Page 14 of Oath of War
‘Coward,’ I muttered.
‘Better than a dead fool,’ he retorted, disappearing into the shadows.
I let him go without protest as he slipped away towards the kitchens. Partially because he was right, but also because I realised who he was. The tattoo on his temple, faintly visible beneath his hairline when he pinned me to the wall, marked him as a member of the Dark Brotherhood. Their loyalty extended only as far as the gold in one’s pockets. Even if I could use his skills, I had no means to compel him to fight for me.
I came to the gallery bridge connecting the old castle with the luxurious palace and crossed it quickly, trying to look like I belonged. As soon as I reached the nobles’ quarters, I slowed and lowered my head, hiding the bone spike in the folds of my skirt. With a tray I’d picked up and the servant’s dress I’d donned, I blended in seamlessly. An overwhelming nervousness permeated the palace, and several nobles hurriedly packed as I walked past their rooms.
Despite my earlier bravado and the rush of energy that came with escaping my cell, I was muddled from hunger, and when I found myself in an unfamiliar corridor, I realised I was lost. As I looked around to find the exit, I caught part of a conversation as two guards passed me by.
‘You know what’s going on?’ one asked, his voice low. ‘I heard the lord marshal’s taken his men to the throne room, and now we’re being called to protect the king.’
‘Bad luck for us,’ the other muttered. ‘And here comes more of it.’ He straightened abruptly, saluting as an officer approached.
I held my breath, trying to disappear into the shadows, straining to hear more about Ihrain’s plans.
‘You two—go by the servants’ entrance and grab any guards you meet on the way. Hold up the duke’s men as long as you can. I don’t want any of them in the throne room. We need to contain the marshal and his brother before reinforcements arrive.’
The officer’s words were a splash of ice-cold water down my spine. I observed as they gathered a few extra men and headed downstairs. Only then did I dare to move.
Slipping through a discreet servant’s door, I found myself in a narrow passage leading to the throne room. My pulse quickened as I recognised it—every crown mage had been brought here once, shown the alcove where they could eavesdrop on foreign dignitaries and political dealings. The hidden vantage point offered me a view of the throne room’s unfolding chaos.
The grand chamber was just as I remembered it, with its high, frescoed ceiling and gleaming marble floors. Carvings of legendary heroes and beautifully woven tapestries covered the walls. But today, blood marred the polished surface, and soldiers herded nobles into a corner like cattle. Opposite them stood the king’s guards, swords drawn, ready to fight.
Two imposing figures commanded attention at the centre of the room. My heart leapt at the sight of Orm, and for a moment, I forgot everything else. Beside him stood a man so strikingly similar in stature and bearing that I knew it must be his brother, Reynard. Together, they looked like mythical warriors come to life—a stark contrast to the frail, cringing form of the king, who shrank back from the tension radiating through the hall.
I scanned the scene, my stomach knotting with anxiety as I searched for Alaric. He was nowhere in sight, and I didn’t dare reveal myself—not yet. Instead, I focused on assessing the situation, determined to find a way to help.
Orm’s voice cut through the air like a blade, deep and commanding. ‘Sire, why have you done this? We came to beg for your aid in defending the kingdom from the army gatheredunder the Lost Ridge. Yet you align yourself with those who would see this kingdom fall and allow a conduit mage—our only conduit mage—to be taken under your orders.’
The king blinked, his weak gaze shifting to the chancellor, who stepped forward with a sneer. ‘You keep insisting on saying that, Commander, but what proof do you have? You revolt against the king, kill his guards to force yourselves in here, and for what? For the return of a woman? A mage who, by law, belongs to the Crown.’
‘Lady Annika belongs to no one, and I address the king, not you, vermin!’ Orm’s fury was palpable until Reynard placed a calming hand on his shoulder. ‘Even as a crown mage, you have no right to hold her imprisoned.’
Ihrain emerged from behind the throne, his expression smug as ever. ‘A bold claim, Commander. But if reports are accurate, you yourself forced Lady Annika into a bondage contract.’
Orm’s glare could have burned through stone, his hand tightening on the hilt of his sword. But it was Reynard who stepped forward, his voice measured but no less dangerous. ‘Those same reports say she entered the fortress voluntarily. Now, everyone knows you should not separate a conduit mage from their Anchors. Therefore, we insist you bring Lady Annika here. Then we can put this matter to rest once and for all.’
‘Lady Annika is enjoying the king’s hospitality and is currently unavailable. I’m sure she’d condemn the violence you’ve wrought in her name,’ Ihrain said with such superiority that I thought Orm would lose control of his temper. ‘If you refuse to kneel to your king and beg forgiveness, she would be the first to call for you to be punished. Now, if you ever want to see the lady again, surrender to His Majesty.’
Ihrain was working on getting himself killed, but what worried me more was the increasing yellow glow of Ormond’s eyes. Theywere using me to destroy his image, and I couldn’t let Ihrain’s lies stand. I need to act, and fast.
‘Stop with this nonsense now!’ Reynard’s voice caused everyone to freeze. ‘What law justifies the imprisonment of a lady of the Erenhart family?’
‘Law? She is a crown mage. You, Lord Marshal, and your brother are traitors. I hereby remove you both from your posts and will strike your family name from the kingdom’s heraldry. Stop this madness and lay down your weaponsnow,’ the chancellor said, and the eyes of everyone present turned to the man on the throne.
‘Do you consider yourself king, Chancellor? The ruler I pledged my sword to is the man sitting beside you, not you. Why are you dismantling this country brick by brick?’ Reynard queried calmly, and I caught the subtle gesture he made as he spoke, after which several nobles left the room. ‘Or is this by the order of your true master? The monster who wants us helpless and on our knees, ready to be taken like low-hanging fruit?’
The two men stared each other down, taking the measure of their opponent before a slow, cruel smile spread across the chancellor’s lips.
‘What ridiculous conjecture, Reynard.’
I stepped forward from my hiding spot, intending to wipe the smirk from the chancellor’s face, only for someone to grab my arm with such strength that it made me stagger. The tray I was carrying fell to the floor, startling everyone into silence as they turned to look.
‘I’ve got her, sir!’ the guard holding me announced. I recognised the voice of the person who went to check the cell. Before I could react, all hell broke loose.
‘Get your hands off my woman!’ Ormond roared, rushing in my direction. Two guards stepped in front of him, but he was unstoppable, punching one man in the chest and simultaneouslysinking his dagger in the other’s throat. I felt my jaw drop at the speed with which he killed them, but more stepped in front of him after Ihrain shouted.
‘Guards! Now! Take His Majesty to safety. Attack the rebels!’
