Chapter Thirty-Two

Robert eyed the general with awe. He exceeded all expectations of what a military man should look like, despite the prince had never seen a real soldier. They were a rarity in the empire, unnecessary in a time when the cities more easily relied on local constables and deputies to keep peace. Of course, each governor could raise their own guard if needed, but Logan, the largest city Robert had seen before Eston, never had taken the trouble. Unlike Eston, Middleton, or Soston, it lay so deep inland its leaders saw no need and the threat there came from thieves and pickpockets, not outlaws or invaders.

Percy Roan introduced this man as General Murdock Kelly. Tall, hardened, and standing with a bearing more regal than any noble in the assembly could hope for, the commander of Eston’s army was magnificent. When he spoke, it was with confidence.

“I can root him out, my lords. If Campton Shol still hides within our borders, then I will find him.”

“And how would you deal with his abominations?” Cuyler laughed, breaking his stoic character and sending a rumble of whispers within the chamber. “He’s protected by Falconers and Jaguars at the very least! My dear General, Campton Shol, and the entire affair for that matter, is above you. If he truly is alive and scheming against the crown, then this falls in my jurisdiction. I’ve already dispatched four contingents of Dreamers to Loganshire, each armed with seekers. Your assistance is unnecessary.”

“You forget I fought my own share of emotants in the Battle of Eston, Master Dreamer, and I don’t recall you even being in the city at the time!”

“Your war record is not in question, General Kelly, and neither is mine. But, if you need my resume, then I’ll point out my service in Estowen’s Landing when I fought against the main force of Campton Shol’s abominations. This task is a job for Dreamers. Not the Estonian army.”

“I suggest a combined force!” the General pressed, addressing the assemblage. “Grant me emergency powers to raise armies in each of the cities, and I’ll root out the revolutionary!” Turning to Cuyler he added, “And I’ll be happy to utilize your Dreamers into my army to aid my efforts.”

Cheers went up amongst the common house, their distrust for emotants running deeper than with the nobles, although more than a handful of the upper house offered their approval as well.

Amash, as Robert had come to know his uncle the king, chose this moment to stand and address the assembly. A hush came upon both houses as their king made his thoughts known. “My reign has lasted seventeen years and, in all this time I never believed I’d again hear the name Campton Shol. But here it is and with it comes memories of our tumultuous past. But we are not yet at war, despite what the hawks among you or even the general suggests. We are threatened. But only by fear. Fear is the true enemy that works its way into our hearts and minds, relieving us of our higher thinking.”

Every eye fell upon the king, just as every ear took in his words.

“General Kelly is eager, but Master Cuyler is wiser in this matter. Subterfuge is what we fight against, not open hostility. My advice as your monarch is to allow the Dreamers to handle this matter, and save our army.”

Cheers and jeers intermingled, but both eventually died down.

Robert could not believe his eyes and ears watching this spectacle called an assembly. It all seemed a waste of time and effort. A controlled shouting match was all it was, but final arguments were made, votes were cast and tallied, and a decision was soon announced. The army would not be dispatched and the Dreamers would handle the affair.

Robert watched the dejected military commander as he honorably accepted defeat. That’s a man to look up to, he thought, stalwart and strong. Even in defeat he’s confident.

“When you are king, I hope you have more open-mindedness,” the general whispered to Robert.

“Meet me later,” Robert whispered back. “I wish to pick your brain.”

The general’s eyes grew large, appreciative at the opportunity to be heard. He bowed before the king-to-be then stepped back.

Robert observed the relief in both Percy Roan and Cuyler at the outcome. They each seemed invested in the venture, as if more was riding on bringing in a revolutionary. But still, their relief seemed a combination of worry. Robert also observed the king. Amash appeared dejected. Despite the effect his words had on the outcome, his energy had fled him the moment he finished speaking. Something wasn’t right with the man.

A few more petitions were heard, but the king finally waved off the approach of the merchant’s guild. “I’m sorry,” he said to the assembly, “I’m not feeling well at all.” He stood, whispered something to Roan, then fled the room.

The chancellor’s face markedly changed at the king’s words, whatever those had been. He stood, called a recess, and hurriedly approached the prince. “Go to him,” Percy commanded under his breath. “He asked for you… alone.”

Robert approached the king’s chamber and two guards stepped aside, pushing the heavy doors open.

“He’s expecting you,” one of them muttered.

The king lay atop the covers of his bed. Uncle Amash instead of king? This has all happened so fast, Robert thought, unsure how to address him in private. Finally, he asked, “Are you okay, Uncle?”

“No,” the monarch admitted. His voice sounded different. It was the same voice, only the inflection and tone had changed. He sounded more… arrogant. “I told you before I am dying, only it seems I’ve less time than I thought.”

“I’ll fetch a doctor.”

“No. This body is not the problem. Robert, and your mother will confirm this on her return, but I am not really Amash Esterling.”

“I know,” the prince admitted. “Your real name was Horslei. King Charles sired you out of wedlock.”

Amash laughed, grasping his head with both hands at the abrupt pain it caused. “Rest assured both Charles and Amash’s mother were wed, only not to each other. No, what I mean is that I am not Amash at all. Your mother knows who I am, and I don’t care if she tells you, as long as you keep the truth from everyone else, especially Cuyler and Percy.”

“I don’t understand. Is this delirium?”

“Don’t I wish? No. Amash Horslei died eighteen years ago and I claimed his body. It wasn’t planned, nor did I know who he was at the time, but I capitalized on that windfall nonetheless.”

Robert thought about his few lessons with the Dreamers. “You’re a Spring Emotant?”

“No, only an imposter who can steal the essence of one.”

“The beads?” Robert asked. “You are one of those able to digest the beads?”

“Exactly. I can consume and tolerate all four types, though I’m only well practiced at two.”

“Why did you take over the king?”

“Like I said, I pitied a dying man once and did not know at the time he was to be king.”

“So none of his, not any of his achievements, were him?”

“No. Amash did well and I tried not to interfere with any of his governance unless it affected the grander situation.”

“So the king is dead.”

“Yes. Long live King Robert,” the voice said with a rasping laugh. “We have time. His heart won’t stop beating until mine does.”

“When?”

“Soon. I’m struggling to hold on, and when I do let go, I’m afraid all hell will break loose. Right now I’m a dam, a thin barrier holding back a deluge of chaos.”

“How will it affect Andalon once I’m king?”

“Hopefully not at all in your lifetime, but it will most certainly will affect your heirs.”

“Tell me,” Robert pleaded, “what I have to fear.”

“Andalon and is not the only continent.”

“I know, there’s the Southern.”

“They are actually two of seven. The most important is Astia, a land far to the east, a combination of two of the remaining five—it’s vast. I control the governing body there as well as here. That’s kept you safe, but they will come again. I don’t know when.”

“We’ll fight them,” Robert vowed.

“No. You aren’t ready. Their technology far exceeds yours, even if they are a shadow of what their civilization once was. You must expand the Dreamers as well as your army, increase your technology, and give your descendants a fighting chance.”

“I don’t know that I trust Cuyler,” Robert admitted. “Sebastian told me he and Percy Roan scheme against you.”

The voice laughed again, this time breaking out with a coughing fit. After it subsided, it added, “Of course they do. Percy Roan is a snake in the grass and Cuyler an arrogant prick. They’re both ambitious, and that’s their Achilles’ heel.”

“Achilles? What’s that?”

“Only a man from long ago. A man blessed by the gods. Call him a hero, if you will, but do so knowing all heroes have their weaknesses. His was his heel, the only part of him which could be harmed.”

“I don’t know mine,” Robert admitted. “But I’m certain it’s my ignorance in politics. I don’t know anything about running a government, leading men, or even fighting another civilization,” the prince complained. “How will I succeed?”

“I can’t promise you success, but you’ve no choice but to try your best. You’ve great counsel, as long as you both heed it and keep it in balance.”

“Meaning I must balance both Cuyler and Percy’s schemes, keeping my eyes and ears open at all times.”

“Yes, and a pair of eyes watching your back for knives. Sebastian will do fine, I’m sure.”

“What of this Campton Shol? Is he as much of a danger as the others say? Is he a greater threat than this Astia?”

“Campton Shol is Astia, or will be after I’m gone. But thankfully he’s stuck here, unable to return home.”

“He could commission a ship and sail across, couldn’t he?”

“If only it were that easy. Did you ever wonder why no one has ventured east? Why the government never sanctioned an expedition in more than eight hundred years?”

“They would have discovered Astia,” Robert mused. “So, every Esterling king has known of them and discouraged discovery?”

“Known and collaborated. Amash was the first king not working directly for them, at least not to his own knowledge. You will be the first to rule without interference.”

“I’m really not ready,” Robert protested again. “Maybe Percy should be regent longer than a year.”

“No. A year may even be too much, but it’s set. Use this time to prepare yourself thoroughly.”

“I’ll try,” Robert promised.

“Also know this. Amash was very wrong about one thing in regard to you. He tried to prevent you from ruling as a fully trained emotant, citing conflict of interest with the Dreamers.”

“Yes, he was adamant.”

“He was dead wrong. You must learn to control and use your powers. Most of all, bond with an animal if you can, and learn to extend your sight.”

“Cuyler and Percy won’t like that.”

“No, I don’t suppose they will, but you must insist… at least upon the bonding of an animal. The eagle was part of your family emblem for a reason. Use it to build the love of your people. Make them revere you like a god.”

“I don’t want to be a god,” Robert protested, aghast by the suggestion. “I don’t want any of this, actually.”

“Then you are truly the best suited for the job. Now go, let me rest. I’ve got others to speak with elsewhere.”

Robert left the room feeling oddly alone. The entire conversation felt surreal and he walked the palace halls with more questions than before. But through it all, he’d forgotten to ask the voice the most important question. Who were they, really? He told me my mother would know.

“Prince Robert,” a voice called from the hallway, startling him free of his thoughts.

He looked up to find Cuyler standing beside Percy Roan and General Murdock Kelly. “Yes, Chancellor?” he asked.

“What did he want? What did he say?”

“His words were for me, but he told me to bond with an eagle.”

“Out of the question,” Cuyler protested.

“The way I understand it,” Robert quickly addressed the lead Dreamer, “you may have no say in the matter. If able, I’ll eventually bond one on my own. Amash—the king—told me to bond one before my coronation.” That added part was a lie, but apparently an effective one.

“What really would the harm be if he did?” Percy asked the Dreamer.

“I guess none.”

“Good. I want to venture out tomorrow.”

“I will go with you, Your Highness, to give you protection,” the general offered.

“Nonsense,” Cuyler argued, “I’ll send Dreamers.”

“I’ll take both, actually,” Robert replied with confidence. If he were to be king then he had to sell his regality now, rather than later. “Thank you both for volunteering assistance. And Percy,” he said to the chancellor, “I’m looking forward to our own studies. Amash told me to heed your lessons, that they were instrumental to his success. I’m glad to have you as well.”

“Of course, Your Highness!”

“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Robert said with finality. “I’ve had a long day and have much reading to catch up on. Amash insisted I read Common Law and Trial as soon as possible.” He kept his head held high as he walked away, leaving the three men to further quibble and argue amongst themselves. Inside, however, he burned with anxiety at how fast things were changing. I’m not ready! Not even close!

Sebastian looked up as the door to Robert’s chamber opened. He opened his mouth to speak, excited to hear about the prince’s day, but snapped it shut when he recognized the look on the boy’s face.

“It didn’t go well?”

“No, it went very well, until the king died.”

“What? He’s dead?”

“Yes and no,” Robert explained. He started with the strange story the voice had told him, and, despite it swore him to secrecy, held nothing back from Sebastian.

“I… I think I understand,” was all he could tell Robert. He knew who the voice was, of course. He hadn’t until this moment, but it all fit perfectly with the events leading up to Eston. This man, wherever he was hiding at this point, had disappeared at a crucial point during the Brothers’ War. It was up to Eusari to tell Robert, if she ever chose to. “What now?”

“He said I have to train, no matter what Cuyler says. He also told me to bond an animal.”

“That’s not guaranteed,” Sebastian explained. “Even Marita, as strong as she is, never figured out how. She can see differently, but even that’s limited.”

“What about Cuyler. Can he?”

“He never did, not that I know of. It’s weird how it works, easy for some and impossible for others. I once knew a girl named Beth who bonded an owl so easily she hadn’t even tried. It just followed her, inching closer until she had no choice but to accept its offering to bind itself.”

“What happened to her?” Robert asked.

“The war. It devoured her like so many others, in the most awful of ways.”

“Sebastian?”

“Yes, Robert?”

“I think I have to. I can’t explain it, but I’ve always felt like I had to soar. I want to try tomorrow.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“Thank you, I want you there.”

Sebastian abruptly picked up the clothes he’d left out and carried them to the wardrobe.

“What are you doing?”

“Trust your concierge. These won’t do for a ride in the forest. Get some sleep,” he said pointing to the bed, “and I’ll prepare everything.”