Page 34 of Court of Treachery

“Yes,” said Aedon heavily. “I’d know that face anywhere. I’ve seen the portraits of him in the royal gallery of Tournai. A long time ago, of course, but one does not forget such a striking character. I do not know how he can be here now. Maybe your vision was of the past, though I do not recall any record of him taking Afnirheim,” Aedon said, a desperate edge to his voice, but Harper could see he did not believe his words. “We must report it. It appears… Saradon has returned.”

28

DIMITRI

Ablack cloud hung permanently over Tournai, but it was not the storms of approaching winter. The city had become a dark and unforgiving place. The king’s curfew was more easily kept now, for Kingsguard swamped the city, pushing their capabilities to the boundaries, and the people had not the strength to rebel against the king any longer. Anarchy had ruled the streets, but now it was a tired, cautious wait.

Food, water, and supplies dwindled as trade stuttered throughout the city, partly borne by rioting and looting, partly borne by a cessation of trade coming into Tournai. Only so many carts could enter or leave between curfews, and with the threat of the goblin scourge blighting the passes, trade had completely stopped from Valtivar and across the mountains from the east, decimating provisions.

The court was darker still. Toroth clung to his throne with mind and body, even as he wasted away from Saradon’s Curse, which sapped his magic and strength. The queen hung on by a thread, and what nobles were left had grown increasingly suspicious and fearful for their own safety, both from Toroth’s increasingly insane hands and from the affliction. It felt like allwere only a breath away from death, either by dragonfire or disease.

The king had not purged the city again. Dimitri and Raedon had seen to it, though the king was unaware of their tenuous alliance. Dimitri was certain it was only that which held utter disarray at bay. The guild meets grew more rowdy and discontent each time, and it seemed it only needed the common people to have a chance to rise. Dimitri and Raedon both knew it. Dimitri imagined that was why Raedon doubled the Kingsguard patrols through the city, even though he could ill afford the increase in wages or rations.

Dimitri had not spoken to Raedon again about his obvious desire to rule, but he knew it drove the elf, who even now watched the king with a hidden gleam in his eyes. Raedon was a predator waiting to pounce—far too proud to serve a broken king and watch his hard work waste away, and now wondering on an unforeseen opportunity coming his way.

Indeed, the king had slowly become prey. Even the summer enchantments over the gardens, fed by his magic, had started to fail. The rose garden withered and died. The flowers had vanished. The leaves had fallen, covering the lawns in a blaze of fire—which now rotted into brown mulch. The gardens had become almost as lifeless and dreary as the court.

“The time to act is now, General,” Dimitri said as he and Raedon stood upon the tallest tower in Tournai—the very same one from which he had allowed Brand and Harper to escape. Gusts of wind buffeted them as Raedon’s dragon soared overhead, somersaulting through the steel-grey sky. It felt so different to when he had last stood there, under much calmer skies, urgingherto leave. The thought of her was too uncomfortable. He focused on the slicing feeling of that unforgiving wind, and what he had to say to the general. No onewould hear them, their words lost in the wind and shrouded by wards, whilst the court wasted away below them.

Still, Raedon stirred but did not speak.

Dimitri cast him a sidelong glance. “It matters not who rules in the end, General. What matters now is that the people can trust a strong leadership.”

“Yet it will be seen as usurpation.”

“Not if done the right way in order to stabilise the realm whilst the king sickens and wastes.”

Raedon frowned. “What is the right way?”

Dimitri turned back to the battlement, looking over the city sprawling below them. “The right way is to notify the court, the city, and perhaps even the realm of what has transpired. The court is sick. All know it. Such gossip spreads like wildfire. It is the general’s place to uphold order and peace. You are merely doing your sworn duty.”

“I will not sit the throne.”

Dimitri could not decide if Raedon sounded eager to do so, for the general guarded his tone.

“Of course not. Whilst the king and his kin live, the throne is not yours to sit. You will install the queen’s throne below the king’s. That way, you will sit by the seat of power, not in it. All will know what that gesture means.”

It was Raedon’s turn to give Dimitri a sidelong glance. “You seem to have all the answers, Dimitrius.”

He shrugged. “It is my job to see all the possibilities to best guard the realm, Raedon.”

The general pursed his lips. “You do not seek to take the throne yourself?”

Dimitri snorted and shot Raedon a look of disgust. “Certainly not. I’d have to put up with this confounded court all the time. I couldn’t stand such a thing.”

Raedon chuckled dryly. “I hear that. I cannot stand the bowing and scraping myself.”

That wasn’t the half of it, in Dimitri’s eyes. Far much more sin passed there than that. To his credit, Raedon was one of the few who rose above such pettiness, who kept his reputation intact. But Dimitri did not say it.

“I will lend my support in any case, General,” Dimitri pressed, for Raedon dithered. “I will stand beside you, in the shadows, and keep the peace.”

Raedon shook his head. “I worry still about this curse. Is it truly Saradon’s Curse, or is it mere rumour, blown out of proportion by a thousand mouths?”

Dimitri turned to Raedon, who stilled at the seriousness on his face. “It is Saradon’s Curse.”

“How can you know?” Raedon fired at him at once.

Dimitri regarded Raedon, choosing his words with care. “Saradon has returned. He is alive.”

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