AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ogden had summoned us to a meeting in the pyramid, and as soon as we arrived it became clear this was no ordinary council meeting. Our Court of Misfits and King Ogden were the only ones present. Even his bulk seemed small in the temple’s space. Its art spoke volumes, silently playing out scenes we still struggled to understand, while reminding me of my failure beneath Justice.
“I have disturbing news,” Ogden said, wasting no time on lengthy greetings. “The Court of Pain has ceased all communication. It sits in silence across the borders. But we did receive one final report…”
Ogden had rarely appeared so grim. And Pain’s silence didn’t warrant this abrupt meeting outside his typical chambers.
“What has he done?” I asked.
Ogden huffed through his nose. “His council members are dead. All of them. He’s slung their heads across the street outside his tower.”
“By Dallin,” Noemi breathed.
“Why?” Draven asked.
“Just their heads?” I asked. Because I knew why. And when Ogden leveled his glare on me for answers, so did the others. “They disagreed with him,” I explained. “And it wouldn’t have just been their heads he’s hung.” I raised my mangled hand. “He likely sent pieces of them to their kin, as a warning.”
“I need to get my boy out of there,” Draven mumbled. His hands clenched near his blades.
“Your boy is probably already dead,” Arin said, in a startling display of heartlessness for the Prince of Hearts. “Draven is no longer of use to Razak, so the boy is no longer of use too. I’m sorry, but that’s the way it is with him.”
Draven staggered and paced away, then back. “He’s not dead, Arin.”
“We should assume the worst.”
“No, Arin… I fuckin’ won’t assume he’s dead. Until we know otherwise, I will fight for my boy. The same as I’d do for you. The same as you’d do for Lark. The same as we’d all do for each other. He deserves that.”
I caught Arin’s eye and tried to suggest with a look that he not rile Draven up. We needed him hopeful, not grieving. Although, Arin was probably right. The boy was likely already dead.
“Was there more?” I asked Ogden.
“All trade has ceased. The borders are closed. It sems clear he’s learned of our intent to rally against him.”
“Is he arming soldiers?” I asked. He had the funds, but with his council dead, he didn’t have the knowledge to command an army. Could he finally have made a mistake?
“Our spies have seen no sign of preparations. However, we’ve also lost contact with the spies.”
“Your spies are dead,” I said. “And Razak will have people inthiscourt. Root them out before they become a liability.”
“How so?”
“The children you throw away, start with their parents. Look at grieving wives, husbands, and by the gods, I hope you’ve stopped that practice. Watch for letters. Razak likes to write letters.” I dared not look at Draven, knowing a letter had been Razak’s preferred method of contacting him.
“I can do all that, but soon I will need War’s crown,” Ogden said. “Our warriors will expect to see it.”
“He’ll never return it. You’re going to have to lead your people without a crown.”
Ogden scoffed, but there was fear in his eyes. He’d thought himself immune to Razak’s scheming, but Razak had gotten to him, and he still didn’t know how. That was how my brother worked, and what made him so dangerous. He knew all our weaknesses. Even mine. I glanced at Arin and saw him clench his jaw in frustration.
“There were reports of him killing dissenters,” Ogden said.
“It will get worse.” I sighed. “How long until your forces are ready?”
“Two weeks.”
“The next full moon,” Arin said, as though that had some meaning to him.
“Indeed.” Ogden cleared his throat and reached inside his pocket. Of course the king had a letter, and of course the seal was purple. I chuckled, not needing to read it to know what it said.
Ogden handed it to Arin, who read aloud,“Ogden, King of War, we can end this war, before it has begun. Give me,”—Arin’s voice faltered—“Zayan. He is of no concern of yours. Return him to me by the next full moon and I’ll return your crown. Your people will not follow a crownless king. R.”
