Page 22 of The Night Prince 2

Rhalyf realized then that he couldn’t keep his true identity a secret at that moment. He needed to know who these Aravae were. He cleared his throat and said in his own voice, “Commander Sevren, I require a report.”

Sevren blinked. He blinked some more and stared hard at “Gran” before stuttering out, “L-Lord Neres?”

“The one and only. I’m in disguise for… well, no matter. Who was murdered exactly? Their names, if you know them, and their descriptions,” he requested, keeping his voice low. “Wait! Finley, take Gemma over there.”

“But I want to know who died! We know tons of Aravae,” she protested.

“I’m sure you do, but I need all the bloody details,” he answered her. “I’d rather the good Commander not hold back giving them to me because of your youth.”

“I might look young, but I’ve been through a lot,” she told him, drawing up a few inches.

Realizing that she had lived through the Leviathan attack, she likely wasn’t exaggerating.

“I don’t doubt that, but you realize that makes me only want to protect you more, don’t you?” he asked her.

She blinked. “But…”

“I’ll tell you what I can after I speak to the Commander here. Please, Gemma?” He smiled, but since Gran was missing teeth and those she had were yellowed and ugly, he didn’t think that smile had quite the same effect as his real one. But, to his surprise, she nodded and both Finley and her stepped away. He turned back to the Commander, “Now, who has died?”

Sevren’s lips had been curling into a smile at his “Gran” persona but then when he had to speak of the dead, that smile died. “Two visiting Aravae. Leisha Amara and Seith Ticher.”

A wave of cold ran through Rhalyf. Those were the names of the Aravae who had attempted to rough up Declan the night before. Had Declan snuck out and killed them later last night to keep his secret? No. Declan had been convinced that Rhalyf had made their “proof” of Declan’s difference look ridiculous. He had made it look ridiculous. There was no need to kill them. Besides, he didn’t think Declan was the murdering type despite the fact that he must be a Kindreth and moved like an assassin.

But then he recalled that he and Declan weren’t the only two people who had seen and heard Seith and Leisha’s threats. The figure in the woods had too. The figure with a crown of antlers. Who had that been? They had clearly heard what happened between the two Aravae, Declan and himself. Could they have killed Seith and Leisha? But why?

“How were they killed?” he asked, praying it was a Leviathan attack. “Outside the dome, I assume?” That would be the only reason Sevren would caution them from leaving the city.

Sevren nodded and pointed towards a section of forest about a hundred yards from the dome’s edge. He could see Aravae roaming between the trees.

“They were strung up there,” Sevren explained with a visible shudder. “Upside down. Attached to the trees.” His voice dropped as he added, “They were drained of blood. And if that wasn’t awful enough, both had their tongues cut out.”

Rhalyf went very, very still at this description. It was familiar. Terribly familiar. How many times had his own parents done that to servants or lower level Kindreth who had insulted them, or worse, gossiped about their secrets? The blood was taken, because blood was useful in all sorts of rites. And the victims were often bled slowly just to make their deaths hurt more. The tongues being taken out was the real clue though. That was to warn others that speaking ill of the powerful would always lead to suffering and death.

A Kindreth did this…

But he couldn’t imagine the cool, collected Declan doing it. His secrets were known by Rhalyf. Rhalyf had far more opportunities to convince Aquilan of his “differences” than two random Aravae did. So there was no reason for Declan to do this.

So there is another Kindreth here than Declan and me…

Again, the antlered figure came to mind and his shoulders twitched at the thought of it. It was only Declan’s keen magical senses that had picked up that figure. He had not.

“Lord Neres, I know how grim this is. Especially with the king just having returned,” Sevren murmured, believing this was what was distressing him.

He shook himself. “Yes, yes, it is.”

“Do you wish to go see the crime scene?” he asked.

Rhalyf very much did. But not when the Protectors were there. For there were spells he had to cast, which would let him know exactly what had happened and perhaps who had done the deed. But such spells needed blood and there were no Aravae spells, which required that. They also did better in darkness. So he would have to go later. Much later. When no one was around. He shook his head.

“I promised these two that I would take them to Hope,” Rhalyf answered and pointed towards the two young humans. “I can’t disappoint them.”

“Well, I’m sure that they will be safe with you, but do you wish for myself or a Protector or two to accompany you?” Sevren asked.

“Gods no, Sevren! Bringing a squadron of Protectors into Separatist territory will likely cause a few more murders. We’ll be fine. If we stay to the road and get back well before dark,” Rhalyf said.

Sevren nodded. “Indeed. We’ll find out who has done this. Don’t you worry.”

Rhalyf gave a weak smile. He needed to find out who had done this before the Protectors did. And that person would need to be disposed of quite fully.

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