Page 79 of Staff of Nightfall

Regulus and Dresden looked at each other. Maybe he shouldn’t be surprised. Alfred had nearly given his life for the king’s father, after all.

Sir Michael rushed them down hallways with paintings of royals and showed them into a small room with no furniture save for an empty small wooden throne with red cushions. After collecting their weapons, the steward left them, closing the door behind him. Against the throne leaned a sword with a gold hilt formed in the shape of a dragon’s head in a scabbard of gold, ivory, and onyx.

Behind the throne, a floor-to-ceiling clear glass window illuminated the room. The fireplace to their right had a gold mantel supported by statues of gold dogs. A door opposite the fireplace opened and the man from the portrait Alfred had shown them walked in.

The king, like his brother, was short. No silver had yet touched his short brown beard. A simple gold crown sat on his head, holding his long brown hair in place. He wore a crimson cloak with gold edging over a black doublet embroidered in gold and black hose. Every finger bore a ring. Gold embroidered his belt and gold buckles shone on his boots.

Alfred dropped to one knee and bowed, and Dresden and Regulus did the same behind him while Adelaide curtsied low.

The door closed behind King Gawain as he walked to the throne. “Rise, Lord Belanger and companions.” Regulus waited for Alfred to stand first. The king sat down. “We are glad to see you, old friend.”

Alfred inclined his head. “I wish it were under better circumstances, Your Excellency.”

“Yes. Our steward told us you fear for our life.” The king rested his chin on his fist. “Explain.”

“Your brother is alive, Your Excellency. He has obtained a powerful magical weapon and plans to kill you at your birthday masque.”

King Gawain paled and leaned back in the throne. When he spoke, his voice was quiet and tense. “How do you know this?”

“My daughter and her betrothed have met him.” Alfred gestured back toward them. “And he told my daughter as much.”

The king shifted his piercing gaze to Regulus, then Adelaide. “Kirven told you his identity and plans?”

Adelaide offered another small curtsy. “Yes, Your Excellency.”

“And how did you come into contact with a sorcerer?” The suspicion in the king’s voice made Regulus wince. He stepped forward and bowed.

“Your Excellency, she met him because of me.”

The king raised an eyebrow. “And you are?”

“Lord Regulus Hargreaves of Arrano, Your Excellency. And for two years, I served the sor—Prince Kirven.”

King Gawain's expression turned cold. “He was stripped of his title.”

Regulus bowed his head. “He still fancies himself a prince. He did not tell me his name, but he called himself the Prince of Shadow and Ash.”

The king’s eyes widened, but he quickly recovered. “You served him? Why?”

“To save my men’s lives, Your Excellency.”

“And how did Lady Belanger meet him?”

Regulus winced. He knew this would come up, but it didn’t make it any easier. He glanced to Adelaide. “He needed a mage. He demanded I bring Adelaide to him to help recover a relic.” His collar suddenly felt itchy. “The last piece he needed to re-forge a powerful weapon, the Staff of Nightfall.”

“You are certain?” The king leaned forward, gripping the arms of his throne. “He has the Staff of Nightfall?”

“You’ve heard of it?” Alfred asked.

“Rumors. I thought it was a myth.” Regulus noted Gawain’s abandoning of the royal we. The king dragged a trembling hand across his brow and his eyes shot over to Adelaide. “Wait. A mage? You’re a mage?”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“Prove it.”

Adelaide held her fist out in front of her, her palm glowing a faint cerulean while she conjured a sword of blue-white light. The light sword vanished as she dropped her hand.

“Your name is Adelaide?” The king asked. She nodded. “Approach us, Adelaide.” Adelaide approached, her footsteps hesitant. “Kneel.”

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