The only reason Nael did not tumbled on the steps was because of his strenuous effort of focusing on each of his steps. He tensed his entire body so that its shaking would somewhat be suppressed. Turning to face about half-a-thousand citizens, he took a quick glance at the small group of Crownguard that was about to reach the gates of the Academy. Nael raised his hands; the crowd went silent in a moment.

‘We’ve got company,’ he said, feeling stupid that these were his first words to the mass. The people turned towards the gate like ravenous dogs, growling and hollering, but Kazrin quickly appeased the citizens. Nael watched as several of the folk, clad in black cloaks, tried to make way to the front row at the gates, hands kept on their belts or sides. The natives really did keep up their end of the bargain. All that time spent in The Serpent’s Head proved valuable in the end.

The advancing Crownguard counted only a handful of people, some fifteen or so souls. The gate had been closed with a loud creak now, the folk of Grospan stood in one defiant line beyond it. The Crownguard looked reluctant to continue their march, and thus stopped a hundred feet from the gates.

Nael peeked behind his shoulders. Professor Vikaru was late.

‘In the name of the Regent, disperse this gathering at once! Captain Lashlor—’

‘Fuck the Regent!’ one voice cried out from the crowd, and soon others joined him. ‘Fuck the Captain!’

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‘Where’s …’

‘Fuck Lash…’

‘… the King?!’

‘…lor!’

‘Where’s …’

‘Trea…’

‘…Reylynn?!’

‘…son!’

In this storm of voices, Kazrin stepped closer to Nael and whispered into his ear.

‘That is the point of no return, king.’

Nael only nodded. He knew it perfectly well he was only a pawn in this game, but he was willing to play his part in hopes of a better future. They all will see and understand it. Dad, Mom, Fella, even Bethlorn and all the pretentious nobleborn. They will finally notice that he is more than a mere puppet living in his parents’ shadows. Even if that meant he would need to play a puppet for a little longer.

He looked around again, peeked into the entrance hall over his shoulders, looking for Professor Vikaru, but the woman was nowhere.

A pebble clapped on one of the Crownguard’s armour. Soon, a shower of stones poured into the small contingent’s neck, the rabble getting more and more ravenous. Nael’s eyes widened as he watched the Crownguard tuck tail and flee.

Kazrin was wrong. That was the point of no return.