The two soldiers who had followed the King stood respectfully outside the door as His Majesty and Imogen entered the large office, closing the door securely behind them.
"How has His Majesty been faring?" Imogen asked politely as they both sat, and the King placed his sceptre beside his chair. "Not much news reaches us from the Royal Church of Zohar these days."
The King gave a smile Imogen could see through. "I am well, my dear. I presume you know why I want to speak to you?"
Imogen pretended innocence, furrowing her brow. "Not at all my King. I am rather surprised at this abrupt visit."
The King's kindly expression did not change. "Have you seen Tyrese recently?"
"As a matter of fact, yes. He shared a drink with me a few days ago." Imogen leaned forward. "Is there a problem?"
"Did he tell you why he came to see you without warning?" The King pressed, locking gazes with Imogen.
He regarded her steadily, like a hawk about to consume its prey and a lesser man might have fallen. Imogen returned his stare boldly, her eyes searching his face for a telltale sign of the abomination he had begun to experiment with.
"Yes," Imogen nodded, having mixed feelings about hiding her brother for he was No Blessed. Yet, he was better than the man before her. "He disclosed that he was on a confidential mission for the throne but had been badly injured on his way here and lost his entire retinue."
The King raised his eyebrows. "On a mission for the throne? And you believed him?"
"Who am I not to?" Imogen said slowly, painting a picture of ignorance. "He is second in command to the Pure One and so outranks me."
Grunting heavily, the King leaned forward. "He was. Tyrese, by the laws of the land, is now No Blessed and is stripped of his rank."
Imogen played the part of the surprised and distressed sister perfectly.
She stood up, pushing back her chair as her hand flew to her heart. "My King! How... how could this have happened? My brother... Tyrese would never go against the throne!"
His Majesty stood up, his height shadowing Imogen's. "Tyrese deserted the Royal Church of Zohar and by law is to be killed on sight."
"Your duty to the law surpasses familial blood," The King's voice was suddenly hard and unforgiving. "Remember that the next time you meet that traitor."
Imogen, all of a sudden, remembered the words she had spoken at the end of Raphe Oar's execution, words which were paraphrased in the King's warning.
"Behold this sight in front of you and remember this the day you think to betray this church, this will be your fate."
She stood stock still as the King picked up his sceptre and walked out of the room, only pausing to give her a look loaded with meaning.
"Hypocrite," she breathed when his shadow left the door, revulsion apparent in her voice. "By law, you are No Blessed."
*
They had rode long enough, Tyrese decided as he stopped his horse, prompting the other two to stop.
They were in a desolate area Tyrese was unfamiliar with, surrounded by large rocky hills and the Khadits found it more difficult to move here, their hooves tripping on small stones and gravel.
They would have to tie the animals down in the valley and take shelter either in one of the several caves in the hills or camp down here for the night.
YOU ARE READING
No Blessed ✓
Fantasía- Completed - For Mikel Ark, being offered a job by the world's biggest gaming company is a dream come true, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will launch his career as a hotshot programmer. But what Mikel hasn't been told is that his employer's...
