“Attention!” a muffled voice called from the hallway.
Ari opened the door a crack.
“We need a protection detail, stat!” the same person yelled. “The Sitians are trying to arrest Adviser Ilom.”
And so, it begins.
Ari and Janco exchanged a look before Ari pointed to the ground. “You better stay here.”
“And miss all the fun?”
“You think getting arrested and executed is fun?” Ari growled.
Most people ignored Valek’s cavalier attitude, but he’d upset Ari. “I don’t. Sorry. I’ll find an empty room and work on my new disguise.”
“Good.”
Ari and Janco hurried to join the detail that consisted of ten people. If the full complement of soldiers went, they’d trip over each other. Valek dutifully changed his appearance.
* * *
Ari and Janco didn’t return until later that night. Valek was in the common area, slouched on one of the couches reading when they arrived. There were a few other soldiers hanging out. A foursome played cards on a nearby table. Pleased that the card players’ gazes passed over him, Valek stood, stretched, and headed for his room. Ari and Janco fell in step behind him.
When they reached his room, Valek closed the door behind them. “Report.”
“They arrested Adviser Ilom,” Ari said.
“Genius move,” Janco said.
“Who made the arrest?”
“First Magician Roze Featherstone, Cahil, and a security detail. They claim Ilom is you in disguise, but they’re waiting to reveal him in front of the entire council. They also accused him of murdering Goel Ixia.”
“So, they’re pinning the murder on poor Ilom.”
“They’re having a trial tomorrow afternoon in the great hall to decide if formal charges will be filed. He’s being detained here and guarded by Cahil’s unit. Apparently, there are cells below ground level.”
“You’re not going to let the guy be executed, are you?” Janco asked.
“He won’t be. How’s Signe?”
“Ambassador Signe is livid. And I’m pretty sure it’s not all directed at the Sitians,” Janco said, giving him a pointed look.
* * *
Ambassador Signe was not invited to the fact-finding portion of the trial. Instead, she waited impatiently in a small side room next to the hall with five members of her protection detail, which included Valek. Ilom and his guards were also there. His hands had been manacled behind his back. He appeared tired and grumpy. Rough night? Or was it because four of Cahil’s team held him at sword point? Valek guessed he should be flattered that the Wannabe King believed he needed four armed guards to keep Valek from escaping.
He recognized one member of Cahil’s team. Captain Marrok was the only person to ever escape the Commander’s dungeon. It was interesting that he worked for Cahil. Had he been one of the soldiers who had “rescued the king’s nephew”? Valek had exchanged a glance with Signe when Marrok had entered with Ilom. Would the captain recognize either of them?
Eventually, the door to the great hall opened. Captain Marrok dragged poor Ilom in, followed by his guards. Signe marched in behind them followed by her detail. The decorations from the greeting ceremony had been removed. They had brought in a giant U-shaped table and a podium. Benches filled with people lined the walls. Valek spotted Yelena sitting on the edge of one of the benches. Her intense gaze fixed on Ilom’s face. The podium faced the table and Cahil stood there with his arm out, as if he’d just made a grand sweeping gesture.
Roze Featherstone and the other three master magicians—Bain Bloodgood, Zitora Cowan, and Irys Jewelrose —sat at the bend of the table, while the leaders of the eleven clans sat along the straight sides. Six on one side, five on the other. The fifteen of them comprised the Sitian Council. Cozy.
Ambassador Signe was the first person to speak. “I demand an explanation. This is an act of war.” Her tone was as frigid as the Northern Ice Pack.
“Cahil, I told you to release the Adviser until this matter was settled,” Roze said. Fury flared in her amber eyes. Her rank of First Magician meant she was the most powerful magician in Sitia. Tall and with an athletic build, her midnight skin drank in the light. Not someone to get on your bad side. Her magic filled the room, pressing lightly on Valek’s skin.
“And let him escape? No. Better to bring him here and unmask him in front of everyone.” Cahil strode to Ilom and yanked on his hair.
