The King's Guard

Chapter 99

Kael sat opposite Elara. Reyna folded her arms and leaned against a pillar, watching the two with wary curiosity.

“You’ve seen the inside of Archon’s shadow,” Elara began, her tone measured but heavy. “You’ve bled under his orders, obeyed his voice. Tell me, Kael… how deep does his rot go?”

Kael met her gaze. “Deep enough to choke the kingdom. He hides behind loyalty, but everything he does leads to ruin. The more I learn, the more I realise Darius was right.”

Reyna stepped forward. “And we’ll finish what he started.”

Elara tilted her head, her silver hair falling in waves. “That’s a fine declaration, girl, but words are wind. What you plan now will brand you traitors.”

“We’ve already been branded as traitors, so it doesn't make much of a difference,” Kael said quietly. “If Veridale burns from within, I’d rather light the match than pretend the smoke isn’t there.”

The older woman’s eyes softened, then hardened again. “You speak like Rhea did.”

“I miss her so much.”

“I do too, my sweet boy. I do.”

Elara rose, pulling a sealed letter from her sleeve. “This came two nights ago. From the east. From someone who calls herself ‘Lady Virell’s ally.’ She writes that House Varion is rebuilding their network. And worse, they’ve found allies among the nobility.”

Kyna suddenly entered through the door. Her dark cloak brushed the floor as she bowed her head. “That letter came through my contact lines,” she said, her tone low. “They’re preparing for something big. Archon and Eryndor aren’t just plotting treason. They’re laying groundwork for a new order.”

Kael looked between them. “And we’re the only ones who know?”

“For now,” Kyna replied. “But the net’s closing.”

Reyna pushed off the pillar. “Then we widen the cracks before it closes. We have to make the truth louder than their lies.”

Elara’s hand rested on the table, palm flat against the map of Veridale. “You talk of truth like it’s a weapon. But truth is a candle, boy. Hold it too close, and you burn.”

Kael’s voice was calm, almost too calm. “Then we burn together.”

For a long moment, the only sound was the crackling fire.

Elara finally sighed. “So. You mean to expose Archon and House Varion. That’s no small task. You’ll need proof, allies, and time.”

Reyna’s reply was firm. “We’ve got Kyna’s mother's network, your experience, and Kael’s Rift. That’s enough to start.”

Elara’s gaze lingered on Kael. “You’re sure you can still control it? I’ve read what Rift-bearers become when they push too far.”

Kael nodded. “I’m learning. Reyna helps.”

That earned him a half-smile from her. “He means I stop him from tearing holes in the floor.”

Even Kyna smirked faintly. “You’ve improved, then.”

The tension eased slightly, but Elara’s tone sharpened again. “Listen to me, all of you. This rebellion won’t be fought with blades alone. You’ll need to outthink men who’ve been weaving lies since before you were born.”

Reyna nodded. “We’ve learned to think sideways.”

Kyna produced a parchment, unrolling it across the table. Strange marks and rune-circles ran along the edges. “Intercepted orders,” she said. “Archon’s handwriting. Mentions shipments, coded as ‘lunar deliveries.’ The destination reads like a Stormhaven trade port, but I think it’s something else.”

Elara’s eyes narrowed. “Show me.” She traced one rune with her finger, murmuring under her breath. The ink shimmered faintly. “These aren’t shipments. They’re troop designations.”

Kael leaned closer. “He’s preparing for war.”

“Or something worse,” Elara murmured. “The last time these symbols were used, a Queen vanished.”

Reyna frowned. “You mean Queen Lauren?”

Elara didn’t answer at once. She folded the parchment slowly, as if deciding what to reveal. “Her disappearance wasn’t an illness,” she said finally. “It was a bargain, one Archon helped broker.”

Kyna’s eyes widened. “A bargain? With who?”

Elara looked at the flame. “There are powers that move behind crowns. Some old, some hungry. Lauren knew too much about both.”

Kael’s jaw tightened. “And Archon silenced her?”

Elara’s gaze flicked up to meet his. “If she’s still alive, she’s somewhere no map can find. But I intend to find her.”

Reyna whispered, “Then we start with the documents. Track the pattern.”

Kyna nodded. “And I’ll reach out to the ally again. If Lady Virell’s people are still gathering proof, we might have leverage.”

Kael straightened. “We’re wasting time. Every hour we wait, Archon’s net grows tighter.”

“Every hour you rush,” Elara countered, “you risk being caught in it.”

He paused, and then gave a single nod. “So we prepare carefully.”

ווו×

Night had settled heavy outside. Reyna fell into step beside Kael, her cloak brushing his arm.

“You look like you’ve swallowed a thundercloud,” she said softly.

“I can’t stop thinking about what my grandma said. About my mother. About Queen Lauren.”

Reyna tilted her head, studying him. “You’ve been carrying other people’s ghosts too long. You’ll break if you don’t start sharing the weight.”

He looked down at her, eyes shadowed. “Would you really want to carry it?”

“I already am.”

He almost smiled. “You always have an answer.”

“Someone has to,” she said, and they both laughed briefly.

Behind them, Kyna’s voice called from the steps. “If you two are done sharing tragic poetry, we have work to do. Elara wants reports at dawn.”

Reyna rolled her eyes. “Romantic as ever.”

Kael shook his head. “She’s right.”

Back inside, Elara stood by the window, watching the trio disappear into the fog. Her hand brushed the locket at her neck: a small, ornate piece engraved with a sun-and-moon crest.

“She’ll find you soon, old friend,” she whispered. “And when she does, this kingdom will tremble.”