Page 70 of Conspirators' Kingdom

What new game was this?

“Yes, dear wife, I believe they are.”

“How does Maat usually treat those who steal from royalty?”

“With extreme prejudice, Princess Consort Taisiya,” Qar replied, a savage grin on his face.

“Then take us to our home, so that I might demonstrate my skills for the people of Maat,” Taisiya said.

Nofret and Qar cleared the way to a small barge, one decorated so finely that every onlooker knew it to be from his palace. As Nofret’s magic propelled them along the channels, the people of Rhacotis showered them with welcomes and flower petals until they reached his home, a modest palace complex seated atop a stone outcropping. Qar leapt from the boat and held out his hand for Taisiya. She took it gracefully and waited for Mereruka to disembark before placing her hand on his as they made their way to the doors, the soaring, painted walls a welcome sight. Armed servants opened the first set of colossal doors and knelt.

“I heard that my home has been invaded. Where are the miscreants?” Mereruka asked.

“In the courtyard, Prince Mereruka.”

“Take us there.”

They passed through the smaller buildings for his soldiers, servants and scribes, through the administrative offices and training grounds and into the core of the complex. His rooms and Bas’, his library, his personal vault, the heart of his home. This was the only place he dared let down his guard. Here, in the very centre of it all, he’d carved out a private slice of paradise where only those he trusted were allowed. An ornamental pool ringed by palm trees and a garden of sweet-smelling herbs and flowers basked in the sun of the courtyard. Here there was room to spar and play, to lounge and chat, to entertain and feast. And here, a group of shameless hatya, toadies of his eldest brother, violated his sanctuary. Dancers and musicians frolicked through his gardens, trampling greenery underfoot while the nobles gesticulated with their cups, sloshing wine and beer over the painted floors. Another floated in his pond, naked and chuckling while several fish lay speared through on the dry stone. It was all Mereruka could do to keep from shaking with rage.

“Husband, do these people displease you?” Taisiya asked.

“They do,” he said, his voice tight.

Keep it together.

“Vasilisa, would you like to begin?”

Inky talons reached up from a shadow and sank into the ankles of a lounging hatya. His screams echoed pleasingly while his compatriots fell off their seats and scrambled away. As he was dragged into the void, another tried to grab hold of his flailing arms. Waist-deep in the shadows, there was no purchase against Vasilisa’s insistent pull into the void. His grip slipped and the man’s head was dragged under. The second he lost his balance, Taisiya stepped away and let loose a bolt of lightning. Dead. Another, who had watched it all in horror, was struck a second later as the first clap of thunder reverberated in the courtyard. Dead.

The man in his pool had, by now, tread through the hip-high water to the edge while the entertainers shrieked and cowered in the farthest corner of the courtyard. All the exits to his inner sanctum were bristling with blades. There was nowhere left to run. The naked fae prostrated himself at Mereruka’s feet, black hair plastered to his saffron and amber back.

“Forgive me, Prince Mereruka! King Khety suggested that your territories were without leadership in your absence. We all thought you had died on the Cursed Continent.”

Mereruka fisted his hands at his sides. The man before him was a stranger. He leaned down and yanked the man’s hand forward, noting the name engraved in miniature on his golden ring. So, the nomarch of Shedet had sent his useless brat to interfere with Rhacotis? He would answer the insult with blood. Mereruka slapped the man’s hand away as his eyes narrowed. The courtyard was silent.

“Did His Eternal Serenity tell you to take it upon yourself to replace me in my home?” Mereruka asked.

“Not in so many words, Your Tranquility,” the man answered.

“So, on whose authority did you break into my residence and command my household? On whose authority did you steal from my treasury? On whose authority did you meddle with the affairs of Rhacotis?” Mereruka demanded.

“King Khety-”

“Did not explicitly give you permission to do these things, did he?” Mereruka hissed.

“N-no, Prince Mereruka.”

“Husband, he has admitted his crimes. Let us make an example of those who dare steal from us and call my homeland cursed.” Taisiya sidled up to him and placed a hand on his chest.

He had to get his temper in check. Word of what happened next would get back to Khety and the rest of the hatya. They needed the story to be as gruesome as it was entertaining.

“Do you have something in mind?” Mereruka asked.

“Take him out in full view of the neighbours. Turn him into a bird. If he can escape my lightning, then he may go free. If not, well, he will pay with his life,” she suggested.

Mereruka was surprised that she would willingly witness the grisly process. It cooled his anger. The spectacle would ensure Rhacotis knew who was in charge once more and put any other scoundrels on notice. It would also demonstrate his power and hers. He kissed the palm of her hand and took a deep breath.

“An excellent suggestion. Qar, drag him out of my palace.”

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