Chapter 24

Father gasped as Ilaria stepped out from the crowd. He stood stricken; mouth agape frozen in shock. The people were silent, tense, waiting, all eyes fixed on his sister. Lord Kalydor stepped towards Father, a look of bewilderment on his face. Father turned to him but said nothing.

And his sister spoke, “I am Ilaria, daughter of Daidal the Master Architect of Kenosia.” She stared up, defiantly at Captain Darios. The color had drained from his face. His eyes were sad but there was no surprise in them. Deep behind the sadness, the dying embers of a flame smoldered.

“My father has worked all his life in service of the city but he has been misled. He” —she pointed to Lord Kalydor— “and those like him hoped that by deceiving one man their lies would be believed by thousands.”

The crowd moved restlessly but they hung on her every word not ready to pass judgement.

“Yestereve, in a ration house these boys were slain, they were hunted down in the dark and executed for the crime of starvation.” Her cadence was slow and flat, the words emotionless, detached from their accusations. Her face was blank, her eyes dead.

“This was carried out by Captain Darios, a man I did not think capable of such wanton violence. He had been good to me and my brother making this betrayal cut all the deeper. In the weeks I have known the Captain, I have seen him to be a kind man but above all a man dedicated to his charge. Darios would not act in this manner unless it was the will of the council that commands him. For his part, the captain must be held accountable but to think he acted without the blessing of our Lords would make us the fools these noblemen already believe us to be.”

All was silent. The rain fell steadily at the Old Gate. Father remained speechless. Lord Kalydor stood, tensed hand upon his blade, eyes searching the crowd. Only Darios seemed at ease. The color had returned to him. The sadness was gone from his eyes, the dying flame now a raging inferno. He had made his peace.

From the crowd, a low hiss simmered on the wind. It rose and fell, snaking through the air, slithering from man to man. It wrapped itself around the throng, feeding on their disgust and growing larger as it fed on more and more.

It was a chilling scene, the people’s contempt raised in a single voice. Arios knew what came next, he had seen it, at the market hall. Once a crowd turned there was no going back. The soldiers at his front moved swiftly, raising their shields and locking them into formation. Behind the first row, the second line gathered. Spears on their shoulders at the ready. An impenetrable wall surrounding the rostrum. Ilaria was on the other side! She would be trapped! He needed to get to her! She would be—

“—Stand aside!” The voice boomed and the soldiers split apart making way for Lord Kalydor as he joined the crowd. A hush fell over them, a stunned calm. Kalydor stopped in front of Ilaria, then he faced his people, “Kenosia! My failures run deeper than I understood… I see no reason why this girl would lie and yet her words are foreign to me. They insult my ears and bring shame upon my name. I must uncover the truth of this matter.” He paused, “I am not your enemy Kenosia, if it is found her words are honest then any who took part in these schemes will be brought to justice.”

He turned back to Ilaria, “Your father’s trust in me is not misplaced. Please, come with me, help me to understand my failings. We can root out the corruption you speak of. It is the only way to avoid more bloodshed.”

Ilaria examined him. Studying his face, searching for the lie. Then she spoke, “I will go with the Steward. I do not wish to see any more lives lost. But do not forget this Kenosia. Lord Kalydor will prove himself this day. Good or ill.”

The confusion in the crowd was palpable. They were deflated by her words. Their rage suddenly misplaced. It was unsettling to see them now. Like lost children, waiting. Without a catalyst they were not yet ready to challenge a Lord.

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“As a sign of goodwill, you will place Captain Darios in chains. He is to be tried as a criminal and must be treated as such.”

The soldiers looked to Kalydor for their commands and he nodded slowly.

Darios did not resist. He unbuckled his baldric and let it fall to the ground. Then they led him away but, in his eyes, Arios saw the fire still burned.

“Come. We will go to the Council House.”

************

As they climbed the steps to the Council House Arios watched as dozens of soldiers marched through its doors. Scorpions, Boars, Jaguars and more, the sigils of all the Great Houses gathered. Ilaria walked beside him but she would not meet his eye.

When they entered the High Sanctum, he was surprised to see three of the council chairs were already filled. Lord Theron, Demarcus and Argyros awaited them. To his utter disbelief he saw that Argyros was completely alert and there was no wine at the table.

“I do not recall summoning you.”

“Are we not your council, Lord Steward,” replied Demarcus.

“For now,” muttered Kalydor coldly and sat at the head of the table.

Arios took a seat on the benches behind Father’s chair with Erykos and Ilaria, and they waited.

“It is good you are here My Lords.” Kalydor was smiling now, “We are here to determine the guilt of Captain Darios and any other possible co-conspirators.”

If this surprised the other Lords, they did not acknowledge it and made no response.

Kalydor continued on unperturbed by their silence, “Guards, bring in the captain.”

A pair of soldiers led Darios into the sanctum. He wore chains on his wrists and ankles, the cold steel a cruel contrast to his golden plate still proudly adorned with his captain’s seal. They placed him at the foot of the table standing by with spears at the ready.

“Captain Darios, you have been accused of the murder of five children and the subsequent concealing of this fact. Do you have anything to say in your defense?”

The captain’s head was bowed, his face hidden in shadow, the words that left his lips were hoarse and low, “I am guilty,” he whispered, “I killed those boys.”

“And did you act alone, or at the behest of a superior,” he was measured, each word tightly controlled to keep the fury at bay. But he was losing control.

“It was I who condoned his actions and I who laid the blame at the feet of the Kyrithon hoard.” It was a soft voice, haughty and proud that interrupted the interrogation, the voice of Lord Theron.

Kalydor spun on him, jaw clenched, fists shaking.

“And why would you do such a thing,” he snarled through gritted teeth.

“I thought it would be for the best,” replied Theron cooly, “Blame our enemies while creating a hero to inspire the people. Two birds with one stone.”

“You thought you could do this without my consent!” The shout echoed through the chamber bouncing off the pillars, a hollow cry that faded into the abyss. The ghost of his wrath revealed how alone Lord Kalydor had become.

“You gave me command of the city’s defenses, Lord Steward. It is a duty I hold above all others.”

Behind the pillars Arios could see a ring of soldiers forming.

But Kalydor was raging still, “And you two? What do you have to say? Will you remain mute in the presence of this traitor?”

Lord Demarcus and Argyros again gave no response but their eyes turned to Lord Theron.

“You are with him!?” Kalydor’s laugh was high pitched and frenzied, “Traitors, all of you! The girl was right. I will put you all to the sword!”

“The sun sets, Lord Steward”

“What kind of—”

“—Lord Theron, my children will be leaving now.” It was Father. He had risen and had placed a hand on Lord Kalydor’s shoulder. The Steward jerked his head up, shocked, and then a look of sudden realization dawned on his face.

“Oh.” His anger died and he looked back to Theron, “Let them leave. They do not need to see this.”

Lord Theron smiled. A cruel smirk, “Unfortunately you are in no position to make demands of me.”

“I can help you,” Father whispered desperately, “Just let them return home.”

“You will help me regardless. For now, I think the children will stay here,” he sneered.

Father roared and stepped forward hand flashing for his blade—

“—Let them go Theron,” it was Darios who spoke.

Lord Theron threw his hand up letting out a frustrated growl, “Fine,” he snapped. “I suppose this is all part of the plan.”

Darios nodded then looked to Erykos, “Take them home.”

“Father,” cried Ilaria and she ran to him. “I am sorry,” she sobbed as she buried herself in his arms.

“Do not worry child, all will be well. Now go with Erykos.”

“Daidal I would not leave you here alone,” shouted Erykos.

“Take my children! Wait for me, do not leave them.”

“I—”

“—Do as I command!”

Erykos’s face fell, “Yes, Master Daidal,” he choked, tears in his eyes.

“Arios?” Father turned to him.

“Yes, Father?”

“Keep them safe.”

They fled from the chamber. As they ran the shouting resumed but Erykos pressed them on. It was too late to help. Too late to change anything. Darkness fell and the city wept. The sun had set on Kenosia.