Page 64 of Immortal Sentry

“For the good of the many,” Kene and Miisov said in unison. Kene glowered at her father. Yes, it must sting to know how much alike they were.

Miisov smiled. “You’ve been well taught, child. I wonder who’s responsible.”

Which only deepened Kene’s glower.

“You shall be confined to your rooms today, Eron. This evening, we’ll pay a visit to the approaching armies. They already have some of their people in place here in the castle.” Miisov’s smile turned sinister. “They are allies.”

Allies in the castle? “Why haven’t I met them?”

“Because we cannot risk anyone, accidentally or otherwise, revealing our secret.”

It made sense, but Eron still didn’t like not knowing the entire plan. “Aren’t you afraid Bain, Crau, or Selin might escape?”

“I am not. They aren’t familiar with the hidden passageways in the castle, and they’ve never shown an interest in servants or how they suddenly appeared when needed. Their arrogance will be their downfall. However, Queen Lessa’s sons have already been taken to safety. A formidable woman, your sister.”

She’d make a perfect queen, a much better ruler than Eron could ever hope to be, which set the wheels turning in his mind.

Eron regarded his mentors, the new and the old. “I’ll be ready.”

And he would be.

Eron found a note written in an ornate script with his luncheon.

“It must happen tomorrow night at the ball.”

He lost all appetite. Bain expected him to kill Lessa tomorrow, the night of the much-accursed ball.

Lessa and Kene slipped into his room a short time later, Lessa drawing clothing inspiration from Kene. Either could have passed for Lord Night. She handed Eron a sheathed sword, thehilt done in the fanciful Eritrescue design. “This belonged to our brother. You should have it.”

Eron admired the weapon, thinking of Dafron with the sword at his hip. He put on the sheath, tears clogging his throat. “Thank you.”

He and Lessa held eye contact, each silently mourning the loss of their kin.

“I’m supposed to kill you tomorrow night at the ball,” Eron commented offhandedly. “After you supposedly kill Bain.”

Lessa gave a highly unqueenly snort. “Trust me, my killing Bain is believable. And as I’m a guest of honor, I requested a masked ball. One of my ladies is attending in my stead at Kene’s urging, under heavy guard, of course. The maid cooperating with my husband will suddenly find herself locked in an empty room until this drama plays out.”

“Too bad I didn’t bring your valet, Eron,” Kene remarked.

Lessa raised one elegant brow. “Oh, and why is that?”

“He looks very much like me, and his main purpose is to be my alibi if and when I’m, ah…” How could Eron put this delicately?

“When you’re out relieving some lord or lady of their trinkets and gold? Kene told me.” Lessa appeared far too smug.

Miisov’s arrival meant Eron didn’t have to answer. Now to wait for sundown—and Kerric.

Eron vaguely recalled a passageway to the kitchens where he’d played as a child, pretending to be a knight of old and rescuing the king. Anthone used that very route to spirit Eron away.

Tonight, Eron dressed as a villager, Lessa, Kene, Miisov, and Kerric with him, also hidden under homespun cloaks.

Lessa’s sons were safely ensconced with Simona, no doubt enjoying some of the pies she baked during this time of the season.

Memories flooded Eron’s mind of Anthone whisking him away to safety. Anthone had given his life to save Eron.

So many brave souls needed avenging—Father, Dafron, Anthone, and Stablemaster Hentri. Eron paused, squeezing his eyes shut. Pain lanced through his heart.

For them and others, Eron could not fail. Then came Lessa and her sons. Kerric and his men. Even though Eron wouldn’t have chosen this path, he owed the people of this kingdom freedom from the misery they suffered under Bain.

---