The King's Guard

Chapter 95

The Grand Hall of Veridale’s Academy had never been so silent. Rows of soldiers and students lined the marble floor, banners drawn back to reveal the royal crest. What once symbolised honour now loomed like a verdict.

Kael stood between two guards, wrists bound in silver thread that dulled his Rift’s pull. Reyna was beside him, her posture steady but eyes sharp, her every breath measured.

Archon stood at the dais, flanked by Lord Eryndor and the royal emissary. King Elric himself sat upon the high chair, robes trimmed in gold. His gaze, cold and formal, did not meet Kael’s.

Reyna leaned close. “This isn’t a trial,” she whispered. “It’s theatre.”

Kael’s jaw flexed. “Then let’s play our parts.”

When Archon stepped forward, the crowd quieted. His voice carried easily across the chamber. “Cadets Kael Estaran and Reyna Thorne are charged with conspiracy, falsification of state documents, and unauthorised contact with Stormhaven operatives. The evidence is clear and irrefutable.”

Kyna, stationed with the other squads, clenched her fists. She tried to catch Kael’s eyes, but his focus was fixed ahead. Ember and Drax stood apart, both uneasy.

Kael spoke up. “Permission to address the court.”

Archon’s mouth twitched. “Denied.”

King Elric’s voice broke through, surprisingly soft. “Let him speak.”

A hush swept the room. Archon’s glance toward the King was brief but laced with irritation. “As you command, Your Majesty.”

Kael stepped forward. “I have served Veridale without hesitation. Every battle, every mission, every death we carried home was under the Corps’ orders. If there’s treason here, it isn’t in this cell—it’s in your council.”

Archon’s eyes narrowed. “Accusing the throne of deceit, Estaran?”

“The throne?” Kael’s voice was iron. “No. Those who twist its orders.”

A ripple of murmurs ran through the audience. Jared shifted where he stood among the witnesses, trying not to flinch when Archon’s gaze flicked briefly to him.

Reyna added, calm but cutting, “Darius trained us to question what we see. He believed loyalty without truth was corruption. Are we to forget that lesson?”

Archon’s hand curled over the railing. “Darius was a soldier, one who forgot his place.”

Kyna burst out, “He died saving us!”

Archon’s glare froze her. “Silence, Lieutenant.”

King Elric’s fingers tapped the armrest once, an unspoken warning to temper the escalation. “Enough,” he said. “The evidence remains before us. What proof can you offer to refute it?”

Kael’s mind raced. He thought of the forged seals, the timing, the meetings he’d overheard. None of it would stand without hard proof.

“None,” he admitted. “Not yet.”

Archon smiled faintly. “Then the matter is settled.”

Kael stepped closer. “You’re condemning innocents.”

Archon leaned forward. “No, I’m removing threats.”

The words slipped out before he could stop them. “Threats to what, your throne or your secret?”

A collective intake of breath followed. The King’s expression darkened.

“Enough,” Archon snapped. “By decree of the Council and the King’s advisory seat, Kael Estaran and Reyna Thorne are hereby stripped of rank and exiled from Veridale until further notice. Their assets are seized. Their names are erased from the Corps registry.”

Gasps rippled through the hall. Reyna’s breath caught, but she didn’t falter. Kael turned toward the King, searching his face for some sign of doubt or mercy.

King Elric rose slowly. “The decree stands.”

Kael stared up at him. “You know this is wrong.”

The King’s eyes, tired and distant, did not meet his. “Duty often is.”

Two guards stepped forward. Reyna reached for Kael’s arm, their fingers brushing briefly before being forced apart.

Kyna broke ranks. “Sir, this is madness! You can’t just…”

Ember caught her by the shoulder. “Don’t.”

Kyna shook him off. “They saved your lives, both of you! You’ll stand there and watch this?”

Drax muttered under his breath, “We’ll fix it. Not here.”

The guards began to lead Kael and Reyna away. Jared moved instinctively as if to stop them, but Lord Eryndor’s glare pinned him in place.

“Don’t,” his father said quietly. “Let them go.”

Jared’s throat closed. He couldn’t speak. Couldn’t breathe.

Outside, the rain had begun again. Kael and Reyna were escorted through the lower gate, armour stripped, their old insignias lying broken on the stones behind them.

Reyna glanced sideways. “They wanted to humiliate us.”

Kael’s voice was steady, hollow. “They wanted to erase us.”

From the ramparts, Archon watched as the gates shut. Beside him, Eryndor murmured, “You think they’ll survive the exile?”

“I think,” Archon said, “they’ll die before they understand why.”

Kyna appeared at his flank. “Sir, permission to accompany them…”

“Denied. You will remain where you’re told.”

Her jaw clenched. “Understood, sir.”

But her eyes said otherwise.

Night.

Kael and Reyna camped just beyond the southern ridge, the city lights distant flickers against the rain. A single fire burned low. Neither spoke for a long while.

Finally Reyna said, “You should’ve let me take the blame. They were after you, not me.”

“Would’ve made no difference.”

“It would’ve kept you out of exile.”

Kael shook his head. “I’d rather be exiled than watch you stand alone.”

Reyna’s expression softened. “You’re infuriating.”

“So I’ve been told.”

They shared a quiet laugh.

Reyna leaned back against a rock. “You think Darius knew it would come to this?”

“Maybe. He always looked too far ahead.”

“Then what’s his plan now?”

Kael stared into the flames. “Whatever it was… it’s ours to finish.”

He reached into his cloak and pulled out a small, half-burned note Kyna had slipped into his hand before the guards took them away. It was a map marked with a single route and a symbol of the Virell crest.

“She’s already moving,” Reyna murmured.

“She won’t stop.”

Kael folded the note carefully. “Neither will we.”

Reyna leaned closer to the fire, eyes reflecting its glow. “What now?”

“We head south. Find out who forged those records. Find out what Archon’s hiding. And when we do…”

“You’ll what? March back to Veridale and shout it from the palace gates?”

Kael’s lips twitched. “Something like that.”

Reyna smirked faintly. “You really are terrible at plans.”

“Then why are you still following me?”

“Because you’d get killed without me.”

Kael looked at her and for a moment the storm’s noise fell away. “Maybe.”

They sat in silence until the fire dimmed.

Inside the Academy, Kyna stood in the empty hall where the judgment had taken place. Ember approached quietly.

“You’re still here,” she said.

“They’re out there, hunted for something they didn’t do.”

“Then you find the truth.”

“I intend to.”

Ember nodded once. “Watch your back. Archon won’t forgive disobedience twice.”

Kyna turned toward her, voice low but fierce. “I don’t need his forgiveness. I need his downfall.”

Ember didn’t stop her as she walked away.

Elsewhere in the upper quarters, Jared sat at his desk, staring at his reflection in a darkened mirror. The papers he’d planted were gone; the evidence burned, erased. Still, his hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

He heard the door open softly behind him.

Eryndor’s voice came quiet and precise. “It’s done.”

Jared didn’t look up. “You’ve ruined them.”

“I’ve preserved you.”

“For what? This?”

“For legacy.”

Jared turned then, anger raw. “You talk about legacy like it means anything. You made me destroy my close partners”

“Close partners” Eryndor interrupted, “are luxuries of the weak.”

Jared laughed bitterly. “Then I suppose I’m weak.”

Eryndor’s expression didn’t change. “Get some sleep. Tomorrow, Archon has another task for you.”

The door closed softly. Jared stayed still, staring at the faint outline of Kael’s old insignia he’d stolen before the exile. He held it tight until his knuckles whitened.

“I’ll fix it,” he whispered. “I swear.”

But even he didn’t know if that was a promise or a lie.

At dawn, far from the city, Kael woke to find Reyna already on watch, her silhouette framed by grey mist.

“They’ll come after us,” she said without turning.

“I know.”

“Then we move before they do.”

Kael stood, tightening the strap on his cloak. “You still trust me?”

“More than anyone.”

He nodded once. “Then let’s disappear.”