Page 68 of Sundered By Fate

And lurking through it all, reaching for goals even Aric couldn't begin to guess, had been Sylthris the Gravewhisper. Even if she wasn't serving the Sovereign outright, Aric still couldn't discern her true aim.

Everything was shifting under Aric's feet, a labyrinthine tangle of alliances and betrayals, each move cloaked indeception and misdirection. But he couldn't afford to hesitate now—not when so much depended on him finding a way out of this labyrinth alive.

"The Pureblade Order will be dispatched to our border regions," Aster said, "to reinforce our defenses and eradicate any demonic threats. We will not be content with merely holding back the tide; we will send troops to the front lines at Thornhaven, Frostfall, and beyond."

The gathered courtiers remained silent as the king continued to speak—at least until Aster was overcome by a violent coughing fit. As the attendants moved forward to assist him, they were waved away; with a wheeze of breath, the old man seemed to shrug off the coughing fit as if it were nothing more than an inconvenience.

But in that moment of weakness, Aric glimpsed something he had never seen before.

He leaned forward, straining to get a better look as the king's head slowly rose, eyes gleaming beneath the rims of his spectacles. For a brief moment, Aric could have sworn he saw a flash of violet in those sunken orbs—a strange, otherworldly light that vanished just as quickly as it had appeared.

Aric blinked, wondering if he had imagined it. But no one else seemed to notice—certainly not Valerian, who was now staring at Aster with a mixture of concern and growing impatience.

But by then, Aster had resumed speaking, and Aric was forced to turn his attention back to the king.

"As for you all," Aster said, his voice rasping now as the bout of coughing returned, "I will address your concerns personally in the days to come. But for now, rest assured that I will do everything within my power to see our realm restored to its rightful place of strength and security."

With that, the king slumped back onto his throne, his frail body seeming to shrink even further within the rich folds of his robe. Valerian stepped forward again, nodding to the gathered assembly.

"You have heard your king's words," he said, his voice carrying an edge of warning. "Now is not the time for dissent or division. We must stand together, united in our purpose."

With those parting words, Valerian gestured for the guards to help Aster to his feet. The king seemed reluctant to leave his throne at first but finally allowed himself to be led away by the attendants—though not before casting one last lingering look over the crowd.

As the doors closed behind him, a stunned silence fell over the Great Hall. And then, like an ember being fanned into flame, a wave of murmurs and speculation washed over the crowd.

Aric remained rooted to his spot at the back of the room, his mind still reeling from everything he had just witnessed. He hadn't dared tell Davin or Olaya what he'd seen—but it was clear from their faces that they were equally unnerved by what they had heard from Aster.

The king's words had been bold—reckless even—and seemed certain to send ripples through Astaria's political landscape. Already there were rumors swirling about factions forming within court: those loyal to Valerian versus those who remained steadfast in their support for Aster. And then there were those like Aric himself: outsiders caught between allegiances both old and new.

Aric shook his head, trying to dispel the dark thoughts that had taken root there. There was no telling yet whether Aster's return would be a boon or a curse for him and his allies—but either way, he needed answers before they were all caught up in whatever new turmoil was coming their way.

Aric elbowed his way through the milling courtiers, his mind still spinning with the implications of King Aster's speech. He needed to find Davin, to talk this through with someone he trusted. But as he pushed through the crowd, more than one familiar face turned toward him, concern etched on their features.

"Aric, is it true?—?"

"Is the king really?—?"

"What does it mean for the war?—?"

Aric dodged the questions, offering only vague reassurances as he forged ahead. He couldn't afford to be drawn into idle speculation right now—not when his thoughts were already a tangled web of half-formed theories and fears.

Finally, he spotted Davin at the far end of the hall, conversing with a few other representatives from the Silver Tower. But as soon as he caught Aric's eye, Davin excused himself and made his way over.

"Let's talk," Aric said in a low voice, guiding Davin toward a secluded alcove near one of the great tapestries.

Davin nodded, but said nothing as they settled themselves on a bench, well out of earshot of the other courtiers. For a moment, neither of them spoke, both trying to digest what they had just witnessed.

"I don't know what to make of it," Aric finally said. "Aster's return—it changes everything."

Davin nodded slowly. "But why now? And what's with this new order? It's too convenient for Valerian."

Aric sighed. "I don't know. But there's something about Aster's whole demeanor that just—feels off. Like he's not himself."

Davin studied him carefully. "You've thought this before we saw him."

Aric ran a hand through his hair. "It's hard to explain. Just a feeling."

Davin didn't look convinced, but he let it go for now. Instead he leaned back against the cool stone wall and closed his eyes, taking a slow breath.

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