Chapter Thirty Eight: The Truth

“She's on her way, Father.”

Cinder was looking at me as she said the words, an indecipherable expression on her beautiful face as she stared at me over the table in my quarters, even as I filled up the glass with my blood for her breakfast. I know what she was thinking even if she liked to think that I couldn't read her.

She was scared.

But not for the reasons that would customarily scare a person. No, Cinder was afraid that I wouldn't hold my end of the promise, that I wouldn't let her hurt Marwenna out of some misplaced sense of loyalty. She was right to be worried, of course. As much as I knew it was necessary to allow Cinder to hurt Marwenna that didn't make it any easier.

“I know, Cin. We continue as planned. We'll go out and meet her army before it reaches the Red Citadel.” I said quietly as I finished filling the wine glass.

Cin looked at me for a few more seconds before she nodded and delicately picked up the glass, downing it in one massive gulp and placing it down in front of me again. She was hungry today, this would be her sixth cup, but I did as she wanted and immediately began to fill it once again.

“Are you worried? You shouldn't be. Faral will be here soon as well. Once she knows it will be hard to stop her from laying down some justice of her own.” Cinder said, I doubt she noticed the massive and savage grin that crossed her face at the thought of the violence and bloodshed to come. I couldn't help but return her smile with a wry one of my own creation. My daughter was a ferocious being capable of doing all manner of unspeakable things, but with her smile I could still see the little girl who used to walk beside me through the streets of Ellai, one of her tiny hands wrapped firmly in the cloth of my cloak, her eyes looking about with wonder.

“Well, if all goes to plan, Faral won't be here for our battle and I'll be able to talk her down and convince her later on not to teach any more lessons. I believe that we will be enough for this little outing.” I replied as I finished filling another cup, sliding it across the table to the eager hands of my daughter.

“I'm glad. Too many of us going would mean less time for me which would be a shame. Can you believe her though? She brought her whole royal guard with her, all of them were trained by Valant but that doesn't mean shit. Can she honestly think that they'll be enough to protect her and her precious husband?” Cin said with disgust.

I smiled “No. Marwenna no doubt knows that the guard would be unable to stop either one of us, never mind both. If I had to guess, I would think that Valant was the one who insisted on bringing them. He never knew us that well and is unfamiliar with our powers. Perhaps he thinks it is a lie and only brings them as a precautionary measure? I'm unsure to say the least. Everything's up in the air right now. But what I can say for certain is that Vitriss has visited her. It's the only explanation for her sudden decision to come here. Even if Abhor sent a request for you all to meet.”

That's right. Another issue I would have to deal with. Cinder had met with the Palton Ambassador a few days ago and he had clearly stated that Abhor had found something to do with Samedus Exovan. This wasn't a coincidence. I'm back for all of two weeks and I happen across something directly connected to the man that Vitriss wants me to kill? This shit is giving me a fucking headache.

As I think that, my hands unconsciously find my forehead and I let loose a large sigh. I couldn't make heads or tails of any of this. For now, I would focus on what I could fix. Which was the approaching horde spawned from within Callai. I would deal with Marwenna and Valant and then with Abhor and his problem.

“How is Abhor anyway? What has become of him since I went away?” I asked, partly to change the subject and partly because I had never asked about any of my Knight's since I had arrived here. I had far too much to do, things to sort out, and I had never had the chance to sit down with Cinder and talk about our old comrades. Guilt ate away at me for not asking about Heilvol and Drogna, but I don't think I was ready for that. My friends were dead and gone, centuries ago. I wouldn't get anywhere by standing about and moping.

Cinder suddenly looked down at her lap, a shameful expression crossing her face, one I knew very well. Cin was feeling regret.

“I know little, Father. I'm sorry. What I do know was through talking with ambassador's of Paltos that have been stationed here over the years. After the First Hunt, Abhor and I didn't speak. It was a hard day. He was so angry at me, kept roaring and telling me that this wasn't what you wanted. That I was better than to hunt my own citizens.”

“Well, to be fair, he was right, little one. You are better than that. I thought I had taught you better than that.” I said firmly, giving her a stern stare, which she was unable to match.

“I know. But I was just... angry. After Ellai fell, everyone left. Abhor was the first. He didn't even say goodbye to anyone, he just left the city that very night. He was in pain. He owed you everything and he felt that it was his fault you were dead. I know he was keeping tabs on me when I left to go my own way. Perhaps he wanted to make sure I was okay. But then the hunt happened and we ended up fighting. Like I said, it was a hard day.”

#

I nodded and took the glass back from her, filling it up again. She hadn't asked for more, but Cin would never say no to blood. Her hunger for it was never stated, merely contained.

“I'm sorry that it all happened like that, Cinder. I thought you all would stick together. It was one of the few things that gave me comfort as I floated in that nothingness between living and death.”

Cin looked up and gave me a bitter smile. “I thought so too. But it seems that things are never as set as we would like them to be. Without you, we all crumbled. Some of us felt guilty, others were just in mourning. But, in the end, we all abandoned each other, lost in our own personal grief.”

I said nothing as I filled the glass and passed it back to her, but she didn't touch it, her eyes were lost, drifting back to a time, centuries ago, when all had looked lost.

“On a positive note, I discovered that Abhor did take a pupil some years ago. She was a young thing I believe, from Clan Coldue.”

A pupil? Abhor a teacher? I thought back on my memories of the savage wolf kind and nodded with a smile on my face. Abhor would make a good Elder, his temperament in later years was closer to Heilvol's and my own rather than his original brand of fearful aggression. He always seemed like he was barely containing his savage nature, but anyone who saw him with Cinder would doubt that. He was Cin's teacher almost as much as I was and he always made time for her. Of course, that changed the day that she beat him in combat, something he never stopped complaining about.

“That's good. Abhor will make a good teacher, he taught you quite a bit, as I remember.” I said with a grin, the image of a young Cin riding the massive wolf kind while Drogna tried to hit her off with his hammer leaped into my mind.

Cinder knew exactly what I was thinking about because she too looked like she was containing her laughter, but it died quickly and her eyes were filled with curiosity.

“So how will we handle this, Father? You still haven't told me how you wish to deal with Marwen and Valant?”

So, back on topic it seems.

I sighed “I'm going to ask Marwenna a question. The outcome of this entire ordeal will hinge on her answer.”

Cinder raised an eyebrow “ Oh? And what is this question?”

I smiled “I'm going to keep this one a secret for now, Cinder. Just trust me, okay?”

The vampire looked like she was about to protest but after a few seconds of squirming she gave me a nod and quickly downed the remaining blood.

“Okay, but tell me this. How do you know that Vitriss visited Marwen? Yes, she's on the way, but it could be just to get me on the way to see Abhor. How can you possibly know that she is aware of your return?” Cin asked curiously.

“It's rather obvious really. First, She left Ellai and brought her entire guard with her, or Valant did. That clearly shows that he's afraid that she will be hurt as a result of this expedition. Secondly, she sent no word ahead of her that she will be coming. If I had to guess, that was also an idea put forth by Valant. It was idiotic but perhaps he underestimated your spies within his country. Thirdly, and this is the most important, I recently discovered that Mahalis is no longer in possession of The Angelis.”

Cinder gasped slightly as her eyes blazed with clarity “Fuck, I never realised that.”

I nodded “Yes. Marwenna never really has cause to draw her sword unless she believes what she faces is a legitimate threat. She has always been a master of ranged combat and very little would be powerful enough to get through her guard. Even we would find such a task troublesome. I believe it was an emotional reaction. She called for The Angelis because she was angry, no, because she was furious. Putting these things together means that Vitriss returned, told Marwenna where I was and revealed that she had been lied too.”

Cinder nodded, her eyes lost in thought.

“So this fucking Goddess told Marwen the truth and then, what, sends her towards you? Didn't you say that she wouldn't tell anyone you had returned to Vita?”

I grinned “I changed the rules on that one. I decided to go and see my Knight's almost as soon as I got back. I have a theory that, for some reason, Vitriss cannot communicate with me while I'm in Vita. Not only that, she can't ensure that I'll do as she commands, which puts her at a large disadvantage. Anything else would be speculation, but I think this shit is much bigger than I originally thought. Something else is happening, behind the scenes.”

“But why send her at all? Vitriss must have a purpose behind this?”

“I think that she wants Marwenna to deliver a message on her behalf or give me something. I'm unsure which but it doesn't matter. I'll figure it out when she gets here.”

Cinder let loose a massive sigh and leaned backwards in her chair, her eyes closed as she suddenly looked exhausted

“Can't we just have peace for once? Why must there always be another struggle, another battle to be fought. Can't they all just leave you alone? Haven't you done enough to save Vita?”

I smiled sadly and rose from my seat before pulling Cin out of hers, wrapping my arms around the young woman and bringing her for a hug which she gladly returned.

“One day, hopefully, little one. We'll be left to our own devices and allowed some small measure of peace.” I said the words, but I didn't believe them, they were more for Cinder's benefit than for anything else.

In truth, I stand by the words I had once said to Faral so many years ago. There will always be another enemy for me to fight. Always be a threat that requires the intervention of The Rebel King. It's just how my life turned out. I'm not bitter about it, nor am I upset. In truth, I enjoy it. The constant fighting, the life on the road with no real home to call my own. I fight to ensure that everyone I care about is safe, I fight to ensure the safety of this continent. Whether it be against the Church, Samedus Exovan or Vitriss, I'll die in service to something greater than myself.

It was then that there was a knock on the door, forcing Cin and I to separate.

“Enter.”

The door creaked open slowly, almost as if those on the other side were hesitant to enter. When it swung open I was not surprised to see who had come to visit me. In fact, I had been expecting it for some time.

Into my room walked the Knight Descendants, all four of them and every single one of them looking nervous as all hell. Dran and Lor were the first to enter, their eyes casting themselves around the room and not meeting my steady gaze, before they moved to the side to reveal Kara, who was currently supporting the prince of the Elven Empire.

I felt no regret about what I had done to Mahalis. The little shit should've known better than to get on my bad side, even if he wasn't convinced that I was the Rebel King. Out of all of them, he looked the most afraid, his face pale and sweating while his eyes kept jumping around the room and slipping out of focus. This could've been due to his injuries but I didn't believe that. His physical body was fine, the healer had confirmed as much. It was his aura which had suffered the most from my attack. Something I hadn't intended but it's what happens when an overwhelmingly powerful aura comes into direct contact with one much smaller than itself. The good news was that he wouldn't have to put up with it for long. I could heal it, I had done so before, but the boy needed to learn a lesson. It would take time, but he would heal and perhaps be a little wiser for it.

“Knight Descendants.” I said, with a nod of my head, Cin merely grinning at my side and staring at Mahalis.

“Your Majesty!” Three of them shouted, Mahalis missing the mark. His face grew a little bit paler but I merely smiled at him. The boy had suffered enough, I wasn't one to hammer my subordinates into submission.

“Thank you all for coming as I requested, although I expected the young prince to be in bed for the next few days.”

Kara nodded her head, her eyes fixed firmly on my boots “Forgive us, your Majesty, but Descendant Mahalis wanted desperately to speak with you. If it pleases you, we will leave now.”

I shook my head “Do not be absurd, you are here and welcome. Please, Kara, help Mahalis into that chair and I'll be with you in a moment, I must see off Knight Cinder.”

“Yes, your Majesty.” Mahalis hit the mark this time and all four of them bowed deeply, although Kara and Mahalis were hampered by each other.

Cinder said nothing but followed me out of the room, her gaze not leaving Mahalis for one second. Her eyes were not glowing, but that did nothing to remove the threat of a painful death that remained etched within.

Once we had both left the room and were out of earshot of the four Knight Descendants I turned to face Cinder to discover her face was clearly set in a grimace.

“And why, oh dear Father, am I not staying for this little audience with the children?”

I smiled at her “Because, dearest daughter, you scare the shit out of them and it will be easier to have an honest conversation if you weren't constantly staring daggers at Mahalis.”

Cin grunted in a very ungraceful way “Fine. I understand. I have to go and see Palite anyway, she's having trouble with some of the nobles and I have to organise this stupid ball.”

I kissed the girl on the forehead, causing her expression to soften slightly “Thank you, Cin. I'll come and see you as soon as I'm done here, we'll head out tomorrow night to meet Marwenna, I think. If all goes well, we'll see her in two days.”

The Vampire Queen's eyes lit up slightly at the prospect of seeing our old friend again, although for very violent reasons, and she almost skipped away, but managed to contain herself.

I chuckled lightly as I watched her go before I turned and made my way back inside the room to see Mahalis sitting on the chair that Cinder had once occupied, staring at the empty blood stained glass in front of him while the others stood around him in a tight formation.

I had suspected in Ellai that they weren't used to working together as a unit, but the way they moved around each other now made it clear that they much closer as friends. It was a good thing. Together they could achieve much more than alone.

I nodded to each of them in turn before returning to my seat across the small table, staring directly at Mahalis who avoided my eyes. We sat like that for a few moments before I decided that I had let them squirm enough.

“Well, I'm glad you're all here. I know you would like to speak, Mahalis. But it will have to wait until I have finished. I have a feeling I know what you will ask, but I would like to speak first so that you understand things a bit better. Know that I don't want to harm you, nor do I wish to cause you any indirect pain.” I stated clearly, looking at the young prince.

He raised his eyes to meet mine. I could clearly see the anger that was contained within, anger that I could understand completely. But there was something else within there as well, a hesitation, a desperation to know what was going on. He bowed his head low, obviously he had taken the lesson he had learned in the throne room to heart, or he was a terrific actor.

I cleared my throat “Know that I loved your mother dearly, Mahalis. She was my most trusted General, my oldest serving Knight. But she was deceived. Manipulated by an ancient Goddess that I had thought was a mere fable. Marwenna was controlled by magic of the Mind. She killed me, with your father in tow.”

Gasps were heard as the Knight Descendants all stared at me. Kara looked the least surprised but her face did pale when I stated clearly the secret that she had suspected was truth.

Mahalis' face didn't change, nor did it move from its place staring at the empty glass. I couldn't see his hands but I know that they were curled into fists under the table. I hoped that he had the sense to not attack me. I hoped the others had the sense not to aid him. I would not tolerate his antics a second time.

“Once I was killed, your mother and father told the lie that I had died during the battle in Ellai, something that I believe your father instigated shortly after my death to ensure that the lie was sold properly. He alone would be the only one with the power to bring together such an army of the faithful. Gorvo Nali had been dead some weeks by then, and leadership of the church fell to Valant as champion.”

I leaned forwards at this point, causing Mahalis to look up in surprise, his eyes filled with anger and confusion.

“I understand that this is a lot for you to accept. I'm not asking you to believe me, but it is the truth.”

Mahalis stared for a long second, his eyes not leaving mine before he gave a curt nod and returned his gaze to the the glass, unmoving like his stoic companions that stood behind him.

“I believe that Vitriss, the same Goddess who manipulated your mother, has told her that I am here and has also revealed that she was controlled. It is why I believe The Angelis left you. I believe your mother called it back to try and kill Vitriss. She failed. I know this because I failed. Your mother and father know I am here and are coming here to speak with me. Of that I am certain.”

Mahalis suddenly looked up again, hope in his eyes “Then if she was manipulated, controlled like you say she was, then there is no need to hurt her, or my father. They must have both been under control, please, you mustn't hurt them.”

I shook my head and Mahalis' expression fell “It is out of my hands now. Cinder is correct in wanting to punish your mother. She may have been controlled by Vitriss, but that means little when she abandoned The Court and married the enemy. I would like it to be different. But this will end in violence.”

Mahalis' eyes became stones “But what of Abhor, Faral and Cinder? All three left Drogna and Heilvol to manage The Court and go their own way!”

Lor looked at Mahalis sharply “My mother left the Court because she believed that Corus had fallen in battle, she couldn't stay. She wouldn't. For that matter, if it hadn't been for your fucking parents she would've stayed with The Rebel Court!”

I raised a hand to stop the inevitable argument. “No more fighting among each other, please. Cinder left because everyone left her. Despite the fact that I told both your mother, Lor, and yours, Mahalis, to take care of her. She left so she wouldn't become a burden on Drogna and Heilvol. I will deal with Abhor and Faral when I see them, but the fact remains. Marwenna and Valant betrayed everything I loved, burned Ellai to the ground and told a lie that caused The Court to fracture and break apart. Not as a result of any manipulation, but because of their own guilt. It was a result of Vitriss' control, but they did it of their own free will.”

“You can't know that! You don't know if that was what this Goddess wanted from the beginning!” Mahalis cried, his hand grasped his side as he winced in pain. It seems that this conversation was taking a lot out of him.

I smiled “You are absolutely right. I can't know that this wasn't just Vitriss. Which is why when I see Marwenna, I'm going to ask her a question. Her fate, and the fate of your father, will depend solely on her answer.”

“What question?” Mahalis whispered.

“What would you like to ask me, Mahalis?” I asked, ignoring what he had just said as I leaned back in my chair and smiled at the young prince.

He stared back for a second before looking down, I could see him try to control the panic contained within his eyes.

“Your Majesty, if I may be so bold. Descendant Mahalis and rest of us would like to go and meet Knight Marwen on the road, convince her to abandon her army and come with us peacefully. We only ask that leniency will be shown should they come quietly.” Kara said in a neutral voice, causing Mahalis to look up at her in surprise, before his eyes found mine again, waiting for my answer.

I smiled again, I had suspected as much.

“If that is what you wish, but you must leave immediately. I swear to treat Marwenna and Valant fairly should they come and meet Cinder and myself without issue. But if they do bring their army, I will destroy it and take them anyway. Marwenna already knows I am capable of this, it will not be her you need to convince, but Valant. Are you sure you are willing to do this?”

Mahalis went to speak but the others filled in for him “We are, your Majesty!” The young prince turned and looked at his friends, his feelings of gratitude shining clearly on his face.

I nodded “So be it. You will leave tonight. Cinder and I will be leaving tomorrow. You will have a day to convince them that this is the proper path. Else blood will be shed. Dismissed.”

Each of the Knight Descendants bowed in turn, Mahalis standing with Kara's aid, and they all filed out of the room. I closed the door behind them.

Whatever they're actions, even if they manage to convince Marwenna and Valant to come without their army, it will make no difference, just make it slightly easier for me. Like I said before. The future of my Knight and her husband hangs on one thing.

The Question.