Queen's Shadow || Kingdom at the End of the World - Book II

[25.1] Spider's Web

Lord Simon Barton was in a hurry.

The Court had just adjoined. The news of Chervnik's fall came like a blow from the dark, leaving the Amith Capil scrambling for answers. Human involvement was suspected. If the Amith Capil could provide no solid evidence to the contrary, retribution would come swift and brutal. The Dvor, like the Queen's Court, waited only too eagerly for an excuse to take action against their old foes.

"A familiar strategy, is it not?" Lord Greoff had commented idly as they listened to the Message Men give their reports. There were no less than ten of them, each one assigned to a different region in Chervnik's general proximity.

"Shame that it succeeded," Lord Barton responded.

That was the end of Lord Greoff's probing into the matter. Lord Barton snorted to himself as he strode toward the Main Hall, disappointed but not surprised. Lord Greoff would not bother to dig further and Lord Barton was too old a hand at lying to give anything away. There was no trail to follow besides, now that Cheryl Fane was dead. Anything short of a first-hand account would be easily discarded as hearsay.

What reason would a Lord of the Queen's Court have, to incite a war on the enemy's terms?

Lord Barton's lips curled. Whether in satisfaction or disgust, he himself did not know.

"Simon!" Lady Kiku called.

Lord Barton smoothed his expression. He slowed his steps so his friend could catch up, the Zero soldiers flanking his side parting to make way. Lady Kiku glanced at a few of them in passing. Lord Barton noted the intensity of her gaze and wondered if this was the first time Lady Kiku had been so close to one of his soldiers. Zero tended to remain out of sight within the Capital, as inconspicuous as wall decorations. Lord Barton suppressed his excitement. He could not hope to fool Lady Kiku if she truly were to become suspicious; how fortunate, that she was the one Lord among them who did a fine enough job at fooling herself not to need his help.

"Did you hear?" Lady Kiku asked. She sounded out of breath, having likely ran all the way back from her rooms once the news reached her.

Lord Barton inclined his head. "I am heading there right now. Are Sabina and Richard aware?"

"They should be. How in the nine worlds did she manage to make it all the way here?" Lady Kiku exclaimed.

Lord Barton shared her bewilderment. The Capital was not a place one could enter freely, steeped in protective runes as well as layers of physical security. Even if an intruder did enter the city somehow, their presence would be quickly discovered.

Ira Hale had not only made it to the Court's very doorsteps, but she had also added insult to injury by announcing herself.

"Someone aided her," Lord Barton said. It was the only sensible explanation; however skilled Miss Hale may be, she could not pass through walls.

"You believe there are traitors among the troops?" Lady Kiku asked, voice hushed.

Lord Barton smiled in his heart. "Certainly." Men were creatures of greed. It would be stranger if there were none.

Zero had no such weakness, but the reserve of Zero soldiers was not yet large enough to sustain the Court's needs. Besides, the Amith Capil still had its uses.

The hallway opened into a wide balcony. It faced the Ceremonial Grounds, a large open field that served as a gathering place for the troops in time of celebration.

The squadron of soldiers assembled there at present did not appear in a festive mood. Their ranks were a mixture of Amith Capil and Zero. All had their weapons drawn, the air heavy with tension and the potential for violence.