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Axel sat quietly by the window in her room, as she had for hours now, the events of the morning having left her numb. The food brought to her by Tera in the afternoon sat on the table nearby, untouched. She watched impassively as the last remnants of the daylight slipped away; dark, brooding clouds robbing her of the day’s final sunshine. She leaned back in the chair, luxurious by any standards, but it’s beauty and that of her surroundings went unnoticed. She sighed deeply.
She did not move when the knock at the door came, made no motion to answer. The knock came a second time.
“Ma’am, it’s me, Tera,” said a voice, “Ma’am, please let me come in.”
Axel sat for a few more seconds in silence, then gave in.
“Come in, Tera,” she said, just loud enough to be heard. The door opened and Tera stepped in, stopping just a few feet inside the door.
“Ma’am, you’ve got an hour before the ground car comes for us. Don’t you want to dress?”
Again Axel sat silent, staring out the window. “I’m not going,” she said finally. Tera nodded silently, then approached and stood next to Axel, looking out the window with her in silence for several moments.
“You will be missed, ma’am.”
“Cochrane can miss me. I hope it hurts, like he hurt me,” she said.
“Do you really want to hurt him, ma’am?”
“Hurt him? He can go to Hell for all I care.”
Again they were together in silence. Finally Tera braved the unasked question.
“Are you more angry with him because he’s hurt your feelings as a soldier, or as a woman?”
Axel did not answer immediately. There was the slightest twitch at one corner of her mouth to show she was wrestling with the inquiry. For a moment Tera feared she had gone too far, been too familiar with a superior officer. Then Axel gave a deep sigh again, and a tear formed at her eye. She wiped it away quickly and began to speak.
“As a soldier, I can handle the humiliation,” she said, sitting forward in the chair. “He did what he felt was the best for his command. Though I might argue with his logic, or his tactics, mine is not to question his authority to chose his command as he sees fit. My suffering there will be brief. And he has agreed to allow me to be near him in battle, even if he is not willing to give me a command. That’s something.”
“But until you asked the question, I hadn’t separated my feelings enough to consider the woman in me. Yes I’m hurt, and angry. What he did made me think all kinds of things; fears, anxieties. But when I looked at him, in the eyes, I could tell he hid secrets, and some great anguish, some struggle within himself. And even though it hurt, I could at least give him the benefit of the doubt, that he believed he was doing what was best for me. But in the end, I couldn’t reconcile with him. Not there. It was too close, the wounds too fresh.”
“Do you love him?” asked Tera. Axel hesitated only a moment.
“It’s like I was born to love him. I seem unable to separate myself from him, emotionally. Regardless of my training, regardless of the things my father taught me, to keep emotion out of all military matters, I find I cannot be away from him. But he hurt me. And I want him to know it.”
Tera allowed the last statement some time to process. Then she said, “Sometimes, when a man has hurt me in the past, or at least, hurt my feelings, I let him know my displeasure not by ignoring him, but by making myself irresistible to him.”
Axel turned her head to Tera, intrigued. “Are you saying I should go to the ball, then?”
“Your absence is what he expects, ma’am. Do the unexpected. Then he’ll know you are not to be trifled with.”
Axel looked up at Tera, and allowed a small smile. “Go on,” she said, relaxing some and leaning back in the chair, obviously intrigued.
“Young Lieutenant Layton has hurt me, on occasion, mostly with that sort of boorish insensitivity so common with men. I’ve found that to show him what he is missing tends to bring about, shall we say, a more pleasant result in the long run?”
“So you are proposing what?”
“That you attend the ceremony, and the ball, and that you wear the gown from the Starliner. He will not be able to resist you. And when he comes to you, you let him know that you have drawn a line, both as a soldier, and as a woman. Tell him exactly what he can and cannot expect. Don’t tease or play games with him, be firm in what you want. And remember, we’re women, we always have the advantage in the wars of love.”
“And what of the wars of the soldier?” asked Axel.
“Those you fight another time. Tonight is the battle for romantic supremacy.”
Axel smiled much broader now, pleased by Tera’s surprising wisdom in these matters. She rose from the chair and hugged her.
“Thank you. We’ll do just as you say. Now, I don’t suppose...”
“The gown came back from the seamstress half an hour ago ma’am.”
“Good. We’ll bring it with us. But for the ceremony I’ll be wearing my dress uniform. Ooo!” Axel said, holding her stomach as it growled loudly. “I guess I should eat something.”
“Yes, ma’am, I’ll have it reheated,” said Tera enthusiastically, picking up the tray and heading for the door.
“Wait!” Axel grabbed a roll from the tray as Tera went by and began to eat it. “Be sure and bring me the gown! I must try it on before we go to make sure the fit is right!”
“Yes, ma’am,” called Tera over her shoulder, already to the door.
“And Tera,” Tera stopped and looked back, “Thank you. Sometimes even the strongest soldiers need to talk to a friend.”
“I’m honored for you to consider me your friend, ma’am.”
“You’re supposed to say, ‘You’re welcome’.”
“You’re welcome, ma’am,” Axel shook her head.
“Get out of here. We haven’t got much time.”
“I’ll be right back with the gown, ma’am,” said Tera as she went out the door. Axel stood in front of the full length mirror and began unbuttoning her dress uniform, removing her tunic top. She stood in her undershirt, hands on hips, looking at her form in the mirror.
“Sire Dane Cochrane of Quantar, you are about to experience your first military defeat,” she said, then tossed her uniform onto the bed behind her.
***
DANE PACED NERVOUSLY about the anteroom, his ceremonial sword clapping softly as he made his continual rounds. Rijkard sat calmly in a side chair dressed in his full ceremonial robes, white and purple with a gold cross and star inlaid at the breast. The two men waited to enter the Cathedral chapel, where the war games ceremony would take place in about an hour.
“Your pacing will do nothing to hasten the time,” said Rijkard.
“I’m not pacing,” said Dane, as he continued doing just that. The older man watched him a few moments more.
“What is it?” he said.
“What is what?” replied Dane.
“What is it that’s troubling you?”
“Nothing. Well-”
“The woman?”
Dane stopped for a moment. “Axel? No, not now.” Then he continued pacing.
“What then?”
Dane sighed and gave in to the question. “Ever since I was young I’ve felt a sensation in my belly when things weren’t right. I’ve learned to recognize it as a sign.”
“A sign of what?”
“Impending danger. Like an alarm. It happened on the Starliner. And again when you talked about Axel, only that time I sensed it differently, as if I could not escape the truth of your words. But this feels like danger.”
Rijkard stood, facing Dane. “I discern this is a spiritual gift from God, Dane. You must learn to heed it at all times,” he said.
“I always do.”
“Do you know what the source of the danger is this time?”
Dane shook his head. “I don’t know, but it must have something to do with the ceremony.”
“And the good General Tannace, no doubt,” said Rijkard. You are an intuitive Dane. You must recognize that gift, and use it for wisdom.
“I don’t know about that,” said Dane moving to the desktop comm link. “But I’m going to find out what I can. Mr. Layton!” There was a moments’ pause.
“Here, Sire.”
“Has General Tannace left his barracks yet?”
“Yes, Sire, under our escort, according to the agreement, Sire.”
“Fine. I want you to double the patrols outside his unit’s barracks. And send out stealth squads to cover the grounds near the Cathedral, especially the comm towers and uplinks, and the armory. And the manor house.”
“Yes, Sire. What are we looking for?”
“A surprise, from General Tannace.”
“And if we find something?”
“Take no action. Report to me in fifteen minutes, in person, in the chapel. And Layton, no skimping. Send your best men.”
“Aye, Sire.” Layton broke the link. Dane turned back to Rijkard, seriously contemplating his counsel.
“I still sense danger.”
“Then you still have something to fear,” said Rijkard.
“From Tannace?”
“It would seem so.”
Dane nodded. “Then I must face him. Now.”
Without another word the two men departed the anteroom, heading for the chapel.
***
GENERAL DEVIN TANNACE sat back in a small folding chair, holding an ice pack to his chin. He and Kobin were sitting in the Champion’s Room near the Chapel.
“How bad is it?” Tannace asked Kobin.
“Very bad, sir. Many of the unit and battalion commanders are now openly saying they will join Cochrane’s command after the ball, sir. Many others are saying they fear their troops will rebel if they don’t join up with him. We cannot allow that.”
“Of course we can’t allow it!” yelled Tannace. Kobin stood and paced the room before facing his commander again.
“Not all of the troops have deserted us, General. We still have a fighting force,” said Kobin. Tannace shook his head, indicating his desire for Kobin to keep quiet. Kobin folded his arms across his chest and sat down, fuming silently, but only for a moment.
“What the Hell happened out there General?” he asked. Tannace dropped the ice pack and whipped around to face the little man.
“The mercenary, damn him! He caught me from the blind side. Fought off four of my best men single handed. I should have kicked him off this planet when I had the chance.”
“It’s no matter now. Most of the corps has gone over to Cochrane.”
“How many do we have?”
“Six full units who remain loyal to their commanders. Enough scattered troops to make up four more battalions, just slightly over a regiments’ strength in total.”
Tannace sighed. Two thousand men, just slightly more than ten percent of his original command. Kobin continued:
“Most of the regulars loyal to Cochrane are still in barracks. They all have sentries posted so there’s no chance of surprising them and holding them there. It doesn’t matter anyway, we wouldn’t know what to do with them. Cochrane extended formal offers to join him to all regiment, battalion, and unit commanders this morning. And it gets worse. Rijkard has informed us we will have to vacate our barracks if we don’t join under Cochrane’s command.”
“Rijkard has been undermining us from the beginning!” yelled Tannace. “He rigged the contest! The door mechanism was keyed to Cochrane’s hand print. There was no way for me to win!”
“He did get there first,” said Kobin from behind his clear round spectacles. Tannace was annoyed at the barb.
“Yes, and Rijkard made sure he would win. He even put a cheap copy of the signet ring inside as a special prize. I am not fooled. Cochrane has become even more dangerous than I thought. And Rijkard will pay for his complicity.”
“Cochrane is still our main problem,” said Kobin. Tannace nodded.
“I have gravely underestimated him. At every turn, he has shown the cunning of a wolf. Now he seeks to subvert my own command from under my nose. It proves to me that he always had the ability to commit the crimes we accused him of. Now that I’m sure of his guilt, I will stop him.”
“How?”
“By being as cunning as he is. If I could appear to become loyal, if all our men were to remain in barracks, worries would be alleviated. If word got around I was willing to join Cochrane, they might relax just a bit. It could give me an opportunity.”
“For what?”
“To kill him, of course.” Kobin considered his commander evenly.
“What is your plan?” Tannace smiled.
“At the ball the winning commander from the previous year always hands the ceremonial sword over to the new winner. At the height of euphoria over our new found unity I will kill him with the sword, in front of them all. They will scream at the sight of his blood. And I will be avenged.”
“But will they follow you after that?”
“Follow me? Where?” Kobin looked at Tannace closely. His eyes seemed glazed and distant.
“To Quantar, to rescue her,” said Kobin.
“Quantar? That’s of little matter now. Vengeance is all that I need.”
Kobin watched as Tannace absently rubbed at his swollen, red chin.
“Of course, General,” he said, then stood up to leave. “I’ll check in with our unit commanders again. Perhaps we can come up with a plan to assist you.” Tannace nodded again without saying anything. Kobin rose to leave, stopping at the door to look back at his friend. Then he activated his secure comm link to the barracks, shut the door behind him, and smiled as he walked away.
***
THE GROUND CAR HUMMED along smoothly, taking the long sloping turns leading up to the Cathedral with a gentle sway. Axel and Tera sat next to each other, both in dress uniform, gowns and make-up kits stowed safely away beneath their seats for the trip.
“Make sure the guardsmen don’t wrinkle our gowns while we’re at the ceremony,” said Axel.
“I have entrusted that to Lieutenant Layton, ma’am,” said Tera. “He says he’ll put his best man on it. I instructed him not to peek.”
Axel smiled. “Good thinking. Don’t want to give away any advantage. Tell me about your gown.”
Tera smiled at the recollection. “It’s white, with a classic low-cut neck. It has a border of roses at the neck and the hemline, and it hangs just millimeters from the floor.”
“It sounds stunning. I’m sure you’ll look marvelous in it.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” Axel let out a sigh. “Ma’am?”
“What? Oh. I’m just feeling a bit odd about us doing so much celebrating right now. It seems out of place, premature. But we do have the ceremony and the ball every year. It’s Sanctuary tradition.”
“Good times, even laughter, are essential to the soul, ma’am. Especially in times of crisis,” said Tera.
Axel nodded lightly. “I suppose you’re right. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. I’ve got to be there no matter what. It’s part of my duty.”
“Does duty always have to be unpleasant, ma’am?” Axel contemplated Tera a moment.
“No, I suppose not.”
The ground car pulled up in queue with several other vehicles in the long curved driveway of the Grand Ballroom entrance to the Cathedral. Warm lights of celebration glowed from glistening chandeliers inside the entry foyer. The chapel itself was deeper into the building, unseen.
Through the windows Axel could see the ballroom being prepared for the evening’s festivities. It looked as though it had been used for many luxurious receptions in the decades past. Or centuries past, she thought.
Ahead of them ground cars were stopping long enough to deposit their passengers, then moved off to park for the evening. The black road surface and the red brick of the outdoor entryway shined with the reflection of lights, due to an earlier evening shower. As they waited for their turn in line a new light, flashing blue, shined in the car mirrors. Four Sanctuary military escort vehicles rolled up past the polite line of guests, a ground car sandwiched between them. The entourage stopped at the front entrance and Kobin got out of the car quickly and then made for the foyer. As he passed she saw his right hand gripping tightly on the hilt of a sheathed sword as he moved swiftly to the doorway and through.
“Stop the car!” said Axel. The driver stopped his slow roll to the entryway. She bolted from the vehicle, pausing only for an instant to gather her own sword and tie it at the waist and knee.
“Ma’am! What is it?” called Tera anxiously after her. Axel turned to her.
“There’s something wrong with Devin!” she nearly shouted. “He would never let Kobin handle the Sanctuary sword. It’s his prize! Tera, see if you can find Layton, tell him I need to talk to Dane as soon as possible. It’s an emergency!”
“Ma’am?”
“No time to explain! Meet me in the foyer!”
Then she went running, breaking through the crowd at the door and into the foyer.
***
KOBIN HANDED GENERAL Tannace his ceremonial sword, the final piece to his full length dress uniform. The deep royal blue of the uniform stood in placid contrast with the orange sash across the chest, representing the Cochrane family colors. Tannace attached the silver durasteel sword to his waist and thigh with chord ties hanging from the sword casing. He tucked the tails of his tunic top into his black slacks and adjusted the belt one final time, making sure all was perfect in the mirror. The swelling on his face had subsided somewhat with treatment, but a redness remained nonetheless. Kobin eyed his commander narrowly.
“Are you ready sir?” he said.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Tannace wavered slightly, then sat down. “Are the commanders all ready?” he said.
Kobin nodded. “They will surround the chapel at your signal, sir.”
“And the communications towers?”
“The demolition crews are at stations, sir. We’ll have Cochrane and his men at loose ends easily, sir.”
“Very well,” Tannace stood unsteadily. “Do you really think they’ll be fool enough to let me kill him with the ceremonial sword?”
Kobin eyed the wavering man warily. So much of the future riding on one man’s actions. One unstable man’s actions.
“So far they’ve shown no indications otherwise, sir.”
“Good. Then we should go. It’s time?”
“Nearly so, sir.”
***
“LET ME IN! DAMN IT! Devin!” shouted Axel at the top of her lungs, trying to force her way past three sentries.
“I’m sorry ma’am” said the lead guard, voiced raised. “Our orders were to admit no one once the General came through.”
Axel backed off a step. “Damn you! It could be a trap! For Sire Cochrane!”
“Nevertheless, ma’am, my orders stand. I can’t let you through.”
“You,” said Axel forcefully, “through is what you’ll be when this detail is over!”
The guard and his stoic companions, two very large men, made no motion that they would be willing to yield on their position. Axel turned her back to them and took three steps toward the doorway she had come in, then pivoted sharply and prepared to run at them, the guards braced themselves, wanting none of this.
“Ma’am!” It was Tera’s excited voice behind Axel. She stopped and turned back to the doorway.
“This is not a good idea, ma’am,” said Tera. Axel eyed the guards, figuring their size, weight, and conditioning. She tucked in her uniform and turned back to Tera.
“Perhaps not,” she said.
“There’s still time to reach the chapel before the service starts, ma’am.”
Axel nodded. She turned back to the guards once again, index finger pointing.
“We’ll finish this later,” she said, venom in her voice. The lead guard crossed his arms, looking resigned to his fate, but firm in his stand. Axel and Tera scurried through the doorway.
***
THE CHAPEL WAS FILLING quickly. Dane nodded to Colonel Gweneth, who was holding court with the other newly loyal Quantar officers. The Quantar men were all in dress uniforms, the Sanctuary priests were dressed identically to Rijkard, and the invited guests and their ladies were dressed in their formal ball attire, in anticipation of the evenings’ later proceedings. Dane scanned the room, searching with eyes, mind, and soul for some hint of danger nearby. There was none.
“Well?” asked Rijkard. Dane shook his head.
“I don’t sense anything,” he said.
“Then we should proceed. The service is scheduled to start in five minutes.”
Dane nodded. Rijkard signaled the priests to begin. They fanned out, gently asking the dignitaries to take their seats. Some pulled away and began lighting candelabras that ringed the chapel. Dane saw Layton coming through the crowd and moved from the pulpit several steps down to meet him.
“Report,” he said quietly.
“We’ve found some of Tannace’s men in every location you mentioned, and a few others, sire. We’ve not tried to take any yet, per your orders. What should we do?” the look on the Lieutenant’s face was anxious.
“They’ll be waiting for some kind of signal,” said Dane. “I do not intend to give it to them. Take no action until you see them move out, or until I give you a direct order. Clear?”
“Clear, Sire. But what-”
“No questioning, Lieutenant. Follow my orders exactly. And keep it quiet.”
“Yes, Sire,” Layton bowed swiftly and then went out the way he had come. Dane caught Colonel Gweneth’s eye as he returned to the pulpit. If this is a large conspiracy, he thought, the night will be full of blood, none more so than yours. Then he smiled. Gweneth smiled back.
***
TANNACE SAT WITH HIS head in his hands, holding his throbbing head. Kobin was at the anteroom door, looking out to the gathered throng.
“They’re almost ready for us,” he said without turning. When he got no response he shut the door and went to Tannace’s side.
“General,” he said, shaking him gently. Tannace moaned a bit but eventually stopped rubbing his temples and looked up at Kobin.
“General, are you ready?”
“Ready?” The look on his face was total confusion.
“Ready to go out there. To avenge your wife against Cochrane. To avenge Quantar with your sword!”
“Sword?” Tannace fumbled at the hilt. “Something else... Axel...”
“Axel betrayed you, sir. She’s been corrupted by Cochrane.”
“Cochrane... betrayed... Axel...” Kobin saw the eyes clear, the fog lift from Tannace’s mind, saw the hate return.
“He will die with your sword, sir. Our vengeance.”
Tannace gripped the sword hilt firmly now. “Cochrane will die,” he said.
“Are you ready sir?”
“I’m ready.”
***
RIJKARD WAS BUSY GUIDING the last of the priests in the lighting ceremony as Dane made his way back to the pulpit. He took his place just to the left of where Rijkard would be standing. The room was arranged in a circle, with the rows of invited guests and the Quantar military leaders in the front and center, facing Dane. Behind him stood a circle of the Sanctuary’s most senior priests, dressed in the purple, white, and gold robes of the priesthood. Burning candles now surrounded them. The place had the feel of some ancient gothic church, its origins buried in mysterious antiquity. It had obviously been designed to evoke just such a sense.
The main hall doors were closed by a Sanctuary Guardsman. Two anteroom doors remained shut on either side of the main doors. Dane knew Tannace was behind one of them.
The last few dignitaries were taking their seats as the room hushed to silence. He looked up as Axel and Tera came bolting through a side door entrance reserved for the priests, opposite of the doorway Dane and Rijkard had entered from. Axel came straight for him, sword clacking, as Tera found a seat a few rows back in the crowd.
“I must speak with you!” said Axel, quietly but insistent.
“Not now,” said Dane, equally quiet.
“Yes, now!”
“What is it?” demanded Dane, not turning from the crowd.
“It’s Tannace. He plans to kill you.”
“I know,” said Dane.
“You know?”
“I uncovered his plan. His men are under all under surveillance.”
“But what of him? He’ll be here in moments.”
“I can handle him.”
“I think not!” she said, loud enough to be heard by the first few rows, who all turned their attention to the two soldiers.
“What you think is not important,” said Dane, lowering the volume of the conversation. “I will handle this! Now find your place and stand down!”
She glared at him, then moved to stand one step behind and to his left.
“What are you doing?” he said to her, angry.
“You yourself said my place was at you side.”
“But I meant-” Dane was caught off guard. From the tone in her voice, from the set in her jaw, he could see arguing with her would be fruitless. “Very well,” he said, then turned his attention back to Rijkard.
The priest was at the pulpit podium now. He eyed Axel with wariness. Dane merely nodded reassuringly for Rijkard to begin. The crowd murmured with curiosity at this sight.
“We will begin with the invocation,” said Rijkard to the crowd.
***
“...IS THE KINGDOM, AND the power, and the glory. Forever and ever, amen.”
Kobin stood behind Tannace in the doorway, which was propped open slightly so they could follow the ceremony. Tannace held a firm grip on the sword.
“I see Axel,” said Tannace.
“In the crowd, of course.”
“No, with him.”
“What?” Kobin pushed Tannace aside. He could see Axel, standing just to Dane’s left.
“You won’t let her stop you?” said Kobin.
“No. But...”
“What?”
“I don’t want to fight her.”
“Then don’t. Strike a simple blow.”
Tannace eyed Dane, his bowed down in prayer. “I will,” he said.
Kobin shut the door gently as the priests began chanting.
“Just a few more moments now,” he said.
***
“AND SO WE CELEBRATE our great champion, and our great good fortune. I give you now Sire Dane Cochrane of Quantar, your new leader, and champion of the games!”
The crowd, released from the religious portion of the ceremony, now stood and applauded thunderously. Dane acknowledged their praise with a simple bow, waiting for the commotion to die down. When it did, Rijkard spoke again.
“And now we are joined by our previous champion, General Devin Tannace, to pass the ceremonial sword of power to Sire Cochrane, and to unite our peoples in the goal we all strive for, the liberation of your home world, Quantar!”
Again there was thunderous applause as Tannace and Kobin emerged from the anteroom on the left and came down the center aisle. Kobin found a seat reserved for him in the front row as Tannace came and stood in front of the podium, two steps below Dane with Rijkard between them.
The knot in Dane’s stomach was as tight as he had ever felt it. He felt he was in great danger, at a turning point which would determine his life, or death. He eyed Tannace frantically, searching for some hidden weapon, or indication of poison. He saw none. The knot within was so strong now Dane could barely keep from clutching his stomach in pain. Axel sensed he was in distress and made a slight move towards him. He made a gesture with his hand, very slight, but clear. Stay back.
Dane turned his gaze to the only weapon that could threaten him, the ceremonial sword at Tannace’s side, and instantly, intuitively, he knew what he had to do.
“General Tannace,” said Rijkard, “will you pass the sword of power?”
“I will,” said Tannace, then drew it with his right hand and turned to face the crowd. Kobin sat completely still in his chair, unable to move his eyes from the sight before him.
Tannace held the sword vertically in front of his face, in salute to the crowd. “What I do now, I do in the name of all our people!” In a flash of cold steel Tannace whirled about to his right, sword glinting off the candlelight, slashing towards where he thought Dane was. But Dane had taken a step to the left an instant earlier, drawing his own sword. Tannace swung at open air.
A rush of shock and horror spread through the crowd. Some stood in amazement, others hid their eyes, believing Dane would be struck down by the swiftness of Tannace’s blow. Instead he stood safe to Tannace’s side, then did what no one expected.
He knocked the ceremonial sword from Tannace’s hand with one swift strike, sending it clattering to the chapel floor. Then he took a step forward and placed the point of his own sword against his chest, directly over his heart, and slapped the hilt into the General’s open hand.
“Kill me, if you must,” he said to Tannace, their eyes locking. Tannace was completely caught off guard by both moves. The sword quivered in his hands.
“Devin, no!” It was Axel, out of position, moving forward and trying to draw her own sword.
“Stay out of this!” yelled Dane, pushing her back with his free hand. Rijkard had backed off several steps to the crowd of priests behind the pulpit.
“You must kill me, Devin,” he said. “Only one of us can lead. And now you must choose.”
Tannace wavered slightly, his eyes fogging. Axel stood frozen, sword half drawn.
“I want to kill you,” he said uncertainly.
“Why?”
“You’ve killed so many...” said Tannace, his voice trailing off.
“I’ve killed no one,” said Dane gently.
“You killed... my wife,” tears began forming in Tannace’s eyes.
“I’ve killed no one,” Dane repeated. Then he slowly lifted his left hand and showed Tannace the signet ring.
“You... killed...” Now the tears ran down his face.
“No, Devin. They killed. Arin and the Imperial governor, Bennis. Now we must stop them, together.”
“They... killed...” Then Tannace dropped the sword to his side, put his hand to his face and began sobbing. Axel sheathed her sword and moved forward, taking Dane’s sword from Tannace, then putting her free arm around him for support as he sobbed. The room was completely still.
“It’s all right, Devin,” she said quietly to him. “It’s all right to hurt now.”
“Clear the room!” ordered Dane. The crowd began to silently file out. Dane stepped up and put his arms around both Axel and Tannace. They stood together in the center of the sanctuary, Tannace’s quiet sobs echoing through the hall.