Fornulus first heard the news about his family in the dead of night, from Cordelian, ashen faced under a torch. Right away Fornulus had known something was wrong, because Cordelian never woke him. In those first few moments he had feared some war or plague, but the news Cordelian had brought was far worse.

Fornulus kept hoping it was a mistake. His whole family lost forever. He sat on the Stone of Doukar, trying to keep from weeping as the public announcements and mourning began. He watched the ceremony of the pronouncement of death, the forerunner to the grand funeral which would occur some days from now, without comment, without thought. Instead, he took another large gulp of his wine, not caring that all the patros of the court were watching him. He let Cordelian take the lead in the ceremony. Cordelian was supporting him as always.

He slumped further down into his throne, his mourning crown slipping down over his forehead, only barely hearing Munas trying to comfort him on one side, Theo on the other rubbing his arm. What could they say that would make any difference? No Vicca. No sons. He'd never even gotten to see what color his daughter's eyes were. He should have spent more time with them all. This whole family was cursed – first Braxalus, then Empress Theocorio, then his father, and now his family.

He didn't want to be the Doukar anymore, he just wanted to be left alone. He broke into the ceremony to shout for more wine.

Once the ceremony was over Fornulus pushed Munas and Theo away from him so he could stand up. Theo watched as Fornulus staggered away, barely able to stand in his grief and drunkeness. Her heart broke for him. They had to enter mourning yet again for a whole ten months. There were still a couple of months left in the mourning period for their father. They hadn't even been able to finish the dirges for him yet, and now more would have to be written.

Vicca, her sweet little boys, and the girl, not yet even named, all gone. She missed them already. She should have done more, been more supportive for Vicca, spent more time with her and the children. Their last meeting had been almost a fight. Once again all she had left were regrets. She didn’t have a friend in the world now. Worse, in one fell swoop the line of succession had been drastically changed, and Theo was the new Mekos, the heir. What a joke. Her position was weak, and the others would be jostling for position soon enough. Still, there was plenty of time for Fornulus to sire new heirs, which was obviously what the woman, Munas, hovering over him was thinking too.

What a boon for this girl, now she could be the mother of the future Doukar, and not just the mistress or even second empress. Theo didn't like that the woman was around, for Vicca's sake, but she couldn't blame her for wanting to seize the opportunity that had fallen into her lap. Maybe in her, Fornulus could find comfort, Oma knew he needed it. Theo couldn't blame him either for trying to drown his grief in wine and this woman. Munas hadn't had anything to do with her best friend's deaths, Theo was sure. She didn't have the allies needed.

Cordelian did, but Theo tried her best not to think about that.

Cordelian walked stiffly away from the chamber after the end of ceremony. He'd put the moment off as long as he could, worried about how strong the guilt he'd feel would be, and whether he'd be able to hide it in front of his eldest brother. When he'd gone to break the news to Fornulus he'd barely been thinking straight, from sleep deprivation and anxiety. To deliver the news personally was an insane risk he should never have taken.

For so long he'd refused to cross this line, thinking he would never forgive himself, but it turned out to be nothing special. Now that the initial shock had faded, he found he felt nothing other than an icy satisfaction. The woman had been a problem for him, and just like that she was gone, and his life was so much better. It was like Braxalus's death, all those years ago, except this time he had made it happen.

He had a great deal of thinking to do, about where to go from here, and how to get there. The most pressing issue was Meronion. She had said nothing during the ceremony, her face betraying nothing. Her eye had caught his only once, and he had seen nothing in it to give him any hint as to what she was thinking. She must be suspicious of him though. He'd acted rashly, too quickly, in his anger and grief. The timing of this so soon after Agathio’s death was dangerous, and Meronion was not a fool like Theodorian. He knew Nikolonium suspected him, but then, the boy would have suspected him even if he'd had nothing to do with it. It didn’t matter; he couldn't prove anything and had no power base from which to challenge Cordelian.

Meronion was the threat now. He needed to make sure there was no way she could connect him to these crimes. He'd have Euphastolon's men killed, that was easy enough and the arrangements were already proceeding. Their testimony counted for nothing anyway, being a band of liars and cutthroats. There were only two people who mattered who knew for certain he had anything to do with the deaths, and neither of them would speak up, being implicated themselves. Euphastolon was in an even worst position than him, being the actual killer, and the as for the other...well, Cordelian trusted him to act in his own self-interest.

What he needed to do now was stay calm, and quiet. Meronion wouldn't move without solid proof – she took their royal blood too seriously to do otherwise. Meronion would expect him to attack Fornulus directly now, as that had always been her way. Attack the enemy right away after dealing a heavy blow, press the advantage, crush them as quickly and efficiently as possible. She thought like a general. If he waited and did nothing, she would conclude he wasn't responsible for the deaths, since he wasn't following up his advantage.

So for now, he would wait, silently, patiently. There was no hurry at least until the official mourning period was over, as no royal marriages could take place during those months. Munas couldn't marry Fornulus, even if he was willing, so no new legitimate heirs would be forthcoming for a while. Next year, or the year after, would be the time to begin moving again. In the meantime, he would continue to make friends and gain influence to smooth his inevitable ascension. He would be quiet and busy, like a spider, building his web.

Cordelian coolly glanced towards Nik as he left the chamber but otherwise swept past without a word. Nik didn't know what to say to him and didn't even turn as he passed.

Nik knew Cordelian was responsible for the Empress' death. She'd killed Agathio, and then someone had killed her. How could there be any doubt it was revenge? He glanced over at Meronion as she walked away in a different direction from him, Ophelion and Euphastolon in tow, towards their wing of Trigon. He couldn't tell what Meronion was thinking. Ophelion glanced back at him and gave a tremulous smile. Euphastolon just walked off, emotionless, not looking back.

Pelagius and Helastus stopped by him for a few moments.

"It's so horrible." Helastus murmured, eyes downcast. Pelagius nodded.

"Pelagius, are you think what I'm thinking?" Nik asked.

They had made up after their fight a few days ago. Pel had apologized and said he was just frightened by Cordelian and reiterated his faith in Nik. Turned out Nik was the one who owed his brother an apology; he'd been too slow to move against Cordelian, and now this had happened. He couldn't help but feel responsible.

Pelagius frowned and shook his head, nodding his head towards Helastus. "Later," was all he said.

Nik nodded. Pel was right, this wasn't the time, not in front of their youngest sister. She wouldn't be able to handle the truth, not yet. She was still so innocent.

The two youngest siblings took their leave. Nik was the last of the family to leave the chamber, moving slowly, deep in thought.

Nik thought about what Cordelian would do now. Nothing, he decided. Cordelian had gotten the most important obstacle out of his way, so he would let suspicion wane before taking any more risks. Nik could use this interlude to his own advantage. He would fashion his own base of power that he could attack Cordelian from. Most importantly, he needed to find evidence that proved Cordelian had ordered the deaths of members of the royal family. If he could, all of Cordelian's patros friends and allies would desert him in a heartbeat and deny that they'd ever even heard the name Cordelian.

He hadn't known Vicca or his nephews or niece well, but he owed them justice, at least.