Page 102 of On Wings of Blood

Professor Hassan’s sharp voice cut through the air, the tap of her cane punctuating her words as she moved across the lecture platform. She paused to look out on where we sat, huddled in our seats. We’d all learned long ago that she preferred no interruptions during lectures.

“The monarchy, as you know, was abolished after the last king was deposed. Each of the four great highblood houses–House Avari, House Drakharrow, House Mortis, and House Orphos–believed they had the right to rule the kingdom. No single crown could claim authority over the others, however. And so each house set up their own royal courts, with their own princes and princesses of the Blessed Blood.”

I kept my head down, scribbling notes on the parchment. The older woman had no patience for daydreamers or slackers, and she relished in cutting down students she deemed unworthy–as she’d done to me that first day.

“For a century,” Hassan continued. “The kingdom was ruled by a regency–four regents, one from each house, appointed to rule Sangratha. This arrangement lasted a hundred years. The Era of Pretenders was relatively peaceful, and yet a facade. Each house continued to harbor ambitions of true sovereignty.”

Professor Hassan paused, letting the words sink in. I leaned forward a little in my seat. All of this must have been old news to most of the other students, especially the highblood ones. But to me it was all fresh and I found myself actually interested.

“Then it all fell apart. Ten years of civil wars followed. The Dragon Wars. A bloody conflict that decimated the population.” Her voice took on a hard edge. “We will discuss the alliances formed between houses in another class. At the start, the four houses fought each other. Towards the end, House Orphos gave its support to House Drakharrow while House Mortis pledged itself to House Avari. As you all know, it was during this war that the last of the dragons perished. The Dragon Wars were as catastrophic as they were inevitable.”

My hand faltered for a moment and I paused my writing. Professor Hassan’s loyalty to the highbloods had always been obvious. But she seemed in an especially patriotic mood today.

“When the war ended and the last dragon fell, the kingdom was shattered into four territories. Each house claimed control over its own chunk of the realm, no longer united, but merely coexisting.”

“Then came the Peacebringer.” Professor Hassan’s tone softened slightly. “A highblood prince from House Drakharrow, the Peacebringer had grand ambitions of re-unification. He was not just a skilled diplomat, but bore the marks of the finest of leaders. He reunited the four houses and reestablished the regency, restoring order to the kingdom and bringing Sangratha back to a place of strength and power.”

Professor Hassan leaned on her cane. “His death... came too soon and was the ultimate tragedy.”

I wondered who this man had been. Someone from House Drakharrow... Did that mean he was related to Blake?

“When the Peacebringer died,” Hassan continued. “His brother took his place as regent for House Drakharrow, and thus the kingdom has resumed a regency by four.”

My heart was hammering. His brother? She had to mean Viktor Drakharrow.

I thought back to what I’d seen that first day at the Black Keep. Had there been four regents on that dais? A woman from House Avari and a nobleman from House Mortis had each spoken. I couldn’t recall seeing anyone from House Orphos, but that didn’t mean they hadn’t been present.

Regardless, only one man had seemed to hold real power in that vast hall. Viktor Drakharrow.

If there was a regency by four, it seemed an unequal one. House Drakharrow clearly held the most power.

The bells rang, signaling the end of class.

Professor Hassan straightened up, her voice becoming brisk. “We'll continue this next week. Read the next chapter in yourChronicles of Sangratha: An Official Historytextbook. Be prepared to discuss the Peacebringer’s reforms and how they continue to shape the kingdom.”

Around me, Florence and Naveen rose and started to gather their things. I stayed seated, my mind churning. I’d thought of something else. This Peacebringer... Had he been Blake's father?

I packed my things slowly and followed Florence and Naveen out of the lecture hall.

They were already chattering as I caught up to them.

“Who was the Peacebringer?” I interrupted abruptly, my mind still on the lecture. “Was he Blake’s father?”

Florence nodded.

I gave a sardonic laugh.

“What is it?” Naveen asked.

“It just seems kind of ridiculous that someone like Blake would have a father who was literally called the ‘Peacebringer.’” I frowned. “Also, I had no idea Sangratha was ruled over by four regents. That first day, in the Black Keep, it seemed like only one person was in charge–Viktor Drakharrow.”

Florence exchanged a look with Naveen. “You’re not the first to think that.”

“There’s something going on,” Naveen agreed. “I’ve heard the other houses are restless. Viktor took his brother’s seat at the table but he has an oversized presence. I’ve heard the other houses don’t like him.”

“He acted more like a king than a regent the last time I saw him,” I said. “But the other houses allow it, so maybe it’s a delicate balance?”

Naveen shrugged. “I sure hope so. No one wants another Dragon War.”

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