Kevlin, once again dressed in the crimson and white uniform of the emperor's guard, stood at attention inside the emperor's council chamber as the ruling council met. Harafin, Leander, Felix, and Ah'Shan all sat with the council. Ambassador Damarist had sent word that he would be late, but the other members of the council were present. No replacement had yet been announced for the obese Ambassador Gwyre from Meinarr.

Harafin had reported on last night's botched attempt to take Masego. It seemed to bother the emperor more to learn the recent assassination attempt was nothing but a diversion to learn the location of Tia Khoa.

Now Harafin reported that the men captured in the catacombs knew nothing of their employer. These latest prisoners had been hired through a middle-man in a tavern in the inner city just the day before. When members of Ambassador Kescog's personal guard had sought out that middle man, they found him floating face down in a pool in one of the sunken gardens. The report stated their belief that he had fallen over the rail from a higher level while drunk during the party.

Emperor Tegnazian slammed a fist on the table. "Confound it, Harafin. Are you telling me we still have no idea who's behind these attacks?"

"Not at all. We know this Masego is responsible for most of them."

"And he's a Sentinel?" Ambassador Janezeko from Freyarr asked.

"Yes, we believe so."

"It also appears Masego is working with the ShadeLeech Tanathos," added Leander.

"Who you also failed to capture last night," added the emperor.

Sentinel Felix piped in, "We believe one other Sentinel was involved in the attack last night and died in the cave-in."

"That's hardly good news," Ambassador Janezeko said. "We have no leads, no idea how to pursue these hidden traitors."

"Not so," Leander declared. "We know beyond a doubt that Sentinels are working with Tanathos. It's time to cast Truth on every Sentinel in the palace and root out the traitors. We could hold executions before sunset."

Leander's proposal rocked the assembled ambassadors, triggering heated arguments.

Emperor Tegnazian pounded his gavel on the table and called for silence. "Gentlemen, remember yourselves." He turned to Leander. "Your proposal is highly unusual."

"It's the best option," Leander insisted.

"What objections are there to this proposal?" the emperor asked the council.

Sentinel Durgesh, the Kestrel assigned to the emperor's security detail, spoke up immediately. "The proposal is ridiculous. Why not suggest we cast Truth on everyone in the entire inner city?"

"Why not?" Leander shot back. "Stop tip-toeing around and give everyone a chance to stand up and declare their true allegiance."

"It's difficult to see you fallen so low," said Durgesh.

"I've fallen nowhere," Leander stated.

"Who can blame you?" Durgesh continued. "Your family's murderer is at large and you failed yet again to bring him to justice. Any of us would be devastated."

"Watch where you tread, Sentinel," warned Leander. "I don't want to dislike you."

Kevlin wanted to punch the man.

A couple of the ambassadors nodded as if approving Durgesh's manipulation of the conversation.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

The fat Sentinel Felix waved Durgesh to silence. "That's enough from you, young man. Show some respect to my old friend."

Sentinel Durgesh made a little bow. "No disrespect was intended."

Sentinel Ah'Shan spoke up for the first time, his deep voice calm and reasonable. "I must concur with Sentinel Durgesh. Casting Truth on every Sentinel is tantamount to accusing them all of being traitors. That's the worst thing we could do for morale. Many of them have spent the entirety of last night scouring the city for the Shadeleech. Forcing Truth on them would be the deepest of insults."

Ambassador Janezeko said, "Perhaps, but I believe Stalwart Leander has a point. If we want results, this might be the necessary tactic, no matter how difficult."

"I disagree," Sentinel Ah'Shan argued. "The enemy must be prepared for such an eventuality, and would have taken steps to avoid it."

Ambassador Janezeko leaned forward. "It appears you've given this subject a lot of thought. Has the idea been worrying you? Is there something you fear in Truth?"

"Don't be daft, man," Ah'Shan snapped.

"Then why not support the idea, for the good of the empire?"

Ah'Shan shot back, "For that matter, why not submit this council to Truth? Some information has clearly been provided to this Masego from someone in a position of power." He fixed Ambassador Janezeko with a hard stare. "Will you submit to Truth, Ambassador?"

Ambassador Janezeko waved off the suggestion with a smile. "I appreciate the attempt at levity, Sentinel Ah'Shan, but let's stay focused on the proposal at hand."

"I jest not. In full sincerity, I ask you again, will you submit to Truth?"

Kevlin watched the conversation with interest. Several of the ambassadors looked more than a little nervous, although Ambassador Kescog from Donarr was nodding his head in agreement, and Ambassador Talamantez of Einarr was leaning back in his chair, his face thoughtful.

"Ludicrous," Ambassador Janezeko said. "None of us here are under suspicion. It would serve no purpose."

The council chamber door banged open and Colonel Gabral marched in. He was dressed in his full battle armor of silver-trimmed plate, with the emperor's crest flashing bright on his right breast.

He saluted smartly and declared, "Your excellency, I am here to take over the investigation and bring these traitors to justice."

Kevlin nearly laughed aloud. Harafin raised one eyebrow in surprise, and Leander sat back in his chair, an incredulous expression on his face.

Emperor Tegnazian only said, "I appreciate the offer, Colonel, but what makes you feel you're best qualified to take over this investigation?"

"The raid last night was botched from the beginning, your excellency." Without looking at Harafin he continued, "Master Harafin made several tactical errors. It's clear this mission needs a military man in command."

Kevlin hooked his thumbs into his sword belt to keep from reaching for his sword. He felt an overwhelming urge to punch Gabral in that self-righteous mouth of his. He was having trouble convincing himself it was a bad idea.

"What errors are those, specifically?" Harafin asked calmly.

Gabral finally met Harafin's eye. "First and foremost, your decision to bar me from participating in the attack doomed it to failure. Had I been there, I would have captured these traitors instead of letting them desecrate half the graves in the catacombs."

Kevlin wasn't really supposed to talk in the council chamber, but said, "You've hit yourself in the head with the Mace a few times too many today."

Gabral scowled. "You dare speak, mercenary? You led your team into a trap and men under your command died because of your incompetence."

Leander spoke up. "You can't blame Kevlin for that."

"I can," Gabral said, not breaking eye contact with Kevlin. "You want to be a hero. You're 'The King's Avenger'. You are responsible."

"You're a fool," Kevlin said, forcing calm into his voice despite a flash of anger. Let Gabral keep talking. The man was digging his own grave here.

"You're a danger to everyone who knows you," Gabral said in a venomous tone. "Just ask Jerrik."

That was too much. Kevlin went for his sword.

Gabral reached for the Mace.

"Enough!" Harafin's voice cracked across the room like a whip and stopped them with weapons half-drawn.

Emperor Tegnazian frowned. "Stand down. If you two cannot control yourselves, I'll have you shackled in the lowest dungeon for a month."

"I am deeply sorry," Gabral said, turning his back on Kevlin.

"Wait!" Harafin shot to his feet and threw up one hand, his gaze turning east. "The Shadeleech just crossed the Iron Spoke."

Leander leaped to his feet as several ambassadors shouted questions. "Where?"

"Just past the Way of the Wall."

"Can you detain him?" asked Ah'Shan, who leaned over the table, his face eager.

"No," Harafin said. "But after last night, I enhanced the shields. He's marked for any Sentinel to see. Look for the red beacon above him."

Leander bolted for the door, followed closely by Ah'Shan.

Felix slapped one meaty hand on the table. "Finally, the break we've been looking for. I'll alert the patrols." He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. The silver glow of Mindlink settled over his face.

Kevlin cursed the fact that he was shackled to the emperor's service so couldn't abandon his post to chase Leander. The emperor was already displeased with him. Such dereliction would not be tolerated.

So he silently urged Leander on.

Find Tanathos and crush his skull.