“An increasing number of people seem concerned with your way of ruling, your Highness.”

A warm voice spoke with hints of concern, but Valerian couldn’t help but notice the hidden barbs underneath. Sitting in his robes of gold at the other head of the table, one could have mistaken the High-priest for the King sitting across from him. It eluded Valerian how the man could preach frugality while dressing as a royal, but according to the faith, his holiness needed to dress appropriately for his position as the disciple of God.

Clear nonsense.

“I have been informed. It is why I invited you here today.”

A hint of annoyance sounded through the King’s voice, but it was so slight that most would have missed it. Sitting straight in his chair, his face showed nothing but mild interest. His ability to face any adversities with absolute regality, used to make Valerian doubt his capabilities as heir. It was only in the more recent years that he had started to see through the cracks of his royal mask. Every day he saw more, more anger, more sadness, more fear, and above all more exhaustion. Even now, Valerian could see the dark circles underneath his eyes. A result of the nightmares that had plagued his father ever since Syrion Valkyrea’s death.

“Tell me how I can be of service, your Highness, and with the approval of God I will see it done.”

He had to look down and study the nerves running along the wooden table, just to hide away his anger. There were always eyes strained at both him and his father, and any emotion that crossed his face would be reported to all the members of the court. With his father looking to appease the church, they couldn’t afford him giving away his thoughts.

“I want you to organize a special service for the midsummer festivities. Show them that we would never work together with the likes of the King of Death. Also emphasize the good work that has been done, the new Grand Temple, the new hospices, the increase in salaries for those joining the army, and of course the eradication of magic and heresy from our lands.”

He managed to almost sound proud, but they were pauper claims to a populace disheartened by the recent changes in policy. If only they could remove the pleberien church and their cursed faith from their land, then they could rule freely. However, the church’s power came from the support of the people. Those who were angry and disillusioned at the past corruption and abuse of power by both magicians and nobles. Trying to remove them would just result in the church being launched into martyrdom and them being painted as the evil magicians they truly were.

The priest stayed silent for longer than was customary after the request of a King. It was an appalling sign of disrespect, but nobody called him out for it. Showing just how much power the faith had gained.

“If the will of God agrees. Leave this in our hands, your Highness.”

Not a yes or no. In essence, he had told his King that he would do so, only if he wished to.

Glancing at other faces around the table, he tried to find someone who found offense at his behavior but found none. Most were new nobles installed after the purge of magic had dismissed the majority of the old bloodlines which had been there since the country’s origin. They knew better than to protest against the very institution that had given them their position.

In essence, they were surrounded by enemies on all sides.

Under the table, he balled his fists. Frustrated at not being able to express his anger in any other way.

“Thank you, your excellence. Your help would be greatly appreciated.”

The priest smiled smugly, satisfied with his father’s capitulation and infuriating the crown prince even further. If only they hadn’t lost all their allies. Though Valerian understood the decision his father had made, he couldn’t find it within himself to agree. He had managed to avert civil war and keep his position as king, but at what cost? Now he was their puppet king, made to dance according to the strings the High Priest pulled.

“With that out of the way, councilor Speleers, how are our new troops settling in?”

Relieved to move on from the High Priest, Valerian could see the named councilor perk up in surprise as if he had been snoozing before.

“They are doing very well, your Highness. As requested, I have housed them at my estate, and they have adapted fine, if I dare say so myself. Their captain trains with them daily, and I must say that I was impressed. I even asked my men to join their drills, they might learn a thing or two.”

The troops sent by Ligero sounded ideal, formidable, and incredibly hardened, exactly what they needed. Yet Valerian couldn’t shake the bad feeling he had about this alliance.

“That is good to hear. Did they send the complete thousand?”

“Yes, your Highness. They informed me that another thousand are ready to be sent as soon as the provision convoy arrives in Ligero.”

His father’s demeanor didn’t reflect the good news, and Valerian guessed he was thinking the same thing he did. As this idea had been proposed by the High Priest, they must be a catch.

“They will get it soon. Together with the three thousand we have mustered, it should be enough to go south.”

A heavy silence fell over the council. Even those appointed by the church were not fond of the idea of going to war. The southern part of Asmeon was casually referred to as the warring states. With a higher population, milder climate, and abundance of resources, conflicts happened often in the region, resulting in the development of strong military defenses in even the smallest of countries.

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Without magic, a war would be akin to suicide.

The tension broke as the High Priest smiled broadly and clapped his hands in jubilation.

“That is great news. God will reward you for spreading his message through the continent.”

His father didn’t respond, and for a moment, Valerian thought he would choose to say something. That he would risk their lives and the country's peace, to finally stand up for Lynoës.

He should have known better, as that wasn’t the kind of King he was.

“We will. Thank you, your excellence. With that news, I will conclude our meeting, unless any of you have something to add?”

A strange mixture of relief and disappointment filled him. As the crown prince, he knew that it was their duty to protect their people at all costs. Yet he couldn’t help but wish to see his father blow up the council, without a care for the consequences.

“If I’m permitted, I have another matter to raise.”

Valerian looked over at the man sitting at his father’s right. Sir Gauthier Van Caemelbeke, was the current general of the army and the one in charge of the castle security. As general, he also served the role of his father’s advisor and had been the youngest to do so for more than a century.

It wasn’t too surprising, considering how difficult it had been to find a replacement after Syrion's execution. After all, nobody was eager to take on a position that had previously led to the murder of its occupant. It had been his family that had urged the rather simple Gauthier to take the role. Still, his father was better off with a simpleton than a snake, so he had given him the position without hesitation.

“No problem Sir Gauthier. Voice your truth.”

Gauthier stood and nervously cracked his knuckles, seemingly unaware of how it broke decorum.

“I will your Highness. I received a report of a brawl between the city guard and people of the northern slumps.”

Valerian waited for him to continue, failing to see why this was worth mentioning since the northern part of the city had been a nuisance for years now.

“Interesting to hear General, but I fail to see why this would be my worry and not yours?”

His father echoed his thoughts and Valerian could see the general visibly swallow.

“Well, your Highness. It isn’t about the fight itself. It is that the group of city guards involved was heavily injured. When I went to speak to them, they swore that it had been Lidea Valkyrea together with another, who had intervened in the arrest.”

Murmuring started at the mention of her name which was contrasted by the deadly silence coming from his father and him. For Valerian, that name filled him with equal parts disappointment and resentment. In his heart, he had known that she would never leave the fight behind. Even if he wished she did.

You fool, why couldn’t you just go? Do you want to die so desperately!?

“We could have guessed that she would join them. Stubborn girl.”

His father’s annoyed mutterings were barely audible to anyone but Valerian. However, it only took a moment for him to hide his feelings again and give the answer that was needed.

“Thank you for your report General, but in the future we don’t need to be informed. She is no longer our concern and should be treated as any other member of the resistance.”

His words sounded cold as ice and Valerian almost found himself protesting but didn’t. He would never understand how his father could treat the daughter of his best friend as a pest.

“I understand, my Lord.”

“Good. Now, it does worry me that the problem with the northern quarter still persists. I will consider how to resolve this issue. Let’s rest this meeting here, as all of us have important matters to tend to.”

All chairs scraped over the floor, as everyone stood and called their goodbye’s before leaving the royal office. Only Valerian stayed, finally able to speak now that the others had left and he didn’t have to pretend them to be a united front.

“The High priest is growing more bold by the day.”

“He knows that he has us in the palm of his hand. We listen, or they oust us…”

His father answered exasperated as he rubbed his hand over his face. Valerian would feel bad for him if the situation hadn’t been one of his own making.

“And if we listen, our country will perish in war.”

His father slouched in his seat as he nodded at his statement. No matter what they did, they would be in danger. Then why did his father stay loyal to the High Priest and his faith of lies?

“I wished she hadn’t joined the resistance. Putting her to execution once had been precarious, it will be worse the second time around.”

The distant way in which he discussed her planned death irked him, but he kept his cool. Knowing voicing his protests would just cause his father to accuse him of being too sentimental. Maybe he was, she had been like a sister to him.

“It might be best to not organize a separate execution this time. As you stated, she is not of importance anymore.”

Every word he spoke, felt like a stab to the heart. Another betrayal to her. Even if he understood that it was necessary to stay in his father’s good graces.

“Fair point, anyway those are worries for later. We have more urgent matters to discuss. The resistance needs to be handled before we are trying to fight a war on two fronts.”

“Three fronts, do not forget the church, Father. They are not our allies.”

The older man waved away his interjection. Seeming to find his statement needless.

“They are our allies. We are going to go to war as they request. There is no reason for them to attack us.”

Because they already hold the power.

Valerian didn’t voice the thought out loud. Focusing instead on placating his father.

“What do you propose we do about the resistance? We know they are hiding in those ruins, but there is no way for us to break through the barrier.”

As he spoke, Valerian stood to take the decanter of wine and filled both of their glasses. Subtly adding the powder of his poison ring to one before reaching it to his father. Earning him a thankful smile in response.

“I suppose the priests haven’t made any progress yet?”

Valerian paused as he put the decanter back on the table. He couldn’t understand how his father believed it was possible to instill a weapon with the will of God so it would work against magic. It sounded laughable and like the idea of a child. Still, his King had asked him the question seriously, so Valerian answered him as if it was not ridiculous as well.

“Not from the reports I have read.”

His father grunted as he picked up his goblet and sipped the wine while pondering another way.

“We have the Ligerians. Perhaps, we should give them a trial before going to war.”

“You want them to clean out the resistance?”

It wasn’t a bad plan, but he didn’t think even the Ligerians would make it past the dragon order’s barriers.

“Yes. The northern quarter should be punished. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have ties with the resistance, so it will draw them out. Actually, Lidea interrupting an arrest there almost proves that fact. Valerian, I want you to take charge of this for Gauthier would just mess it up.”

He sounded so satisfied with himself and Valerian couldn’t help but notice the hints of madness in his eyes. How could he propose punishing a whole neighborhood for rebelling when it had been his policies that had driven them to it? Still, he could only answer dutifully.

“Leave it to me, Father.”

“Good. I’m feeling tired. Aid me to my chambers.”

Valerian nodded and helped him as a good son would. Supporting him while he climbed into bed just when the medicine took hold of him. He wondered if his father suspected him of spiking his drinks with sleeping draft. The King of the past, not tainted by guilt-driven madness would have, but he wasn’t sure if he was still capable of knowing now.

Looking over his form, bundled under the blankets, he was tempted to grab a pillow and end it all. Yet he still cared for the man that had caused the death of so many.

Turning his back, he left his chambers to go to the one person to whom he could speak honestly. Even if she didn’t care for his presence.