Maji Born

35 - King Radek's Choice

King Radek leaned forward in his seat on his throne, watching as the group of rebels drew their weapons. His mother Dowager Elidain Tazarine stood at his shoulder staring imperiously down the steps at Zehara, pretending not to notice her daughter standing at her side.

Zehara stepped forwards and as she did the gold guards drew their weapons.

"Radek Tazarine, you're sitting in my chair."

Radek's eyes narrowed.

"You have no claim here. Your family was unseated."

Zehara smiled.

"You know as well as I do that your claim is flimsy. You're a usurper and your sister has told me of your exploits."

Radek glanced over at Lavinia for the first time, his eyes narrowed.

"Ah yes. You're still spouting that lie about me murdering father then?" He sighed and glanced over the rest of the group.

"You have rallied quite the selection of traitors Belestine." As he said this his gaze fell on Devarak.

Seeing where his comment was pointed Zehara responded, "May I point out that Devarak cannot be a traitor as he isn't Midian? However, we are not here to discuss the finer details of your murky moral compass. We are here to sort out this slight oversight as to the true heir to the throne." She pointed to the golden throne on which Radek lounged. Radek laughed humourlessly.

"Unfortunately you will not be making a claim for my throne. I have been crowned and you hold no sway here. Seize them." Radek gestured to his golden guard, who proceeded forward encircling the rebels.

Zehara calmly watched as the soldiers approached. Then with a flick of her wrist, she signalled to the others to circle up. Zehara reached down and squeezed Lavinia's hand gently to relay the message.

Lavinia stepped back, entering the centre of the circle, she stood completely still listening for more guards and whispered orders. She held up her shield and the small dagger Devarak had handed her. Zehara's heartbeat matched Lavinia's and Lavinia found herself comfortably placed with her shoulders against Zehara's. Zehara drew her sword and brandished it ahead of her. She stood shoulder to shoulder with Devarak and Eirian.

Devarak was ready, he had prepared his blade before entering the room. His weapon was coated in snake venom, courtesy of Erissa. It would cause agony to the victim as well as dizziness and eventually unconsciousness. They would bleed out before the venom finished its work, however. Zehara had ordered the group to immobilize the guards rather than kill them outright. It would give them a leg up in the fight.

Eirian stood beside him her jaw clenched and her face screwed up with concentration, her skin glowed faintly blue as her majik built in anticipation. Her plan focused on draining the soldier's energy, leaving them weak and helpless.

The guards didn't make the first move, Zehara did. She drew a breath and released a loud growl. As she did she released a force of majik at the King, it passed through the golden guard in front of her causing him to take a knee, clutching at his chest in surprise. He swayed in place, eyes unfocused as he attempted to stabilize himself.

Her majik passed through him. Reaching the throne and pushing the heavy gold seat back into the marble wall behind it. King Radek's head slammed into the back of the throne as it connected with the large display case behind it. Items tumbled to the floor with a loud clatter and Radek stood, his lip bloody.

"Coward. Face me like the King you claim to be," Zehara said. She spat on the marble floor, keenly aware of the golden guard to her right. He had hesitantly stepped forward with his sword levelled with her chest.