Domain of Power-The Dreamer (Book 3)

Chapter 22: The Beginning of the End

The inner chamber door creaked open. Standing in the doorway was Gaius as the door closed behind him. He issued the customary greeting to the King and Apollus, only to be met with silence. Gaius heaved a sigh, adding his breath to the deafening silence in the windowless room. He has only been to the upper floor of the basilica a few times. But it was the first time in this room.

A sentinel to the right of the King ushered Gaius to take a seat on an ivory stool like the ones the King and his son sat on. The only barrier between him and them was a thin rectangular desk.

Breaking the long silence, Acropolus asked, "Do you know why we summoned you?""

"Are we here to discuss why I made it on your list?" Gaius asked.

The sentinel standing to the right of the king reached into his sheath to pull out three rolled-up sheets of parchment. One was an apology letter in response to Barbarius' disappearance. The other was the admission of guilt from the 'dark rider,' and the last was a scribbled note on the back of Troy's testimony. He placed the three letters side by side on the table for Gaius to view.

Acropolus clasped his hands together over the desk. "I am going to ask you one more time, Gaius... did you write all three letters?"

Gaius kept his eyes on the letters. "I think you already know the answer, Acropolus."

The King leaned forward in his seat. "I trusted you, and my son, Apollus, to find out who attacked Troy. But now I understand why you lingered in your investigation. You never wanted the case to be solved because you are the 'dark rider.' The one who tried to kill Troy. The same one who plotted to kill Barbarius if he returned home."

Gaius scoffed. "Are you still listening to your son with his delusions to base your judgments? Sounds rather foolish, my Majesty."

Acropolus took a deep breath as he kept his voice low but steady. "The evidence was always there, Gaius. I just did not want to believe it, but then you had the guile to poison the drinks at the dinner party!"

Gaius feigned a look of disappointment. "Sounds like you had a dinner party to die for. Too bad I missed it!"

Father's expression darkened. "You love to create pandemonium, do you? But you are playing a very dangerous game when you target my family!"

Gaius shook his head, half-laughing, "Acropolus. Acropolus. I gain nothing by killing your little guests. Nor do I desire to kill your precious sons." He cocked his head toward Apollus. "Although your future heir here would have loved the chance to eliminate his brothers. What better way to the crown than to eliminate his competitors? Is that not right, Apollus?"

Apollus leaped from his seat. "Liar!" He snapped.

His Father reached for his son's hand before whispering, "Please sit down!"

Apollus plopped down in his seat, scowling at Gaius. "I worked with you all this time. I trusted you. Even sang your praises when my father removed you from your post last year. But the moment you find yourself backed into a corner, you lie on my good name. I am not the villain here. I never plotted anything against my brothers!"

Gaius shrugged. "Am I lying? You are the one confiding in me about how Barbarius was 'always in your way.' 'I wish he could disappear,'" he mimicked in Apollus' voice. "I told you I know how to make him disappear. You just did not want to get your hands dirty," he added, flicking his fingers as if flicking away imaginary dust into the air.

Father stared at his son, who sat by him, sulking. His icy gaze turned to Gaius. "I heard enough. Guards bound this traitor to the Hole!" As if on cue, a second sentinel waiting in the corridor burst into the room with iron fetters. Both sentinels bound his hands into chains.