Chapter 68: Ambitions, and the Pardons They Occasional Require

Chapter 68: Ambitions, and the Pardons They Occasional Require

Why would she? Why would Markus? His Majesty demanded.

Adelaide was conspicuously not asking the same.

King Orin could no longer be contained to his chair. He paced, and Aaron eyed the newly undefended griffin cloakcasually, the same way hed eye any other out when people more important than him were starting to shoutand his sister very pointedly narrowed her eyes and continued standing exactly where she was, which was distinctly in his path towards it. His Majesty kept speaking.

This investigation alone is enough to leave your family as regents over mine, when I They didnt need to kill my father. Much less yours.

Can it be tied to her? Adelaide finally asked. King Liams death. Can it be tied to my mother?

It was the medicine she brought him, I think, Aaron said. The guard who saw her bring it that night is dead, but. Well. It seemed to me like her medicines were a nightly thing. Others should know.

And for how long, asked His Majesty, were they poison?

Aaron shrugged. Seemed a thing that Markus would already know. I havent lived this long by asking questions like that.

Adelaide let her hand drop back to her side. Her face, underneath where it had been, was carefully neutral. If youll excuse me, Your Majesty. I have much to think about.

No, the king said. I will not excuse you. Be seated, Lord Sung. Why would your brother do this? Why would your mother?The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

I need to think, she replied without true answer, and certainly without sitting down.

What part did you play in this? His Majestys hand twitched towards his sword, but he didnt touch it. It was not his guards outside the door.

None, Adelaide said. I did not know.

And yet, Orin said, you have with you a woman your father told me was dead. He told my entire court and half the city that she was dead, in the same trial he told them I was a dragons doppel. And you dare accuse your brother of being the one to eat the tongue.

Jessica came to us after my fathers party had already left. Apparently the other man whod come south had sent her word, that hed found safety. As he disappeared soon after, he was unable to rescind that opinion prior to her arrival. She had faked her death. We found it prudent to keep faking, and so she joined my guards.

And so you knowingly allowed false evidence to be presented against your crown prince. Your king, now.

Are you my king, she asked, or are you a dragons doppel, Your Majesty?

Neither of them was touching their blades. Very deliberately so, from the stiffness in each of their sword arms. Neither of them was paying much attention to Aaron, either. He sat on his little corner table, and did not breathe more deeply than was necessary nor otherwise move, and idly wondered if bleeding was a thing ghosts did.

Ive answered no before, Orin said, over more than that paltry piece.

And can you say it again, now?

King Orins eyes flicked to the kirins bone hilt. Aaron had been right; it did make a person look guilty. I am not a doppel, so far as I am aware. But I cannot be so sure as I would like. What does Jessie say?

She avoids conclusive statements in my presence, Adelaide said. And added, after a meaningful pause: But she came to me, not to you.

It was the king who allowed the silence to stretch, this time. Why did you come to Salts Mane so early, Lord Sung?

Because I cannot be sure either, Your Majesty. I trust we both want what is best for humanity.

They stared at each other in the way people did, when not wanting a fight was the least important part in whether one would happen. Aaron let his legs swing again. Just a little bit, barely a twitch, but it was enough to get both their eyes snapping over. Trained fighters and reflexes and all that.

How does him maybe being a doppel make him not human? Aaron asked, because it was something hed always wanted to ask one of these strict-kept humans. If he doesnt shift much, it could be years until his mind goes all dragony. Wont affect his heirs any, either. And a dragon king stands a chance at being longer lived than the last few OSheas. Because the last OShea to die peaceful had been Queen Aednat of the Red Trident, and thered been four crowns since whose reigns totaled together hadnt lasted so long as hers, nor done so much. The Trident had left the isle.

Is that really how rats feel? King Orin the Likely Short-Lived asked. That theres no difference between them and real people?

Obviously there is, Aaron said, looking him in the eye. Were not out to kill the lot of you on sight.

No, His Majesty replied. Just the occasional targeted assassination.

Paid for by coin from outside, Aaron said.

Mostly in his bed, His Majesty mused. The royal nursemaids enjoyed detailing how many pieces he was in. It was meant to be an instructive tale, I believe.

So youll let her get away with it? Aaron asked.

The only evidence I have is your word. The word of someone who has been lying to my entire court. And how will it look, if an accused doppel begins putting his own councilors up on charges of treasonbegins with the one most capable of finding him out?

It wouldnt be much of a beginning, if Orin only intended to try the one. But Aaron could see his fellow councilors not waiting to see if their turn was next.

I would like to see the end of the spring season, the king said. Until this hatching of dragons is dealt with. I would not see my brother crowned and shipped to his first front with my blood still fresh on his hands. And I would like my fathers killer dead before I am. Wouldnt you?

Which was a question that had implications, now that the man knew Aaron had been raised by the Kindly Souls.

What do I get out of it? Aaron asked. Because he had been raised by them.

A full pardon, for all crimes committed while you were a Face.

Aaron gave him exactly the look that deserved. Faces already have amnesty, if any of your laws mean what they say. Make it a pardon up to and including her death, and well talk.

And what have you been doing in my castle that requires a pardon? His Majesty asked.

I want Connors signature on it, too, Aaron said, because he was neither the sort of idiot that would answer that question nor the type to trust the signature of a man who was measuring his life in weeks. Not that a piece of paper was more protection than any of them pretended it was, but he could at least get the kings heir in on the pretense.

Fine, Orin conceded, after a moments glaring. But you cant just stab her in a hallway and wave our names around. You played at being a noble for half a year, Lord Sung. Find a way that doesnt get either of us executed sooner. I trust you can be so subtle.

I want it written tonight, Aaron said. And if you could pen some report that I simply must carry to the investigation committee, I would be pleased to acquire Prince Connors signature on your behalf, while Im there.

Ill write to them of Jessie, the king said. He was rubbing both his temples, now. And the Ladys death?

Already working on it, Aaron said, with a flash of teeth. The best contracts, hed been taught, were the ones a person would do for free.

His Majesty huffed a laugh. You really were a rat.

Aaron sat a little straighter. Does that mean Im no longer fit for your council?

Would you advise me to remove you? the king asked.

Yes.

Then no.

Kings were awful. But hed known that already.

Go get yourself seen to, Orin said.

Aaron took the dismissal for what it was. Slid from his table, and collected his cloak, slowly enough to allow for any protest. Orin did not.

Can I tell Rose and Lochlann? Aaron asked, at the door. And Connor, too. About me, I mean.

Two of them had already known him well enough to see who he really was. That was one more than Markus could claim.

Are you asking me because youve already told them? asked His Majesty, in a fit of perception.

I was told once, Aaron said, that people dont like the truth. That seems a question you might not like the answer to, Your Majesty.

Be at my side in the morning. There will be a war meeting, after all this. And Ill have an urgent report for you to deliver. Among other papers.

Aaron gave a little bow. Not quite as fancy as a proper lordlings, but His Majesty knew now, and there was no going back on that.

The morning brought more than a meeting. It brought them twenty-odd nobles and officers, snatched the previous day, healthy and alive. This was not a cause for celebration.