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“The night after the attack. The night after we realized Mir’ Ahn and so many of our warriors were not accounted for.”

“What did she say?” Jhan asked.

“Nothing much. I sent her home. I told her that she didn’t want to be out and about and she should return to her room in the palace.”

Jhan shook his head. “What did she say?”

“She asked to see Mir’ Ahn. When told he wasn’t there, she wanted to know where he was, and even asked if she could have access to his room when she found out we didn’t know where he was.”

“For what reason?”

“She said she had a message for him from the palace.”

“Did she tell you what the message was?” Jhan asked, his irritation becoming clear.

“She said if he returned to tell him that Sire Zha Quin was waiting to speak with him. He should report to the palace.”

“Was it Mirilla?”

“I don’t know a female named Mirilla. And even if I did, this female’s head was covered with a cloak, so I’m not sure what she looked like.”

“Jhan!” Quin said.

Jhan turned immediately and jogged toward Quin.

“I think it was Mirilla that went in search of Mir’ Ahn,” Jhan said when he got close enough to Quin.

“Most likely. But I don’t think she was involved. She figured it out just as we did,” Quin said. “I’m sure Bart will find her and all will be rectified.”

“Should I kill the others?” Jhan asked.

“Those that knew my youngling would be attacked and willingly planned for it, yes. Those that didn’t, not yet. I find it hard to kill people because they don’t agree with evolving politics. We can’t go round up the civilians who helped hide the revolting warriors and civilians and kill them, too. While we are a monarchy, we are not in the habit of killing those of our people who disagree with our laws and governing choices. I have to consider this from a place of reason, rather than one of reaction. I will never rule with the support of my people if they are afraid I will kill them if they disagree with my policies.”

Jhan nodded and smiled proudly as he would with a child who’d learned a new lesson. “You will be an amazing Sovereign, Quin. But I’ve always known this.”

“I’ll announce that they’ll be held while we consider the outcome.”

Jhan and Quin walked together toward the center of the large room, which Quin stopped in the middle of. Jhan continued until he was standing beside the warriors guarding the three males and one female who’d been aware of the attack on Alexandrus and went along with the plan regardless.

“We still have questions to be asked, and decisions to be made, but for the most part, we have the information we need.”

“So now we all die without a chance to even speak?” one of the males called out angrily.

“No. No one dies for a differing opinion on political policies. You will be held under guard in one of our barracks until ourinvestigation is complete. There is much to be determined. At that time we’ll determine the best move forward for all of us. Perhaps not everyone will continue in our military. Perhaps concessions will be made. Perhaps more severe punishments will be enacted on some, but no one dies for simply not agreeing with our policies.”

The warriors started looking around at each other and nodding and speaking quietly to one another.

“The only people sentenced to death, are those who attacked my family.”

The female screamed and began to sob and shriek uncontrollably.

Quin raised his voice. “They willfully plotted and participated in the attack of a youngling. Were it any youngling, not just mine, their sentence would be the same.”

“They have no honor,” the male Jhan had been questioning said.

“Take them to the barracks, place a multitude of guards around the building they’re housed in. No one gets out for any reason until our investigation is finished. See that they’re fed and have what they need,” Quin ordered.

Kron and his team started rounding up the males in custody and preparing to march them over to one of the barracks buildings to house them in temporarily.

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