Harafin paused before the door to his bedchamber and turned to face the darkened corridor.

"It is late to be hiding in the darkness, Ah'Shan."

The powerfully built Sentinel moved into the light of the nearby torch, although his face still seemed shadowed by his thick mane of dark hair.

"Harafin, you must end this farce."

"Which farce is that?"

"Don't play games with me. The man Kevlin is a very real danger to everyone around him. Even you must see the folly of leaving him in possession of the stone."

"How did you learn of his condition?"

Ah'Shan snorted. "I'm no fool, Harafin. You think I don't keep wards up? Be grateful that no one else sensed the madness."

"This is no time to make rash decisions," Harafin began.

"Rash?" Ah'Shan cut him off. "Look in the mirror, you old fool. What could be more rash than claiming that untrained, damaged commoner is actually chosen to bear our greatest weapon?"

"Tia Khoa itself made the choice. I only ratified it."

Ah'Shan stepped closer and pointed a finger at Harafin's chest. "You have the power to un-ratify it. You know the time of trials is upon us. We need a powerful Catalyst to lead us or all will be lost. Do you really think that man can do it?"

"There is much I do not know. Events are moving fast. You are right, we're seeing the beginning of what may prove to be the end of times, and despite hundreds of years of study and preparation, we did not foresee this."

Ah’Shan took a step closer. "Then choose me. You know I'm best qualified for this burden."

Harafin considered the other Sentinel for a moment. "Give me some time."

"We don't have time."

"We do have a little. There are questions I must answer before I change my mind." He placed a hand on Ah'Shan's shoulder. "As impossible as it seems, I made the choice I was convinced was right."

Ah'Shan shook off his hand, but Harafin continued. "If I hadn't lived through those events, I wouldn't have believed I could make such a choice. But I did, and I stand by it until I learn more."

"What more do you need to know? The man is on the verge of madness. With Tia Khoa's power in his grasp, he could shatter entire kingdoms."

Harafin said, "I understand the risk. Yet, in addition to the question of the severity of his condition, I need to understand King Leszek's involvement in recent events."

Ah’Shan waved away the point. "He died on the field of battle. Don't trifle with his memory or even you won't survive the wrath of this people."

"He died in battle, and yet I must understand his contract with Dhanjal and what would lead a Blade Stalwart to break his oath once given."

"You play a dangerous game," Ah'Shan warned.

"As do we all." Harafin added softly, "Can you explain why Wayra would turn against us? She nearly facilitated Tanathos' victory. And what was she doing hunting Antigonus even before his call for help came to us?"

"Don't change the subject," Ah'Shan snapped. "Wayra turned from the path I set her on and betrayed us all. Do not try to bring into question my motives."

"I never questioned your motives."

"I am no fool, Harafin. You cannot question Wayra without extending that doubt to me."

"I do not doubt your effectiveness," Harafin said.

"Good. All I know of Wayra is that she met with the king prior to recent events, so she might have been in league with some plot he was tangled in. I did not get a chance to question her."

Harafin studied his old friend for a moment before saying, "Very well. I will see what I can learn from the prince and others here at court."

Ah'Shan turned to go but Harafin called out to him. "I have a favor to ask of you, old friend."

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"Name it." He said over his shoulder.

"Keep secret the knowledge that Kevlin was chosen."

"Why?"

"To give us time to act."

Ah'Shan turned to face Harafin. "I will give you the time you ask, but I expect you to act without hesitating." Then he turned and strode into the darkness.

Harafin stared after him. "I never hesitate."

* * *

The next morning, Kevlin avoided the main hall and the constant assaults by the sincere, if annoying, crowds and picked up a simple breakfast from the kitchen. He inquired after Indira and learned she was in the queen's wing.

Kevlin paused in the wide hall that served as a backbone to the northern section of the palace. Seven wings protruded to the north, with the queen's wing in the center. He stood in the wide, arched doorway that led to a plush waiting room filled with padded chairs and couches. A pair of sentries flanked the far double doors that led deeper into that wing.

A comely, middle-aged woman with her brown hair in a bun, sat at a desk near the double doors. She wore the brown and green uniform of a palace servant and smiled warmly at Kevlin when he approached.

Thankfully, she didn't try to kiss or hug him. "What can I do for you, Lord Kevlin?"

It was encouraging to find at least one resident who had returned to their normal controlled self.

When he asked for Indira, the woman grinned. "That woman is a blessing. She treated the queen, who's been so sick ever since hearing of the king's passing."

That would explain why he hadn't seen the queen the day before. So caught up was he with his own problems, he hadn't even thought to ask.

"I'm not surprised. Indira's always eager to help."

"She's ruthless at cards though," the woman added with a grimace.

"Tell me about it," Kevlin chuckled.

He wondered if Indira had any idea how powerful an impact she made wherever she went. Her extreme good looks and unrivaled healing powers won over even hardened veterans. Her cutthroat card dealing seemed out of character, and yet somehow she made it work.

"I'll send for Mistress Indira, but it might be a while." She leaned forward and added in a conspiratorial tone. "She's been teaching the ladies how to play Kings and Beggars."

"I thought that game was frowned on at court."

"Oh, it was."

"I'll wait," Kevlin said. He didn’t really have anything to do, so he did not mind.

He wandered over to one of the plush chairs and made himself comfortable. Leave it to Indira to bring a hint of scandal to the respectable court. No doubt she had suggested the game with such innocence the ladies hadn't been able to refuse.

They should have. Indira was going to own them.

Kings and Beggars was a complex card game that usually included thirteen face cards. Twelve represented the kings and queens of each kingdom. The emperor's card trumped them all. Indira possessed a new version that included a card for the keisara. It complicated an already complex game, and Indira had mastered it.

The game was not usually played in the palaces since the objective was to strengthen one's hold over the six kingdoms and eventually usurp power and become emperor. Nobility seemed uncomfortable with the idea of playing with revolution. The card game's popularity had risen after the king of Freyarr had tried to ban it. Since then, the rulers of the six kingdoms hadn't openly criticized it, hoping the fad would pass.

Kevlin barely understood half of the combinations of those royalty cards with the secondary cards representing economy, trade, military, and political intrigue. Different hands allowed for creation of alliances, while others fostered double-crossing and clandestine trading.

The game could take hours. If Indira had convinced the ladies to bet on the game, she'd need more pack mules to cart away her winnings.

While he waited, Kevlin struggled with what to say, how he'd apologize. His hands began to sweat, but at least they didn't shake. Hopefully she'd arrive in a good mood after crowning herself empress again.

After what seemed an unbearably long wait, the far doors opened. Kevlin surged to his feet, his heart in his throat.

Ceren, not Indira, stepped through the doors. Today she wore her long, auburn hair in a single braid down her back and she wore a simple black linen dress. Even though half the women in the city were wearing similar dresses, Ceren would never appear unremarkable.

"Where's Indira?" Kevlin asked.

Ceren drew him from the waiting room. "She's busy conquering the empire."

"You'd think the ladies would quit."

"You would, but it turns out the ladies of Diodor are very competitive."

Kevlin felt sorry for them.

"Come. We have to talk." She led him down the main hall to a comfortable study lined with books. When she confirmed they were alone she asked, "Do you really think it's safe to be around Indira after what happened yesterday?"

"I'm feeling better. I don't have the shakes right now."

"You're willing to risk Indira's life on the hope that it doesn't return?"

Kevlin said softly, "I just want to apologize."

Ceren placed a hand on his arm. "I know, but Kevlin, how much good would you do if you lost control again and hurt her?"

He dropped onto a couch facing a cold fireplace and ran a hand through his hair. He didn't want to drive Indira away, but he didn't know enough about his condition to feel sure this was the right course.

He wanted to ask Ceren for help, but she confused him. Before the battle at Il'Aicharen, she had actively tried to keep him away from Indira. She hadn't tried to interfere in the past week, but then again she hadn't needed to.

Well, he had proven he wasn't good at relationships. The last woman he'd loved had nearly murdered him. He needed help, and Ceren was the only one he could try turning to.

So he forced himself to ask, "What should I do?"

Ceren settled onto the couch beside him and took his hand. "Give her some time, Kevlin. Things will work out for the best."

"I hope so."

She leaned closer, her emerald eyes sparkling. "What did you learn from Harafin yesterday? What happened to you?"

"He said I have Trembling Madness."

Ceren frowned. "Are you sure?"

"That's what he said. He didn't tell me a lot about it."

Ceren pulled her braid over her shoulder and fiddled with the gold clip holding the end as she stared into the empty fireplace for a moment. "I'll see what I can find out for you."

"Thanks." He doubted Harafin would explain much more, but he needed to know what was happening to him.

Ceren patted his arm one more time and left. As Kevlin turned back down the main hall to search for his swordbrothers, he was grateful that Ceren was there to help.