Page 123 of A Crown of Lies

“Runecleavers are capable warriors,” Ruith acknowledged in a neutral tone. “Essential battlefield forces, both with their magic and the sword. But when it comes to the sword, they make better duelists.”

“I’m told we were essential to the capture of Roque,” Eri said proudly.

“Indeed,” Isheda said. “The Runecleaver contingent fought bravely.”

The boy huffed slightly. “We foughtwell. Bravery is for common soldiers and cowards.”

Ah, there it is, Ruith thought.The Runecleaver ego shows itself at last.

They approached the gates on the far side of the courtyard, which would take them from the first chamber into the second. Another pair of slaves opened the gate, averting their eyes to the ground. Ruith did not miss the distressed look of pity in Faelyn’s eyes.

The second courtyard held an even larger blood maple. No mages were practicing in it, however. Instead, several large drums had been set up in formation. Some were small enough to fit in a lap. Others were as large as the elves standing beside them, mallets raised. As soon as they entered the courtyard, the command came, and the drummers moved as one, striking with synchronized movements. The loud sound thrummed through the compound like a heartbeat, each swing of the mallet as much a dance as a note.

They walked between the lines of drums, climbing the small hill toward the blood maple. Underneath the maple sat the aged old crone, the matriarch of the Runecleaver clan, looking just as regal and proud as Ruith remembered her. She’d worn a purple silk dress for the occasion, a glittering white crane on the side of it outlined in pearls. Her long, black hair sat in three big piles upon her head. Ruith wondered how she could remain upright with so much hair. It must’ve weighed quite a bit. She regarded them from her throne, stone faced, her wrinkles deep and pale blue eyes still keen.

Two male elves sat at her feet, each representing one of the two Runecleaver lines. On the right was Khan Runecleaver’s heir. He was the patriarch of all the clan’s golden-haired children, if one believed the legends. On the left sat Usinan’s heir with his straight black hair. Every Runecleaver traced their line back to one or the other brother, separated by the color of their hair, though the truth was much more complex. The Runecleaver’s often intermarried and interbred, making it difficult to truly say. The two males lounging at Vinolia’s feet, however, were the strongest mages from each line.

Well, second strongest, at least on Khan’s side. That spot should have belonged to Katyr. Ruith did not want to think of Kat reduced to such a position.

The drumming continued as they came to the end of the path and stood before the matriarch. Isheda immediately bowed deeply. Vinolia ignored him to put out her hands, and each of the males at her feet supported her as she stood. With a flick of her hand, she brought the drumming to a halt.

The ensuing silence rang in Ruith’s ears.

For a long moment, he and the Runecleaver matriarch stood completely still, staring at one another, each waiting for the other to buckle. Then her thin lips twitched into the slightest upward curve, and she lowered her head in a slight bow. “The last time I saw you, your father was chastising you for trying to make off with a puppy. The runt of the litter, I believe.”

There was an ache in Ruith’s chest at the mention of his father for some reason. “It seemed unfair that he should be neglected simply for being born smaller than the rest.”

She huffed out a dry breath. “I knew then you would always be one for hopeless causes. I tried to warn him. ‘That one is an idealist,’ I said. I advised him to beat the rebellion out of you early. And do you know how he replied?” She took a step forward, standing even with Isheda’s bowed head. She lifted her left arm sharply, holding it up. “He gave me this,” she said, pointing to a jagged scar across the back of her hand. “And he said if I ever suggested he strike his son again, he would be back to take the whole hand. Now look at you. You walk into my courtyard as your father’s heir, having learnednothing.”

Ruith clenched his teeth at the sharp remark but forced himself to relax. He’d forgotten what a bitch she could be. “I’ve learned plenty, Matriarch. That is why I am still alive.”

“And yet your father is not. I suppose that must mean something.” She turned her head, regarding Isheda, who was still bowing, with outright disdain. She snapped out a fan, smacking it against his ribs. “Get up. Stop groveling like you belong here.” She put her fan under his chin and tilted his face up. “Behold the elf whose actions singlehandedly led to the downfall of the monarchy. One weak link, one wavering heart, one open door is all it takes to bring a dynasty to its knees. Remember that, little princeling.” She eyed Faelyn as she spoke the last part.

When she swiped the fan away from Isheda’s chin, it left a thin red line of blood behind.

Ruith’s hand closed tightly over Faelyn’s shoulder as Vinolia approached him. To Faelyn’s credit, he didn’t back away, but he did tense under her scrutiny.

“Do you fear me, child?” the Runecleaver matriarch asked him.

Faelyn shook his head slowly.

“You should,” she advised. “But you won’t. You’ll be as stubborn and stupid as your father until the day it catches up to you. And then, like him, you will lose everything but your pride, which you will keep only as long as you have both your eyes. Beware the smiling skull upon the black flag, child, for it will spell the beginning of the end for you.”

“Enough,” Ruith ground out. “We didn’t come here seeking prophecy and insults.”

“No,” she said, straightening. She folded her hands and looked back at Isheda. “You came for my support. Without it, you have no hope of winning your seat. But tell me… Why should I support you? You are a Runecleaver in name only, and the other does not bear our name. What good will either do for our clan?”

Ruith watched Isheda, but Isheda’s resolve didn’t waiver. It was as he suspected. Vinolia had been fully aware of Niro’s parentage when she matched him with Saya.

“You know as well as anyone that Runecleavers will never openly hold the highest office,” Isheda began. “I would not be the first Runecleaver Voice of the Assembly, and I will not be one that you can control. But I will be loyal. I have always been loyal to this clan, even when you turned your back on me and threatened to cast me out. I have never once betrayed my duty to this clan.”

“You betrayed your duty when you decided you would be Taratheil’s permanent bedwarmer,” Vinolia snapped. “In all your years, the only progeny you have brought me is a bastard that will never bear your name and has no magic to speak of. It will be a miracle if I can get that boy to procreate. Some would praise the gods, celebrating the end of a weak line. But, despite your foolishness, you are still one of Usinian’s heirs.”

Vinolia turned, taking her time going back to the ornate golden throne she sat on. Once she sat, the males who had been at her feet rose to adjust her pillows before returning to their place.

She clenched her jaw, scanning the elves in front of her. “The Runecleavers do not need further power in the Assembly chamber. I have that in excess. What I need is to ensure a strong future generation for this clan.” She leveled a hard gaze at Ruith.

“Do not ask what you are about to,” Ruith said through clenched teeth. “Katyr is gone. I would rather burn this city to the ground than ever cut a deal with you that sees him return to this place.”