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Unsettling News
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IDELA (JANUARY) 5, 1538
Four days after the formation of the RT Alliance
Prince Terosh’s Office, Royal Palace, City of Rammon
“Excuse me, Dulad Prince, but Lord Kezem Altran requests an audience,” the servant said.
Startled by news of a visit from his cousin, Prince Terosh Minstel stared at the man for two seconds before responding.
“Send him in.”
These rare encounters with his older cousin always proved intriguing. Terosh checked to make sure his outfit befitted a meeting with Lord Kezem. The outfit consisted of fitted black pants and a matching tarphan shirt with a militaristic cut. His father would disapprove, but Terosh didn’t want to delay the meeting solely because his cousin might have out-dressed him. He stood as Kezem entered.
Dressed in red and gold cantlebaun silks, Kezem cut an imposing figure. A black half-cape covered his left shoulder, partially hiding a weapons belt. Terosh saw a silver handled kerlinblade, but the famed electrified banistick eluded him. Curiosity made him wish to see the weapon few non-Rangers could handle. Most banisticks had shock nullifiers so they could stand up against energy-based weapons, but Kezem had commissioned a scientist to make his banistick capable of delivering shocks.
What reason could he have for a weapon like that?
“I apologize for the unexpected visit, Highness. I bring a request and bear distressing news,” Kezem announced, bowing deeply.
“Then unburden yourself, Governor General,” Terosh said, using Kezem’s nicest rank.
Calling the man “Third Lord of Idonia” could be taken as a shot at his birth status and diminished political station. Terosh had always refrained from treating his cousin inferiorly, even when he’d become an adult at age sixteen. Now, at eighteen years of age, Terosh still couldn’t talk down to the man. He felt irrational guilt about the bad blood between their families.
If grandfather hadn’t disowned Aunt Mavis, she would have become queen when Aunt Uria and Uncle Uel were assassinated. Where would that leave my brother Tate and me?
The way Kezem towered over Terosh left him feeling insignificant. He was grateful to not be facing all three of his Idonian cousins. Governor Lord Eldon Altran and Governor Judge Mitrek Altran—respectively First and Second Lord of Idonia—possessed broader shoulders and higher ambitions than Kezem.
“May we speak in private?” Kezem asked.
Unease gripped Terosh, but he shook off the feeling.
“Of course, let’s speak in the gardens.”
A brisk walk brought them to the gardens. The place promised more solitude than Terosh’s office, but Palace Security and Royal Guards still roamed everywhere. Terosh led the way through a maze of exquisite plant life from around the planet. He had been here so many times that he barely noticed anything they passed.
Fireblooms from the Ash Plains formed intricate swirling patterns amidst a sea of green colbies modified to survive at an altitude far lower than the Talmeth Mountains. Delicate, glowing dayde flowers from the Felmon Forest lit the path wherever the foliage grew too thickly to allow for much sunlight.
Terosh wondered if the Felmon Forest was as dangerous as tales claimed. He had often ventured into the Calsol Forest, but the brief visit to Fort Eradon when he was fourteen had not left enough time to explore the Felmon Forest. Brief regret for the lack of traveling followed Terosh as he led the way to one of the twenty-nine fountains. When they neared, Terosh waved Kezem to a seat on the Fountain of Nouvirn’s wide stone bench.
“The water will keep the conversation private,” Terosh assured Kezem. “What is your request?”
“I would like two divisions of Royal Guards to aid my search for Maledek,” said Kezem.
The rumors had started three years ago attributing hundreds of illegal activities to Maledek. The Ranger dispatched to investigate had disappeared and the rumors faded. Maledek’s return had been subtle, and he operated mostly in the southern and eastern regions, far from Rammon. Terosh suspected that the name had become an excuse for every unsolved crime east of the Clear River.
“Two divisions is more Guards than most outlying cities have,” Terosh pointed out, after a long pause. “How do you expect to use that many men?”
“My agents believe Maledek’s hideout lies between Twin Lake and Fort Uria,” Kezem reported.
Terosh smiled and pictured the area on the mental map Master Sedir had etched upon his brain.
“Well, that narrows it down to half the east coast. Such a search would take months. Unless you can offer stronger proof, I’m going to deny your request. Now, what news did you bring?” He hoped his tone left no room for argument. In truth, he could authorize the transfer of manpower, but Terosh felt uncomfortable doing so on Kezem’s word alone.
“As I said, distressing news.” Kezem frowned. “You had a scientist here by the name of Belcross, correct?”
Terosh nodded.
“And this Dr. Belcross had an assistant, did he not?”
“You know it is so.”
Kezem held up his hands innocently.
“I had to ask. She is dead, and I think Maledek murdered her.”
“What makes you say that?” Terosh asked. “And why are you telling me instead of my brother?”
Something—besides the young scientist’s untimely death—felt wrong.
Terosh knew his brother had loved the fair-haired scientist.
“The police found her body outside the North Gate this morning. It must be Maledek. The scientist died from comaladon.” Kezem’s deep blue eyes flickered yellow, indicating his irritation. “Few have access to that toxin, but Maledek is one such person.”
Terosh’s stomach lurched. His mother—Queen Kila—had been murdered by the rare poison almost three years ago.
“None of this makes sense,” he grumbled.
I could access comaladon, and so could you. How do you even know who can access comaladon? Why would anyone kill Dr. Koffrin?
“I will present your news and request to the Crown Prince and contact you by comm when I have his answer.”
“I’ll come, too. There’s more but it needs to be shown,” said Kezem.
A quick conversation with his brother, led the pair to the center of an impressive courtyard where Prince Taytron Minstel knelt before a white package. His expression told Terosh that he was probing the package with anotechs.
A flash of envy shot through Terosh.
“Your Highness, please let me open the package,” said Aster Captain Gina Kelter. “And stand well away while I do so.”
She phrased the orders as requests, but Terosh heard the authoritative undercurrent. In matters of safety, the Melian Maiden commander technically outranked Tate. Normally, Melian Maidens shadowed the queen, but even before the assassination, Captain Kelter had been Tate’s personal guardian. His brother had probably spent more time with her than he had with their mother.
Reluctantly, Tate retreated a few steps.
“Further, if you please, Highness. Airborne toxins can leap more than that distance,” the captain insisted, not even bothering to see how many steps he had taken.
Tate grinned and took another grudging step backward.
“There’s nothing dangerous about that package,” Kezem called. “But it should be opened in private.”
“How do you know?” asked Tate, turning to face them as they approached.
“Because I prepared it myself,” Kezem answered.
A short, polite argument later, Captain Kelter took the package to a modest meeting chamber. Kezem insisted on complete privacy—meaning family only—and the captain basically told him over her dead body.
While waiting for someone to break the resulting awkward silence, Terosh amused himself by placing odds on who would win a stubbornness match, Kezem or the captain. He knew the captain better than his cousin, but something about Kezem’s eyes declared him a very dangerous opponent.
“Look, if no one’s going to open it, I will,” Terosh said, reaching for the large package.
Three pairs of hands stopped him.
“Not yet,” Tate pleaded.
“Not you,” said Captain Kelter.
“No,” said Kezem. “It was prepared for Taytron.”
“Why can’t you tell us what’s in it?” Terosh demanded.
“The contents were found in the dead woman’s arms,” Kezem explained.
“What dead woman?”
Terosh heard the dread in his brother’s voice.
“A friend of yours.” Kezem lowered his voice as if that would lessen the blow.
“Dr. Koffrin,” Terosh said.
Stunned silence fell.
“Where is Elia?” Tate asked hoarsely. “Where is my daughter?” He hit the activation button, and the capsule opened with gentle whirrs. The sides folded down and displayed a tiny body.
Daughter?
Terosh had a hard time processing the word. He couldn’t take his eyes off the baby. She looked perfect.
Tate sank to his knees and touched the small face. Despite his frozen expression, Terosh could see the agony rolling off his brother.
“I will arrange burial details,” Kezem offered.
“No, I will,” Terosh said. “Captain, would you see Lord Kezem out?”
Tate needed some time alone, and Terosh determined to let him have that time.
