Page 92 of The Flame King's Queen

The Kingof Maledin must by now be aware that the Shadow King cannot be killed by steel alone. We have discovered the fiend’s whereabouts and uncovered the means by which he can be killed, but if we attack, we will become overwhelmed by undead.

We seek the aid of King of Maledin’s silent silver beasts and riders to support our assassination.

No army.

Quiet.

Swift.

Deadly.

An end to his brutal reign.

At the bottomof the note there is a time and date several days from now, and a description of a meeting place in northeastern Maledin, an area I’m only slightly familiar with in the foothills of the Bodan Mountains. An unlovely place of rocks, mist, and dead trees.

I read the note several times through, wondering about the veracity of the offer. It doesn’t invite me specifically to join the attack, so it’s possibly not a trap laid to murder me. Or perhaps the author knows that I’d be unable to sit out an attempt to finish Emmeric off for good.

I proffer the note to Master Gaun. “Who delivered this letter?”

“I did not see their faces,Ma’len.”

Gaun will not meet my eyes. I don’t think he’s lying to me about his visitors, but he’s concealing something. “Do you believe I should trust this letter?”

“I do,Ma’len,” he answers directly.

“But you will not tell me why?”

He hesitates. “I am just the messenger, but I believe that the ones who are behind this letter have no love for the Shadow King, and they wish to see him destroyed.”

“Why may I not attack with my whole army?”

He speaks with the care of someone who doesn’t wish to offend a king. “I could not say for certain,Ma’len, but anyone familiar with the attack on the southern border will understand that the presence of the army alerted the Shadow King to danger, and he fled.”

That is the conclusion that I made myself. “This enemy we seek to defeat is not a king. He is a traitor prince being puppeteered by an evil mage.”

“Of course,Ma’len. I apologize. I find myself using the words spoken by the strangers.”

Then these people, whoever they are, were raised under the Brethren. Perhaps they are Brethren soldiers or priests who seek revenge for the suffering they endured during Emmeric’s reign. “Why do they wish to risk their lives to help me kill Emmeric?”

Sweat has broken out on Master Gaun’s brow. “I could not say for sure, but…Ma’len, the clothing they wore, the way they moved, they reminded me of witchfinders. They hinted of their powers, and as you may be aware, those who formerly called themselves witchfinders are all warlocks.”

An offer of help from former witchfinders. Isavelle once wondered aloud to me about what happened to them all after my dragon army drove the Brethren out of Maledin.

“Their magic is strong enough to face Emmeric?”

“They believe so.” Master Gaun bows once more, and I have the feeling he’s desperately hoping to be dismissed. “May I tell these strangers that you will meet with them at the appointed place and time?”

Agree just like that? I can’t see how that is a wise decision. Master Gaun’s nervous manner is suspicious, and I think he at least knows the identity of these men. Isavelle can give me more insight into his trustworthiness.

“I will think on it and send word to the archive. As this is a warlock matter, I should consult the queen.”

Master Gaun looks relieved. “Queen Isavelle will recognize the urgency of the matter. Thank you,Ma’len.”

I watch him leave, still frowning. What a strange turn of events. I can’t make them out or decide whether I can trust this letter.

In the early evening, I show Isavelle the letter in our room and describe Master Gaun’s caginess to her.

She reads it through several times, and purses her lips in thought. “Master Gaun is a little highly strung, and perhaps he was nervous because you are king. Witchfinders were treated abominably by the Brethren.”

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