The Threadbound series : Unraveling

Rivals Forever

Alex

"Elder Raaha, your vote?" Premier Vallahan Hadeth asked me. This was my first Elder Meeting, and the five of us were present to discuss the rebellion. Elder Lark had put forward the recommendation of the guillotine for the few rebels they had caught. But our Senate operated on consensus.

"I vote against the guillotine. They should be sent to Bone Island prisons. They were just following orders," I replied. With that, the motion was revoked, and Elder Lark shot me his best icy, cold glare.

Afterward, Premier Vallahan inquired, "Then who all voted for Bone Island?" Everyone, including Lark, mumbled their agreement. Following a brief discussion on how to improve morale among the people, the meeting was adjourned.

I was on my way to the Chambers when Lark caught up with me.

"I see you've been drinking the Paith leaf potion to keep me out of your mind, but know that I pull the strings with or without mind control. You haven't gone back on my direct order, so I won't harm your firewolves or your family- After all I am a man of my words, but I'm not letting this go," he said, his tone filled with an ominous warning, before he walked away.

I had drunk the Paith knowing that Lark could manipulate events, but I wanted to keep him out of my thoughts. I needed Lark to be in the dark about my plans, at least for now.

Tristan had shared a critical piece of information with me: Thalfrin was in contact with Atticus Castor, an old scholar who apparently had a hand in the rebellion. If Thalfrin was already in contact with the rebels and had evidence. If the rebellion marched with evidence of Larks corruption, then I might have a chance to push the "Expelling the Elder" motion in the Senate. But so far the rebellion has not made a direct move against the Elders. But I am not a man known for my patience.

Lost in my thoughts, I was abruptly pulled from my musings by a sharp knocking on my Chamber door. I hastened to open it and was met with Tristan's troubled expression.

"Tristan..." I began, but he interrupted me with a heavy sigh.

"Dantes was arrested," he said, his voice filled with concern.

About time, I said, concealing my anxiety. My plan was in motion – a plan to incriminate Sashelle and leave evidence of actual murder with Moderich Dantes, a plan that would expose Elder Lark at the public trial. It was a volatile strategy, fraught with risks, but since Thalfrin Freeman showed no interest in uncovering his mother's murderer, it was the only way to bring Lark down.

"I don't know who she was to you, though I always knew you had a crush on her, but if it was more... I don't know,Are you sure?" Tristan's words washed over me.

Very sure, I replied firmly.

May the Weaver guide her Tristan whispered under his breath

Emotions churned within me, a tempest of anger, guilt, and sorrow, but I couldn't afford to dwell on them. I had known Dantes for only two years, and my feelings for her ran deeper than mere care. But this was necessary, for the greater good.

The Senate hall loomed ahead, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to face the storm that awaited me. I took a deep breath and stepped inside, making my way towards the dais to sit among the Elders. The nobles had gathered, and there she was, shackled in irons in the center of the Senate. Even facing treason charges and impending death, Sashelle Dantes stood tall, her gaze unyielding.

Elder Lark addressed the room, explaining, "We had not released the circumstances behind Elder Bhama's death because we didn't want the culprit to know we were onto them. But the investigation was ongoing. It was Elder Raaha and his hunter Tristan Raaha who found out that Sashelle Dantes was behind this. Dantes had the motive - to win Elder Bhama's position. She is known to be ruthless, and she had spent time with the Elder, which is how she was able to pick up the Paith potion and kill her."

The room held its collective breath as Lark spoke.

"Now it is time for the judgment. So I welcome Elder Alexander Vincentius Raaha to give out his first judgment," Lark added.

I couldn't bring myself to look at Sashelle, who had never been my friend, but something more. Her cold, black eyes seemed to pierce through me.

"This seems convenient, doesn't it? Considering Sashelle was Elder Raaha's rival in the elections," Haim Azrael, Nafaela's father, challenged the Elders on Sashelle's behalf.

"We have evidence against Dantes. This is not a blame game, Noble Azrael," I retorted, trying to defend the decision, but I could see the pure contempt that flashed across Sashelle's eyes. It felt as if something inside me died at that moment.

Srushti and Nafaela were in the crowd, but her father, Moderich Dantes, was conspicuously absent. That man always had a plan, but now he looked lost and desperate as he rushed in and spoke up.

"Sashelle didn't know, it was me," Moderich Dantes confessed.

No, this wasn't part of my plan. Moderich Dantes was supposed to provide evidence against Elder Lark and me, to incriminate us in public.

"You cannot save your daughter, Dantes," Elder Lark stated.

"I killed Elder Bhama with Paith. The potion was in a green bottle and kept in my room. Sashelle doesn't even live there. My cleaning staff, Sara, misplaced it in Sashelle's room, thinking it was one of her perfume bottles. Sara will vouch for that," he explained, pointing to the maid.

"Esteemed Elders, the poison was indeed in a green bottle among the perfumes," one of the hunters confirmed.

This was a public trial, and Elder Lark couldn't manipulate it as he pleased. It seemed that they were also on Paith leaf potion. Moderich Dantes had come prepared, but it wasn't part of my plan.

The Premier asked, "Sara, is Moderich Dantes telling the truth?"

A threadhunter brought a truth stone and the maid swore on it.

"Yes. I swear on the Weaver. I saw the green bottle in Governor Dantes's room, and then, thinking our new maid replaced Sashelle's perfume, I placed it in her room," Sara confirmed.

"Very well. Since the murderer has confessed, pass the judgment, Elder Raaha," the Premier requested.

I exhaled a breath I hadn't known I was holding.

"Governor Moderich Ramon Dantes will be stripped of his title and charged with treason for the murder of Elder Taluleya Bhama. He will be guillotined at dawn tomorrow," I announced.

It doesn't matter, I kept convincing myself. This will distract Lark.

A loud cry escaped from Sashelle, and I felt Elder Lark's eyes on me.

"Also, for determining her role in this, Sashelle Vivienne Dantes will be sent to Bone Island Prison, where she will be questioned," I added.

She had no role in this, Moderich Dantes shouted.

We will determine that, Lark responded in his cold voice.

"Dad!" Sashelle cried.

Sashelle Dantes, who never broke, was now shattered, and I couldn't help but feel responsible for her downfall.

Her father told her, "Remember, when you serve justice, Sashelle, justice will serve you." Then, for a moment, he looked at Sashelle, not just as her father, and said, "Look into the heart, you will find the tools to break free." The hunters arrived to shackle Moderich Dantes.

Sashelle's eyes met mine as she was being portaled to Bone Island.

In that look, I saw the storm brewing within her, and I couldn't help but wonder if my choice had rewritten our destiny in blood as rivals forever.