Tam and Eli sat at the farther end of the council room table that, as Eric’s coronation neared, had grown more crowded.

At the head still sat King Norman Reyes, the wise king of Daxaria, still with streaks of brown along his temple while his pointed beard looked much the same it had nearly thirty years ago save for its lack of color. Age spots had appeared around his cheeks in the past five years, and his hands had become whorled… But there was a brightness in his hazel eyes that still spoke of his quick mind.

On the king’s left sat his assistant, Mr. Kevin Howard. The man was incredibly competent, but also had a distaste for the unpredictable and chaotic parts of life… Meaning he had a special sort of relationship with the current duke of the Ashowan family, Finlay, the house witch, as the duke had a very special skill set when it came to stirring up all kinds of unprecedented occurrences.

Kevin Howard in his older years had thinning white hair atop his head that still waved in places much as it did in his younger years. His dark blue eyes were still sharp and intelligent, but were placed behind a pair of round, gold spectacles when his vision had begun to blur with age.

On the king’s right hand side sat Finlay Ashowan, the duke was just past his mid-fifties, and yet looked forty at most. This was a side effect of the curse his mother, a healing witch, had cast long ago to bring him back to life– the steep cost of such a spell being both her life, and Finlay’s vastly expanded lifespan. Fin’s hair was still the same brilliant red it had always been, save for the white touching his temples, and his slanted almond eyes remained their electrifying light blue.

Beside the duke sat Captain Taylor of the Daxarian military, a man with a bushy salt and pepper beard, with what hair did remain on his dome shaped head being a mere quarter inch long. He was a large man, and as he had aged, his muscles had given way to softness… Talk of his retirement was growing more and more prevalent. While a bit socially clumsy, the man had a knack for rallying his men, and he also held a very long time friendship with Duke Finlay Ashowan, as once upon a time he had once been sent to the house witch’s kitchen to serve as an aide as punishment for his formerly abysmal behavior.

Beside the king’s assistant sat the prince, Eric Reyes, who looked as serious as ever, his arms folded as he sat back in his seat listening to the proceedings. His dirty blond hair tidy, and his beard cropped short. He had grown strong and hearty since his time in Troivack seven years ago, and if anything, the soon-to-be-king had only trained harder thanks to his wife being overly enthusiastic with the sword.

Beside the prince was his friend and temporary acting assistant, Marquis Morgan Linsey, a nobleman in his thirties with light brown hair, a lean face with freckles, and light brown eyes.

Finally, there was the visiting leader from the Coven of Wittica, Louise Riddel. She had come into her position three years prior, and was a bespectacled woman in her early fifties, with chestnut brown hair and glinting green eyes. She had a kindly, round shaped face, but the tightness with which she pinned her hair hinted at a disposition that may be a little more fierce…

“Lord Tamlin, thank you for joining us,” the king called out regally.

Tam bowed his head. “Of course, Your Majesty.”

He and Eli sat side by side at the farthest end of the table away from the rest of the council.

“The reason we summoned you today is to try and make some headway with the coven’s concerns regarding you and Her Highness, Princess Katarina, taking over positions of leadership and power when that is outside of the lifestyle that witches should be following as is the will of the Goddess.”

Tam nodded in understanding.

“It has been decided that Lady Katarina will no longer be a member of the Coven of Wittica after her coronation at the end of this month,” Louise Riddel informed Tam, her tone dignified and ambiguous about any personal feelings she might have on the matter.

Tam straightened in his seat and frowned. “Why is my sister not here when this decision is being made?”

“She was,” Eric replied calmly, drawing his brother-in-law’s eyes to him. “She left shortly before you arrived due to some… issue… with the princes.”

The council became momentarily awkward. Everyone looked pointedly around the stone room with its many bookshelves and tapestries.

Tam couldn’t help but briefly speculate what his nephews’ new source of mischief was. Surprisingly, it couldn’t have involved anything happening with the banners in the front hall or else he would have seen them…

“So Her Highness agrees to not being a part of the coven?” Tam continued after taking in a quick breath and dragging his mind away from his sister’s children.

“Yes. Of course the princes are not expected to forgo their education from the coven should they prove to have abilities themselves. However, come the time of abdication, and naming an heir, this may become the precedence henceforth. At this time however, the coven still holds the position that should any of the three princes prove to not carry any magical ability, that they by default should be the next king,” Louise explained.

“Are you wanting me to relinquish my place in the coven as well then?” Tam guessed. In all honesty he had never felt all that attached to technically belonging to the coven… The only issue was that it subsequently brought up another important matter…

“Given that the Ashowan duchy gained its title in part thanks to its service to both the coven and the crown, that was not our first inclination, however,” Louise paused, and glanced at Finlay Ashowan, whose stony expression warned Tam that whatever was coming next would not be good…

“You have not disclosed what your magical abilities are, and while we understand that they are traumatic in nature, do insist that you disclose any details you have about them, especially given the fact that you would be acting as a diplomat between the coven and the crown.”

Tam felt an iciness twist his gut. His teeth clenched, and it was a brutal battle within himself to look and sound cordial.

“I understand that I would be in a position of great importance and taking part in the affairs of both the coven and the court here in Austice, however, I don’t use my magic. Why does it need to be disclosed?”

“For the sake of the sensitive information you will be tasked with, but also for the safety of your king and fellow witches.” Louise Riddel didn’t look hateful, or suspicious when she answered Tam, but she didn’t look sympathetic either.

Tam felt his magic stir in his chest, and as a result a new inner conflict started to tear at him.

“And if I refuse…?”

The tension in the air mounted, and Tam could sense Eli stiffening at his side…

Louise Riddel’s thin lips pursed. “Then I am afraid we cannot condone you acting as the next diplomat of the coven. Sadly, this has other implications as well…” The coven leader looked to the king who was regarding Tam with an equally somber expression.

“Some council members are arguing that the dukedom should cease to be after your father retires.”

Tam’s right hand curled under the table as potent anger surged forward that was in no way helping his battle against his magical power which was already tugging painfully at the center of his chest…

“I have worked tirelessly for the dukedom since my father received the title. I have carried out all requests, been a part of several negotiations involved with the Coven of Wittica without his presence, and my preference to not reveal my abilities has never been an issue. Why is it only now? Has my contribution and work not been satisfactory?” Tam’s gaze bore into the coven leader.

The lines around Louise’s eyes tightened as she felt, as she had before, the strange air around Tamlin Ashowan take on a darker edge. “That is because up until your assumption of the title, your father would accept responsibility should anything happen. Once you are named duke and diplomat, however, that is no longer the case. Your abilities will be kept private between those that need to validate you are not only in control of your magic, but we need to know that they do not pose a threat should something like what happened to Her Highness Katarina Reyes in Troivack, happen to you.”

The incident that Louise was referring to was when an elite knight in the Troivackian court had attacked Katarina by throwing a potent drug known as Witch’s Brew into her face, drugging her into a state where she lost control of her abilities.

Tam didn’t bat an eye at this argument. “My sister disclosed her powers and no one knew what to do even then.”

“But there was some understanding. Luckily, your father was able to intervene, however, we don’t even know if your powers are something so great that even Duke Finlay Ashowan can combat.”

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“I’m not a threat.” Tam’s voice was hoarse as he started to feel his skin prickle the longer he resisted his magic that continued to rise in his being.

He needed to leave. Immediately.

“Wouldn’t Lord Tam be stripped of all titles by that logic?”

Everyone in the room was startled, as the interruption had come from none other than Eli.

With everyone still momentarily stunned, she bowed her head and continued. “You spoke about stripping his title of duke, would his mother’s former viscount house also be stripped?”

“As that position was not specifically created to also bear the responsibilities to the Coven of Wittica, no. He would still hold Viscount House Jenoure,” Norman assured while eyeing Eli a little more interestedly.

No one could ever recall hearing the young woman they believed to be a man speak, save for Eric, but even he was taken aback by Eli’s uncharacteristic boldness.

Fortunately, her interruption had given Tam enough time to get a hold of himself.

“Is this condition the only means of my being able to inherit the dukedom? Or is there something else the coven would accept?” he managed to say though he didn’t bother hiding his displeasure.

Giving a slight bow of her head, Louise responded. “At this time, that is the official and firm position of the coven.”

Tam already started sifting through all possible excuses he could use to get out of the meeting as his magic reached the confines of his skull and elicited an unholy buzzing… when the king spoke.

“There is another matter that we were hoping to discuss with you today, Lord Tam…”

Tam forced himself to look at the ruler, and instantly felt his furious emotions be ever so slightly stifled in the face of the man’s gentle eyes.

Norman had always treated Tam kindly, and did his best to speak with him more privately than in a group setting. It was a consideration that Tam had always appreciated, and he admired how observant and patient the king was…

“The Zinferan emperor has fallen silent.”

Tam knew without looking that Eli had turned pale.

“He has been in poor health for years, and has outlived what all his physicians predicted… However, as you well know, his court has become divided. There is talk that the entire empire of Zinfera will be separated into provinces once again. There is even talk of the capital moving.” The king stared at everyone present who waited grimly for the king to finish summarizing the poor state of the foreign empire. “What is even more troubling is that his concubines are engaging in several horrific acts, and, unfortunately, we do not have the grounds to officially intervene without the risk of starting a war. And sadly, the emperor is too proud, and his mind too compromised from his sickness, to listen to reason. However… we now have an excellent reason to become involved with the help of Troivack.”

Tam was relatively certain Eli had stopped breathing…

“Ancient beasts have been spotted in Zinfera. Allegedly… There is even a dragon.” Norman’s gaze subtly moved from Tam, to Eli, then to Fin.

Instantly, Tam looked to his father who gave his son an unreadable glance in response before returning his attention to the king.

“We need someone to investigate and gather proof of this, and to do so quietly.”

With growing dread, Tam realized where the discussion was going…

“Lord Tam, Eli…” Eric started softly. “I proposed the two of you be the ones to gather the evidence we need while learning more details about the state of Zinfera. Duke Finlay is too easy to recognize, and would be discovered quickly as he has traveled several times before to Zinfera’s court. Tam, your black hair and the shape of your eyes… You won’t be as noticeable. You of course will have assistance from Lord Jiho Ryu, your father’s friend.”

“Why does Eli need to return? Wasn’t sh- he promised he’d never have to return?” Tam demanded while his assistant’s shoulders curled forward.

“Thank you for bringing that up, Lord Tam,” Louise Riddler interjected.

Tam’s gaze slid slowly to the woman.

He was starting to not feel a deeper dislike toward the coven leader.

“Your new assistant, much like yourself, has requested that he never has to share what his magical ability is.”

“So? He doesn’t hold a position of power.” Tam bit back sharply.

“It makes acquiring Daxarian citizenship difficult because he has also refused to share his parentage.”

“He worked alongside the Troivackian king and it wasn’t an issue in the past seven years, why now?”

“He was little more than a prisoner as they investigated the former Duke Subastian Icarus,” Louise Riddel supplied.

“He was captured, enslaved, threatened, Gods know what else, and then proceeded to help in the investigation voluntarily, while also serving the king without having any real freedom, and you think this is somehow his fault and needs to be punished?” Tam’s voice had risen and gained a deadly edge.

Everyone leaned back in their seats.

Even rarer than Eli speaking, was Tam speaking loudly to anyone that wasn’t his sister.

“Tell me, who here has fallen off a horse head first recently?” he continued acidly.

“Part of the process to complete his citizenship is he serves as an assistant,” Eric started calmly. “And so that means he needs to go with you, Lord Tam. We are also hoping he will be able to provide insight and information that will help you during your time in Zinfera. Neither of you will be expected to make a formal announcement of your arrival or attend court.”

Tam said nothing.

He could tell this wasn’t a request.

So he looked at Eli, and almost flinched.

She was staring at the prince, her eyes filled with betrayal, and hurt…

Eric at least had the decency to look apologetic toward his old friend.

Furious, Tam lowered his eyes.

He could still refuse, but that would also work against his case to still inherit the dukedom– especially as the new coven leader seemed determined to find out what his magic was one way or another…

No one in the council room was feeling particularly good about the way things were going, and the king debated whether or not he should press the matter or change the subject, but was spared having to make a decision when the door slammed open amongst the loud objections of the guards.

Everyone’s heads whipped round to see…

Lord Dick Fuks. The former chief of Daxaria’s military… The man who was as mad as he was brilliant.

He stood with his arms out in his one hundred years of wrinkly glory…

Completely nude.

“Fear not, Your Majesty! I’m here for the council meeting!”

Everyone truly was at a loss as to what to say…

Though at least they were momentarily distracted from their woes when faced with the legendary Lord Dick Fuks and his low hanging fruit basket.