The giant doors opened. Two guards motioned for Jen and Tarmon to follow, and they entered a gigantic room filled with twelve guards, a handful of servants, and atop the throne was Queen Misha of Vandalor. Her son, Rishmar, was standing next to her. He would be king someday.

  Jen wondered how Rishmar would be as king. Would Rishmar maintain his relationship with Azzellia, or follow in his father's footsteps? The answer would come in time. She bowed, and Tarmon followed her example. This was his first time seeing a king or queen in person, and she had instructed him on what to do. Sometimes it made her wonder if he was lying about being a former noble, even if she didn’t see why he would lie about that.

  “It’s great to meet you, Your Majesty,” Jen said.

  “Please, raise your heads,” Misha said. “Anyone from the Whispering Mists is always welcome here. I will say, it has been some time since one of you has visited us.”

  “There has been no need to bother royalty until now,” Jen said and straightened her stance. She wanted to laugh when Tarmon rose so quickly he stumbled a little.

  “I understand. What brings you here today?”

  “I come on behalf of my brother, who couldn’t make it due to another obligation. He is the leader of a group of soldiers called the Shields of Aidris,” Jen began.

  “The Shields of Aidris? I have never heard of them,” Misha said and looked at her son.

  “Neither have I,” Rishmar said with a shrug.

  “They are a new but small army with soldiers from all over the continent. The goal is to be an army for all of Aidris, to protect the innocent and assist in the war to come,” Jen said.

  “You say they have soldiers from all over the continent. What other nations have given this group their support?”

  “All of them. We’ve made our way through all the nations, starting with the Forest Dwellers, and have made our way here,” Jen said.

  “Even Azzellia?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m surprised, considering the Ashtari that Talon has created. I figured he wouldn’t spare any of his men when he’s so concerned about these invaders,” Misha said.

  “My brother did help rescue Talon from the mages,” Jen said.

  “Oh really? Who is this brother of yours?”

  “His name is Arturo, also known as the Fifty-Man Slayer and killer of the legend Ribalt,” Jen said. She felt weird repeating the feats her brother had accomplished. She wondered if he felt odd when talking about his achievements.

  “I’m sorry to say I haven’t heard of him, but this is no surprise as I don’t often hear about legends,” Misha said with a small chuckle. “I do have a question for you. What do you think of King Talon?”

  That was not a question Jen was expecting. “I haven’t spoken to him much,” she began, for it was true. Her conversation with Talon was mainly her brother talking. “I trust him as he’s trying to prepare for the invaders. I would say he’s a bit shaky after his torture.”

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  “You trust his judgement?”

  “I do,” Jen said.

  “Do you think he is capable of murder? For example, someone like my former husband?” Misha said.

  Ah, that’s what this is about. Jen thought. Probing to see if Talon killed King Durran. “I don’t believe he killed King Durran. He is trying to help people, at least that’s what I have seen,” she said after a moment's pause.

  The queen clasped her hands together and sighed. Only a fool wouldn’t notice the stress emanating from her. Jen couldn’t blame her. To have your husband murdered and the killer not be found must be horrible. It reminded her of Jahad, except the murderers had been killed, and she knew the enemy.

  “I’m sorry,” Misha said and straightened. “The discovery of these Ashtari and Talon being able to use the power have unbalanced me.”

  “You have nothing to apologize for, Your Grace,” Jen said. She eyed Tarmon, who looked uncomfortable. Perhaps it would have been better to leave him at the inn, yet she wanted him by her side when she confronted the queen. Why that was, she couldn’t say.

  The young prince remained standing, looking conflicted himself. Jen would bet that Rishmar believed Talon killed Durran. Despite not wanting to believe it, she wouldn’t assume Talon didn’t do it. A lot of positive effects came from Durran’s death, at least for Talon. One of those being Vandalor’s allegiance. Kings could go to great lengths to strengthen their power, even if it meant committing atrocious acts.

  At this point, it was too late to do anything about it. If Talon did kill Durran, what would Jen do? Nothing. The Ashtari were a powerhouse that the mages couldn’t stop, of that, she was sure. All she could hope for was that Talon didn’t do it, or else the Vandalor and Azzellia alliance would end, leaving Aidris more vulnerable than it was now.

  “I will grant your request and provide you soldiers to complete your Shields of Aidris,” Misha said.

  “Thank you,” Jen said.

  “There is one thing I want you to do,” Misha said.

  “What do you need?”

  “I want you to give Talon a letter when you get back to Carhan. This is very important, and he must read this,” Misha said.

  “I’ll deliver the letter personally,” Jen said. She wondered what the queen wrote but knew better than to ask. If that was all it took to secure Vandalor’s soldiers, she would do it without question. “Is there anything else?”

  “No, you’re helping me greatly by sending this letter,” Misha said and stood. She walked the dozen steps to stand a foot away from Jen. “I’ll have your soldiers delivered within a couple of days.”

  The queen and her son left while Jen and Tarmon were escorted out of the palace. Getting the soldiers had been easier than she had expected. With this mission done, it would soon be time for her to rejoin the Whispering Mists.

  “Do you think he killed Durran?” Jen asked once the guards were well out of earshot, and they were walking down an empty street. She didn’t want to believe Talon would do that, but now her mind was racing with the possibilities. What if Talon wasn’t in this for the greater good like he was acting, but instead using these opportunities to extend his power? What if he was like Egmardern?

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve been involved in politics,” Tarmon said.

  “Don’t give me that,” Jen said and rolled her eyes. “You were a lord, and you didn’t forget what that was like.”

  “Never one to back down, are you?” Tarmon said with a sigh. “It wouldn’t surprise me if he did. I’ve seen and heard some dirty things that nobles have done. I can only imagine how far a king would go.”

  “Yeah, I was thinking the same thing,” Jen said. “I have read enough history to know what royalty is capable of. I worry that Talon may not be the king he pretends to be.”

  “If it makes you feel better, his father was a good king, and I don’t think Talon is making up the invaders, especially since Lerin was the one to announce the threat.”

  “True,” Jen said. It made her feel better, but she was conflicted. “I guess it doesn’t matter. We must keep moving forward and pray that Talon is the king he says he is. On an unrelated note, did you never speak with royalty when you were a noble?”

  Tarmon shook his head. “I may have been a lord, yet I wasn’t a big one. My family line is on the lower end of nobility.”

  “I always assumed you lords were trained how to interact with other nobles or royalty,” Jen said.

  “Guess you could say my family wasn’t concerned about it, so long as we bowed and showed our respect,” Tarmon said. “Enough about that. Let’s enjoy a night in this wonderful city. I have some places to show you,” Tarmon said.

  “Oh?” Jen said with a sly smile and playfully pushed him. “I’ll let you take the lead then.”