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Lothar has pressed a token against the crest and murmurs words I can’t make out. The gate swings open to admit us.
Several guards in royal sapphire-blue uniforms stand on the other side of the gate. King Konram has clearly ramped up security after seeing absolute proof of the Order of the Wild’s intentions.
Just last night, a horde of hundreds of Order members marched within a couple of hours of this city, intending to kill him.
It’s only because of me and my men—and a risky plan that required manipulating the Darium soldiers on the other side of the Seafell Channel—that the scourge sorcerer army never made it here. I can hardly celebrate that victory if I let myself become the king’s murderer in the aftermath, though.
I wrench at my neck in an effort to turn my head toward the guards, strain at my face to make some expression they’ll take as a warning.
None of my efforts produce any result. I just keep walking straight ahead, following Lothar alongside my puppet master.
When I managed to move by my own will before, it was when I was merely extending the motion the scourge sorcerer had already forced rather than pushing against her control. It would make sense if it’s easier to slip in a little of my own intention when I’m leaning into her commands.
Cautiously, not wanting her to realize I’m testing the limits of her hold, I focus on flicking the toe of my boot against the hem of my dress. After a few steps, I succeed in giving it a soft tap.
That’s something. A small fragment of control I can reclaim.
Now how can I use it to prevent this assassination attempt? If I overplay my hand and fail, Zaneta will tighten her grip on me even more.
I’ll only get one chance.
The Regica palace towers over us—not quite as grandly imposing as the palace I’m used to in the capital city of Florian, but an impressive work of architecture all the same. The marble walls gleam, and carved figures of Creaden, the godlen of leadership, peer down from either side of the main doors.
Four guards are stationed at the top of the broad steps leading up to those doors. One holds up her hand at the sight of us.
“Advisor Lothar,” she says. “The king is expecting you—but he isn’t allowing any unvetted parties into the palace. You’ll need to continue from here alone.”
Lothar frowns. “These are my assistants. I’ve vetted them myself. They have key information to impart for the meeting I’ve arranged with King Konram.”
The guard shakes her head. “I’m sorry, Advisor Lothar. Considering recent events, he’s put in place a policy that only people he’s specifically approved of may enter. I’m sure you can discuss that with him during your meeting.”
The magic advisor sighs as if this is all a ridiculous precaution. Never mind that Konram’s wariness may save his life tonight.
Unless Lothar can use his gift to force the issue.
Please, let this murderous mission end here. I’m too keyed up for any real hope to penetrate my queasiness, but I pray silently with all my might.
The lopsided man offers the lead guard a smile that makes me want to shudder. “Surely you can at least admit them into the outer halls. It’s a rather chilly evening. I’d imagine King Konram will approve of their presence as soon as I’ve spoken to him.”
The guard shows no signs of budging. “If they’re cold, they can wait for approval in the carriage, Advisor. I have to follow my orders.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Lothar says with a tone full of acid, and makes a sharp motion toward Zaneta.
I don’t even have time to cry out in protest, as unspoken as that cry would be in my present state. The scourge sorcerer’s magic yanks at my body—and has me propelling my own power forward in an instant.
Against every particle of my will, I hurl lances of my magic at all four guards at once. The supernatural force slams through their skulls.
My magic shatters their minds before they can raise any protest either.
Four bodies crumple outside the palace doors. With another jerk of Zaneta’s control, I’m dissolving those bodies into dust that whips away in a gust of wind.
My magic reverberates eagerly from my chest, but the rest of me is screaming in vain. The bottom of my stomach has completely hollowed out.
I just eviscerated four innocent people—four people who were only trying to protect the leader of the realm. I tore apart their corpses so no one will even realize what happened to them.
Gods only know what consequences echoed out in exchange for those acts.
And this is only the beginning of what Lothar wants from me.
