Page 54 of Rise of the Phoenix King (Crown and Crest 4)

“You don’t really believe it, do you, Henrik?” Lord Birchall asks, wording the question so I’ll look like a fool if I say I do.

The men begin to mumble, and I hold up a hand, silencing them.

“It doesn’t matter what I believe,” I say sharply. “Right now, there are men smuggling war golems into the mainland, andtheybelieve they are following Camellia’s command. We must track them back to their nest before any more attacks occur. There haven’t been casualties thus far, but we’ve been fortunate. We need to find this threat and eradicate it before it grows.”

“Rumor has it these new golems are fortified and nearly impossible to take down,” Quentin says.

“The few golems we’ve confiscated have been, at the bare minimum, fitted with chest plates made from a new talvernum alloy. The metal is impossible to penetrate with normal weapons.”

“I heard your father created the alloy,” Lord Birchall says. His comment is followed by more mutters.

I hold in a groan, wishing that particular fact hadn’t leaked. “He was working under Camellia’s royal order at the time, yes.”

“So this is your family’s fault,” the man accuses. The knight commander sits back in his chair and crosses his arms. “And yet Lawrence put you at the head of our military?”

I straighten, acknowledging I must deal with this defiance while it’s in the budding stage. Coolly, I say, “Are you questioning the king’s judgment?”

“The king is aboy,” Birchall says boldly, his eyes flashing with hatred. “This mess would have never happened under Algernon’s control.”

“This current situation cultivated and took root under Algernon’s control,” Gavriel points out, startling the others.

The aging knight bristles, but he’s not as eager to argue with Count Flauret’s son.

“We’re getting off subject,” I say, drawing the attention back to the front of the room. “Whether you agree I should be in this position or not matters little. Anyone who wishes to leave is free to go—” Several men rise, and I grit my teeth before I finish, “But know I will gladly strip you of your title and position, as is well within the authority I’ve been given.”

Two knights immediately tuck their tails and return to their seats. Three stand motionless, questioning whether I’m bluffing.

I’m not.

“Are you so eager to rob your sons of their birthright?” I ask stonily. “Sit down.”

Deciding the consequences are too great to risk, they grudgingly return to their seats.

“Ferradelle is sending soldiers to assist our search,” I continue once that’s taken care of, raising my hand again to cut off the grumbling that immediately follows my statement. “The High Vales are glad to be free of both Augmirian and Camellia, and the dukedom has returned to the hands of the elves who are loyal to the crown. Leave the golems to them. We must focus on finding the flesh-and-blood men behind the attacks.”

“Let’s say Camellia is truly wandering Caldenbauer like an animated corpse,” Quentin says. “How do we stop someone who’s already dead? Even if we manage to find her followers, what do we do abouther?”

I think back to Ayan’s story, wishing I had more information. “Not much is known about the Kivear concoction we believe Camellia was taking before she died, but from the little research we’ve done, we think it’s possible Woodmore magic could send her back to the earth.”

Lord Birchall leans forward on the table, giving me an incredulous look. “Come now, Henrik. Surely you’re not suggesting we enlist the Woodmores tofight?”

At that, the men simultaneously begin to voice their qualms, all trying to talk over each other.

“Camellia isn’t your concern,” I say loudly, trying to make myself heard over the clamor.

With a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I realize that leading these high-ranking knight commanders is not dissimilar to heading up a supply run—both tasks are like herding flockchicks.

I rub my forehead, silently cursing Lawrence.

* * *

I’ve almost finished doling out the designated search areas when Clover appears in the doorway.

“Clover,” Gavriel says when he spots his sister. “What are you doing here?”

She gives him a small wave, looking uncomfortable even though no one protests her presence. She’s no longer engaged to Lawrence, but the people of the court continue to give her a high level of respect, knowing she’s close to the king.

I cross the room to meet her.

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