Page 155 of Bloom
“Fuck.” Lord Monet grabbed his cane leaning against the armchair and stiffly stood. “I don’t know what’s going on, but you can explain it later. Where is he?”
“I don’t know,” said Jaime. “He was trying to get Zacharie to stop talking to Aleric, and we’d locked him out. He argued with me and walked away. Why don’t we leave and go to the city guard? It’s less likely that Gautier’s too friendly with them, and they can scour the Castle. We don’t know if he’s got any of the Castle guards on his side.”
“We could fight him if needed,” said Aleric. “Four against one.”
“You’re pregnant, Zacharie’s a lot younger, Lord Monet has bad knees, and I’m one person,” said Jaime. “Delphine’s not here to heal injuries. Too risky. Let’s go. The sooner we’ve got guards after him, the better I’ll feel, and if you think I’m letting you fight with our baby in your stomach when we might have better options, you’re insane.”
“He’s right,” said Father. “Get my sword belt. It’s in the bedroom.”
Aleric ran to fetch it. Lord Monet buckled it on and grabbed his cloak. If anyone had come in, the group of four in their nightclothes hurrying down the stairs would have been beyond strange. Higher-ups don’t go out when they’re not properly dressed.
Father had to be burning with questions. Aleric and Zacharie could talk to him later. Aleric wanted to kick himself because he’d thought Zacharie would immediately run to say something to Father if anyone ever laid a hand on him. He couldn’t even handle being picked on as a kid without blabbing.
They were halfway across the entrance hall when the main doors opened, and Gautier stood there in sleep clothes like them, although he’d put on his cloak, and he had his sword belt strapped on. He’d drawn his weapon like the eight guards behind him. The new Commander of the Castle guards, a man Aleric didn’t trust, stood closest to Gautier.
They were too late.
“Arrest Aleric and bring him into the Hall,” Gautier said as if he were the lord and in control.
Father stepped forward. “You don’t command anyone here, and Aleric’s not being arrested. Commander Smith, arrest Alex and take him to the city prison. He-”
“Why would I do that?” asked Smith.
Lord Monet blinked at him. “Excuse me?”
“You don’t know what’s going on.”
“Move, or I’ll make you move when I put my fucking sword through your gut,” snarled Jaime.
“You’re going to fight all of us?” Smith moved forward, and three others immediately followed. The other four appeared rather confused. “From what I’ve heard, Aleric’s a good liar, and if we don’t get this under control, Lord Monet won’t be alive for much longer.”
Jaime pointed his flaming sword at Smith. “Get the fuck away.”
Lightning crackled around Aleric’s. Zacharie only had a dagger, but he summoned fire to his hand since he didn’t need to channel.
“M’lord,” said one of the guards who clearly wasn't a part of things. “Maybe we should put away our weapons and calm down for a moment. Lord Gautier, I think there’s a misunderstanding.”
“Are you going to listen to the man who’s trying to protect his best friend, or an aid whose head has been filled with lies, and a Father who’s too blind to think his oldest son would ever do a thing against the family? Arrest Aleric and bring everyone into the Hall because I have to show Lord Monet a few things to prove what’s going on. Aleric needs to be executed for treason.”
“Put your weapons down,” commanded Lord Monet. “No magic either. All of you better stand back, and no one’s touching my sons or Jaime.”
If they went to the city guard, those with Gautier might flee. William was the Commander of the city guard, and he’d likely obey the order to walk off of a cliff if Father said so.
They'd pretty much lost their chance to get out.
“He knows nothing,” Gautier hissed at the hesitant ones. “Commander Smith knows, but he hasn’t been able to do anything yet. Aleric’s conniving and you have no idea how long it’s taken me to gather proof.”
“What’s the proof?” asked another.
“You don’t need to know everything.” Gautier looked at the group. “Put your weapons down. Unless you want to watch your son die right here.”
Smith immediately went for Jaime, and the three who must have been Gautier’s lackeys followed with weapons drawn. Fire flared around one’s fist as he eyed Aleric, and Lord Monet drew his sword as he yelled at the guards. The remaining four finally entered with their weapons and magic ready since the Commander wasn’t listening to Lord Monet.
In their eyes, Aleric might truly be plotting against his Father and brother.
“Fine.” Jaime threw his sword down, and the fire vanished.
Aleric practically wanted to scream at him. He and Jaime were the best fighters, and while four against eight, nine including Gautier, wasn’t good odds, it would be worse with three.
