Titus’s head sank; the bleakness of Lucium’s future weighed on his conscience unlike ever before. Between news of death from the north province, as well as the accompanying rumors, and the uncertainty of Olivia’s situation, he was unable to sit still for long. The destruction of the Duri Family will weaken the economy, and cripple House Cibus’s resources. He had no doubt that Lucium’s neighbors were awaiting its collapse with anticipation, ready to carve their slice at a moment’s notice.

  Cicero, deeply concerned, approached the throne. “My liege, are you alright? Your fingers haven’t stopped tapping the arms of your throne for the past hour.”

  Titus looked down at his hands. “I never noticed that.” He forced his fingers to remain still.

  “Don’t worry. Lucullus will find her. I can tell that he has great tenacity.”

  Titus stood up, and began to pace around. “I’m not worried about him not finding her. What worries me is what he will find.”

  “I don’t think they would kill the Princess of Lucium; she’s too valuable.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “My liege, the ones who took her aren’t your typical brigands from the woods. You are still King of Lucium. She is your heir, and any leverage they gain from having her would be lost if she died. They won’t let her die. Whether or not they torture her for information, or any other reason, is an entirely different matter.”

  Titus glanced back at Cicero. “I only wish you would’ve left out that last part.”

  “Sorry, my liege, but it’s the truth. I know you are stressed, but there’s no use in holding anything back from you.”

  “I only know of one thing I can do.”

  “What might that be?”

  Titus hesitated. “I would like to pray with you… for Olivia, and for Lucullus.”

  Cicero felt a smile begin to creep across his face. “I would be happy to pray with you, my liege.”

  “Good. We shall go to your chamber.”

  Cicero nodded.

  The Queen’s sister kept many documents in her chamber. Lucullus felt like a burglar with how many times he’s ransacked private chambers. The only difference is that, instead of stealing gold or some precious stones, he was always looking for evidence and important documents. This time, he was careful not to leave the room in a chaotic state; his search was far more diligent, and he took only what was necessary.

  Though his search for Chaodite business was a disappointment, he discovered something far more pressing; it was a conspiracy. Through his thorough search of the room, hidden within a secret chamber within the wardrobe, he found documents detailing the assassination of the Queen. A list was made of key figures to be wary of, and of certain individuals involved in the plot. Among the documents was an unfinished letter addressed to some sort of assassin. His first thought was a Chaodite Master, just like the one that killed Decimus, but he couldn’t be sure.

  The more he read of this assassination plot, the more he tried to look for Chaodite involvement. Time almost seemed to come to a standstill as he became more enamored by his search. His focus was broken by a sudden rattling of the doorknob. His heart skipped a beat. His movements quickly turned erratic as he tried to close the wardrobe doors.

  He heard soft footsteps as the chamber door swung open, but he dared not even crack the wardrobe doors to see who it was. Out of habit, he drew his sword, and took a fighting stance. If the wardrobe doors opened, he would be ready.

  Aela, upon entering the chamber, took a moment to pray to Aeras for a calm mind. After some steady breathing, she began her search. The chamber was laid out like a library. It wasn’t quite like the college archives, but certainly she wouldn’t have the time to look through every book in the room. She started in any hidden place she could find. From one end of the room to the other, she scoured the walls, and looked under various pieces of furniture, even sliding the lighter shelves aside, but to no avail. When the hidden places were exhausted, she turned to opening drawers, and scanning the shelves. If the Queen’s brother-in-law is working with the Chaodites directly, then he is sure to have some sort of map of their routes. On that assumption, she turned her focus to finding maps and manifests. Someone with the rank and prestige that he had would likely be involved in the Chaodite trafficking rings. She also considered the possibility of the Queen’s sister being the one with direct ties to them. If that were the case, then it would be up to Lucullus to find the evidence.

  As she searched, she kept in her mind the reason why she was sent in the chamber to begin with. Having searched every place she could think of, she sat for a moment, completely at a loss. Then, she had an idea. Perhaps he was a Chaodite. The thought terrified her a little, and she felt a slight shiver run down her spine. She took a deep breath, and relaxed her mind.

  Kneeling down on the floor, she put her hands together, and she steadied her breath to concentrate on the energy in the room. If I could sense their twisted energy in those rocks, perhaps I can do it again here. She began to sweat profusely from her forehead, and almost felt lightheaded. But as she thought she might soon pass out, the presence of the twisted energy made itself known; it could hide from her no longer. Either he is a novice Chaodite, or a master of concealment. She settled on the novice theory when she dispelled the illusion. As the illusion vanished, a large hole in the wall was revealed. Inside it was a small Chaodite shrine, and an amulet of Chaodis. She grabbed the amulet by the chain after reciting a few prayers of protection and casting a ward for her hands, and fled the chamber.

  Walking through the halls, she felt the dark power of the amulet radiate around it. Holding the chain wouldn’t bring her harm, but the amulet’s presence made her hands shake with fear. She went directly to the Queen’s chamber.

  The doors of the wardrobe swung open in an instant. Though the woman was evidently startled by a strange man hiding in her wardrobe, she quickly recomposed herself. Lucullus, in his panic, forcefully backed into the wall behind the wardrobe, forgetting that it was fake, and fell backwards.

  The woman chuckled at the frantic scene. “Who are you, and what business have you in my chamber?”

  Lucullus rebounded back to his feet. He kept the tip of his sword pointed at her. “Who are you?”

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  “I see your manners are lacking,” her eyes went wide for a moment, “but I can see that you are quite confused.”

  He grabbed the letter that fell from his scrip off the ground. “I must ask you to step aside. I have important things to attend to.”

  “Is hiding in a closet one of them?” She smirked.

  This is worse than being attacked. What’s with this woman? He shoved the letter back into his scrip. “When you see what I’ve seen, you get to be a bit jumpy at times. I’m not used to calm environments these days. Now out of my way.”

  She sauntered toward him, swaying from one side to the other as she closed in. “Well, I am sure you have nothing to worry about.” She flicked the tip of his sword. “You don’t need to brandish such a dangerous weapon. Relax.”

  “I will not be fooled by whatever trick you’re trying to pull, woman. I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but I don’t like it.”

  She let out a low laugh, a laugh that gave Lucullus shivers. “I’m not trying to do anything, aside from getting you to calm down. Now, if you would be so kind as to put away your sword, perhaps we could talk like civilized people.” As she got closer, Lucullus moved further away.

  “You move like a snake in the night.”

  She shook her head. “There’s no need for such foolish talk.” She began to back him into a corner, obviously unconcerned by the sword he still brandished. “You have something that I want… Something that I own…”

  The Queen hurried along with Aela. “So you think he’s in danger?”

  “I can’t say for certain. But what I do know is that he shouldn’t be taking this long.” She stopped in her tracks a few doors down from where Lucullus was, and motioned for the Queen to stop.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Aela closed her eyes, and focused; the dark energy made her stagger a bit. “He’s in trouble. We must go at once!” She darted down the hall, with the Queen trailing behind.

  Lucullus felt the strength in his arms and legs drain. If only I could shoot lightning like Aela. He tried to break free, but was pinned against the wall. “If you desire what is in my scrip, you won’t have it. Even with no strength in my limbs, you are no match.”

  She looked at the scrip; it was pinned between Lucullus’s back and the wall. “No matter. I don’t need to use force.”

  He scoffed.

  “Try to understand, I have the power to give your name prestige beyond even those in the royal family, or I could throw your name in the mud, and all of Emporikos would call you pond scum. They would cast you into the dung hills of the slums. All that power is within a single letter from me.”

  “You’re not the Queen, but a harlot. I have no fear of you.”

  Her eyes narrowed, and turned red. “You’ll regret that.” She pulled a dagger from her sleeve.

  As Aela came to the door, she heard a loud crash from the other side. After a quick prayer for strength, she drew a sharp breath, and kicked the door in. “Lucullus!”

  Lucullus glanced back with relief. “Good. Help has arrived.”

  The Queen arrived shortly after, and was shocked to find her sister backed into a corner with a dagger in her hand, and Lucullus standing over her with a sword.

  “O Agatha, thank the Savra that you arrived.”

  The Queen stood for a moment with her mouth agape before regaining her composure. “Chloris, Lucullus, what is going on in here?”

  Chloris jumped in with a convincing cry, “This man broke into my chamber, and had you not arrived, he would’ve certainly killed me. I think he may be a political assassin from Lucium!”

  Lucullus scoffed. “Lying woman! You assaulted me, and nearly slashed my throat!”

  While Aela assumed a fighting stance, Agatha stood motionless, unable to decide one way or the other.

  “Agatha, do something!” Chloris prepared her knife, and looked as if she could spring to her feet, and attack Lucullus at any moment.

  Lucullus readied his sword and shield. “Why would the Queen help such a miserable wretch as yourself?”

  Aela turned to Agatha, and entreated her, “My Queen, don’t give in. Lucullus speaks the truth, and you know it.”

  Chloris briefly glared at Aela. “Don’t tell me the Altum has corrupted the mind of a Savronite Sister! Listen to what you’re saying. Do you even hear yourself? Or has he cast a spell over you?”

  Agatha slammed her foot down. “Enough! Both of you, lay down your weapons; Sister Aela will confiscate them.”

  Chloris gripped tighter on her dagger.

  “That Altum is to be placed under house arrest until I decide what to do with him. Now, both of you, surrender your weapons!”

  Lucullus backed far away from Chloris, and dropped his sword and shield on the ground. “As you wish, Queen Agatha.”

  Chloris muttered something in a southern dialect before standing up and dropping her dagger. “I’m glad you saw reason, Agatha. It’s clear that Lucium is getting more bold by the day.”

  Agatha sighed. “Sister Aela, take those weapons to my quarters, and call the guards as soon as you see them. I need to have a word with these two.”

  Aela bowed, and shuffled away with the weapons. “Right away, my Queen.”

  As Sabina’s private carriage traveled through the countryside, she read over the letters Pontius took from Trajan with great pleasure. With each incriminating word she read, warm feelings surged through her body. That foolish duke is clueless. She could barely contain her giggles as she thought about the meeting she would have with the Duke.

  Her carriage came around to the foot of the castle’s courtyard, and she emerged from the carriage’s veiled enclosure with elegance and immense pride. She strode through the courtyard to the Duke’s court, and cut in front of several court guests who were waiting to see the Duke.

  He looked upon Sabina with surprise, and did a quick bow. “What brings the Archduchess to my court?”

  She continued up to his seat, and stood over him. “I come with a proposition, one which I know you can’t refuse.”

  “Is that so, my liege?” He relaxed in his seat. “I would be more than happy to hear it.”

  She began to pace around him. “We have known for quite some time that Lucium is not the great nation it used to be. The conquests that past kings boasted from their high throne, our economic prosperity, the safe roads our subjects once enjoyed, and, perhaps most tragically, the loss of our national unity, all of it has been forgotten by time! And it would seem it has been forgotten by Titus as well. I know, and you know, that it is time for a change; change has waited its turn for a long time, now.”

  “What do you propose?”

  She briefly turned away from the Duke, and smiled to herself before returning her gaze to him. “My dear Maximus, it is time for a new vision for Lucium. I ask you to join me in this great mission.”

  “How do you plan to do all this?”

  “Many in the province have already pledged loyalty to me. I ask you to join me, and be on the right side of history.”

  He stroked his beard. “That would mean betraying my oath!”

  She shook her head. “Not true. You would be preserving the Throne. You would be a hero to future generations in Lucium.”

  “Do you really think you’ll achieve anything with such a foolish cause? No matter how many allies you amass in Lucium, you could never reach the palace. You would be executed for even thinking it.”

  “Is that a challenge?”

  “No,” he gritted his teeth for a moment, “it’s a statement of fact.”

  She stopped pacing, and bent down in front of him, looking him in the eyes. “Have more faith in me. I have power Titus could only dream of. But I wish for as little bloodshed as possible. Emporikos would pounce if we gave them the chance. That is why a diplomatic solution is needed.”

  “This is nothing more than a vanity project.”

  She pulled out the letters. “If you want to talk about vanity projects, I suggest we look at the boneyard that has grown in your closet.”

  He scowled. “What is that?”

  “I would tell you to ask Trajan Duri, but sad to say, his dubious dealings with thieves has caught up with him.”

  He began to sweat a little on the back of his neck, and he formed a slight stutter, just enough for Sabina to notice. “You’re an extortionist.”

  “I’m only bringing up the truth, since you want to talk about vanity. It seems your scheme has failed, and is leaving you in a sinking ship. Trajan chose to be on the wrong side of history. I wonder which side you’re on…”

  He thought to grab his sword, but rejected the thought. “Fine. I will join your alliance.”

  “Good. I expect to see your support at the next council.” She pinched his cheek rather forcefully, then turned to leave. As she walked away, she left a letter in the Duke’s lap.

  He stood up, and waved the letter. “What is this?”

  As she walked away, she replied in a sinister tone, “Consider it a token of my appreciation for your unwavering support.”