"Stand down!"

Harafin's voice boomed so loud it cracked windows and lifted dust from the ground. The Sentinel charge faltered and the Stalwarts slowed to a halt.

His intervention would surely save many Sentinel's lives, but Leander wondered if his old friend would ever allow the inner vessel to be purged. A few more seconds, and justice could have been served on many.

Harafin galloped across the courtyard on an Einarri stallion and drove the animal between the two groups. He took in the scene of the battlefield with one glance and his entire body glowed with power.

He leaped off the still-moving horse and his overwhelming voice boomed again across the courtyard. "This insanity stops now, or by the seven accidental gods, I'll strike you all down where you stand!"

The Sentinels retreated from his towering fury and Harafin ordered, "See to the fallen."

Then he turned to Leander. For a moment the two old friends met each other's gaze. Leander felt the heavy weight of Harafin's anger and disappointment. He snuffed out his own raging powers, and for the first time he wondered if he'd gone too far.

Harafin turned away and strode to the invisible shield barrier. He placed a hand on it, and the entire shield flared and then disappeared.

Several Sentinels gasped and murmured among themselves.

Harafin barked, "Felix, get over here."

While he waited for Felix, Harafin turned back to Leander. "You betrayed my trust."

The simple accusation seared Leander to the core. He had feared this would happen when he had altered the shield, but he'd hoped Harafin would understand. He'd had no other choice. He couldn't allow the Sentinels to attack without defending his children.

"I acted in good faith."

"You acted in anger. Be careful, my friend. You are regressing."

"Then offer me a viable alternative," Leander said, not concealing his frustration.

When Felix approached, Harafin said, "I'll replace the shield barrier when there's time. Until then, assemble some of the Sentinels to erect temporary barriers. All classes are to be canceled."

"I will see it done."

"You could have stopped this," Harafin added.

"I didn't believe it would escalate to this point," Felix said. He looked at Leander. "Now perhaps we can use our heads and work together instead of fighting each other."

"All you had to do was surrender Nerys."

"No," Felix snapped. For the first time he looked angry. "Don't you see? You approached this as if guilt was proven, as if everyone is a suspect."

"Yes, I do."

"Then you bear full responsibility," Felix said.

"I accept what I did."

"You don't see the folly of it," Felix said. He threw his flabby arms out wide. "All you had to do was send your concerns through the proper channels and this could have all been worked out without bloodshed."

"No, my old friend. You really don't understand. Today we all faced a choice, a chance to show our allegiance."

"You chose chaos and conflict," Felix said.

"I chose loyalty to Justice and Truth."

"You both chose poorly," Harafin said. "Enough. Leander, you will join me before the ruling council to explain this insanity."

He turned and shouted, "Sentinels Durgesh and Nerys. Come here at once."

The two approached slowly. Nerys looked nervous while Durgesh glared at Leander as if he wanted to resume hostilities right there. Some fools never learn.

"Follow me," Harafin said.

It frustrated Leander that they all fell into line after Harafin where they had fought him, treating him like the criminal. "Basak," he ordered. "Stand the brethren down but do not leave the area. You may be needed."

"Shall we help with the wounded?"

Leander glanced at the bloody Sentinels being tended by their gifted brethren and shook his head sadly. "I fear we would do more harm than good. They see us as enemies. Wait until they request aid."

"I don't believe they will."

"Nor do I."

# # #

Ceren drank gratefully. The mild fruit wine warmed her belly, but its chill liquid cooled the fires in her cheeks where Indira's blows still burned.

Had she really tried to kill Indira? Had she really . . .? Yes, she had. She'd done all of it. She regretted some of it.

She forced herself to focus. Just then the keisara moaned and rubbed at one temple. She almost dropped her wine, and Ceren caught the glass from her trembling fingers.

"Are you all right?"

"I am . . . fine," Keisara Fideima said weakly. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then she sat up and said in a stronger voice, "Just a sudden headache."

"You startled me."

"I'm all right." The Keisara looked down at her hands. "Lady Ceren, I must confess I feel useless to my husband in this time of trial."

"You mustn't feel that way."

"But I do. All of you are working so hard, placing yourselves in danger, sacrificing for the empire while I sit here and watch from my window."

"You do so much more than that."

"Do I?" The keisara's voice became angry, although she did not look up. "No, I will do more."

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"What are you thinking of doing?" The keisara's abrupt shift surprised Ceren. The keisara couldn't risk descending to the streets during the chaos. That would just make matters worse.

Could she stop her?

"I will interrogate this man Remiel myself."

Ceren wasn't sure how to respond for a few seconds. That was the last thing she had expected the keisara to say.

"Your majesty, how do you know his name?"

Keisara Fideima paused before saying, "You're not the only source of intelligence at my disposal, Lady Ceren."

"But you seemed so surprised when I told you about his capture."

Another pause. "I learned of Remiel from another source, but didn't make the connection until just now. I believe I can shed important light on this investigation and speed up the process."

"How?"

"Think of it," Keisara Fideima said excitedly, "We could capture the entire group of conspirators before nightfall." She clutched Ceren's hands, but still didn't look up to meet Ceren's gaze. That odd behavior troubled Ceren. Something about it alarmed her deeply, but she couldn't quite pinpoint why.

"What do you know?" Ceren asked.

Keisara Fideima laughed. "Oh, Ceren. Not yet. I want it to be a surprise."

"If you have information, let me bring it to the ruling council."

"No. This will be my victory, not theirs. Summon the man Remiel. Bring him to me and I will reveal the secret."

"He's under heavy guard. I suppose we can bring him safely here."

"No. I will not have Sentinels in my apartments. This will be my victory and mine alone. Not theirs."

"But the man is very dangerous."

"Is he gifted?"

"No, but . . ."

"Have the man Kevlin bring him to me."

"Kevlin?"

"Of course. You said yourself he's been instrumental in our victories since the beginning of troubles weeks ago. Who better to guard this ungifted traitor?"

"I'm not sure . . . " Ceren began.

"Enough," the keisara snapped. She rose and walked to the window. "My intention is fixed. Bring the traitor to me. The man Kevlin will accompany him alone. Once I complete my interrogation, I will reveal the truth to you first."

Despite the bizarre turn of the conversation, Ceren felt a thrill of excitement. If the keisara really did have the ability to crack this case, Ceren would learn the truth first. She'd share in the victory. After everything that had gone wrong, the temptation to be a part of something so wonderful overwhelmed her worries.

"I will see it done, your majesty."

# # #

Kevlin stood in the packed conference room in the Northern Kingdoms Admin Palace where the ruling council still held audience. He wished his brothers hadn't left. Gabral stood not far away, among a knot of high-level military officials.

Many other nobles, and even several Stalwarts from four orders had all pressed into the room in the past few minutes. Everyone was eager to hear firsthand about the recent conflict in front of the Sentinel Tower. One of the Stalwarts, a grim-faced Gurcek Justice, spoke quietly with the emperor for several minutes.

The excited buzz of conversation fell to muted whispers as the double doors opened and Harafin strode into the room. Leander flanked him on the left, with the Sentinel Durgesh on the right. Durgesh looked angry and spent more time glaring at Leander than watching where he walked.

For Leander's part, he looked angry but controlled. Leander's anger ran deep, but he had almost a century's practice controlling it. Kevlin hoped the rumors he'd heard about what had just transpired outside the Sentinel Tower were wrong and that Leander hadn't started slipping.

Sentinel Ah'Shan entered behind the trio, gripping the arm of a reluctant Sentinel Nerys. As the group approached the horse-shoe shaped council tables, Emperor Tegnazian slammed his open palm down on the mahogany table.

"By Gurcek's mighty sword of justice, I demand an explanation. Pitched battle in the inner city? Stalwarts and Sentinels murdering each other?" He pointed at Leander and Durgesh. "Word of your fighting is already spread into the city and threatens to destabilize the fragile peace we barely finished restoring!"

Kevlin had to admit, the emperor knew how to capitalize on moments like this. He sat tall, his eyes flashing with displeasure, his voice ringing through the room.

Leander looked surprised by the emperor's anger. Sentinel Durgesh lowered his head and assumed a humble, penitent posture. The fact that he continued to cast angry glares at Leander diluted the performance.

Leander asked, "What would you have me do, your excellency?" He pointed at Nerys, who now stood off to one side. "Would you rather I allow this man to flee Justice and your command that he answer for his lies?"

"I never commanded you to assault the Sentinel Tower."

"They interfered with the capture of the man Nerys, whose flight confirms his traitorous intent."

"I never!" Nerys protested in a display of great outrage. Had he no shame? He'd sold the tools that had allowed Tanathos to escape.

"It's your fault," Sentinel Durgesh said to Leander. "You think we're just going to sit back and watch you beat up a Sentinel at the very doorstep of our tower?"

"If that man is a traitor, I expect you to do exactly that."

"Then you're a fool."

"You and those Sentinels who chose solidarity with a criminal over loyalty to Justice got exactly what you deserved."

"I will see you dead for what you did!" Durgesh shouted. He looked prepared to resume the fight right there in the council chamber.

Leander flexed his right hand. "You really think that's wise, boy?"

"Stand down," Harafin snapped. He stood close behind Leander and Durgesh, and the weight of his glare broke through Durgesh's anger.

Sentinel Ah'Shan, who had drawn close to Nerys said, "Durgesh, remember your place."

"He started it," Durgesh said sullenly.

"Enough," the emperor commanded. "You both acted rashly, and lives we cannot afford to lose were sacrificed as a result. I will not have you fighting in this council chamber. You will both remember yourselves or by the gods I will strip you of place and powers."

Durgesh paled before the emperor's anger and turned away from Leander.

"May I remind you why we're here?" Leander asked. "The Sentinel Nerys must confess his lies and reveal the identity of the murderer who freed Tanathos."

"Don't tell me what business requires my focus," the emperor snapped. "I find your lack of remorse for your actions greatly disturbing. It reflects poorly upon your station as leader of the Pallians."

"I regret none of my actions. It's past time we cleanse the inner vessel, beginning with the inner city."

"Is that how you justify the deaths of seven Sentinels?" Ah'Shan demanded, glaring. He acted as if he'd been at the tower.

"Their deaths are the result of choices they made. You were master of several of them. I suggest you look to your teachings and instill a greater respect for Justice."

That's why he was so angry. Some of the dead Sentinels were his acolytes.

It was Durgesh who responded, though. "You lie! You incited conflict."

"I demanded Justice, no more."

Emperor Tegnazian pounded his gavel and waved them all to silence. "Master Leander, your reckless abandonment of the rule of law threatens the stability of this city. I demand an apology from you to the Sentinels, or I will remove you from your place."

Leander slowly shook his head. "I'm afraid you fail to see the truth of these events, Your Excellency. It is my dedication to Justice that demanded action."

"I'll make up my own mind," Emperor Tegnazian snarled. "You would do well to remember whose authority rules here."

Leander said, "Never before has an emperor meddled with our order."

"Never before have Stalwarts and Sentinels fought pitched battles in this city! Can you really fail to see your responsibility?"

Leander's calm expression cracked. "I stand by my actions. At least I acted. I chose not to sit in committee debating action, wasting precious time."

"Action without careful planning is folly. I thought even you saw that after the fiasco last night."

"What I see are decisions prompted by fear and hesitation. Wars are not won that way."

"We are not yet at war."

Leander shook his head, once more in control of his emotions. "That is exactly why you will fail. Our enemies are at war. They understand the stakes. You do not."

"That is enough, sir."

"No, Your Excellency. It is just the beginning."

Kevlin wanted to shout to Leander to back down. He couldn't win this argument, not now, not with so many witnesses gathered. Emperor Tegnazian couldn't back down, not while presiding in council.

As Kevlin feared, the emperor stood and declared, "I am the highest law here! You leave me no choice but to levy judgment against you."

Behind the emperor, the Gurcek Stalwart smiled smugly at Leander and fingered the hilt of his great sword.

Silence fell over the crowd as Leander raised his hands high. His voice rang through Kevlin's ears like drums of doom.

"I serve a higher authority than you, Excellency. I reject your authority."

"Don't do this," Harafin said. He grabbed Leander's shoulder, but the Stalwart shook him off, his face determined.

Leander cried, "We face a time of choices. I choose loyalty to Justice over loyalty to a fallen emperor."

Then he spun on his heel and marched from the council chamber.

Emperor Tegnazian watched him go, his mouth moving wordlessly. Several seconds of complete silence reigned after Leander's shocking choice. Then half a hundred excited conversations erupted together.

Emperor Tegnazian pounded the gavel on the desk so hard the handle snapped. He shouted after Leander while the doors were closing behind the old Stalwart. "You are hereby removed from office and banished from this city! Do you hear me? Banished!"