49

Gerrod and the Cygnean militia entered the castle forecourts in force, supported by half of Logan’s crew. Sean waited with the senior officers. General Brodwyn and Anyon both agreed that their approach to the palace must take place according to the time-bound protocol of victors.

As they waited for the all clear, Sean was struck by a sudden realization. The shock was electric.

Dillon saw the change and demanded, “What’s the matter?”

Sean waved him away, desperate to keep weaving the tendrils of realization together into a cohesive form.

Dillon laughed softly. “Everybody else is getting ready to celebrate. But my brother’s already moved on to the next crisis.”

The problem was, Dillon was right. Everything Sean had been experiencing on the periphery became the center of it all.

Their imprisonment, the trial, Kaviti and his secret cadre, the Grey Blades, Logan and his team, even this assault on Tiko’s stronghold—all of it faded into the background.

Anyon must have heard Dillon’s comments, for he stepped closer and demanded, “What is it?”

Sean’s mouth opened and shut twice. He could see it all coalescing. But he wasn’t there yet.

Anyon, however, was not made for patience. “Can we proceed?”

Carver found the exchange important enough to translate for the locals. The fact that the senior representative of the Human Assembly had just asked permission from his most junior aide was not lost on anyone. They waited together until Sean finally spoke.

“There’s a problem. A big one. But it’s not here.”

“Connected to this current situation?”

On this point, Sean was definite. “Absolutely.”

“Are we safe?”

“For the moment.” Sean hated being the one to dilute the moment of triumph with more worries. Yet he had no choice. “But not for long.”

As soon as Gerrod sent word that the area was secure, they entered the palace forecourt with Logan’s remaining crew on full alert. Dillon and Carver led the way. The Cygnean militia stood sentry over a multitude of palace guards and courtiers, all of whom looked utterly wasted by the assault. They were filthy, their features slack with shock, their fancy palace uniforms in utter ruin. As was the palace itself. Huge cracks ran up the front walls. The entire doorway and surrounding stonework were just gone.

Anyon said to Carver, “Check the prisoners for any of our own.”

Carver said, “They would already have transited.”

“No doubt. But we must be certain.”

They passed through the vanished portal and entered the demolished main hall. A trio of Gerrod’s force stood guard around a terrified dignitary. One of the soldiers saluted Brodwyn and said, “This one claims to be Tiko’s senior aide.”

The man’s uniform was a shambles of torn lace and missing buttons. His hair formed a rat’s nest around his filthy face. He cried in a tense falsetto, “What is the meaning of this unlawful incursion into Duke Tiko’s—”

General Brodwyn carried such authority that a simple lifting of her hand silenced the man. She demanded, “Do you have authority to speak for your duke?”

“I, er, that is . . .”

“It’s a simple enough question. Do you or do you not serve as your leader’s official spokesperson?”

“Yes, that is, within reason, but—”

“I am General Brodwyn, military representative of the Cygnean ruling council. I am here to discuss terms of the duke’s surrender.”

“What? No, that’s not—”

“And this gentleman is Ambassador Anyon, senior Diplomat with the Human Assembly. He is here to arrest the off-worlder known as Kaviti, and all of his entourage.”

“Except the Grey Blade that murdered my staffer,” Logan growled.

“Indeed. That one shall stand trial here.” Brodwyn surveyed the ruined castle with evident satisfaction. “If we have his full and unqualified assistance in these matters, Tiko will be permitted to maintain control of one reduced segment of his fief. But only if he aids us now without hesitation and swears allegiance to the ruling council on Cygneus Prime. His first order must be for all remaining troops under his command to lay down their arms.”

Anyon added, “He must also agree to give testimony against Kaviti and the other off-worlders before the Human Assembly’s high court.”

Brodwyn nodded. “You will inform your duke that these terms are not negotiable.”