The King's Guard

Chapter 101

The messenger rune flared in the royal court in Veridale.

A courier dropped to one knee before the throne, sweat glinting on his brow. The crystal orb in his hands pulsed softly, its glow reflecting across the marble floors and gold inlays of the great chamber.

“Your Majesty,” he said, bowing lower, “urgent correspondence sealed by the rune of House Armane.”

King Elric leaned forward on his throne. “Armane?” he murmured. “Lady Elara.”

Velreth, seated to the King’s right, adjusted his cloak. “Strange, isn’t it? Lady Elara’s been absent from court for nearly a decade.”

“Not strange,” Elric said evenly, “if she’s sending warnings.”

He gestured for the courier to rise. “Activate it.”

The courier touched the orb to the platform rune before the throne. Blue light spread through the veins of the marble, the seal unlocking with a hiss.

The voice that emerged was unmistakable.

“My name is Jared Varion. I serve under Commander Archon of the Shadow Corps. This is my sworn confession, bound by runes of truth. I was ordered by my father, Lord Eryndor Varion, to plant forged documents implicating Kael Estaran and his squad in treason. The directive came with Archon’s approval.”

Gasps rippled across the chamber. The echo of Jared’s voice lingered in the vaulted ceiling.

“Archon and Eryndor act together. They aim to remove Kael Estaran, whom they see as a threat, to ensure Veridale’s military serves Stormhaven’s design. Archon knows the truth of Darius’s death. He allowed it. He called it ‘necessary correction.’”

The recording ended. Silence feel.

King Elric’s hand tightened on his sceptre. “Archon…”

Velreth’s face remained unreadable. “My King, such accusations can be fabricated. You’ve seen how rebels twist runic recordings. House Varion may be compromised.”

“Perhaps,” Elric said slowly. “And yet this seal carries Elara’s binding, truth-forged and witnessed.”

Velreth bowed his head slightly. “Truth-forged can still be tampered with. We should summon Archon before we assume guilt.”

“Summon him,” the King ordered. “Now.”

•×•×•×•×•×•×•×

Elsewhere in the depths of the Shadow Corps command, Archon already knew.

He stood before the great mirror-wall in his office, watching the faint flicker of a rune-feed as the message replayed. His reflection smiled faintly as Jared’s trembling voice confessed his betrayal.

“So,” Archon murmured. “Elara found her voice again. That old hag!”

Lord Eryndor Varion paced behind him, cloak dragging across the stone. “You said her network was finished. How did this reach the court?”

Archon turned, calm as ever. “Because your son talked.”

Eryndor stopped. “You told me he’d be contained.”

“I said he’d be useful,” Archon corrected. “Containment depends on the fool’s resolve which apparently broke the moment Kael glared at him.”

Eryndor’s tone sharpened. “Do you realise what this means? If the King takes this seriously…”

“He won’t,” Archon said. “Not yet. Velreth will bury the matter. The King is tired and cautious. Easily convinced the storm outside is bigger than the one within.”

He walked to his desk and lit a sigil across its surface. Maps flared, troop movements, supply routes, coded signals. “But Elara’s interference complicates things. We can’t allow her or Kael to unite Veridale’s outcasts.”

Eryndor frowned. “Then what do you suggest?”

Archon smiled. “We turn the court against them first.”

He drew a mark across the table, an X over Kael’s name. “If they want to speak of traitors, let’s give them one.”

By midday, the council chamber filled again. Archon entered with controlled grace, his black uniform trimmed in gold.

King Elric regarded him coolly. “Commander. You’ve heard the accusation.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Archon said, bowing. “I came as soon as I was informed, though it pains me that my name is spoken in the same breath as Lord Eryndor’s… schemes.”

“Schemes?” Velreth echoed, voice smooth. “You admit to his involvement, then?”

“I admit only that Lord Eryndor has a penchant for drama,” Archon replied. “But the boy, Jared… he’s a pawn in his father’s game. I had no knowledge of forged documents.”

Elric’s gaze hardened. “And Darius’s death? Did you call it a ‘necessary correction’?”

Archon’s expression didn’t flicker. “No, my King. Darius was a soldier’s soldier. His death was a tragedy. But in war, even tragedy must teach us something.”

Velreth leaned forward. “If I may, Majesty, Jared Varion’s testimony conveniently absolves Kael Estaran, a known wielder of unstable Rift energy. Perhaps this is Elara’s true aim: to clear her kin’s name before turning the court against its own commanders.”

Elric’s brow furrowed. “You believe Elara falsified this?”

“I believe she is desperate,” Archon said softly. “She has long opposed the reforms you and I put in place, reforms that keep Veridale strong. She seeks to resurrect the past, even if it means kindling rebellion.”

The King stood slowly. “If you’re wrong, Archon, you’re defending corruption. If you’re right, Elara Armane has committed treason.”

Archon bowed. “Then permit me to handle her capture personally. I know her patterns. Her allies.”

Velreth’s eyes glinted. “And if she truly holds proof?”

Archon’s smile returned, small and cold. “Then proof burns with her.”

Far from the city, Kael and the others gathered around Elara’s rune-table. The crystal that had carried Jared’s confession sat dull and empty now.

Reyna asked, “How long until we get a response?”

Elara’s eyes, fixed on the table, didn’t move. “If the King believes us even a day. If Velreth’s voice holds more sway, we may never hear back.”

Kael frowned. “Velreth’s name keeps coming up.”

Elara finally looked at him. “Because he’s been at the King’s side longer than most courtiers have been alive. He mentored Archon once, before ambition drove him to command. Velreth learned to survive politics by creating storms he could stand in the middle of.”

Kyna leaned forward. “And now he’s shielding Archon.”

“Not shielding,” Elara said. “Positioning.”

Kael folded his arms. “So while we wait, Archon spins the story.”

“He’ll paint us as conspirators,” Reyna said quietly.

Kyna gave a bitter laugh. “Which makes us either heroes or ghosts, depending who wins first.”

Kael stared at the dull crystal. “We’re not ghosts yet.”

Reyna watched them both. “So what do we do?”

Elara turned toward her, the faintest spark of steel in her eyes. “We prepare for the King’s silence.”

At sunset, the royal messenger returned to the palace, breathless, empty-handed.

“The courier route was ambushed,” he reported. “No sign of the reply rune.”

King Elric’s expression darkened. “Ambushed?”

Velreth folded his hands. “Then the rebels have intercepted even royal correspondence. Tragic and yet convenient for those who rely on half-truths.”

Archon stood nearby silently.

The King glanced at him. “Commander. Proceed with discretion. Find Lady Elara and her accomplices. Bring them alive if possible.”

Archon bowed low. “As you command, Your Majesty.”

When he straightened, his eyes gleamed faintly. “The truth will return to you soon enough.”