The False King: The Cerith Kingdom Chronicles: Book III (The Cerith Kingdom Chronicles 3)

by Jude Marquez

  Eamon was with Evander, Avelina at his side. Alik was there as well, Margrave pacing the length of the room. They all fought for calm, but Evander recognized the look of concentration on Eamon’s face, the same one he wore right before he rode into battle. Avelina’s fingers twitched until she hid them in her skirts.

  Alik would not look Evander in the face and kept clutching at the sword on his hip. The shuffle of Margrave’s steps filled the room.

  “You have to take them to the Isles,” Evander said and swallowed.

  “I will,” Eamon said.

  “Both Gael and Alyx have access to the crown jewels, the gold. Cade has our written history. Auelina knows our allies across our lands, safe houses where we can stay,” Evander went on.

  Eamon nodded.

  Alik was staring at the ground but Evander knew he was committing his words to memory.

  “If you offer them sanctuary, he will come for you first. With the Vresal army approaching, it will be an impossible choice,” Evander said. He finally got the sword settled against his hip.

  “It will not. Ebiris can take care of itself for once. Alik knows that I will abandon his borders to kill Serlo,” Eamon said.

  “You told him that?” Evander asked.

  “I did,” Eamon said.

  “He did. I will abandon my own lands as well. When I am called, I will fight with your brothers,” Alik said.

  “I suppose that’s a comfort,” Evander whispered.

  “I swear to you, should this fall to me, I will capture him and hold him for Margrave’s amusement,” Eamon said.

  Margrave stopped and smiled at Evander. “I will take as much time as I am given with him, if it comes to that. He will pay for everything, I can promise you.”

  Evander nodded.

  Eamon took Evander’s hand in his own and then pulled him into a hug.

  Evander wished, more than anything, that he had been born under Eamon’s sun.

  Alik hugged him as well and turned away when Evander saw tears in his eyes.

  “Evander?” Gael said from the door.

  “Come in,” Evander said.

  Gael was slow to approach and Evander understood the dread there. Serlo was their shared nightmare, a demon that did not leave them alone for many years, even after he was gone.

  Evander did not like the look in Gael’s eyes. “Gael.”

  Gael nodded though he looked anywhere but Evander. Until Evander raised his hands and forced Gael to look at him.

  So many people remarked throughout their lives that they both had their father’s eyes. Maybe they did, but when Evander looked into Serlo’s eyes, he didn’t see a reflection of himself or Gael. Evander didn’t see anything there.

  But when he looked at his brother, he saw a lifetime of memories, playing, fighting, and growing. He hoped that what happened next did not sully all of those memories.

  “Run,” Evander whispered.

  Gael shook his head.

  “You must. You must run and don’t look back. Take Cordelia and Kielan and keep them safe. Go west with Eamon or north with Alik. Do not look back. Do not come back for me. There will be nothing left, Serlo will make sure of that,” Evander said.

  Gael shook his head again, this time more violently.

  “Run and be happy under a different sky for me. We will be together again, brother. The goddess above us wills it so,” Evander promised.

  “I don’t know how to do this without you,” Gael said and his hands were clutching at nothing at all uselessly.

  “You will learn. You will survive. For me, you have to do that,” Evander said.

  Finally Gael bowed his head and nodded. “I will.”

  “Then let’s get this over with,” Evander said.

  Before they left the room, Avelina placed his crown on his head and for the first time since he had worn his very first crown as a young child, he realized how heavy it was.

  ∞∞∞

  The walk to the great hall was one of the longest of Evander’s life. He had the irrational urge to reach out and hold Gael’s hand, like they did when they were boys. Gael thought it was so Evander could guide him, but Evander took comfort in the gesture as well. Gael grounded him in those early days, gave him a reason to keep fighting.

  Now, as he entered the hall, he saw Alyx standing by their dais, their family seated and flanking their own raised platform. The windows were open and light streamed in, falling on Alyx like Evander needed a spotlight just for him.

  He never did. Even when Alyx was beaten, half dead, skittish, and traumatized, Evander saw him for who he was.

  And now everybody else did too.

  It was why Evander gave the final instructions, leaving Alyx as king and no one else. Alyx was born noble, even when he thought he wasn’t any better than a beaten dog in a dusty yard. There was something in Alyx that screamed to be unleashed, a violent protector, a cruel justice, that made him a king. Evander saw that, recognized it, knew that in troubled times, the country would need someone who could be cold and cruel.

  They all looked to Alyx now to protect them. They looked to him to find a way to save Evander.

  Evander was out of breath by the time he joined Alyx at their chairs, but neither one mentioned it. Alyx pressed his forehead to Evander’s, kissed him, and took his hand.

  “Were you but a farmer,” Alyx whispered.

  They heard the march of the men before they saw them, the steady drumbeat that kicked Evander’s heart up a notch and Alyx squeezed his hand. He sat and pulled Evander down so that he would sit as well. The rest of the royal family waited quietly and the guards around them were so tense that it felt like a single wrong word could set them off.

  Eamon and his siblings stood against one wall. Evander couldn’t help but notice that all of them wore their weapons and battle armor, including Avelina and Lissandra. As far as Evander knew, there was no army marching for them, so he prayed that they did not have to use anything that they wore.

  Alik, Issat, and Margrave stood next to them. Margrave had his hood up and the scarred part of his face hidden. Issat had her hand on her sword already and although Alik stood with his hands behind his back and wore a smirk on his face, there was a tension in his body that gave him away.

  If it was here, if this was how it all ended, then Evander was glad to be surrounded by his friends and family.

  The rest of the court stood back against the far wall and whispered among themselves. They were not told what to expect or who was approaching but many could guess it was the man that took their king from them.

  Then the first of the guards rounded the corner and Serlo was there, wearing a purple cloak and clean, well tailored clothes. He had a broad smile on his face and he looked well, like he had just returned from a well deserved holiday. His square jaw was dotted with stubble and his skin was sun kissed. He strutted into the great hall, as though he really was king and not a hated memory.

  The guards did not let him close enough to the dais to reach any of the family and around them, the court’s murmur rose. Those older than Evander could identify Serlo and the whispers became panicked, louder. As the noise reached a fever pitch, Evander let their words wash over him before he raised his hand and they all fell silent.

  Miss Vail was nowhere in sight. Evander found that disconcerting but tried to push it from his mind. Without Serlo to direct her, she was less of a threat. And there were so many other things that he had to think about.

  “For those of you who are too young to remember, this is the former king. My predecessor and kidnapper, Serlo,” Evander said. He refused to call him his father; that time was long gone.

  He did not speak loudly but the silence and the tension of the room carried his words easily.

  The whispers rose again and people now wore expressions of confusion and panic.

  “If you are wondering, I did indeed try to kill my father when I was only twelve summers past. I pushed him off a crumbling bridge and when he went over, my
mother and I watched as he supposedly drowned. However, as many of you know, I did not do this for want of power. I did this to keep my younger siblings and mother alive. I do not regret what I did,” Evander said. He stared down at Serlo and struggled to keep a blank mask on his face.

  Serlo frowned and nodded, rocked back on his heels. “I am proud that you finally admitted the truth, son-”

  “I am no son of yours,” Evander spat.

  “None of us claim your bloodline,” Cade said.

  Serlo turned his eyes from Evander for the first time and studied the other siblings at Evander’s side. Gael, who stared back at Serlo with a hauntingly empty expression. Auelina, with nothing but disgust on her face. Finally Cade who stared back at him and put a hand on his sword.

  Behind him, his men did the same.

  “You were nothing but an infant when you were taken from me. Tell me what reason you have to hate me,” Serlo said.

  “I was not taken. I was protected. I was raised by a man who makes you look laughably small and pathetic. And I hate you because I have seen what you did to my brothers,” Cade hissed.

  “That’s how children are raised. You will learn when you make one of your own,” Serlo smirked.

  “No it’s not,” Gael said.

  Serlo turned to him and appraised him for a moment. “You turned out to be a big one, didn’t you? I’m surprised that you even made it into manhood. You were always sick, head in your books.”

  “When you weren’t beating me bloody, yes, I suppose you are right.”

  “And you have a child of your own, do you? With this pretty young lady?” Serlo took a step forward and then Aldous was pressing a small dagger to his throat.

  “Please,” Aldous muttered. “Please take one more step, please let me be the one to end your life.”

  Serlo did not. He stepped back and Aldous was forced to drop his blade.

  “Why are you here?” Evander asked.

  Instead of answering, Serlo looked to Alyx for the first time.

  Alyx returned the look with one of his own, measured Serlo, but held himself expressionless. He did not move, did not attempt to shield himself with another from that look of hatred. Serlo’s eyes lingered on his crown, hungry.

  “So this is Alyx, is it?”

  Alyx did not reply.

  “Have you heard from your parents? It seems like you took my closest and dearest friends when you rescued my children from me. Tell me, how do they fare?” Serlo pressed.

  Alyx remained silent.

  “Does he not talk? It would be fitting for someone like that to end up with you,” Serlo said and looked back to Evander.

  “You so love your own voice that it is hard for the rest of us to sneak a word in edgewise,” Alyx replied.

  Serlo looked back at him.

  “Perhaps I should be impressed with you, Alyx. You helped to unite the three kingdoms unlike anything that I’ve seen before. You brought the barbarians from the south and the wealthy, helpless morons from the north together. What is your secret?” Serlo tipped his head to the side and the implication was laid bare for everyone to read.

  Alyx did not reply but he did not look away from Serlo either. He knew that his silence was eerie, grating, especially on someone who chose to do battle with words, tried to cut down those around him so that he could feel so much bigger than the others.

  Serlo laughed out loud before turning to look at Eamon. “Your father would be proud, I think. From what I recall, Therris always wanted a boy like you. Strong, a warrior.”

  “When you are crushed under heel, I will order a ten day celebration of your death and hack your body apart and send it to the corners of your country and then have your name erased from history,” Eamon informed him, matter of fact.

  “Of course you will,” Serlo said and then looked to Alik. “And our prince of liars. Tell me, your father, how does he feel about keeping only the runt of the litter as the one to inherit his kingdom?”

  “Probably as much shame as your children have of you,” Alik said easily. Serlo’s words didn’t seem to bother him the slightest. His smile widened when Serlo grappled with a smart reply. “My cousin was promised time with you before our barbarian friends hack you into pieces. I do so hope that you will enjoy the accommodations we will provide. I strive only for the best for my guests.”

  “You would threaten a king?” Serlo asked.

  “You are no king. You are a fisherman’s whore,” Alik said, in that same easy, jovial tone.

  It happened so fast that Alyx couldn’t process how Eamon got from where he was to in front of Alik and his sword out so quickly. Serlo was stopped by the sword in Eamon’s hand, gleaming and sharp.

  “Do not threaten a dear friend of mine or Margrave will be denied his playtime, I swear it,” Eamon said.

  “We are friends?” Alik asked. Alyx could swear he sounded delighted.

  Eamon did not take his eyes off Serlo but he shrugged.

  Alyx wanted him to. Oh, the gods above and below knew how much he wanted Eamon to plunge that sword into Serlo’s body and render him nothing but meat and bone and steal from him the words that were so carefully aimed to hurt his family.

  But Serlo wasn’t here to challenge Eamon. It was a fight that Serlo could never win, anyway.

  “When I am done here, I will see that you will pay for your words,” Serlo told Alik.

  Alik looked over Eamon’s shoulder and winked. “I look forward to it, whore.”

  Serlo turned back to Evander and Alyx. “I demand my throne back.”

  The noise rose once again in the back of the hall and Alyx saw more than one person leave through the open doors. He couldn’t blame them. From what he learned of Serlo’s rule, the court was treated terribly, the people even worse, and the land forgotten. If Alyx were of the court, he would have left days ago.

  “No,” Evander said.

  He sounded exhausted.

  “Your rule is by theft. You do not deserve the crown or the throne. I demand it returned to me, the rightful ruler,” Serlo said. It sounded like he had practiced these words a thousand times before.

  “No,” Evander repeated. He put a hand to his head and rubbed his face.

  “If you will not give it back, then I will take it by force.”

  “With what army?” Gael snorted. “Yours abandoned you or Prince Eamon let his men use them for sport and practice.”

  “Not much practice,” one of the soldiers muttered.

  The crowd tittered behind them.

  “I challenge the king. One on one combat, winner takes all,” Serlo said. His smile returned and he looked around as though waiting for a reaction. The royal family barely blinked.

  More people left the great hall in a rush.

  Evander sighed.

  “Fine,” Alyx said.

  That did get a reaction and Serlo threw his head back and laughed. “Onto me, are you?”

  “It wasn’t hard,” Alyx said. He leaned back in his chair and looked around. The men around him were looking to one another and the royal family had the dawning realization of the terrible trap they all stepped right into, without realizing it.

  “What are you saying?” Evander hissed to Alyx. He turned to him and pulled him close.

  Alyx turned to him and studied Evander for a long moment. “You said it yourself, Evander. You made me King before you left. You haven’t taken your crown or position back, have you?”

  Evander felt like the entire world fell away from him. He knew the blood drained from his face and he opened his mouth to deny it. He was king. It was his right and his responsibility. From the beginning, it had always been his life for his country, for his family, for Alyx.

  And now it was all taken from him.

  “Alyx, no. No, take it back. Take the challenge back. I will-”

  Alyx cut him off with a kiss. “I was born for this, Evander. It was written in the stars, you and I.”

  He stood and all around him, the court di
d the same but for Evander. He reached out and wrapped a hand around Alyx’s wrist. “Please.”

  Alyx smiled and put a hand over Evander’s. “Have faith, my love.”

  And then he was stepping away.

  Evander wasn’t sure where to look or what to do. Lissandra was there a moment later, pulling him to his feet, holding him up.

  “No soldier will interfere on my behalf,” Alyx was saying to the court at large. Evander heard a distant buzzing in his ears and his heart was pounding in his chest and he thought he was going to be sick all over Lissandra’s fine dress. “Do you agree?”

  Serlo inclined his head.

  The men behind Cade, the ones under his command, the ones that loved Alyx as dearly as they loved any of the royal family, twitched at his words. It went against every instinct ingrained in them, especially when it came to protecting Alyx.

  “Whoever wins, is as the fisherman’s whore says. They take the throne and the crown. After the combat is finished, no harm will come to the royal family. Are we clear?” Alyx said and turned to Serlo.

  “I will do as I please, as I did before,” Serlo said.

  “It doesn’t matter. I am afraid that I will be disappointing Margrave in any case,” Alyx said and then he was in front of Eamon who looked just as panicked as Evander.

  Alyx looked incredibly at ease, as though he fought men like Serlo before, men who were known to cheat and lie to get through any confrontation.

  “Evander,” Gael whispered from his side.

  Evander did not know how he was going to finish that sentence because now Eamon and Edmond were crowded around Alyx as he neatly folded his sleeves up and passed his cloak off to Issat. They were trying to talk over each other, until Alyx held up a hand to Eamon and looked over at Edmond.

  That left Alyx alone with Edmond and Issat, though only Edmond spoke. Issat was clutching his cloak like her life depended on it.

  All around them people shifted and whispered to one another and the hall continued to empty. Near the back, Evander spotted Paige and Josette standing there.

  It was the first time Paige had left her room.

  “Go get them,” Evander ordered Tobey.

  Tobey brought them over and they stood next to Gael, just behind Evander. Cordelia took Josette’s hand in hers.