CHAPTER TWELVE

Queen Yta arrived with her train late in the morning and learned from Abgarthis and Sotos, from Elad and Orain and Count Adred, from tens of servants and Khamars, what had happened—confirming the oracle’s words to her.

She ordered that a special High Council be convened.

Early in the afternoon, Yta, robed, crowned, sceptered, sat upon the mighty throne of Athadia and faced the son brought in chains before her, guarded by twenty guards. And she confronted her first son, dressed in the crimson and gold and blue. She faced her wings of the High Council, the Priton Nobility to her right, the Priton Common Administration to her left.

“For the plotted crime of fratricide, and for the plotted crime of sedition against this throne of Athadia, Cyrodian dos Evarro edos Yta, second-born prince of this empire, holder of the title of General Rank Crescented in the Imperial Army of the empire, is hereby ordered executed, his head to be severed from his body, his head to be exhibited on the west wall of the city, his body to be buried in an unnamed location, on the fifth morning following the immolation of his brother, the murdered Prince Dursoris, third-born son of this empire.

“For the plotted crime of sedition against this throne of Athadia, for the murder of a religious oracle—which is a state offense of the first list—and for the crime by association of the murder of his brother Dursoris, Elad dos Evarro edos Yta, first-born son of this empire, is hereby ordered to assume the kingship of this state and empire, effective immediately upon my own renunciation of the throne, crown, and scepter of imperial Athadia. No greater punishment can I offer than for Prince Elad to rule this throne of blood for which he has shown such unseemly desire. And may the high gods have greater mercy upon him, in his days of trial, than they have bestowed upon me.

“I, Yta of Athadia, widow of the late crowned king of the empire, Evarris dos Othis ak Athadia, do hereby abdicate my rule, renounce this throne, and grant this crown and scepter to the new monarch of state, Elad, king of Athadia. Prosper and grow wise. Rule forever, my son, in the name of all the gods.”

Yta removed the crown and stood.

She placed the crown upon the seat of the throne.

She leaned her scepter against the arm of the throne and stepped down.

At the bottom of the dais stairs, Yta approached Elad, who was unable to control his sobs, and embraced him, kissed him thrice, knelt low on one knee before him, and spread out her arms.

“Prosper and grow wise. Rule forever, my son, in the name of all the gods.”

The High Council stood as one, stunned, and repeated the call of succession.

Yta walked out of the throne room.

Cyrodian, grim and silent, was escorted away by the Khamars.

The councilors stood, all silent, for the entire afternoon, as Elad stood, silent, at the base of the throne before deciding, at twilight, to ascend and sit, crown himself, and take up his heavy imperial scepter.