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“So I am ready to pass judgment on the matter of the mortal you killed with your weapon of office.”
Adam froze. It could be a good thing. It could be . . . not a good thing. What was the worst possibility, that Silver fired him and he kept doing what he was doing without a sword and official approval?
“You are impertinent, Adam. You did not even manage to respect the bounds of your probation for half a year, but you are my page and my page you shall remain. You killed a man in self-defense, and you have shown more than adequate remorse, though I for one am glad you saved yourself when we could not. The realms are better for having you in them.”
Adam nodded. He bowed again, just the correct amount.
“You are dismissed.”
Adam stepped to the side. He could find a door, ask RCC to get him home, or wait for Eran to finish whatever she was doing. He was looking for her among the crowd when Silver called out, “Dautre, son of the House of the Glacial Blade. You made a battlefield decision to disobey us, a decision that cost many Lost Ones their lives, though it saved many of our own.”
“Yes, my king. I did.”
He knelt before the throne, truly humble. The sight twisted something in Adam.
“While many chose to follow you that day, you led them by example. As you failed to understand the value of mortal life, we ostracize you from this court and elven company for one century. You are barred from Alfheimr, the Sea Upon the Land, and any of our holdings on this plane or others. Your rank within it is dissolved. You will instead be sent to the western watchtower, to assume whatever duties the King of Coins asks you to perform. Do you accept this judgment?”
The whole of the court tensed, and Adam could see the resemblance to the bone wraiths, the hunters, who wore the skins of their kills. He’d sensed it before, that what lurked beneath the high morals and civilized manners was a darkness he never wished to meet.
Dautre bowed even further. “Yes, my king.”
“I am your king no longer. You may go.”
Dautre looked stricken as he rose.
They made eye contact and Dautre moved toward Adam like a drowning man toward a life raft. They didn’t speak until they had left the ballroom.
“Where will I go?” he asked. “Where will I sleep?”
“Well, Jodi is moving in, but Emily is down two roommates. Perhaps she’ll take you in.”
Dautre lightened just a little bit.
“Perhaps.” They walked a little farther.
The claw marks remained in the sky, bright and shining. Pale light leaked from them, mixing with the twilight.
“You fared well, Adam,” Dautre said.
“Maybe.”
“Do you intend to continue?”
“With what?”
“Disobedience. Impertinence.”
Adam smiled.
“Absolutely.”
“Good.”
What choice did he have? If he wanted to play the long game and save Ian, he first had to save the world.
