Chapter Eighteen
I whistled sharply for Goliath, and the warhorse bounded across the distance before he skidded to a halt in front of me like an overeager Labrador retriever. My companions quickly removed the burnt remains of the decoy, and I winced when I saw my new armor covered in soot, but upon closer inspection I realized the fire resistance stats had protected it from taking any real damage.
My new armor was fucking awesome.
Once the duke was secured to Goliath’s back, everyone mounted their steeds, and we rode away from Edinburg Manor under the cover of darkness.
We traveled swiftly, and we rode throughout the night in order to cover as much ground as possible. I wanted to put a lot of distance between us and the massive army since the ruse was now over, but after a while, Elissa begged for a break, so we all came to a halt beside a bunch of scraggly bushes. It was the only vegetation to be seen for miles, but they offered little shelter from the desert winds. Still, we hunkered down the best we could, and we passed the water skin between us.
After we got back on the road, it didn’t take us long to reach Aramore, and we stayed in the Overnighter again. I kept the duke in my room, and I slept uneasily with the old man near me, but it was a little easier to rest while my women took their turns. Eva even stroked my hair absently while she watched over our prisoner, and Elissa whispered teasing innuendos to me the whole time. Mahini was all business, and I slept peacefully during her shift, but Caelia was hesitant to even come into my room.
“I won’t bite,” I murmured in a soft voice. “In fact, I’ll even try to sleep if that makes you feel better.”
“I want to do my part,” the shopkeeper insisted, almost more to herself than to me, and she stepped into the room with her shoulders straight. “You can rest, Bash. I will alert you if he even moves.”
“Perfect.” I grinned into the darkness of my room, and I snuggled down into my covers.
“Would you like me to sing you a lullaby?” Caelia asked in the sweetest voice.
My heart yearned to open my covers and pull her into my arms, but I held onto my self-control with a calming breath.
“Absolutely,” I said, but I eyed the duke cautiously.
A big part of me didn’t want him to enjoy the lullaby with me, but I found Edinburg with his chin resting on his chest, and his eyes closed.
Caelia cleared her throat, and her voice rang out so beautifully, it gave me shivers. “Go peacefully… Amid the bustle and hustle… Remember the beauty of silence…”
I was lost in the melody, and soon the words floated through my mind’s eye like clouds, and the next thing I knew, I was dreaming of making love to the beautiful, temptingly innocent shopkeeper. The sound of the door opening woke me up, and I startled in the bed until I realized it was only Ako taking the final watch shift.
“Have a good night.” Caelia dipped her head respectfully to both of us before she left the room.
I slept much better after she departed, and her voice rang out in my dreams long after I’d fallen asleep. I wanted Caelia in my bed, but she was already in my heart.
We left early again the next morning, and we traveled for several days before we reached Kassar. Then our next destination was our final one, so we all quickened our pace a little. We camped each night, and we all took turns watching over the prisoner, but there were no incidents on the return trip.
It was a happy day when the walls of Vallenwood emerged through the tree line, and we all whooped with joy at the sight.
“At last!” Elissa breathed, and she rubbed her stomach. “I have missed the palace food so much!”
“I can’t wait to get our gear repaired and cleaned,” Mahini said as her ice-blue eyes were lit up with excitement. “I’ll get all the soot cleaned off your new armor for you, Bash.”
“That’s awesome.” I grinned. “Don’t forget, we have to attend the trial, so don’t get too comfortable just yet. Business first.”
“Yes, Bash,” all the women said in unison, and I couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled from my throat.
There weren’t many things better than having a bunch of gorgeous women agreeing with me, and I sighed happily as we made our way past the gates of Vallenwood.
The guards at the gate trotted over to us, and I was tempted to ignore them, but then Eva moved her horse in front of mine to confront them.
“Make way for the Archduke of Bastianville and the God of Time,” she declared in an imposing voice. “He is on the king’s business.”
The guards eyed me curiously, but they hastily obeyed my fiancée’s command, and the way forward was clear once more.
I flashed Evangeline a loving smile, and I nodded for her to take the lead. The duke’s daughter lifted her chin proudly, and then she directed her mare toward the palace.
By the time we reached the courtyard in front of the main entrance, a troop of guards awaited us. Then the king himself stepped out of the doorway to the palace, and he waved as he descended the steps.
“Sir Sebastian! You have returned!” King Frederick gave me a broad smile, but then his eyes began to search over the members of my party.
I cleared my throat and nodded toward the body slung across Goliath’s rump, and the king’s eyes widened.
“Here’s your escaped convict,” I said, and then I flung my leg over the side of my horse’s mane to slide out of the saddle in a fluid motion. I landed with a small hop, and I stuck out my hand for the king to shake. “Just as I promised.”
“Indeed,” King Frederick said, and his eyebrows rose into his hairline as he shook my hand. “I wasn’t expecting you to return for quite some time.”
“Well, I have a wedding to get to,” I pointed out. “Besides, I don’t take Sorreyal’s safety lightly, and neither should you.”
“I will keep that in mind.” King Frederick nodded absently, and his eyes roved over the duke’s back. “Is he…?”
“Dead?” I snorted. “Far from it. I even fed him a few times.”
“Good.” King Fred clapped his hands together, and then he motioned for some of his soldiers to come forward. “Take the Duke of Edinburg back to his cell, and ensure only the special guard are on duty before you leave.”
“Special guard?” I questioned.
“Some of the people the Duke of Edinburg has wronged in the past.” King Frederick’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “Those he cannot bribe his way past.”
“Smart thinking,” I said. “But we should hold the trial sooner rather than later.”
“I only awaited your return,” the king said. “We can begin the proceedings first thing in the morning. I will send out a proclamation so the people of Vallenwood can attend if they wish.”
“Good.” I nodded. “I want his crimes published before the entire realm.”
“It will be done.” The king nodded. “Now that I have relieved you of your burden, please, join me for supper, Your Grace. You can tell me all about your exploits.”
“Sounds lovely,” I said. “But can my friends come, too? We’ve all been traveling equally as hard together, so it would only be fair.”
“Of course, of course,” the king said, and he waved a dismissive hand. “All of you are welcome.”
“Let’s get cleaned up first,” Eva suggested.
“I’ve had enough sand to last me a lifetime,” Elissa added. “It gets everywhere!”
“Tell me about it,” I chuckled as I followed the king up the steps to the palace with the rest of my companions right behind me.
It was good to be back in the capital, and my women were right, a bath was in order first and foremost. I excused myself from the king with the promise to meet him for supper later that evening, and my feet took me to the west wing of their own accord.
King Frederick hadn’t specified, but I found the west wing empty except for Riondale. The younger man was lounging on one of the sofas when we arrived, and he jumped up as his jaw fell open.
“Sir! You’ve returned already!” Riondale shook his head in awe. “I wasn’t expecting you for a couple more weeks at least.”
“Gods work fast.” I laughed. “It’s good to see you, too, Ri-guy.”
“I’m so happy you’re back,” the young general said. “I have so much to report.”
“It’ll have to wait until after my dinner with the king,” I said. “But you’re invited to join us, if you want.”
“It would be an honor to dine with you again, sir,” Riondale said.
“Alright, alright, calm down,” I laughed. “I missed you, too.”
I wrapped the younger man up in a tight embrace, and he returned the gesture with enthusiasm. He was grinning from ear-to-ear when we pulled apart, so I knew his report could only be good things.
They could wait until after I washed off the desert dust, though, so I clapped Riondale on the shoulder and headed toward the bathroom. Once I was squeaky clean, I pulled on some of my nicer clothes, and I returned to the common area. The rest of my companions were clean and ready for dinner as well, even Ozmand, which made me wonder how long I’d spent in the bath.
In any case, we were ready, so I led the way to the audience chamber. The king had set up a long table in the middle of the room, and he sat in a throne-like chair at the head as he waited for us to arrive.
“Sir Sebastian!” The king clapped his hands together and gave me a broad grin. “Please, everyone, have a seat.”
I bowed my head slightly as I took the chair on the opposite end of the table from the king. Then dinner was served with a flourish of synchronized servantry, and I had to applaud the waiting staff for their performance as they weaved in and out between our chairs. Finally, the lids from our dishes were removed dramatically, and the servants shuffled back into the shadows along the edge of the room.
Everything looked delicious, and I gestured for everyone to dig in. I waited politely for the king to take his first bite, and then I helped myself to a hefty forkful. I ate greedily in silence for several moments, but then the king took a long sip of his wine before he cleared his throat.
“Were there any troubles that arose on your journey?” He lifted one eyebrow as he scrutinized me from across the table.
“Nothing I couldn’t handle,” I assured him. “I did run into the three stooges, though. Exavier, Evyn, and Eurikson.”
“And what became of those encounters?” The question the king wasn’t asking was obvious, but I could play along.
“Not much.” I shrugged. “I got what I needed from them before I moved on.”
“They were not harmed?” he asked at last.
“They received a few scratches from trying to kill me, but nothing life-threatening,” I said. “A promise is a promise, Your Majesty.”
“Very good,” the king sighed, and he inclined his head. “I expected no less than the best from the God of Time.”
“Your trust was well-placed, Your Majesty,” Eva said, and she clasped my hand warmly. “Bash always wins.”
“Forgive my doubts, Your Grace,” the king said. “I am used to dealing with mortal men, and they have their weaknesses, as I’m sure you know.”
“That I do.” I nodded.
We all dug into the delicacies, and I watched my companions happily. Thanks to the people in this room, the Duke of Edinburg was back behind bars where he belonged, and Sorreyal was safe from corruption at last.
After we’d eaten our fill, Riondale cleared his throat to get my attention.
“Now seems like as good a time as any to update you on our troops,” the young general said.
“Go on,” I said with an incline of my head.
“Over two-hundred men have joined our ranks,” Riondale informed me. “The numbers grew too high for me to train here in Vallenwood, so I sent several caravans of fighters back to Bastianville. I’ll begin a stricter training regimen once I return home.”
It warmed my heart to hear my general referring to Bastianville as his home, and I flashed him a proud smile.
“Well done, Ri-guy,” I complimented with raised eyebrows. “We’ll be prepared for anything with those numbers.”
“Thank you, sir,” Riondale said, and his eyes burned with pride.
“Sounds like things are working out in your favor, Sir Sebastian,” King Frederick observed. “Quest completed, wedding coming up…”
“Baby on the way,” Elissa added in a low voice, but not low enough to bypass the ears of the king.
“Congratulations!” King Frederick clapped his hands with excitement, but I sensed a hint of envy in his voice. “You certainly act fast!”
“I didn’t do anything special…” I grinned sheepishly.
All I did was fill my wife with cum at every opportunity, but I didn’t want to rub my good luck in the heirless king’s face.
We finished the rest of the meal without anything too interesting happening, and then my companions and I returned to the west wing to go to sleep. The trial was taking place early the next day, so I wanted to be well-rested. I fell into bed beside Eva, Elissa, and Mahini, and all four of us enjoyed the luxury of the giant king-sized bed again.
I definitely needed to get a castle of my own.
I woke up early the next day, but to my surprise, all three women greeted me with bright smiles. Elissa, Eva, and Mahini were dressed in colorful fabrics that highlighted their various aspects perfectly, and I took a moment to soak in the view.
Then I dressed in a perfectly tailored vest with matching breeches, and I buffed my shoes clean. Once we were all ready to be presented to the people of Vallenwood, we made our way to the common area in search of the rest of our companions.
Ako, Riondale, Ozmand, and Caelia waited for us in the dining room, and they had a modest breakfast ready for us. We ate quickly, and I took pains to keep my clothes clean, but then we were ready for the trial.
We were just in time, since a servant in the king’s colors arrived to escort us to the trial, and I greeted them with a friendly smile.
“Lead the way,” I instructed.
“Yes, Your Grace.” The servant bowed low before he turned and marched down the hallway.
We all filed in behind him, and we walked swiftly through the corridors of the palace. Instead of taking us to the audience chamber, however, the servant led us down another hallway to a large room with a tile mosaic on the floor.
King Frederick sat upon a raised dais, but there were two long benches on either side of the room, and wrapped in chains in the center of the space stood Edinburg, Mistvale, and the wizard Zorya. I eyed the prisoners for a moment before the king caught my eye, and Frederick gestured to the empty seats along one wall.
Then I led my companions to the empty table, and we all took a seat. A handful of courtiers and lesser nobles entered the room, and they all bowed to both the king and I before they took seats on the other side of the room. I recognized them all from the summit of nobility, but they were meaningless in the grand scheme of things.
After the nobles entered the space and took their seats came the commoners, they also bowed to the king and me before they stood patiently in the open area before the prisoners.
A loud bang echoed through the room as a servant smacked a large mallet against a cymbal, and I assumed it signaled the beginning of the trial.
Sure enough, King Frederick rose to his feet, and he extended his arms to either side with a sharp swipe, which brought the sound of the cymbal to a climatic end. Then the king cleared his throat, and he spoke in a voice loud enough for all to hear.
“Here before you stand three accused criminals.” His face was solemn, and I knew this was going to be hard on him, but I was glad he was doing the right thing. “After we hear from our witnesses, their fates will be decided. I hereby call Sir Sebastian, the Archduke of Bastianville, and the God of Time to the stand.”
I nodded to the king as I stood up, and I made my way across the room at a casual pace. My gaze flicked across the prisoners, and I flashed Edinburg a broad smile as I passed. Then I took up a position beside the king, and I peered out at the audience with my head held high.
“Sir Sebastian,” the king began. “What are your accusations?”
I cleared my throat before I replied, and I spoke mostly to the commoners who stood in the back of the room. “The Duke of Edinburg was behind two assassination attempts made against my companions and I. He was working with the Duchess of Mistvale, and her wizard, Zorya, and while investigating the assassination attempt, I discovered a plot to overthrow you, Your Majesty.”
“So, you were sent to return the Duke of Edinburg to Vallenwood?” The king was asking for the benefit of the room’s occupants, but I could play along.
“I volunteered to hunt him down after he escaped from prison,” I confirmed.
“Where did you find him?” The king tapped a finger against his chin like he was thoroughly thinking over my answers.
“Cowering in a secret bunker,” I snorted.
The king asked me a few more questions about my quest to retrieve the duke, and then he followed up by asking me about how I found out about the plot against the crown. After I’d said my piece, I returned to my table, and I squeezed Eva’s hand as I took the seat by her side.
Then the king summoned Ozmand to the stand, and he went through some similar style of questions with Edinburg’s bastard son. The audience groaned when he described his mother’s fate, and his voice shook with rage when he spoke of the role his father played in his exile from Edinburg Manor. The bastard had won the sympathy of the crowd, and if the pained expression on his face was any indication, the king as well.
After Ozmand went Viceroy, and the royal mage discussed the poisoning attack against him. He’d been ill for weeks, but thankfully, had fully recovered by that point.
My women all had a turn to speak as well, since they were some of the victims of Edinburg’s plans, and the king even called the criminals up to defend themselves.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity had passed, the king stood up once more. He hung his head for a moment to compose himself, but his voice was still solemn when he next spoke.
“After careful consideration of all accounts,” the king announced for all to hear. “I hereby deem these three are guilty of the charges placed against them. The punishment for this level of treason is… death.”
A gasp swept through the audience.
King Frederick was going to execute his enemies?
My eyebrows rose in surprise at the unexpected turn of events. I’d predicted the three treasonous nobles would face a life of imprisonment where they were still treated with more dignity and respect than any other prisoner, but it appeared as though I’d judged the king too soon. Still, I couldn’t help but smile.
Sorreyal would be a safer place without them, and I could focus on my wedding.
Then the crowd went wild when the king announced his verdict. People started shouting out, both in agreement with and against his judgement, and even my name was thrown around a time or two.
“My decision is final,” King Frederick announced in a solemn tone, and he shook his head at the uproar. “The execution will take place tomorrow morning.”
“Can you believe it, Bash?” Elissa whispered as she tugged on my shirt sleeve. “You could have just killed him this whole time!”
“It had to be up to the king,” I said.
“What happened to him not wanting the Edinburgs harmed?” Ako asked over the noise in the audience chamber. “Or did that only extend to the offspring?”
“I suppose it applied just to the duke’s kids.” I shrugged. “I’m just happy it’s all over so I can go back to Bastianville.”
“Are we leaving after the execution?” Eva asked from a little further down the table, but she practically had to yell to be heard over the racket happening below us.
“That’s as good a time as any.” I grinned. “Just in time for our wedding.”
“It’s hard to think about nuptial bliss at a time like this,” my fiancée replied, and her smoky-gray gaze landed on the condemned.
Then the soldiers located around the room all stepped forward at once, and they led the prisoners away. Mistvale sobbed, and huge rivulets of tears carved a path down her face. Zorya was stoic, and she looked at her mistress with disgust. Edinburg hung his head low, but he shot one last look up at Frederick before he was dragged away.
Good riddance.
I would be happy to see the last of those three, and I was glad the king was taking a firmer stance with their punishment. Edinburg had already escaped prison once, and it was only a matter of time before the others contrived some plot to escape. Better to be done with it once and for all.
The crowd calmed down some after the prisoners left, and King Frederick held up his hands in a placating gesture.
“The trial has ended.” The king fixed the loudest among the audience with a stern glare.
There were a few unsatisfied grumbles among the people as they left the room, but for the most part everyone sounded surprised more than angry. I heard whispers of my name, but every time I looked, I didn’t see anyone. Then the audience chamber was empty except for my people, Ako, and the king.
I hopped up and crossed the distance to the king, and I gave him a sympathetic smile as I approached.
“I’m sure that had to be hard,” I said. “But you did the right thing.”
“It doesn’t feel like I imagined it would…” The king shook his head. “To sentence a man to death when I thought of him as family…”
“Sorreyal is better off without him trying to fuck everything up,” I assured him. “Who’s going to be doing the executing part?”
“One of my officers,” the king explained with a flap of his hand. “But never mind that. Are you staying for the execution, or is this goodbye?”
“I’ll stick around.” I grinned. “I like to see my missions through to one-hundred percent completion.”
“Very good.” The king nodded. “I hoped you were staying, but I cannot force you. I’m sure your people miss you, so I won’t keep you here in Vallenwood much longer.”
“I’m not worried about it.” I shrugged. “Bastianville is pretty used to me coming and going as I please.”
“And what of your fiancée?” the king chuckled. “Does she not wish to return home for her wedding?”
“I’m sure she’s happy to be with me, wherever that’s at,” I laughed. “She’s not the stay at home and make cookies type of girl, but that’s why I love her.”
The king’s gaze flicked to my companions. “Be careful, Sir Sebastian, and surround yourself with people you trust thoroughly. You never know when someone is going to betray your trust.”
I could tell the trial and sentencing had been hard on him, but I had no words of comfort, so I placed a gentle hand on his shoulder without saying a thing.
We parted ways, and I led my companions back to the west wing, but my heart was heavy for the king. There had to be some way I could brighten his mood, but it would have to wait until after the execution the next day.
King Frederick still needed a wife, though, so maybe I could help him get hitched.
My thoughts began to wander as we traversed the hallways, but Mahini pulled me out of my thoughts by clearing her throat.
“The king will be alright,” she murmured. “I can tell you’re worried about him.”
“Am I that obvious?” I chuckled. “I just hate to see him so solemn. I realize it’s appropriate for the current events, but I wish I could make him feel better.”
“And that’s exactly what makes you the most powerful man in Sorreyal,” the desert goddess said. “You have a heart.”
“Your name is etched all over it,” I informed her, and my voice dropped low. “Maybe you could help distract me tonight.”
“It would be my privilege,” Mahini breathed, and her ice-blue eyes melted with desire.
“I’m the privileged one just by being in your presence.” I smiled as I slipped my hand into hers, and she squeezed it warmly before we swung our clasped hands back and forth the rest of the way to the west wing.
The next day dawned cold and bright, and I shivered slightly as I pushed myself out of bed. The clouds in the sky looked ominous, but it was a fitting backdrop for the mood of the day. Three people were going to lose their lives this day, and while it was depressing, I was determined not to let it get me down.
Someone had to keep spirits up around here.
The execution was going to take place in the courtyard, and a sizable crowd had already gathered by the time I arrived with my companions. Ako was standing beside his mistress, the new Duchess of Arginold, and the shapeshifter grinned at me in greeting.
We took our place on the opposite side of the courtyard, and I nodded to the king. Ozmand walked out of the palace a moment later, and he bowed low before King Frederick before coming to greet me.
“Your Grace.” Ozmand inclined his head. “Today is a solemn day, indeed.”
“I’m not sure the royal mage, or any of your father’s other victims, could say the same.” My gaze swept over the bags beneath the bastard’s eyes and the defeated slump of his shoulders, and I sighed. “I’m sorry. I know this has to be rough for you to watch. You don’t have to be here, if you don’t want to.”
“I must make sure it is over.” Ozmand shook his head. “The king has issued his decree, so I will see my father dead before I return home.”
“I understand how you feel,” I said. “Why don’t you stand with us?”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” Ozmand bowed his head again, but he moved to a position at the end of my companions.
Then King Frederick’s cymbal guy started banging his mallet against the metal surface, and the sound rang out over the city. Birds scattered from the noise, and crows gathered on nearby rooftops. The air was tense, and the crowd of townspeople shuffled nervously back and forth. Once the ringing of the cymbal faded, the king stepped forward and flourished out his hands.
“Executioner, step forward,” the king commanded, and a man wearing the cliche black cowl moved out of the line of soldiers standing behind the king.
The executioner carried a long, double-headed axe with him as he made his way into the center of the courtyard.
“Bring forth the prisoners!” King Frederick beckoned to the soldiers, and they parted ways to reveal the three traitors wrapped in irons.
Edinburg, Mistvale, and Zorya all shuffled forward into the center of the courtyard, and all three of them eyed the executioner with fear written all over their faces.
Zorya went first, and the king asked her for final words before she knelt over the executioner’s block.
“I was only following orders,” the woman wizard declared, but then she lifted her chin defiantly. “And I would follow them again in the next life!”
Without any further ado, the executioner swung his axe, and the court wizard’s head was severed from her shoulders.
“Ouch.” I grimaced as I looked away from the bloody scene, and a loud groan echoed from the gathered crowd.
The former Duchess of Mistvale was next, and she blubbered the whole way to the block.
“It was Edinburg!” she argued. “It was all his idea! I only wanted what was best for the realm, I swear it! Please, don’t do this, Your Majesty!”
“Save it, Clara,” the king hissed, and he narrowed his eyes at the treasonous noble. “You had your chance to make things right.”
“Noo!” Clara of Mistvale wailed as the axe swung, and her head toppled from her neck to bounce across the paving stones with a thud.
Soldiers quickly rushed forward to remove the pieces of their corpses, but now it was down to Edinburg, and I held my breath. I’d expected a lot more fight out of the impossibly old man during our trip back to the capital, but he’d been surprisingly docile, so I feared the worst.
Would he make a move to escape while surrounded by soldiers and watching people?
“Any final words?” The king eyed the duke with a neutral expression, but I could see the hint of emotion behind his eyes. This was hard on him, but he was staying strong.
“You would be nothing without me,” Edinburg snarled. “I made you the man you are today. Remember that.”
“I will never forget your influence,” the king replied, but then he nodded to the executioner. “Continue.”
“No!” Edinburg gasped, and his stony exterior cracked. “No, please, Freddy, you wouldn’t do this, would you? Not to your old Uncle Eurik?”
“Silence!” King Frederick yelled, and the crowd gasped, but Edinburg obliged with a sigh.
It wasn’t often that King Fred went hard, but when he did, everyone sat down and shut up.
I smirked to myself as I thought about how different King Frederick was from the Edinburg boys. Unlike the three men I’d met, he had a semblance of honor, as well as some humility, and I was still amazed at how well he’d turned out after being raised by Eurik.
King Frederick nodded to the executioner, and then Edinburg’s head rolled without theatrics, but the crowd cheered when it was finally over. The duke was dead, and the plot to overthrow the king was ruined. The throne was safe once more.
“At last,” I sighed with relief.
“It’s all over, Bash!” Eva said from my side. “Can you believe it?”
“Saw it with my own eyes and everything,” I teased.