The Traitor by A. Lombardo (i can read with my eyes shut TXT) 📕

am sorry, Kai. I should have believed you; helped you, even. I can only guess my grief blinded me. I could not see past the anger and all the broken promises, but despite all that, I know you could never willingly hurt your father. I stand with you. Let me convince Roark to see reason; perhaps we can get Cazier to help. We may yet stop this nonsense and find the truth.”

Kai wondered why Drew had had a change of heart; he could only guess years of friendship and faith still held them together. “It means a great deal to have you here,” Kai said, “but Queen Nola will not see reason. After all, she was there the night my father died. Her hand pushed the dagger into mine and then into my father. There is no reason for her to let you search for a third person. The Queen and the Regent think war against Katori, a presumably peaceful nation, will be easy. They have no idea what is coming; Admiral Roark’s men and the Regent’s Milnos soldiers will not be enough. The only way to stop this war is to turn me over. I would be willing to die to stop this war. But, if I am honest, I doubt this will be enough. Please, save yourself. If you march with me, you only put your life in danger for a lost cause.”

Robert padded his son’s shoulder. “The choice is yours, my son. Let me go with you to speak with Roark. We three, Iver, Roark, and I, were very close once, and he may be willing to listen if I go with you.”

Drew nodded. “Thank you, father.”

It was time to go. The Stone River bridged once symbolized the beginning of responsibility, and now it would mark the end of his freedom. Rayna took his hand, and they climbed the hill. Yulia, Riome, Kendra, and Sabastian also joined him on the road.

Leaving Drew with Eugene and Robert, Kai led the rest of his friends, thankful he was not alone. The melted snow left the road a muddy mess. Kai’s stomach burned with disappointment that he could not find the truth or his father’s body.

Behind him, Eugen and Drew's argumentative voices caught Kai’s ears, but he did not stop or turn back. He kept his eyes forward and continued to close the distance between him and the bridge.

Drew charged to the front, taking hold of Kai’s arm. They stopped five feet shy of the bridge. “You are a Prince, Your Highness.” Drew waved to Eugene. “Lord Sknash tells me that you have certain rights. First and foremost, you have a right to be heard. You never spoke at your sentencing. Not one word. Before they pass judgment, a council of your peers must hear you out by law.”

The use of his formal title surprised Kai. “What would I say?” He looked to the others. There was little chance he could ever find any proof, even if he had weeks to search.

“The truth,” Rayna insisted. “You have nothing to lose, so tell the truth. Queen Nola is a murderer. She brainwashed you, poisoned you and your father. Her hand forced the blade.”

Riome stepped forward. “Drew is correct, Kai. Diu law states that royalty has the right to plead their case. You only need the majority of the council to agree on your innocence; Nola has no vote, and Aaron is an uncrowned King, so he has no power yet. Roark, Sigry, Dante, and Cazier decide your fate. Convince them, and you may yet have time to prove your innocence.”

“Should he not present the facts?” Rayna repeated. “The Queen is guilty of murder.”

“If Kai mentions the Queen, she can speak,” Riome explained, “and you do not want her derailing your support. His best bet is to incriminate a third man in the room, the person who took Iver away. The council must address the questions: who is the third person, what did they witness, and what was their involvement?”

Once again, knowledge was power. If there was any hope left, Kai needed to heed Riome’s advice. Relenting, he agreed to confront the council. Acting as his ambassadors, Drew and Robert Henley met with Admiral Roark Raebun and Kempery-man Dresnor. Even from a distance, Kai could tell the conversation with Roark sounded heated, and it was almost unclear who argued for or against him. But in the end, they parted and Drew reported that Roark would follow the letter of the law—nothing more.

His second group, Eugene Sknash and Riome Tamika, approached the Queen’s army requesting a conference with the Grand Duke Dante Carmelo and Master General Adrian Cazier. In addition to asking for his right to speak, Kai requested a private council with the Grand Duke, hoping to inform him of his cousin-in-law’s demise.

Dante accepted the terms to allow Kai to speak to the council in his defense, as was the letter of the law, but he refused the private meeting. He informed Eugene and Riome that any news the prince wanted to share should be delivered to the council as a whole. He would extend no favors.

Chapter 23

Last Words

Despite the fact that it was the middle of winter, the heat was rising. Many people had begun removing fur-embellished shawls and overcoats and fanning their faces. Without Yulia’s influence, the cold weather faded and the snow melted, but this heat seemed unnatural, and Kai imagined his dear Weathervane friend was up to more tricks.

Watching the sweat pour off the armored men, he surmised their extra gear and furs left them taxed by the heat. He chuckled to himself. Yulia, you are devious.

While everyone waited with their respective groups, Diu soldiers erected a large white tent. They hoisted up thick poles at two points while others pulled out