Chapter 55

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The door into the sanctuary opened with a bang, startling the room’s occupants enough to make some of them cry out. Their fear changed to relief when they saw Dynan coming through, carrying Marc. Ralion and Trevan could hardly stand, so Dain Ardin had to help them. Behind him, he heard Dain choking as if he couldn’t get enough air.

Palace guards moved to them. Dain Ardin recognized Avry and Mikk, but most of the others he didn’t know and they were all staring at him like he was some sort of apparition. He saw that same expression mirrored in every face he turned to. He saw Shalis, sitting with Loren, and her hands flew to her mouth when she saw Marc. Dynan half-carried him to the first pew in front of Taldic’s bier that the monks had restored, and dropped Marc down beside her when he tried being gentle about it

Something kept him on his feet even then, and he straightened. He turned to face their father. Suddenly, it seemed there wasn’t a sound in all the temple as everyone turned to watch. Dynan waited. Dain Ardin realized that he was waiting for Ambrose to tell him what to do. It was something he’d done every day of his life until the day their father had been taken from them. Ambrose looked out at all the faces watching. Dynan bowed his head, knowing that Ambrose would refuse again. Dain Ardin moved to his side at the same time their father did.

“We’re going to finish this,” Dain Ardin said. “Tell everyone to come back in and sit down.”

Dynan shrugged away from them both, went back to Marc and sat with him. After the briefest hesitation, the Governors and all those in attendance filed back to their seats without being told by anyone what they should do.

The High Bishop sat off to one side and Carryn Adaeryn completed the service, shocking many who only then realized who she was. Her robes held the mark of a cleric, which meant it was appropriate for her to take the High Bishop’s place. The old man looked pale, and he kept his head bowed.

All through the last prayers of penance, Dynan sat staring down into his hands. He was covered in blood, his face stained by dread, and he didn’t seem to be with them at all, trying to come to grips with recent, overpowering fear. Near constant tremors shook through him.

Dain wore the same expression. Ralion and Trevan didn’t look up from the floor. Dain Ardin supposed he looked the same. His entire body hurt. The longer he sat, listening to the intoned prayers, the harder it was to resist the desire to lie down. It didn’t matter where any more. The floor was starting to look very comfortable.

The funeral service ended and Carryn turned to them, but instead of saying the last prayer that would cue their dismissal, she stopped and looked down at Dynan. “People of Cobalt,” she said and heads rose to look at her. Dain Ardin felt certain she was making sure Dynan could hear her. “The time of choice has arrived this day, during this most sacred of rituals. Do not deny what you have seen. Know that it was the Gods’ will, and do not fear it. You saw the great serpent slain and vanish before your eyes. What you didn’t see, what you were spared, but for the grace of the Gods, was the demon, Beliel. Yes, I speak his name now in this holiest of places, lest his name become commonplace out in the light of day. The very ground quaked at his footfalls. He threatens the existence of natural order, while the Gods, working through us strive to restore it. Let not the miracle of life from death shake your faith in what must be the culmination of order. If you forsake it now, the demon will surely reign as Lord. But for Faith, he would be among us now. Faith, and courage of a kind that this world has not ever known. You were spared the vision of horror, and the demon is locked back in his abyss. Do not fail in your faith. Do not falter in your courage. Do not forsake natural order. For what may seem the easy path leads only to the abyss and chaos unleashed in the world.”

She paused a moment, and while Dain Ardin knew what Carryn was trying to convey, he doubted the message would be heeded. He heard his father’s name whispered on too many tongues. Ambrose heard it too, and stood, moving to stand before them. Dynan’s head bowed down even farther. He knew what was coming, and he bent over his knees, shaking.

“Wise words,” Ambrose said. “Spoken by a wise young woman. Listen to them. But if you will not, then listen to this. Know now, people of Cobalt whom I once served, that I will not forsake natural order. Carryn is right when she tells you such a path will lead to chaos. I’ve been there. You don’t want to know it as I have; the very Gates of Hell. I’m here to help my son, not take the crown. Dynan is its true and rightful heir. In faith he returned to you, when his birthright never should have been denied him. Don’t think you can or should deny him now. Only in his ascension can natural order be restored. I’m the easy path. You cannot take it.”

Ambrose finished, and the hall fell utterly silent. Tears washed down Dynan’s face, but he didn’t make a sound. They were brought on by pain and too many years of struggle, and by the undeniable fact of his birth. He never wanted the Throne and still didn’t. Ambrose glanced at Carryn and nodded.

“The Gods go with you.”

“And also with you,” Dain Ardin whispered automatically in response.

Dynan reached over for Marc, but Dain Ardin stopped him.

“Let me take him, Dynan. Let’s get out of here.”

Ambrose was beside them then, reaching for Dynan to help him and this time he allowed it. Shalis moved to Dain’s side and held him up. Dain Ardin got a couple of guards to carry Marc and walked from the sanctuary behind them. The cold air stung his lungs and it felt incredible. He turned at the foot of the stair in front of a waiting carriage. Carryn stood at the door, and Dain Ardin looked up at her. “Did I ever thank you for keeping me safe?”

“Since I knew it already, you didn’t need to.”

“Thanks anyway.”

Carryn smiled down at him. “You’re welcome. Go home, Dain.”