There were many perks of being a King, but the most ordinary, and yet, often times, gratifying was the power of his ability to clear a room. It did not matter what Kingdom or domicile he was in, save the White Palace, if King Rainus wanted a room to himself, he had it with one expertly given scalding look and a booming voice demanding his request. As if by magic, every person in that room evacuated like there was a fire lighted on their very person, and within moments, Rainus Nador would find himself blessedly alone. No hesitations. No irritated exclamations. And most importantly, no questions asked.
That was how he had managed to be in the security room that held the bank of terminals that monitored all off the interview rooms and holding cells in the Protectorate administration building. And in the process of making sure that no one would be watching the conversation that he had been planning to have between him and his wayward son, Rainus had seen the door to his son’s cell open and the stealthy figure slip in.
Even though Rainus knew of Markus’s ability to take care of himself in many situations, including this sort of one, the King spent a breathless moment watching as the darkly clad intruder pulled out an injector and tried to apply it to Markus who asleep with his back to the would-be assassin. For half a second Rainus considered shouting at Jamiss, who stood just outside the door to the security room to ensure Rainus would have his privacy, to go help his son, but he needed not worry. In the time it took to blink, Markus had knocked the attacker backward and was on his feet beside the bed.
In the next few spans of heartbeats, a short, but violent scene played out before the King on the holographic display. In the end, Markus stood with the attacker on his knees and knife to his throat. Rainus had seen enough and rushed out of the security room and down the hall to the cell that held his son.
Rainus was more than a little shocked to see the identity of the attacker to be the Quat-lo Master. What could possibly compel a well respected teacher of the Protectorate to attack Markus? Of course, the obvious answer was that he was in on the attack against Adar. Maybe even been the one who had killed Pledge Haxley. Rainus had heard the Master had a grudge against Adar, and of the teacher’s serious misjudgment of attempting to use the Hand of Death on the Heir during his assessment. But would Meh-len really go so far to attempt assassinations to the noble class? Apparently so.
And apparently, Markus was determined to see his plan through, even if it was putting himself at serious risk. It had been another shock, maybe even more than a shock, to see the moment his son had let his carefully placed facade drop, allowing Rainus a single moment to see the real Markus Nador. That was something Rainus hadn’t seen in a great long while. If his son was willing to show that much of himself even for a second, then Rainus was willing to give his son some time to finish his plan, but only some.
Markus had no need to explain further what he planned. Rainus could see all the pieces fall into place like a tapestry being unveiled for an eagerly awaiting audience. It had been his son’s goal all along––to get evidence against Zorren Zahn.
It was why he had kidnapped Adar. Why Markus had allowed himself to get caught so easily by the Protectorate. Why Markus had done nothing to save himself in the interview with Captain Dexter. It even explained why his son had not told Nathias of Adar’s location and asked mysteriously for two more days. All of this was orchestrated to offer Markus up as bait and give Zorren’s people time to come take it, while Markus had been planning to turn the tables on them when they did.
Of course, Rainus figured, Markus had had his reasons for doing all that he did, but it still didn’t make it right, and abducting the Adar was going just a little too far. But it wasn’t a terrible plan, and it would be a shame to have his son’s work go to complete waste, so Rainus was willing see it through, though from here on out, he would be taking the reigns.
So after the short confrontation in the cell, Rainus led Markus and Jamiss, who trailed behind his son and the man that he carried, to the office of Chief Commander Jordem. He expected it to be full, because Rainus had just left it only ten minutes ago, telling those there that he’d talk Markus into giving up the Heir’s location. Rainus had then made for the security room to make sure no one, not even those in Jordem’s office could hear that conversation, because what happened between father and son really shouldn’t be for public consumption.
But then things hadn’t gone like he expected, but at least Rainus had a recording of what had transpired between Markus and Master Meh-len tucked away safely in his pocket. Any other evidence of the file had been scoured away with no traces left behind. And that important fact would be helpful in what happened next.
Rainus entered the office without so much as a polite knock or a pause to ring the chime. The door was keyed to open as soon as Rainus placed a palm to the scanner. It was yet another perk of being a king, no door to a public office across the Empire could lock out the Emperor, any of the Kings, or any direct Heirs. And so, every face in the office turned in surprise as Rainus purposefully walked through the door closely followed by Markus, the still unconscious Meh-len, and Jamiss.
Jamiss as always took his position right inside the door, so he was out of the way, but his eyes and attention roving the room on constant alert of the slightest sign of danger toward Rainus. It didn’t matter that those gathered together here were technically his bosses. A Protector was always ready for trouble anywhere and anytime just like he was taught.
Markus had walked passed Rainus and unceremoniously tossed the limp form of Meh-len onto the large conference table that Rainus had sat at just a weeks ago to convince the command officers of what might come about. His son then threw a gloating smirk to everyone in the room, and then walked back toward Rainus and took a position with the wall at his back and stood there clearly enjoying the utter shock playing out in every person seated at said table.
Rainus had simply stepped far enough in the room to make his presence known and just stood there like a powerhouse holding court for the people of his domain, and waited patiently for what was most assuredly to happen next. He didn’t have long to wait. As soon as Markus had stepped up against the wall, Chief Jordem had bolted straight out of his seat with his face as red as the setting sun had been when Rainus had first stepped into the administration building.
“What is the meaning of this!” The Chief sputtered out as he gestured to Meh-len, but glared at Markus, though Rainus was quite certain the question had been directed toward himself.
So Rainus didn’t hesitate to speak up. “This is the man that snuck past your security, slipped into my son’s cell, and almost killed him not five minutes ago. This also happens to be the man who broke into the chalet, killed Pledge Haxley, and attempted an assassination of Prince Adar Zahn.”
If the men before him were shocked before, the looks of outright disbelief shined back at Rainus as they took in the King’s words. Granted, Rainus had no idea if all of what he said was true, especially the part about the assassination of Adar. That had been implied, but there was no evidence that suggested––yet––that had been the attacker’s end goal.
And Meh-len had not confessed that he was the one who had broken into the chalet, the proof of that conversation still lay neatly tucked away in Rainus’s pocket. So for now, it was a King’s word against everyone elses. Not many people dared to call a King an outright liar, or would think to when he sounded so absolutely sure. And so Rainus eyed all those gathered to carefully watch each of their reactions.
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Captain Dexter sat the closest to Rainus and to where Markus had slung his prize. He seemed the most taken back of all and had not been able to take his eyes off the still form laying less than an arm length away like the Master might spring up any moment and smite all of them down in an instant.
Chief Winters was also present––and who hadn’t been there when Rainus had first come to the room this evening––standing near the table and a little to the side and in front of Dexter like maybe he’d been receiving orders. The Chief’s face had gone a ghostly white at Rainus’s last words with his eyes wandering to Markus, and then back to Meh-len. The Chief’s lips then pressing tight as he took another long look at the Quat-lo Master.
The two Directors present Shiperii and Foster. Each one sitting at each of the heads of the table were ramrod straight in their chairs as they glared at Rainus for daring to make such an accusation, but Rainus also caught each giving furtive looks toward Meh-len like he was a bug they would like to squash than have in their presence right now.
It was the expression of Chief Commander Jordem that really intrigued Rainus. He was still standing and quite livid. His face now changing over to deep purple, but it was the eyes that gave him away. There was a distinct look of panic there that Rainus was lucky to catch at all, because it had been so fleeting. Interesting.
“And where is your proof, King Rainus. Those sort of accusations against a respected member of the Protectorate staff will not be taken lightly. If we are to accept that Master Meh-len did indeed do the things you said, then we must have evidence to support it.” Director Shiperii spoke up in a quiet, but firm voice.
He then turned to Chief Winters in a commanding tone. “Inform a Caretaker immediately that Master Meh-len requires attention.”
It took a moment for the Chief to respond out of his startled stated, but the voice of the Director was enough to shake him out. Winters gave a fist to heart and quickly left the room.
Rainus could tell that Markus was about to speak up, but he threw his son a cutting look that told him to keep his mouth shut. Markus glared at Rainus for a moment, but kept quiet. The King turned his attention back to the Director sitting at the head of the table closest to him.
The King pulled out the data stick in his hand that held the recording of Markus’s and Meh-len’s confrontation, but he held firmly onto it, and did not offer it to the Director’s now outstretched hand.
“The Master’s confession is here,” not a total lie, just not the confession they were thinking. Rainus continued, “but I am afraid I will have to hold onto it until the traitor in Command is apprehended as well. We don’t want him getting his hands on this and destroying the evidence. This disk is the only copy of the Master’s confession.”
That statement made the room go silent again. Again, Rainus watched the expressions of the four men. The only one who threw a quick look around the room was Dexter. The other three simply glared at the King.
“That is not acceptable, King Rainus. We will not have one of ours blamed for something without hard evidence.” This time Director Foster spoke up from his end of the table.
“I understand that this is not an ideal situation, but as I am a neutral party here, I think it stands to reason that I should hold onto this disk until we are sure who is loyal to who.”
“You are not neutral, Majesty. Your son abducted the Heir and refused to give up his location. Did you managed to get that confession like you said that you would?” Chief Jordem had managed to get his words back and he spat them out in a bold faced accusation.
Rainus simply smiled. “In fact, he did. I know where Prince Adar is.”
Another wave of shock went around the four faces and each of them shouted out the same question, “Where?”
Rainus actually had trouble controlling his features, but he managed. This was proving to be more fun than he’d intended, and he was having trouble not laughing out loud. He wasn’t a man who told bold faced lies as a normal pastime, not like he was doing now, but he had deemed the situation to require it. This was the best and fastest way to get to the truth, to protect the Heir, and to do his duty to his Emperor. And deep down, a part of him was enjoying this more than he probably should.
“Like I said before,” Rainus said in all seriousness. “There is a traitor in the higher ranks of this College. I will deluge nothing until the culprit is apprehended and we are sure that everyone’s loyalty is where it should be.”
“This puts us all in a very difficult position, Majesty.” Director Shiperii replied in a grim tone.
“Indeed it does, but I have a suggestion that will draw all this unpleasantness to a swift and final conclusion,” Rainus offered.
Curious looks came from all four and it was Foster who spoke up. “And what is that?”
“Each of you state that you had nothing to do with the attack on the chalet, that you have no ill will toward the Heir, and that you are not in league with Zorren Zahn or Kaller Hame in any shape or form. And we bring in every single person who works in this building to state the same.”
Everyone blinked at the King, momentarily trying to understand why he would say such a thing, and then as comprehension dawned, all four heads swiveled as one toward Markus, who was once again sporting his smug smirk.
“Yes, as you all know, my son has the Verity Dome-ni. It’s the only fool proof way to know for sure who is telling the truth and not, and quite frankly, I’m surprised none of you thought to use his services in this matter.”
“He kidnapped the Heir!” Jordem exclaimed. “Nador refused to give up his location, so as far as we are concerned, your son is as guilty as the person who broke into the chalet, which of course, it could have been Pledge Nador who did that too. He could have just lied about being the one stopping the attacker to get the attention off him.”
Again, Markus looked like he was going to speak up, but Rainus stepped in front of his son to stop him, and addressed the Commander himself. “Markus’s actions are circumspect, yes, but his ability to use his Dome-ni to find the truth is on record to be completely accurate, which you already know, because he’s used his ability for the College in the past.”
“He could lie about who is telling the truth. Just because he knows who speaks true, doesn’t meant mean that he will tell us accurately.” This was Jordem again.
“What reason would he have to lie?” Dexter was the one to speak up. “He wants what we want, and that is to protect the Heir.”
Rainus looked to the Captain with a raised eyebrow, because that was the exact thing he was going to mention.
“And if he was the attacker on the chalet, and the one who killed Pledge Haxley?” Jordem said.
“Markus Nador may have unconventional ways of doing things, Chief Commander, but I do not believe that Pledge Nador would kill a Pledge just for standing guard, or attempt harm on the Heir.” This was Director Shiperii. He had a decided frown on his face. “I do not like the idea of my word being suspect or being put under the scrutiny of the Verity Dome-ni, but King Rainus does have a point.
“The fact is that the chalet was broken into because the person had command codes he should not have had, and the only way he could have gotten them was if he’d stolen them, or someone in our office gave them to him. We have already done our own internal investigation on this matter and there have been no signs of the administration building being hacked, or otherwise illegally entered anytime within the last three month period. So that leaves just one conclusion.”
This last bit was news to Rainus, and it seemed Markus, Captain Dexter, and Commander Jordem as well. Despite his close hold on his emotions, Rainus couldn’t help the surprise that he was sure showed on his face and probably matched all but the two Directors.
Foster nodded to his counterpart across the table and he turned to Markus and spoke clearly so all could hear.
“I have had no involvement in the recent attack on the chalet. I have no ill intentions toward Prince Adar Zahn. My loyalty is to this College, to my Empire, and to Emperor Ghar Zahn. I have not knowingly or willingly helped or encouraged Captain Kaller Hame, Prince Zorren Zahn, or anyone else in their vendetta against Prince Adar Zahn. My intention is to find the Heir to offer him protection, and to discover those looking to do him harm by apprehending them for appropriate disciplinary actions, even if that means they are members of this College.”
The room was silent again as all eyes went directly to Markus. Rainus’s son’s eyes had a distant look that they got whenever Markus was hearing the truth of a person’s words. The look passed, and then Markus nodded his head, letting everyone know that Director Foster had spoken the truth. It caused the Director to relax his back just a bit almost in relief that everyone knew he hadn’t been the traitor.
Director Shiperii was next repeating the exact phrase of Foster, who was followed up by Captain Dexter doing the same. Both of the men received a nod from Markus when they had finished. Though, Markus seemed a little surprised at Dexter’s innocence. Had he suspected the Captain of being the traitor? Last up, was Chief Commander Jordem.
He was still standing, and he had gone absolute silent during the last few minutes.