In the weeks that followed, Kedemar and Natalya steadily mended back to full health, sleeping much and resting often. They spent a lot of time together due to their being confined to the castle infirmary. Some of the time was spent in companionable silence, other times they spoke quietly about life and their future.

They grew closer together, although Natalya would not have admitted that she was already slowly falling in love with the handsome young captain. Kedemar's gentle, slightly awkward wooing was slowly healing her aching heart.

Then the time came when Kedemar was released from the infirmary and called to take up responsibility.

The captain stood in the bedchamber he'd been given; he was peering into a mirror, using a sharp knife to trim his hair back up to the length he desired: brushing his collar in the back and his jawline in the front. He'd already used the same knife to shave his beard. He preferred his face hairless. Life was simpler that way.

A knock sounded on his open door, and he looked up. A young boy of maybe ten winters stood there, fidgeting nervously. He wore the clothing of a palace page.

"What is it?" Kedemar asked kindly. The boy gave him a gap-toothed smile.

"His majesty, King Dathran, requests your presence in the main Council Chamber, m'lord." The page said, and handed him a folded paper. Kedemar laid aside his knife, took the note and opened it.

"Just call me Kedemar. I'm no lord." The captain replied absently, skimming the brief contents of the note. All seemed to be in order according to the boy's word. He looked up.

"Does his majesty require a return message?" He asked. The boy shook his head.

"No, sir."

"Thank you." Kedemar said, and flipped the boy a silver coin. The young page grinned as he caught it.

"Thank'ee, sir!" He cried before running off back down the hall way.

Kedemar shook his head, chuckling, as he closed the door of his room to begin getting himself presentable for the king. Oh, to be a child again, with no worries at all. For him, those times were long past. As a street orphan, Kedemar couldn't remember a time during his childhood when he didn't not have worry. When he was old enough to join the guard, it became better. Soldiering was simple work, when all you had to do was follow orders and someone else worried about your meals and pay.

Kedemar mused on all of this as he tugged on a clean linen tunic dyed dark blue, grey trousers, and tall leather boots. He fastened his sword-belt on over it all, but forwent any armor. He didn't anticipate any danger in the palace.

***

Dath met him outside the big double doors of the Council Chamber. The king grinned and clapped Kedemar on the shoulder.

"You're looking well." Dath commented merrily, a twinkle in his steel-grey eyes.

Kedemar smiled, running his hand over his shaven jaw.

"More well than two weeks ago." He bantered. Dath laughed.

"Good." He said, squeezing Kedemar's shoulder. "I have need of you."

Kedemar's smile faded. "What for?"

Dath grinned. "You'll see." He winked. Kedemar eyed him, thinking that the king seemed entirely too pleased with himself.

"Tell me, please." The captain pressed. Dath sobered slightly.

"Well," he began, "A member of the nobility will be seen more favorably by the Councilmen as having a claim to the throne." His grin turned saucy. "And that is all I'm going to say for now!"

"Alright..." Kedemar replied, thinking that Dath would probably just promote him to a baron or earl or something. Nothing too high in rank.

After giving Kedemar one last wink, Dath slipped through the doors into the Council Chamber. Kedemar was left outside, waiting to be officially announced.

Finally, a pounding of Head Councilman Anek's staff of office came from inside the room, and the doors swung open from within.

"Presenting Kedemar ad Myrena of Kenrath, Fourth Captain of the King's Guard!" The herald cried as Kedemar strode into the room. The huge Council table was shoved up against the back wall, and the benches were set in two columns on either side of the room. Dath stood at the head of the room, looking every bit the king. A fur-lined robe lay over his shoulders and an elegant gold crown graced his brow. Kedemar's mouth nearly dropped open in awe. He'd never seen Dath look so-- so-- regal! The captain was used to the visage of the scruffy bounty hunter.

Dath smiled down the room at Kedemar.

"Come forth, son of Kenrath!" His deep voice boomed off the walls of the cavernous chamber. Kedemar swallowed and started up the walkway between the benches filled with robed Councilmen. Glanced to the side as he did and saw Natalya and Haeil smiling at him as the assassin supported the huntress. Kedemar managed a tentative smile in their direction.

It was a long walk for him, it seemed, up that long aisle to stand before the Shadow King. But he made it, somehow. Once there, he dropped to his knees before Dath and bowed his head.

"I am at your command, my liege." Kedemar spoke the formal words of the offering of service. He could hear the smile in Dath's voice as he replied,

"My command is this-- and let all who hear my words be witness this day-- that Kedemar ad Myrena of Kenrath, Fourth Captain of the Guard, be henceforth and from this day known as Kedemar ad Myrena, Lord of Kenrath Province, sworn man of the Shadow King, and heir to the Shadow Crown of Gibethon. Rise, Kedemar." The king said as the room erupted in cheers.

Feeling stunned, the new, young lord rose to his feet and bowed his head as Dath slipped the silver chain of his office around his neck. It hung heavy against Kedemar's chest, bumping gently against the golden seal ring hidden beneath his tunic collar.

Kedemar lifted his eyes to Dath's. The king's face was serious, but his eyes sparkled with gladness at bestowing this honor on the man he loved like a son.

"Kneel, Kedemar," Dath ordered, "and swear fealty to me."

So Kedemar, still stunned, knelt at the feet of his king and swore fealty.

"I swear my fealty this day to Dathran ad Antoin of Anathod, Shadow King and Oath-Ruler of Gibethon. I will not disobey his command; my sword shall not turn back from his enemies. His name shall not be sullied by my lips. I will take no other oath that is in conflict with the one I now swear. My undying and complete loyalty is his until he release me from my word or death severs my body and my soul. So I swear." His voice rang clearly throughout the chamber.

"So may it be." The congregation answered. And the oath was sealed.

"Rise," Dath said, reaching down and helping Kedemar to his feet. The young lord winced slightly as his tender scar was contorted by the movement of his body. The raised flesh scraped slightly, uncomfortably, on the cloth of his tunic.

Kedemar and Dath looked each other in the eye for a moment. Then Dath took Kedemar's face in his hands and pressed a kiss to his brow. Then smiled.

"It was well done, my son." He said. Kedemar's eyes grew wet.

'My son.'

The words he had longed to hear for his whole life fell on his ears like rain onto thirsty ground. Something inside his soul was healed then. Filled. A hole he hadn't known existed was made no more by two simple words spoken by the man Kedemar respected above all others. And they had been sincerely meant too.

A single tear slipped down Kedemar's cheek and Dath pulled him into a gentle embrace.

"It is well." The king whispered.

And it was.

***

Not two weeks after, once Kedemar was pronounced fully healed by Myra and the palace healers and his scar didn't pain him so much, Dath received news from the southern coastal cities and the northern mountain fortresses of the approaching Kathiran army. The king wasted no time in ordering his countering moves.

Dath first drew Haeil aside and gave him a mission: diplomacy. Sail to the northern kingdom of Syrdrin and garner their aid in the war.

"We are a peninsular kingdom," Dath spoke seriously, a hand on the young assassin's shoulder, holding his gaze. "And as such we are doubly prone to be sandwiched between two foes. Or one foe, in this case. Mendenlau sends his fleet to attack our south at the same time as his army marches to take our mountain strongholds. We cannot be alone in this fight, or there is too good a chance of our fall. We need allies, Haeil. I will send with you my seal and letters of introduction and authority. You will have the power to act on my behalf and authorize any treaty you can garner. Make sure it is favorable to us, Haeil. So much is riding on this, lad."

"If Menden-mumble were dead, there would be no need for war, Dath!" Haeil pleaded, "Send me to assassinate him instead!" The broken magic tethered to his brand roiled and he didn't even care. There was a sure way to end this, he could see it. It was so simple.

But Dath shook his head in refusal.

"No." He said. "I will not send you to do that. You would never succeed. You'd never even get close to him, and even if you did.... Mendenlau is not like other men, Haeil. Like me, he is more than he seems; his life is long and his strength only grows the more time that passes. To try to assassinate him would be a mission doomed to failure."

So Haeil reluctantly went south on his mission of diplomacy, knowing there was a lot riding on him in this, and that he was one of the few men Dath trusted. The assassin sadly kissed Myra goodbye in the palace courtyard before mounting his horse and riding out with Jashur and an escort of ten of the Guard. He was to head back to Bethmüda and find a ship to Syrdrin from there.

***

Dath charged Kedemar with holding the northwestern fortress of Fellvale Keep. That was the gateway into Gibethon, and if it fell, all could be lost.

"Take as many men as you need, but hold that keep!" The king ordered the lord. Kedemar accepted his mission with gravity, kissed Nat's hand as he left, and told her to go to the manor in Kenrath's capital city, Dinfel Crag.

Nat watched him ride out at the head of his two hundred men, wondering why she felt so bereft with him gone. She pressed her hand to her chest. Could still feel where his lips had pressed against the skin on the back of her hand. The place tingled with warmth. As she stood atop the castle battlements and watched her betrothed riding away from her, her heart ached with sorrow and leaped with joy all at once.

Was this love again? She wondered. Her heart had been steeped in sorrow for so long that she had forgotten what the feelings of love felt like. It was nice when they went hand in hand with the choice of love.

As Nat watched Kedemar's two hundred disappear over the horizon, she resolved she would do as he asked. She would go to Dinfel Crag Manor. She would see what kind of home her new lord had been given.

And maybe-- maybe-- she would learn to love it as she was learning to love him.

***

Natalya arrived at Dinfel Crag with a small retinue and letters of introduction from both Dath and Kedemar.

The manor was large, more like a small castle really, and well defensible. It was on the forest side of the largest sea-side city in Kenrath, and considered to be the seat of the capital of the province. Nat was made welcome there and soon settled in. Here, in her birth-land, breathing the early summer winds and the sea air, she felt most at home.

Yes, she and Kedemar could make a life here, she decided.

She often walked the grounds, the fields, the orchards, and the forest, not to mention the seashores. Became acquainted with all the servants and guardsmen, and made good friends of many of them. One guardsman, Roland by name, the captain of the manor's garrison, was a cheerful young man whose hair shone red-brown in the sun. He grinned when he read Kedemar's letter of introduction.

"You're his betrothed, eh?" He asked her as he handed the letter back to her. Natalya inclined her head in affirmation. The captain's grin grew wider still.

"I grew up with Kedemar, you know." He said. Nat looked up in surprise.

"You did?" She asked. He nodded merrily.

"Yep. Sure did. We were street orphans together. Both of us were picked up by the King's Guard, and when Kedemar rose through the ranks, I was in his squad, then his unit, then his company. I do not regret one day of serving under his command." He sobered as memory struck him. "He rescued me once, when I had been taken prisoner after a Kathiran skirmish gone wrong. Most of our unit were either killed or taken prisoner. Those weeks I spent in enemy hands were... pure hell." He smiled at her, waving his hand as if to dispel the bad memories. "But enough of that. I don't want to bore you. Suffice it to say that Kedemar never leaves a man behind. He rescued all of us, and gained a promotion in the process. You should ask him about it sometime." His grin came back in full force as he bowed to her.

"You could not be betrothed to a better man, my lady." Roland said before striding away, limping slightly.

Natalya merely bowed her head in gratitude as he left.

As days, and then weeks passed, Natalya found herself alone much of the time. Loneliness was not an issue, however. She savored the quiet of the woods and peacefulness of the shore, despite the guard of four that always followed her around. Her only regret was that Kedemar was not here to share these beautiful times with her.

When she did get lonely, Myra and Adalyyn were with her at the manor, having come when she did. She sought out their willing company and they chatted about the thing that women will.

Jashur was due to arrive any day, having escorted Haeil to an Obsidian haven to get passage on a ship. Adalyyn missed him and eagerly awaited his coming. Natalya watched her and Myra pine for their loves, and wonders if she did so for Kedemar.

And then month after her arrival, a letter from Kedemar came, telling her that he had arrived safely at Fellvale Keep, and that all was as well as it could be. Natalya devoured the contents of the letter eagerly, missing him and Haeil and Dath, whom she didn't see that often.

The king, though he had promised to visit, was occupied with mustering his troops and calming a people on the brink of a civil war. The kingdom was divided. Half of the citizens were for Dath, grateful that they had a king to lead them in a time of war. The other half were suspicious of the newly unmasked Shadow King, having before believed him to be only a myth for children.

But Natalya pushed these troublesome matters from her mind. Dath would come when he could. In the meantime, Kedemar had asked her to write him back. She did so eagerly.

***

Haeil and Jashur made it safely back to Bethmüda. Haeil shivered as he and the leader of the Obsidian rode through the city. The young assassin did not have many pleasant memories here. At least, with Ulrek dead-- and by Haeil's hand too-- the assassin stronghold here was broken up and scattered. The city was as safe as it could be.

The men wasted no time. While the men of their Guard escort found lodging for the night, Jashur led Haeil down to the docks and introduced the young assassin to the captain of a ship called the Wind Rose. The captain, a middle-aged man called Arrion, greeted Haeil merrily.

Arrion was, of course, a member of the Obsidian.

"Aye, lad," he said, when told the mission, "I'll get you to Syrdrin, or die trying. You have my word on it."

Haeil gulped, not wanting anyone to die on his behalf. Leave the dying to me, he wanted to say. But had to hold his tongue.

Jashur and Haeil found a pleasant dock-side tavern and ate one last meal with their Guardsmen comrades. Shortly after, Haeil said his goodbyes, slipped a letter addressed to Myra into Jashur's hands and garnered his promise that it would be safely delivered. Then the young assassin embarked on the Wind Rose and they set sail with the evening tide. Haeil wasn't prone to seasickness, and enjoyed the trip.

The Wind Rose was a small ship, only three decks, six guns, and a crew of twenty. Not a fighting ship, should she encounter pirates. She was built for speed. The young assassin surveyed her small, efficient lines, and swallowed hard. He hoped that they didn't meet any pirates, for all their sakes.

But the first leg of Haeil's journey was calm.

***

'Dear Kedemar,'

Natalya wrote from a sunny room in Dinfel Crag manor she had claimed as her own study and retreat.

'Or should I say, 'my lord'? I am well settled here, but-- I wish you were here too. I miss you.

There.

I said it.

Why is it so much easier to speak of these things on paper?

Anyway, the sun is warm here, and the sea air does me good. By the time you read this, summer shall be nearing its second month, and the apple trees will have tiny fruit on them. As it is, they are blooming now, in the manor orchard. Myra, Adalyyn, and I love to walk beneath them and smell their sweet blossoms. Sometimes Myra and I catch Adalyyn and Jashur kissing underneath them. When we do we giggle like children and grin while they good-naturedly scold us. I wish Haeil were here too. We haven't heard from him since the message he sent home with Jashur. Myra tries to stay cheerful, but I can tell she misses him something awful. Is it strange that I think of this place as home now?

Because I do, Kedemar. I do think of Dinfel Crag as home now. And I'd be honored to make it a home with you. We should-- we should get... married... when you come back. Nothing fancy or large; I just want it to be here.

And I want to save our home. We need a child of our seed to do that though.

I love it here, it's so beautiful. The sky is bluer than I've ever seen it, and I've been living in Kenrath Province my whole life. But... it's lonely without my friends.

Without you.

So, be safe, Kedemar, even though I know I shouldn't write that-- you can't be safe at Fellvale. You're in the thick of the danger. Come back as soon as you can.

And... come home... to me.

Your betrothed,

Natalya ab Hiram.

***

Leaning against the wall in a quiet, secluded corner outside of the main building of Fellvale Keep, Kedemar read Natalya's letter, then read it again. It filled him with hope and fire. Yes, he vowed, he would see her again. He would come home safely to her, his future bride. His betrothed. A warm glow filled his heart at the sight of her sign-off. Yes, she was worth fighting for, all the way.

Smiling, he folded the letter and slipped it beneath his breastplate. It nestled over his tunic, right over his heart. The young lord hurried inside to his chambers.

***

'Dearest Natalya,

Thank you for writing back to me. For daring to say what you did.'

Kedemar wasted no time in writing his reply, determined that it would go out with the next supply caravan.

'I know that this isn't easy for you. It's not easy for me either, but less so, and getting better all the time.

Please excuse my clumsiness with words. It seems I am just as awkward on paper as when in person. Remember when I asked you to forgive me any blunders, that night in the garden in Bethmüda? It seems like a lifetime ago.

Anyway, I ask that same question again, now. I am learning, I think, but I am still so skill-less when wooing you. I am better at making war than love.

I do miss you, Nat. I miss seeing your smile and hearing you laugh. Fellvale is a dreary place to begin with, and made even more so by your absence. I long to come home to Dinfel Crag, to you. And yes, when I come, we will marry. I am ready.

I think.

I only await your word. We can wed beneath the summer sky, in the forest just north of the manor. Or by the sea, under the sunset. What sounds best to you?

Gah, I sound so foolish. Too sappy. I just know you smirked at my attempt at romantic language. Ha, I can see your smile in my mind.

Wish I could see it in person. You would brighten my day, Nat, in this dark hole.

War is not glory, my lass. I have fought seven skirmishes with the Kathirans already; they press ever closer. Some have even found a way over the mountains and now they harass us from two sides. We are hard-put to defend. Fifteen of my men have already fallen.

This will likely be my last letter for a while, as the enemy threatens to cut off our supply lines.

If Dath has a message for me, tell him to send it with someone dangerous. No one else will be able to get through.

This war will be over sometime, Natalya. And when it is, I will come home to you. I promise. And when I come, I have something to tell you.

But I don't want to say here, on impersonal paper. I want to tell you in person. So, until then,

Finding reasons to love you,

Always,

Kedemar ad Myrena'

***

Dath arrived at Dinfel Crag not long after that last letter from Kedemar. The king came bearing a mission for Natalya.

"Lass," he began, "I have no wish to put you in danger of any kind, but I have no one else to turn to, no one else I dare trust. I have a message for Kedemar, and I need you to get it to him fast. I will send someone with you to keep you safe, and also to guide you through the Fellvale Tunnels. For that is the route I want you to take. No Kathirans will be using it, as it harbors nasty beasts and is full of more twists and convolutions than the wool on a sheep's back. You'll meet your escort at the road heading out of the city. You'll know him when you see him."

Adalyyn heard his words.

She said, "Dath, you cannot send the girl alone like that!"

"I am not sending her alone." Dath replied. "I am sending someone with her, someone who knows the Fellvale Tunnels."

"Do you even know yet who you're going to send as that girl's escort?" Adalyyn shot back, hands on her hips. Dath could give her no answer, except,

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"She will be safe. My word on it."

"Don't send her!" Adalyyn pleaded. "Send Jashur! Send Roland!"

Dath's face fell. "I am taking enough chances already." He answered. "I cannot trust them like I trust Natalya."

"Please!" Adalyyn tried one more time.

"No," Nat replied, stepping in. Calm, even as her heart soared at the thought of seeing Kedemar again.

"I will do it, no matter who goes with me or not. Your message will get through, Dath." So she said, and Dath bowed his head to her, grateful.

***

Later that same day, Dath met Gavin in a tavern in the city.

"Still angry with me?" The assassin asked, swirling his drink in his glass.

"Yes." Dath replied tersely, sliding into the secluded back-corner booth in which Gavin sat. "But, I have not told the lad who you are to him yet."

Gavin sighed.

"Thank you." He said. "He would hate me for what I've done."

"And with good cause." Dath snorted in derision as he ordered a drink. "Actually, Gavin, I have a job for you. Not having paid out your service to me yet, I'm sure you'll be obliged to do this."

"What is it?" Gavin asked warily.

Dath replied, "Escort Natalya through the Fellvale Tunnels to the way-house on the other side. Once there, send a message to Kedemar to meet her there. He should be able to get through. Natalya has a missive from me for him."

"Why me?" Gavin asked.

"I'm sending you because you know those tunnels like no one else, and you can protect the lass from the things that dwell within." Dath said. Leaned forward and grasped Gavin's arm. Touched with his mind the unbroken magic tethered to the assassin's brand.

"I am counting on you, Gavin." The king spoke softly but intensely.

Gavin bowed his head.

"It will be done as you say, I swear." He replied, then drained the contents of his glass.

***

"You?" Natalya spoke in surprise when she saw Gavin waiting for her at the roadside the next morning. The assassin inclined his head to her as her horse danced nervously beneath her.

"Indeed. Don't worry, you have nothing to fear from me. Dath charged me with your guidance and safety, and I gave him my word that it would be so." Gavin said, eyeing her horse as Nat brought it under control.

"Hm." Was the huntress's only comment.

"Come," The assassin bowed his head in the direction of the northward forest road. "The day is not getting any younger, my dear."

It was with great wariness that Nat followed the assassin as he guided her through Kenrath, up to Anathod Province, to the foot of the northwestern mountains and the mouth of the Fellvale Tunnels. The trek took three weeks. Three weeks of tense muscles and Natalya jumping at Gavin's every move.

One day, as they were making camp for the night, he growled at her in frustration, "Stop being so skittish, girl!"

Which caused Nat to startle and swiftly nock an arrow to her bow. She held it at half-draw, leveled at his chest, her eyes wide. Gavin immediately realized his mistake and held up his hands, palms out and empty.

"I'm sorry." He apologized. "Don't shoot. I'm not going to hurt you."

Natalya slowly lowered her bow and replaced the arrow in her quiver.

"For the record," she said, lifting her chin, "I don't trust you, no matter what Dath paid or didn't pay." She'd never forget that it was this man who had pursued her and her friends through the forest, and then taken Kedemar prisoner. Those scenes would live forever in her mind.

Gavin seemed to see the fearful shadow in her eyes.

"Is it just me," he asked, "or all assassins?"

"Most assassins." She replied, not taking her eyes off him as he started gathering firewood. "I trust Haeil completely. You tried to kill us."

Gavin bobbed his head amiably. "True." He said. "It was what I was paid to do."

His words left Natalya wondering what had happened to that contract.

***

They left their horses at the southern mouth of the Fellvale Tunnels, reins and saddles loose, and proceeded into the dark maw of the caves.

Terse, awkward conversation was made as their trek went on for days. They camped every so often so that they could rest, but here in the dark underground, time seemed to mean nothing. At one point, Gavin eyed Nat, seeming to want to ask something.

"What?" She asked, sidestepping away from him. She hated having to be so close by his side in the narrow tunnels.

"Do you love Kedemar?" The assassin blurted out, his expression unreadable. His gaze was almost-- hopeful?

Nat's eyes went wide at his question, and her cheeks flushed. Then she looked away, mumbling something.

Gavin smiled, sure that he had his answer.

"Tell me." He pressed.

Nat turned to him, cheeks red.

"I don't have to tell you anything." She said. "My turn to ask a question. Why are you so interested in Kedemar anyway? Ever since you met him, you've wanted him to join the assassins. Why?"

Now it was Gavin's turn to look away. He took a deep breath before saying,

"He's my son."

Natalya went white with shock.

"Your son?" She whispered. Then, "He doesn't know, does he?"

Gavin shook his head, turned his head to look at her.

"No." He replied. "And I'd like to keep it that way."

Nat shook her head but held her peace.

***

No beasts attacked them but for one cavern lizard, which Gavin quickly killed by putting his sword through its spine. Natalya's arrow hissed down and pierced its skull a mere half-second later. Gavin gave her a nod of respect as he cleaned the blood from his blade.

As they neared the end of the tunnels however, Gavin seemed more and more anxious. As days went by, it got worse. He grew more quiet than usual, brooding. He took to watching Natalya closely until he made her so nervous she spilled their soup into their meager campfire one night, extinguishing the pitiful flames.

Gavin sighed in the dark, moved to tend what little coals remained. Nat sucked in a breath, scrambling away as he brushed against her. She heard him sigh again, as he piled more of their little supply of cave-wood onto the embers and coaxed the blaze back to life.

Nat eyed him warily as the flickering light bounced off the cavern walls and their faces. The illumination cast menacing shadows under Gavin's eyes as he looks at her, adding to Nat's unease.

"Next time, try not to do that, yes?" The assassin said.

"No." Natalya found her voice. "Enough. I don't trust you, and we're almost out anyway. I can find my own way from here." She stood and slung on her weapons.

"No," Gavin said. "You'd never make it on your own." But Nat turned away, walking out of the firelight and into the next segment of tunnel.

Gavin's strong arm wrapped around her from behind and he pressed a sweetly-scented cloth firmly over her mouth and nose.

After a quick gasp that taught her that the fumes on the cloth made her woozy and lightheaded, Nat held her breath and struggled wildly against Gavin's hold. Fear gave her strength as she tugged and strained against his arm. But he was stronger than her by far. She was no match for him. Nat could not hold her breath forever; her lungs gave out and she took a deep breath of the sickly-sweet fumes. Her vision turned black at the edges.

"I swore to Dath that I'd see you safely through the tunnels," Gavin said softly in her ear as she struggled fruitlessly against him, "And I may have my own agenda, but I will honor my word one way or another."

Then she had to breathe again; sucked in a lungful of fumes, and blackness took her completely. Natalya knew no more.

***

Gavin lowered Natalya's limp body to the hard stone of the ground. Tucked away his tainted rag and listened at the girl's slightly parted lips for the ebb and flow of her breath. He didn't think he'd held the cloth over her face for too long, but felt for a pulse in her neck just to make sure. Found it, to his relief. He needed her alive, not dead.

Gavin divested Natalya of her weapons and gently turned her onto her stomach. He tied her hands securely behind her back.

A hostage, that's what he needed. He'd sworn to Dath that he would get Natalya safely out of the caves. He would do that. But Dath had said nothing about after, only that a message had to be sent to Kedemar once they reached the way-house.

It presented a perfect opportunity.

Gavin gently hefted Natalya over his shoulder, smothered their fire, and set off down the tunnel. He figured he had about four or five hours before the girl woke up. That was more than enough time to reach the way-house, but after that the assassin would have to work fast. He needed some of his oath-brethren, a brand, and a hot fire.

The assassin adjusted Natalya's weight on his shoulder. Dath would hunt him down and kill him, Gavin knew, if he allowed the girl to be harmed.

But she wouldn't be! Not as long as Kedemar did as he was bid.

Maybe...

***

At Fellvale Keep Kedemar received the message that Natalya was waiting for him at the way-house outside the Tunnels. Kedemar's heart soared.

She was so close. He could see her tonight.

He made his way quickly through the mostly secret, very narrow, underground passage that ran from the keep nearly all the way to the mouth of the tunnels. Emerged a ways away from the ridge that the way-house was built on. It was dark by this time, night bringing with it wind. Kedemar could see the flames of a brazier dancing up on the floor of the wide ridge. He climbed up the path swiftly, cresting the top and standing straight only to behold--

"What is this?" He growled, taking an involuntary step backward.

***

Nat woke suddenly in darkness, head pounding, wrists tied behind her, straw rough against her cheek. It was dark all around her, but some moonlight filtered in through the cracks in the wooden walls that enclosed her.

The way-house?

It had to be.

Memories of what had happened right before it all went dark cascaded through her mind.

Gavin.

Gavin had done this.

Gavin was a traitor.

Gavin was also Kedemar's blood-father.

Natalya clenched her fists in anger, then wriggled the rope on her wrists to loosen it. She had flipped herself over onto her back, arching her spine to relieve the pressure in her bound hands, when footsteps crunched on rock outside. Nat went still and wide-eyed as Gavin pulled open the door of the way-house and stepped in.

"He's coming." He said, grim-faced. He gave no other explanation than that, just hauled her to her feet and shoved her out the door. The assassin dragged Natalya over into the light of a brazier, and set a blade against her throat.

She then watched as Kedemar crested the ridge and stopped short, his eyes flicking from her to Gavin to the knife at her neck to the five other assassins gathered silently there and back to Gavin.

"What is this?" The lord growled. He paled angrily and took a step back. Reached for his sword.

"None of that." Gavin said, twitching the blade at Nat's throat. She hissed as the razor-sharp dagger drew a thin line of blood across her neck. Kedemar sucked in a breath as he watched a bead of blood trickle down Nat's neck and into her collar.

"Drop the sword-belt, now." Gavin ordered coldly. His five comrades took a step forward, hands on the hilts of their own blades.

Kedemar met Nat's eyes. Fierce love and angry helplessness emanated from Kedemar's gaze and pierced her soul. She could see his decision written there.

"No," She whispered. But, jaw working, the young lord unbuckled his sword-belt and let it fall to the rocks.

"You will be one of us," Gavin said, adjusting his hold on Natalya, "or your precious love will die."

Kedemar's eyes widened as realization struck him.

"So," he said softly, "that's what this is."

Gavin nodded in affirmation. He shoved Nat into the sharp custody of another assassin and strode forward to meet his son.

"Take our oath and our brand, Kedemar, and I'll let her live." He said. Kedemar clenched his fist, uttering a foul oath.

"No!" Nat cried. The young lord locked eyes with her. Resignation had joined the love and helplessness she saw there, and she realized with a sinking heart that Kedemar would never allow her to die if he could do anything at all. He was too stars-cursed honorable.

"I have to." Kedemar spoke softly to the woman he loved, then walked over to the brazier with Gavin.

"NO!" Nat screamed, struggling against the knife and iron grip of the assassin holding her captive. Didn't care when his blade inadvertently cut her neck as she lunged forward.

"Kedemar, please! Don't!" She cried, eyes pooling with tears. "No, no, no, no."

“After you take the oath, seal it with the brand.” Gavin instructed Kedemar, standing beside the brazier in which rested an instrument akin to a cattle brand. Even from fifteen feet away, Natalya could feel dark magic roiling in the brand.

“Please,” she pleaded with Kedemar, tears streaming down her cheeks, “don’t do this, not for me! Don’t sell your soul, Kedemar!”

But he only locked gazes with her, his love and sorrow shining in his eyes, as he repeated after Gavin the words of the assassins’ oath.

“I swear my loyalty to Kathiare’s king and blood-meant gold. I swear to walk in darkness as shadow myself. I swear that no pity, no compassion, and no love will stay my blade, but that the blood of my creditors’ enemies shall sate their coin.”

Each sentence was like a punch to the gut for Natalya, leaving her breathless as she was forced to watch her betrothed sell his soul away to his enemies.

When the oath was finished, Gavin lifted the brand out of the brazier flames, and held out its red-hot end toward his son. Kedemar rolled up his right sleeve, his hand shaking. He pressed his bared forearm against the brand's red-hot surface. The young lord sucked in his breath and hissed in agony, but didn’t draw away.

Flesh sizzled and foul-selling smoke drifted into the air, turning Natalya's stomach.

“No.” Nat whispered, unable to tear her eyes away from Kedemar. “No.”

As Kedemar pulled away and cradled his branded arm, she saw the black magic attach itself to the brand-mark and take Kedemar’s mind.

And she saw him let it.

“Now,” and for the first time Gavin smiled. “As your first act of loyalty to us, kill her.” He gestured to Natalya. Kedemar lifted his eyes to meet hers as Gavin pressed a knife hilt into his hand. Nat’s breath caught in her throat as she saw a darkness rise up in Kedemar’s eyes. His hand clenched around the knife hilt. The black magic roiled around his brand, convulsing, demanding blood.

There was no pity in Kedemar's gaze, none of the love that Nat had seen before.

Thought she’d seen.

Now there was only cold, murderous anger.

Kedemar raised his knife hand, his branded arm, and threw the blade.

Natalya flinched.

But the blade spun, straight and true, sinking deep into the knife hand of the assassin holding a dagger to Nat’s throat. The assassin cried out in sudden agony, his scream cut short as Kedemar leaped forward, retrieved the knife, shoved Natalya out of the assassin's grasp and away, and killed the man with a swift slash to the throat.

Nat was sent sprawling to the stone and could only watch in horror as Kedemar decimated the assassins. The first one crumpled to the rocks, twitching, his hands clutching at his neck. The second took Kedemar's knife to the heart as he tried to back away too slowly. The young lord drove his blade deep, then, as the assassin collapsed, stole his sword and wielded it against a third man. A couple of ringing blows later, Kedemar slashed open the assassin's gut, then buried his blade between the man's neck and shoulder. The assassin fell with a gurgling scream. The fourth dropped his weapon and raised his hands in surrender, pleading for mercy. He got none. At the last moment, he tried to dodge and counter-strike, but he was no match for Kedemar's compulsion-driven fury. Kedemar savagely broke the assassin's knee with a swift kick and, when the man went down with a scream, brutally thrust his sword through his back, piercing the heart.

***

As Kedemar fought, Natalya worked frantically at the ropes binding her wrists, and soon wriggled free.

***

Gavin strode forward, whirling his own blade. Kedemar barely had time to yank his sword free of the body before Gavin struck.

Kedemar met his first few blows with ease, then kicked Gavin backward. The assassin staggered out of reach. Kedemar smiled savagely, darkness pulsing in his eyes. The magic was filling him with bloodlust and savage glee.

"You've gotten better!" Gavin spoke in surprise. Kedemar inclined his head.

"I have." He agreed. He looked up into the assassin's eyes, smiling. "Dath beat you, and I was trained by Dath. I beat Dath, in the end. I will beat you."

"Cocky." Countered Gavin. "I will have the upper hand when we are finished."

"What makes you think you are safe from me?" Kedemar snarled, striding forward. Their blades met, clashed, whirled, and clashed again. And no matter how hard Gavin tried, he could not slip past Kedemar's defenses. Could not best his strength.

The last assassin remaining out of Gavin's original five comrades, a younger man, tried to enter the fight, but Kedemar met his blow with contemptuous ease and struck the young assassin in the face, hard. The assassin staggered away, his hands over his face, and sat down heavily on the blood-slick rocks, out of the way for a moment.

Kedemar batted away Gavin's next strike, then followed up with a bewildering bind that tore the assassin's sword from his hands and left it in Kedemar's. Gavin had barely time to gasp in astonishment before Kedemar's boot drove into his gut. The assassin collapsed to his knees, choking and gasping. Kedemar stalked around behind him and placed the blades of both swords beneath Gavin's chin. The assassin lifted his head and tensed, sure that these were his last moments.

“Wait!” Natalya cried, stretching her hand out pleadingly to Kedemar as he prepared to slit Gavin’s throat. The young lord stopped short at Nat’s cry.

“Don’t kill him!” She pleaded.

“Why not?” He growled.

“Because he’s your father.” Nat blurted out.

Kedemar’s eyes widened and he jerked his swords away from Gavin’s throat. Kicked him forward as anger and betrayal fleeted across Kedemar’s face. The assassin rolled away, escaping with only a thin line of blood at his neck as he scrambled toward the path that led down from the ridge.

A sound from behind caught the lord’s attention and he turned, delflecting a strike from the last assassin as the young man rose to his feet with his recovered sword in his hands. Dual-wielding two swords, Kedemar swiftly bested him, bashed him in the face, then kicked him to the ground. He leaped on the assassin, driving his knee into the man's chest, dropping his swords and drawing a dagger. Kedemar raised his blade for the fatal blow.

Nat could only watch in horror as the man she cared for bled away to be replaced by something dark.

“NO!” She cried, leaping forward, grabbing Kedemar’s raised knife hand just as he began to swing it down at the unprotected chest of the young assassin beneath him.

Kedemar spun, coming to his feet in one fluid motion, dark eyes blazing with fury. Nat’s breath caught in fear for a moment as she retreated a step, but Kedemar refrained from striking her.

“Come back to me, Kedemar.” Nat said, stepping forward again, reaching up and cupping his cheek in her palm. He stared at her, his fury fading. The dark magic seethed, trying to call that fury back.

“Nat.” Kedemar whispered. Love and loathing battled for dominance in the flickering depths of his black eyes.

“Come back to me.” Nat said again. “This is not you, Kedemar. Please. Fight the compulsion. Fight it. For me.”

Kedemar's gaze flicked up and behind Nat, swept over the death he had wrought as the young assassin behind him rose and fled.

Something snapped inside of the young lord, and he collapsed to his knees, dropping his blade as tears filled his eyes. Natalya folded him in her arms and went to the ground with him, refusing to leave him.

“I can’t.” Kedemar said brokenly. “I don’t know how.” His breath hitched with a rising sob.

“I can show you.” Nat said.

“Help me.” Kedemar pleaded, laying his head on her chest and sobbing like a child. “Help me.”

So she held him close and she showed him how to break free of the dark magic.

Kedemar's sobs shook his whole body; his head shuddered against Natalya's chest as his tears wet her jerkin. He clung to her with all the strength of a drowning man.

"Help me." He whispered brokenly once more. Nat gently stroked his cheek, wiping away tears. Laid one hand in his hair and dropped the other to his hand. The hand attached to his branded arm.

She gently pried open his clenched fist and laid her fingers over his, palm to palm.

"Reach with your mind." She instructed him gently. "Do you feel the magic bound to the brand?"

He did. It was a dark, roiling, seething, steel-strong cord of malevolence and death.

"Take hold of it." Nat whispered. "Take hold firmly and break it. Rend it apart. It will fight you. Don't let it win."

Wrapped in Nat's warm embrace, Kedemar wrestled long and hard with that magical cord that bound him. It fought back and nearly took him.

But in the end, it shattered. He won.

He looked up into Nat's warm gaze, and smiled.

Natalya, able to feel that broken fetter-- had been able to feel the whole struggle-- looked into Kedemar's eyes, and laughed. Most of it was sheer relief. Some was joy. Some was... she didn't know what.

All she knew was the anger was gone from Kedemar's eyes and the tenderness she'd seen before was back.

In full force.

Directed at her.

She threw her arms around his neck and held him tightly. After a moment, his arms came around her in a close embrace. She breathed deep of his soldiery smell. It was blood and sweat and gross, and she loved it. He was hers and she hadn't lost him.

She knew he would struggle with the compulsion for the rest of his life, but the magic, by the One's grace, would never again own him.

They broke apart; Kedemar's hand came up to caress her cheek. He leaned close, his gaze dropping to her lips. Startled, Nat pulled back, her heart pounding.

Both sat back awkwardly.

It was with relief, desperate to break the awkwardness, that Nat remembered Dath's missive. Pulled it from her pocket, handed it to Kedemar. He took it and read it. A shadow over passed his face.

"This is irrelevant now." He said, grimly. He took her hand and pulled her to her feet. "Come on. We need to get back to Fellvale Keep. I know a secret tunnel that can get us straight there. Follow me."

They hurried, slipping and sliding down the path from the ridge, leaving the assassins' corpses for the carrion birds and mountain beasts.

***

To: Dathran ad Antoin of Anathod, Shadow King

My liege. I regret to inform you that I have committed grievous treason against you and the kingdom of Gibethon. I have forsworn two oaths this night in an attempt to hold fast to one, and, in the process, nearly lost myself. I am compromised.

I am resigning from my captaincy, my command of Fellvale Keep, the lordship of Kenrath Province, and any entitlement to the throne of Gibethon, effective immediately. Your missive, sent by Natalya ab Hiram, came too late to be of any importance.

I am sorry, Dath. Truly. I made choices tonight that will haunt me for the rest of my life. I am only here now, writing this to you, because of Natalya.

Dath, I-- I took the brand. The assassins' brand. I'm so sorry.

I understand and accept any consequences you place upon my actions. I await your judgment here at Fellvale Keep.

Your fallen servant,

Kedemar ad Gavin of Kenrath

***

Natalya chose not to leave Fellvale Keep for nearly a month and a half. She, and all the castle's inhabitants, were awaiting the arrival of the king. Dath had sent a speedy return message saying that he himself was coming to deal with the errant lord.

Nat climbed up to Kedemar's room where he spent most of his time as a self-proclaimed prisoner. He'd passed his command over to his senior captain and asked to be placed in a cell until the king came, but the horrified garrison could not do such a thing to their beloved lord.

So Kedemar was in unofficial exile. He spent most of it reading the meager store of tomes sported by the keep's little library.

Today, Nat found him lounging on his bed, his armor on its rack, his sword absent-- surrendered to the garrison captain a long time ago--, and a book in his hands. He looked up as she entered.

"Kedemar," she began, "rethink this, please. The men need you in command. You don't have to be a 'prisoner' like this. You are not going to be executed. Dath's a forgiving man, and he'll surely let you live. You are in the prophecy, after all. You are still the heir to the crown. You're a good man, Kedemar."

He smiled sadly at her. Replied,

"He shouldn't forgive me. I'm a traitor, Nat. Captain Foronat is quite capable of commanding. As for the heir and prophecy, well, it'll come true another way."

"So you regret loving me then, saving me?" Nat angrily spun on her heel and left before he could reply.

***

When Dath had received Kedemar's letter, he noted the very formal language, and his blood ran cold. Something must be very wrong for Kedemar to write this way. Was Natalya...? Nobody was... dead, were they?

The king waited until he was alone in his chambers, sitting down at his desk, before breaking the seal on the letter and unfolding the paper inside. He read it, then sat for a moment, stunned.

Treason?

Kedemar?

Surely not!

But then he re-read the part where the young man spoke taking the assassin's brand, and read his sign-off.

Kedemar ad Gavin.

Not Kedemar ad Myrena, his mother's name. The young lord had taken his father's name. He knew, then.

Dath sucked in a deep breath. Tears pricked his eyes. The lad he loved like a son had finally fallen.

Dath had subconsciously known this was coming. Had fought it all the way. But it was fated to happen.

From the dawn of the kingdoms until now, every king of Kathiare and Gibethon both had been assassins, or former assassins in Gibethon's case. Every king had, at some point before assuming the crown, taken the assassins' oath and brand. But only Gibethon's kings had broken their magical tethers.

Dath's mind went to the magic bound to his own brand. That tether was long fought, long faded, and long forgotten. It had been broken so long that he had forgotten it was there until Gavin had reminded him way back when the king had first met Haeil.

Dath slid back his chair and stood. He was going to Fellvale, he abruptly decided. Kedemar needed him, both as a father and a king.

And so Dath gathered an escort and made all haste northwest to the brooding bulk of Fellvale Keep. It took three weeks, and it was only that because Dath set a hard pace for his company. But they matched it and made it to Fellvale, only fighting two skirmishes on the road. The Gibethonians won both times, with minimal casualties.

***

Dath left his horse at Fellvale Keep's gatehouse along with his men, and proceeded on foot up to the keep itself, berating himself for a fool all the way.

Fool, he thought, for sending Natalya virtually alone with that message.

Fool, for trusting Gavin.

Fool, for not protecting Kedemar better.

Fool, for not realizing how far Gavin would go to claim his son.

Well, what was done was done. It could not be reversed. And now Dath had a mess to clean up.

When the king entered the courtyard he surveyed the orderly ranks of silent, grim faced soldiers, searching for one man in particular. Didn't find him. Natalya stood there though, out of the way in a shadowed corner with a clear view of the courtyard's proceedings. She gave him a somber nod, her eyes red-rimmed and her cheeks tear-streaked.

Dath waited for a few moments, silently standing there before the assembled garrison. He knew Kedemar knew he was here. What was taking so long?

Then Kedemar at last appeared, from the keep doors. The young lord seemed burdened by a great weight, but he kept his head up, his expression unreadable. He wore no armor, only his tunic and trousers. He was barefoot and his sleeves were rolled up in the chilly early-autumn air, displaying his angry-red brand for all to see. His naked sword lay upon his hands. Kedemar approached Dath and, bowing, offered his blade up to him. Dath mutely took it.

Then Kedemar silently slipped the king's seal ring on its leather thong from around his neck and laid it over the sword hilt.

Pale, Kedemar knelt on the cold stones before Dath.

"My liege." He said, his voice carrying clearly across the courtyard. He looked up into Dath's eyes, silently begging him to understand his choices, especially his choice to bear his consequences.

"I await your judgement." The young man said, then bowed his head, exposing his bare neck. Obviously expected immediate execution.

For a moment Dath only stared down at the man he loved like a son. His thoughts whirled. He knew what he should do in the eyes of the kingdom. He knew what he wanted to do. And he knew what he was going to do.

Then he hefted the sword in his hands.

Kedemar sucked in a breath and held it. Tensed.

"'My liege', you call me." Dath spoke at last, expressionless. "And yet you have taken the assassins' brand and oath, committing treason. Am I truly your liege, Kedemar?"

There was a pause.

"Yes." Kedemar whispered. Then louder, "You always were and will always be. If I die to prove it, so be it."

Then Kedemar looked up in disbelief as Dath smiled and said,

"Good. It is well spoken. You will not die, Kedemar. Your oath to me still stands. I do not release you from it. You are forgiven of all crimes. Your lands and titles are restored to you. Your command is restored to you. Guard this keep for me still, Kedemar. Rise, my son."

Stunned, Kedemar still knelt, staring wide-eyed up at Dath.

"Get up, Kedemar." Dath said, grinning. He reached down with one hand and hauled the young lord to his feet. As the truth of his pardon sank in, Kedemar closed his eyes and swallowed thickly. A single tear traced its way down his cheek to drip from his chin.

Dath handed the sword to one of the willing guards, then reached up and slipped the leather thong back over Kedemar's head. Then the king pulled the young man into a gentle embrace. Kedemar's body shuddered with suppressed sobs, grief and fear he had been holding in for too long.

"I'm so sorry, Dath." He whispered over and over against the king's neck. "I'm so sorry."

Dath held him close and let him cry. Truly, the younger man was like a son to him. Dath would have given anything to have spared him this pain.

After a moment, the king led Kedemar forward, back into the keep and out of the sight of his respectfully-looking-everywhere-but-at-him men. Natalya followed them inside.

When Dath sat Kedemar down on a bench in the antechamber of the keep, Nat lowered herself down beside the young lord and proceeded to run her fingers gently through his hair. Kedemar had his face buried in his hands, his breath whistling through his fingers as he fought to stem his tears.

Natalya comforted him the best she knew how, knowing how much it cost him to be seen this vulnerable. She knew it was a bit unmanning for him, but was glad he'd let the emotions out before they had destroyed him.

Finally, Kedemar lifted his tear-stained face to meet her eyes.

"Forgive me, Natalya." He said hoarsely. "I do not regret saving you, nor loving you. It was for you, all of it. But I understand if you wish to find someone else to marry."

And Nat could see in his haunted gaze how much those words had cost him. She knew she had to reassure him somehow.

"I forgave you even before Dath did." The huntress replied softly, tenderly. "And I will not be breaking off our betrothal. You will come home, Kedemar, and you will marry me, if that is what you still wish to do."

It was. He wanted it with all his heart. He stared at her longingly, truth smiting his heart.

"I am not worthy of you." He whispered. Her lips twitched in what could have been a smile.

"But you are." She whispered back, leaning close to him. She kissed him on the cheek.

Then abruptly got up and fled the room, her cheeks blazing red.

Kedemar stared after her, a bit starry-eyed, his cheek warm where her lips had been. Dath chuckled, having seen it all.

"Well, I won't worry about you two any longer." The king said merrily, crossing his arms. "I think you will do just fine."

"Dath," Kedemar said, suddenly serious, folding his hands on his knees, "is Gavin truly my father?"

Dath bowed his head, all merriment gone.

"Yes." He replied softly.

"Truth? And you knew?" Kedemar turned his head to look at him, his gaze almost accusing.

"Truth." Dath answered with a sinking heart. He did not like the direction this conversation was heading. "And, yes. I have known for a while. Since before we returned to Ajalon."

"I wish he weren't." Kedemar muttered, looking away and displaying a rare moment of childishness. His next words were said so quietly that Dath wasn't quite sure he'd heard them correctly.

"I wish you were my father instead." The young lord whispered. Then louder, as he looked up at the king, "You have been more a father to me than anyone else in my life. Certainly more than Gavin. That man didn't deserve my mother, and he will not have me. You are, and will always be, my true father, Dath."

Dath's eyes grew moist. He didn't deserve this, but he would not turn the lad away.

"I'll take up that honor gladly." He replied hoarsely. Kedemar regarded him steadily, somberly, but with a faint smile on his lips and joy in his eyes.

"So may it be," the young man spoke softly, "Father."

***

Later, Kedemar stood in the main gate of Fellvale Keep, watching Dath ride out to Dinfel Crag with his men. Natalya was going with the king, much to Kedemar's relief. He didn't want his betrothed anywhere near Fellvale. It was a very dangerous place, and growing more so every day as the main body of Mendenlau's army drew ever closer.

Kedemar's only regret in sending Nat away was that he hadn't yet told her he loved her. But he didn't want to do it here in this war-ravaged military base. He wanted to do it in the gentleness of Kenrath lands.

Still, he felt like he was making a mistake in waiting. But it was too late now.

So Kedemar watched his oath-father and his love disappear over the horizon of the mountain pass, and as Natalya turned in her saddle to wave to him one last time, he vowed he die before he betrayed anyone he loved ever again.

Six feet under sounded a whole lot better than the crushing weight of guilt.

***

Not fifteen miles away, two black-clad assassins cast Gavin before Mendenlau's throne. In a tiny keep in the mountains, this throne room was considerably less awesome than his usual, but Mendenlau made do.

"What do you have to say for yourself?" The king of Kathire snarled down at the assassin as Gavin rose to his hands and knees, wiping blood from his swollen, cut face. The assassin was worn and scruffy from weeks spent in the mountainous wilds evading both Mendenlau's and Kedemar's patrols, but now it seemed he'd finally been captured.

Gavin coughed out a gob of blood. It splatted wetly on the dark stones of the floor, but nobody so much as batted an eye. Usually, these events were much more gruesome and bloody.

"The boy is my son." The captured assassin rasped, not daring to look up. He kept his head bowed and prayed for a quick death.

"Your son?" Mendenlau mused, eyebrows raised. "And you thought to make him on of us?" He laughed. "What a twist that would be! Dath's precious heir turned against him!"

"I succeeded." Gavin revealed. Mendenlau's laughter ceased, and he leaned forward with interest, his hands gripping the armrests of his throne.

"Did you?" Mendenlau said softly. Then leaned back. "Well, you had better hope you had. You wish to restore favor with me?"

Gavin nodded warily, unsure of why his king was being so gracious.

"Yes, my liege." He replied.

"Then I will give you men and you will take Fellvale Keep for me, whether your son is a traitor or no. If he is not with us, bring him to me as a prisoner. Do not fail me this time, Gavin." The king warned. Gavin staggered upright and saluted his king. Then he stumbled out of the throne room, being offered no aid and asking none.

Later he came back when the castle was silent and settled for the night. Gavin stood before that empty throne, staring at it, thinking of the king who had been seated there, wondering how far he himself was willing to go to prove his loyalty to Mendenlau.

Was it worth the cost of his son?