Ladet turned back to him.

“I’ll explain more later. Prince Alain is very nervous about you meeting his sister again. So, please be gentle.”

Ladet walked away from him then, and to his surprise, took a stance in the middle of the room at the wall. It was such an odd spot as if he was taking a neutral position between the two parties when Teal believed he should have remained with them. Or maybe he shouldn’t. If he had solidified good relations with Princess Estina and her brother, it might help to ease their conversations.

The soldiers stood in a defensive line in front of the table. Teal took the hint and moved back to the empty chair beside Jale. He couldn’t help but chuckle though, memories of a similar encounter coming to mind. He glanced at Jale.

“This reminds me of the first time I met you and Emperor Rathner.”

Jale smiled. “Very much indeed. Although, I’m surprised to be on this side of the table.”

Once he was seated, Teal watched the line of people enter the room. He recognised them straight away from the information Jale had given him. He spied Menelt and Prince Alain as they took their places at the table. Princess Estina limped in after him. He was concerned by her injuries. Jale had told him that she had fought alongside the men on the bridge. Her courage and determination had nothing but his admiration.

Teal was also impressed when she lifted her gaze and stared him directly in the eyes. If she was nervous about seeing him this close, he would have never have guessed it. Under her bruises, Teal saw her power and resolve.

“Princess Estina,” he started, into the silence, “before I say anything else, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for facilitating our rescue. Being Prince Yernal’s prisoner was a hell I could not escape from without your help.”

Princess Estina gave him a slight nod, indicating that he had her complete attention.

Teal coughed to clear his throat. “I would also like to apologize for attacking you on the riverbank after you rescued me.”

Princess Estina didn’t say anything, but kept her fierce gaze upon him.

“I remember… It was so instinctual.” He paused, his chest starting to rise fast at the memory of it. He leaned forward in his chair. “Your blood smelt the same as Prince Yernal, and my hatred for that man is so thick, and he had done so many horrible, terrible things to so many innocent…”

“We share the same hatred,” Princess Estina stated firmly, cutting him off.

He paused at hearing her voice. In those five words alone, she was authoritative and in control of this conversation.

Princess Estina continued. “I can understand that you were not yourself when you attacked me,” she said. “Jale has informed me that you are now under the influence of your Presence again.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” Teal answered.

“I’m pleased to hear that,” she continued. “So, I can assume you will not attack unless you feel threatened?”

“You are correct. I will not attack anyone unless the Presence deems it necessary.”

“Good,” she said. “You are safe here and you are also a free man.”

Teal swallowed. He wanted to ease the stiffness in the conversation.

“I have some very important news to share with you.” He rubbed his hands on his legs.

“Yes?” she responded.

“Your brother, Prince Weston, is still alive.”

Several gasps came in the room, guards shifted and Prince Alain tapped the table with his hand as a large smile formed on his face. Princess Estina visibly swallowed.

“Are you sure? We heard Prince Yernal forced you to murder him,” Princess Estina said.

Teal shook his head. “No, I didn’t. We worked together to make it look like I did. I killed a prisoner who looked like him instead.”

Prince Alain leaned forward. “Where is our brother then?”

“That I can’t answer,” Teal said, addressing Prince Alain for the first time. “I asked him to remain in hiding until Jale was free.” Teal stole a glance at Jale before returning his attention back to Prince Alain and Princess Estina. “You’ve made enough noise with this victory. Make sure news gets out to the east that not only have you fought successfully against your brother, but that Jale and myself are free. Then you will know Prince Weston is alive.”

Prince Alain and Princess Estina shared a quick glance.

“Thank you for sharing this information with us,” Princess Estina said. “This is amazing news for it is another barrier to Prince Yernal’s claim to the throne. It fills me with much relief, and if you are telling the truth, it means we can potentially come at him from both the east and the west.”

“There’s more,” Teal said.

Princess Estina nodded, and said, “Go on.”

“Prince Yernal is not working alone.”

“We know that he collaborated with Prince Vox in the Talbecan Empire,” Prince Alain said.

“Yes, but he is also colluding with a man named Prince Tolder.”

Princess Estina shot a quick glance at Prince Alain, and he shrugged. Menelt sighed beside her though and she looked at him instead.

Menelt, the formidable mountain man. Teal took the man in. He was not disappointed. Everything about the man corresponded with the power and strength Jale had described. “You know this person as well?” Teal asked.

“Yes, he does,” Jale answered for him. “He was with us at the Arina Pass when we met Prince Tolder.”

“Of course,” Teal responded. “When I was first captured, Prince Tolder was there with Prince Yernal. He informed me that he had made the elixir that stopped the spell from controlling me and for my true Lombock self to appear. He watched while it was forced down my throat and then, he left for the Talbecan Empire to help Prince Vox, the Emperor’s brother, to take control of the Empire.”

“Yes, we have heard how the Empress Dowager was murdered,” Prince Alain said.

“And he tried to put the blame on me,” Jale added.

“I believe that I have some of the elixir,” Princess Estina said. All eyes fell upon her. She placed two small bottles onto the table. “This is what they were giving you while you were prisoner, wasn’t it? I found it on the mantle of the fire along with some Ashkin poison. You can have it and do what you wish with it.”

Teal gazed at the elixir. He recognized the bottle. A part of him wanted to throw it across the room and smash it into a million pieces into the wall. There was another part of him, an instinctual nudge, that informed him he should keep his hands on it and that it might come in handy later on.

“Thank you, Princess Estina,” Teal said. “I really hope, despite our rocky beginning, that we can become friends and trust one another.”

Princess Estina didn’t respond. Prince Alain glanced at her, but he didn’t speak for her. To Teal’s surprise, Princess Estina looked in Ladet’s direction. Their gazes met, and Ladet gave the faintest of smiles. Teal paused. The exchange lasted for a fraction too long. He turned to Jale, and Jale gave Teal a quick nod and a smile.

Before he could process this new piece of information, Princess Estina pushed her chair back and slowly rose to her feet. The men sitting in the chairs beside her quickly stood. She turned and started to walk along the back of the table. Teal feared that she would leave the room without answering him, however, when she reached the end of the table, she walked around it towards him.

The soldiers in the room instantly came to attention, their weapons drawn. Slowly, Teal edged to his feet and heard Jale do the same. Princess Estina limped and stopped a meter from them. He let her eyes wander over him from head to toe. She then looked to Jale.

“I never met Emperor Rathner, but I believe he was a good judge of character and took chances on people. He certainly took a chance on me and allowed me to train in secret in his Empire.” She looked back to Teal. “He also took a chance on you, did he not?” Teal nodded. “If Emperor Rathner trusted you and trusted you so intimately, then I think in time, I can do the same. It just might take a while,” she said softly.

Teal bowed. “Thank you, Your Grace. I have one more last bit of information to share with you.” Princess Estina tilted her head slightly to the side. “I will rest for one more week,” Teal continued, “and then I’m going to leave.”

“Leave?” Princess Estina cast a quick glance at Jale, and Jale’s head dropped a fraction.

“Yes,” he said. “I’m going to go find the Lombock.” He ignored how Princess Estina’s eyes widened. “I want to bring justice to the Talbecan Empire. I know you will be focused on your own kingdom, so I will need support. Emperor Rathner always believed the Lombock could be a powerful ally. We need to make it a safe haven for the Emperor’s twins for when they come of age. Until I return, Jale has informed me he will stay here and offer you whatever support you need.”

Princess Estina nodded. “I wish you all the luck in the world, but can you be sure that the Lombock will be as friendly as you?”

“That I do not know, but I will make that judgement when I meet them, if I can find them that is.

“Yes, you will have a long search on your hands.”

“If I do bring them to the Empire, they will be under the same spell as myself.”

Princess Estina paused, but her eyes never strayed from Teal. “I feel uncertain when I hear your plans. I know I can’t stop you and I do wish you can stabilize the Empire. Once Prince Yernal is out of the picture, I do hope our two nations can continue as friends.”

Teal bowed respectfully. “So do we,” he said. “Thank you, Your Grace.”

“Rest for however long you need,” she said. “Let us know if you need anything and we’ll do our best to help.”

>>

One week later, as the last remants of dusk disappeared in the sky, Teal stood at the gates of Lord Clep’s Manor House. Over his shoulder, he held one small bag that held some snacks and drink for him to take on his journey. Jale and Ladet waited in front of him.

The past week had sped past quickly. After some initial hesitation, Lord Clep had invited Teal to stay with Jale in his room. He had spent the time sleeping and eating, rarely leaving to allow himself to recuperate. Jale also rested with him and had started to regain his strength and rebuild his body weight as his appetite improved. It had been a good time to reconnect with Jale as well, and Teal had been amazed at how so much could be said without words. Their intimacy had been that of companionship and nurture, not out of lust or desire. They never discussed his impending departure. Teal knew Jale wasn’t happy, but Teal also knew he understood.

Now it was time for him to go. He couldn’t wait any longer.

Teal turned to Ladet. “Princess Estina?” he said, shaking his head. “I still don’t know how you managed that one.”

Ladet laughed. “Thanks, Teal.”

They stepped forward and embraced, patting each other on the back.

“I hope you find what you’re looking for Teal,” he said. Ladet stepped back. “Until next time.” Ladet gave Jale a quick nod before he moved away to allow them to speak.

Their eyes met through the darkness, only one brazier burning several meters away. “Be careful,” Jale said. “I hope it doesn’t take you too long to find them.”

Teal stepped forward and they embraced, holding onto each other for several minutes.

“Look after yourself as well,” Teal said as they broke their hold. “I hope everything goes well here with Princess Estina.”

“I think they will, and I will also spend my time trying to find out where Empress Crael, Lana, Rayon and Delba have ended up.”

Teal shook his head. “The Purple Jade Palace has really been spread out all over the place.”

“Hmm,” Jale agreed. “Although I doubt that it will ever be reconnected again. As long as they are all safe. We were only brought together to be with the Emperor.”

“Yes,” Teal said. “We do though all have the same goal in mind. We need to get his twins on the throne.”

Their eyes met again and silence fell between them. All of a sudden, a smile broke out on Teal’s face.

“I’ll see you soon,” he said.

He didn’t wait for Jale to answer. He turned, darted through the gates and disappeared into the night.