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“And raised there?”
“Yes. And as such, I’ve not had much of the finer things in life. Which suits me fine, sire.”
One of Alekur’s eyebrows twitched. “Does it?”
Javarin frowned and took a calculated risk. “I was told I was summoned here for orders. A knight need not be persuaded or bought, surely you know that, my lord.”
“Obviously.” The tone of Alekur’s voice suggested it wasn’t obvious to all.
Javarin’s frown deepened. “Well then. If you want to give me an order, sir, do it.”
A smile slowly lit Alekur’s face, and he felt sure the risk had paid off. “Ah, but let me savor this moment, will you? Take another drink.”
Javarin hid his sigh and obliged again. He hadn’t swallowed much, but if this was mead, it seemed especially strong. His throat burned.
Alekur’s smile widened. “I appreciate a straightforward man. So I’ll be straightforward with you in return.” He paused to take another long drink, poured more, then waited.
“Is this straightforward?” Jav asked. The mead was going down too fast, but this twisted conversation was making it hard not to sip. “You’re not saying anything, my lord.”
Alekur laughed softly. “Just taking it all in. Isn’t that what Nefrana teaches? Gratitude? Being present in the current moment?”
“Of course, my lord.”
He was grinning now. “I’ll make you a deal. Finish that, I’ll pour you another, and we’ll have at it.”
Now Jav did sigh. “Yes, my lord.” He downed the rest of it, eyes watering, and handed the glass back. He let out a cough.
“Rough stuff, isn’t it? Burns. I don’t know why they consider it so fine. The northern meads are better, but we don’t have any since the war started. Now, we’ll need all new trade agreements.” He sighed. “Here you go. Drink.”
He already felt hot, and like the room was a little wobbly, but he complied. Orders were orders. If Alekur wanted to, he could probably order Javarin to drink till he passed out. A disturbing thought, actually. He could see the prince trying it.
The prince refilled his glass and returned to his seat. “All right. Straightforward. Are you ready?”
“As ever, my lord.”
“Your orders, then.” He grinned. “Might want to take one more drink for this one. You will kill the Princess Iseris and bring my mother a vial of her blood.”
He choked on the mead and barely managed not to spit it out. “Pardon, sire?” Surely, he’d heard that wrong.
“It is approved by the king, planned by the queen, and the order given on my command. The princess is to die. Tonight.”
“Why?” he blurted, knowing he shouldn’t have, but Alekur didn’t seem surprised at the question, though maybe a little affronted.
“Because the princess is a mage, my friend.”
For a moment, Javarin just stared. Blinked a few times.
“The recent developments in Kavanar have shown that mages indeed cannot be trusted. They can, however, seize power from us and rule for themselves, if their evil is not kept in check. The danger they pose is not to be underestimated.”
Iseris could not… Iseris could not be…
“She talks to animals,” Alekur said mildly. “Perhaps you haven’t noticed it, but you’d be in the minority. Ask anyone in the castle. It’s commonly accepted as fact.”
“Talks to… Are you sure, sire?” That was the most articulate thought he could manage.
“Very. Not that it should matter to you. Orders are orders, aren’t they? And as you said, you needn’t be bought.”
Jav glanced down at the glass, his stomach suddenly queasy, and quickly sat the mead on the nearest end table.
