Still, I didn’t have proof. My mind reading was one thing, but this man had been at court a long time. He’d have built up allies. I had plenty to debate.
Marel hustled in. “What are you doing?”
“Getting up. They said I’m fine to return to normal.” Other than the first day, it’d been more concern than injury.
“I’m not sure you want to go out today,” she said.
“Why not? I’ve been stuck in here for days.” I grabbed my dark blue dress and shoes.
“If you’re seen in public, the Bachal king will make the archer apologize publicly.” She helped me on with the clothing.
“An apology is in order, I’d think. I need my necklace, please.”
“The public audiences can be anxious and overwhelming at times. You may be well, but if you’re not up to the tension, I can send a note,” Marel offered.
“Thank you, but I can’t appear weak. Diplomacy is a bit about show. I’ll be fine.” I smiled.
“I’ve been talking to that man that Minn detached me from as a girl. Ballan is part of the Queen’s Guard. Did you tell Nemal to assign him near me?” she asked.
She fetched the necklace and the box with the tiara. I shook my head at the box. “I don’t need the tiara today. No, I didn’t tell Nemal to dig up your old boyfriend. Perhaps he’s just assigned to guard the royal bedrooms, and we happened to be moved here.”
“Perhaps. I spoke to him, and he’s very nice. Remembers the whole drama from when we were little.” She blushed. “But you do need to wear your tiara today. The public apology will be officially in the queen’s presence. He will be punished.”
“Being taken off archer duty and made to guard the ship or something dull is a fair consequence.” Honest mistake or kill shot, he needed to be watched and restrained.
“This isn’t a joke,” she said.
I shrugged. “I agree. I want to meet the man and see if he wanted to kill me or someone else.”
“I’m pretty sure it doesn’t matter what he intended.” She set the tiara on my head.
I moved to the vanity and stared into the mirror as Marel fixed my hair into loose curls. “So it’s a punishment for show? These negotiations are all bluff and pomp.”
“So is diplomacy and politics,” Marel said.
I nodded, dreading the public focus on myself. “How is Minnette behaving?”
“Minn is very protective of her mother. The queen acts like there is nothing going on. Rumors and speculation are all around.”
“That I’m failing to handle this? Someone is putting the queen in danger, and I can’t pin them down.” I tapped my toe as I played that day over in my mind.
“No, actually they are praising you for saving the queen. Minn isn’t ready to rule, and everyone knows it. Too young. This was sort of a test of your powers.” Marel dabbed perfume behind my ears.
“A nearly lethal one.” I flexed my left hand.
“Right now, you’re popular. Safe. People hope you have a trick for the negotiations. No one wants war.” Marel picked out earrings for me.
“I wish I had a trick. I wish I had my mother or her experience.” I rubbed my forehead.
“You’ll do fine. The healers will have told the court you’ll attend the queen’s audience at noon. Then it’ll be behind you; at least, the arrow incident will be.” She smiled.
“Is Minnette still mad at Remmy? Does she believe we’re just friends?” I needed to know what I was walking into, and I didn’t want to poke around everyone’s minds. My energy level had been low, and I’d need every bit for the audience.
“I think she believes that Remmy just sees you as a little sister. Nemal has been a pest.” Marel grinned knowingly.
“He’s overprotective, too.” I dismissed it.
“That’s one word for it.” Marel rested a sash over my neck. The sash marked me as a high-ranking court attendee. At the official queen’s audience, it let me go where I wanted, speak or not as I pleased. Only the queen herself would correct me.
“Please. I don’t need to stir up trouble. Men are a major entanglement.” I stood and checked myself in the full-length mirror.
“That’s very true. Minn is feeling some pressure from the populace to marry and have a princess of her own,” Marel said.
I shook my head. “She’s too young. Clearly, she chose poorly.”
“Yes, a traitor. I hope he rots in the dungeon. We should go.” Marel led the way.
I headed out the door and tried to regain my equilibrium. My instincts were on high alert, and that could be dangerous. Overreacting would make me look silly. Underreacting made me look like a failure. With a deep breath, I touched the stone at my forehead. Challenges would happen. I couldn’t give in to fear or threats.
I approached the throne room and was announced. After curtseying, I took my place next to the queen on her left. Exactly where I’d been when I was struck. The king and his family stood before the queen with a small group of soldiers.
There was also a Lazrel man kneeling before the queen. He’d been beaten and swayed as if he’d fall over at any second. Despite looking so weak, the man was in chains. His head was down, and, for a split second, I worried it was my father. Similar hair color and build, but when he looked up, he was far too young. It was Minnette’s ex-fiancé.
I glanced over to the queen’s right; it was Minnette’s place as the heiress. She stayed there poised and outwardly calm. Inwardly, she radiated fury and shame.
The queen nodded to the King of the Bachal. “You have something to say?”
“Your Majesty, a horrible accident injured one of your loyal subjects. A very valuable subject given a high-ranking position. The very least we can do is apologize to you and your Royal Seer. I will see that he is suitably punished.” The king bowed.
It was a show. Fake, but necessary to keep the peace.
The man stepped forward. “I apologize for my failure. My nerves got the better of me in a royal display. There is nothing I can do to make up for the fear, bad image, and damage that I’ve done.”
The man was sincere. “Thank you,” I said.
“Yes, yes. The theatrical is always nice. Nearly killing my Royal Seer was an accident. If that is how your finest archers are trained, it’s good that those ancient weapons are not used in current warfare.” The queen’s posture stiffened.
The king started to speak, but my queen held up a hand. “We have other business we must get to first.”
Minnette looked at me for a split second.
The queen waved at the guards, and a block was brought forth. The poisoner’s head was pushed so his neck rested on the block. Only then did I realize why he was here. Sentencing was one thing, but immediate execution? I’d never been allowed to attend this at court before.
“The sentence is death. Attempting to poison the royal family and the guests is indefensible. You have been interrogated and confessed to your crime. To using my daughter. To being a spy for rebels. Anything else?” she asked.
“No, Your Majesty. I’m sorry,” he lied.
“Liar,” I said. What else would a condemned man say? There was no way out. No rescue without giving up more rebels. That man must’ve been under constant guard.
The queen lifted her head. “Cut out his tongue first.”
Three men descended on the condemned man. One used pliers to extend the tongue. Another man held down the prisoner while a third man used the laser knife to slowly slice the tongue free.
No one looked away, despite the screams. I’d told the truth to the queen, but had I made things any better? He was going to die, anyway.
I couldn’t argue with the queen’s decision. Not that she’d listen if I did. Life in prison served no purpose. He might try to escap
e. Better a martyr to a rebel cause than a leader to set free.
The queen lifted her hand, and a guard raised an axe with a metal handle but a laser blade. I glanced at Minnette for a split second. She stood like a statue, not blinking. Not averting her gaze. Turning back, I resisted the urge to flinch as the laser severed the man’s head and cauterized the wound. No blood. No fuss.
The audience shared a collective gasp. It’d been years since a public execution had taken place. There was no cheering or shouts. The body and head were removed by guards.
The king walked over and inspected the weapon.
“I’m sorry your family had to see that, but we don’t tolerate threats against the crown or any royalty.” The queen watched the Bachal king carefully.
“I agree. I do not find the earlier apology sufficient.” The king swung the axe and took off the archer’s head.
“No,” I said, but it was too late.
I’d braced myself for the first execution. The second was impulsive and with the target standing. His head rolled and the body slumped slowly. The details of his neck, sliced at a steep angle, were easy to study. There was no blood spurting like when the arrow had been pulled from my arm, but my legs went wobbly.
Nemal moved in behind me and put a supportive hand on my back. “You’re okay. Look at the queen, not the executed.”
I followed instructions, and my body steadied. “Don’t let me fall. I’ve never seen executions before today.”
“I’ve got you,” he whispered.
The queen stood and addressed the Bachal king. “Please return the axe to my guard.”
The king nodded to me. “I simply wanted to prove how seriously we take the near death of your seer.”
“That was truly not necessary,” I replied.
“But I feel it was. And he is my subject.” The king handed back the axe to the guard.
The stress and fear left me with the weapon out of the king’s clutches. He had tons of much more dangerous pieces, no doubt, but someone not subject to the queen being armed in the presence of the queen set everyone on edge.
“I think we’ve had enough of an audience for today. Dismissed.” The queen turned to me as the room emptied. “Are you better?”
“I was, Your Majesty. I’ve never seen executions before.” I stepped forward, away from Nemal, so no one got the wrong idea. “Nemal kept me from fainting.”
“I’m sorry. You’re still a tad weak, but the Bachal were anxious to apologize. That stunt was very unexpected.” The queen sat.
“He wanted to show off and test our weaponry. Have negotiations progressed?” I asked.
“No, we’re stalled. They are posturing and making aggressive hints. Do you have any other information?” she asked.
“Not right now. I need to mingle more and see if I can get a vision. I’ve been too tired until today.” I nodded.
“She doesn’t seem quite herself yet,” Nemal said.
“Don’t baby her, Nemal. Remmy did enough of it.” Minnette shook her head at me. “You’ll get used to the odd execution. Life in prison or at hard labor is best for most offenses, but some simply can’t be allowed to live to try again.”
“I’ll get used to it. The second one caught me off guard,” I said.
“As it did all of us.” The queen patted my hand. “Rest today, and try to get some visions tonight. We will talk in a few days. You need to be at full strength. I can put off the king. He enjoys our luxuries.” The queen turned and headed back to her private chambers with Minnette and their attendants following along.
The executions replayed in my mind. There was no time to ask for mercy. Once the sentence had been decided, it was done. I touched my neck and swallowed hard. How selfish was I? Just worried about my own neck.
But I wasn’t stupid. The queen could’ve executed Minnette’s former fiancé any day. She’d intentionally waited for me to attend. The message rang clear in my mind—the crown can and will execute when needed. How many deaths had my mother seen? I touched the necklace at my throat. Her job was harder than I’d ever imagined.
“Are you okay?” Nemal asked.
I turned and nodded. “Did you assign a man called Ballan near me for Marel’s benefit?”
He smiled. “The man mentioned he’d had a childhood infatuation with her and Minn had separated them. Of course, it’s just a childhood crush, but I thought I’d make her feel better. He still admires her, her art. He remembers her fondly.”
"Thank you. I think it did help her confidence.” I took a step and grabbed his arm. “I think I should’ve listened to Marel and stayed in bed today.”
“Executions are hard to see.” Nemal helped me down the steps where Marel waited.
“It’s not the executions. But the crowd’s reaction and the shock—all of their contradicting emotions hitting me. I’d have to brace myself better next time. I felt very strong in bed.” I smiled weakly.
Marel nodded. “We’ll get you back to bed, and you should eat a good, late lunch.”
“I can assist her,” Nemal offered.
I turned and smiled. “No, I’m fine. I just tried to get back to normal too soon. Your mother is right. A few more days of rest will help. The peace and quiet will facilitate visions much better than rushing around to attend events.”
Nemal shot a look at Marel. “If you need help, ask for it. Visions can be dangerous and upsetting. If you need muscle to keep her from hurting herself or keep her secure, ask for help.”
Marel smiled. “Of course, thank you.”
“Thank you.” I walked off with Marel at my side.
“You should’ve stayed in bed,” Marel said.
“Those men should’ve waited one more day to die? The king wouldn’t be outdone by our queen. He’d have made that display no matter what. The queen was waiting for me to show up before she did the execution. It was a message,” I said.
“Don’t think that. She won’t kill you,” Marel said.
“Maybe not yet. Maybe not at all. But she isn’t afraid to execute traitors and those dangerous to the royal family. She wanted me to see that.” I stopped.
Marel asked. “Should I call Nemal back?”
“No, I need you to help me to my room then fetch your Ballan and a friend of mine.” I had a small window where no one would expect much of me. I might have a chance to investigate my parents. I had to act quickly, and I preferred to plan things.
“Certainly,” Marel said.
She didn’t press for more information, and I was glad. It was safer for her not to know any details. At least not yet. We needed to be in private before we discussed anything, but I would need her help.
Chapter 22
While Marel rounded up the two people I needed to make the plan work, I packed a small bag. When they entered, I emerged from the bedroom. Ballan was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a quick smile. I pushed into his mind and found him ambitious.
He adored Marel and seemed eager to please. He liked his job and wanted to rise in the Queen’s Guard. I dug deeper but found no information on his feelings for rebels. Hate or love, he was blank.
First, I had to get my old friend to help me out. “Hi, Zoma.”
The redhead was curvy, a year older than me, and a powerful spell caster in addition to being brilliant. Her mother had pulled her from school to train her at home for a few years, but I knew it had more to do with the pranks she’d played. Luckily, she’d matured, and they’d let her back in. She was around to help. Her technical skills were dazzling. She could reroute the relocators and cheat any surveillance or sensor.
She hugged me. “I’m so sorry about your mother. I was going to visit, but…”
“But I was whisked away to the castle for containment. I know. My life is not my own right now. I really need your help if I’m going to figure out exactly what happened to my mother.” I gestured for my guests to sit down.
“I’ll help you any way I can
. But is he trustworthy?” Zoma asked.
We turned to Ballan. “I’m not sure. I need help getting out of the castle and someone to reassure people that I’ve been seen while I’m gone. It won’t be long, but I must get out to talk to a few people. Ballan has been hanging around Marel. Would you mind helping me?” I asked.
“You’re the Royal Seer. There are few orders any man would refuse,” he said.
“It’s not an order,” Marel said.
“First, we need to get you out safely. I can get you out of the castle undetected. No problem,” Zoma said.
“I know. Plus, Ballan, you know the guards personally, and with the guests here, there are more guards around than normal. I thought it’d be best to have you help me plan the route. We’ll only get one shot. Zoma can handle the technical side. Ballan, if you agree, you can report you’ve checked on me. Spoke to Marel and so on. That helps create the illusion I am being seen. Plus, you can keep LeFawn and Nemal away by saying I’ve been having a lot of visions and am simply exhausted per Marel.” I smiled.
“You want me to lie to the royal family?” he asked.
“So she can find out who had her mother killed. She needs to visit someone, and she’ll be right back,” Marel said.
“The queen is investigating. You don’t trust her?” he asked.
I sat back. “I do trust her. But I got some information from my father and his sister that might help prove my mother was killed. If I share that with the queen, she’d know I went to the dungeon to speak to them, and she definitely wouldn’t let me go. This woman is a hermit, and she might talk to me because she was friends with my mother. If the Queen’s Guard turns up at her home, I’m sure she’ll run. Or cast a spell on them. This could give me a great clue or proof that I can take to the queen.”
“Can’t you say you had a vision and tell her what you know? Ask if she’ll let you go meet with this lady?” he asked.
“Then she can say no. Plus, once things become public, it’s too easy for sabotage to occur. Rebels who want me dead, who wanted my mother dead, for some reason, might kill the person I need to see. The fewer who know about this, the better. Please, just help me keep up appearances. I’ll be fine,” I said.