Chapter Nineteen
The purge began the very next day. I helped Falken put everything in motion, working beside him all day and then sleeping beside him all night.
Two days later, I slipped free of Falken's embrace and left his bed to quietly get dressed.
Giving the sleeping King one last look, I stepped out onto the bedroom's balcony.
It was early, but the collection teams were already out, knocking on doors to confiscate items with resonant enchantment loops.
They had the easy job. Architects were scrambling to dismantle part of Eberein's bridge while protecting the rest of it.
The bridge's resonant enchantment loop was sealed within its foundation, attached to the ward that preserved the bridge.
After they had handled the bridge, there were several buildings to tackle.
But most of those were relatively simple, with their enchantments stored in foundational boxes, accessible through their basements.
Amidst all of this activity, the citizens of Eberein launched protests, marching through the streets to gain the King's attention.
Several people had refused to allow the collection teams to take their property.
Fights had broken out. People had to be restrained as their homes were searched.
In short, it was mayhem.
“My courtiers and court magic-users have requested an audience.” Falken came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “I'd like you to join me.”
“To shield you from their anger?” My tail slid around his lower leg, and he tensed. I withdrew it.
“No, don't move your tail. I was just surprised.”
“I wrap my tail around you all the time.” I turned to face him, my tail shifting to a better position—around his ass.
“During sex, yes. But never out of bed.”
I thought about it. “You're right. Would you like me to be more affectionate?”
He raised his eyebrows. “Would that feel natural to you?”
I shrugged. “I don't know. I've never tried.”
Falken smiled as he bent to kiss me. My body responded with tingles and an increased heart rate.
My tail tightened around him, and I melted into his embrace.
We had sex earlier that morning, but my body already wanted more.
A kiss was all it took to summon my desire.
Before I could worry about my response, Falken pulled away.
I opened my eyes to find him gazing down at me.
His gaze turned serious. “Will you be affectionate with me in public?”
My tail lowered.
Falken chuckled. “All right, in private. But if it makes you uncomfortable, you stop.”
“I don't think I'll be uncomfortable, just incompetent.”
“Incompetent at affection?” His grin widened.
“I haven't tried to be affectionate before.” I pulled away from him and left the balcony. “This is my first relationship contract.”
“I'm just teasing you, Sevarin.” He chased after me and slid into my path, facing me. “I'm flattered that you want to try it with me.”
“You can't laugh at me.” I pointed at his face.
He nodded solemnly, but his lips twitched.
“You want to laugh right now!”
“Because you're adorable. Come on, let me see.”
“See what?”
“You being affectionate.”
I sighed and stepped around him. “No, you've made it awkward.”
The King burst out laughing as he followed me out of the royal apartments. “All right. Later then.”
He tried to take my hand, and I yanked it out of reach.
“I can't even hold your hand in public?”
“Recall our terms.”
“You said I can't have expectations of courtly behavior in public, but I don't have to hide our relationship. Holding hands is not courtly behavior.”
“It's a display of affection, and we just talked about this!”
He held up his hands in surrender. “All right. But if I try to be affectionate with you, it's not against our terms.”
“Fine. Try, but it will only make you look foolish.”
“I don't mind being foolish in love.”
I jerked to a halt. “What did you say?”
“Oh, for fuck's sake, Sevarin! I didn't declare that I love you. I was talking about romance. And your reaction is insulting!” He stormed ahead.
I followed at a slower pace. By the time we reached the throne room, the Dragon King was over fifteen feet ahead of me.
When I entered the room, he was already seated upon his throne.
Fuming. Before the dais were many of his courtiers, all the palace magic-users and alchemists, Commander Rongru of the Palace Horns, and two men I didn't recognize.
The courtiers were representatives of their races, so it made sense that they requested an audience, the Commander was in charge of palace security, so that made sense as well, and the magic-users and alchemists were likely upset because I had figured out the rot in four days.
But who were those last two men? One was a human.
He was large, as most Sconheit humans were, and wore a Talon uniform.
Maybe the Captain? The other was a Ricarri and wore a horns uniform with a lot of gold bars on his shoulder.
I assumed he was the General of the King's Army.
In short, the room was full of the most powerful people in Eberein.
I went to stand against the wall as the two unknown men made their way to the front of the crowd with Commander Rongru.
“General Travor, Commander Rongru, Captain Faden.” The King nodded at the men. “Are you having any issues?”
“No more than expected, Your Majesty.” General Travor stepped closer to the dais. He glanced at the other two officers. “I came to warn you that there may be riots, and to advise Commander Rongru to increase the number of guards on duty at the palace.”
“I understand.” The King nodded. “But this must be done, or the city will crumble. Your soldiers are escorting the Talons, correct?”
“Yes, Sire. More and more people are fighting to keep their belongings. More often than not, a family has to be removed from their home and restrained while our people search for infected items.”
“They must stay calm and explain to the citizens that those items are a risk to their lives and the city. I don't want my people terrorized over this. The revealing reagent made by Master Sevarin shows the infection. Perhaps if people see proof of infection, they might understand.”
“People don't want to believe it, even with the proof of the reagent. I'm hoping you will make an announcement.”
“If you think it will help, yes, of course.”
“Shall I post the notice?”
“No, I'll make the announcement from the sky.”
“Sire?” The General's eyes went wide.
“It's the surest way for everyone to hear me at once.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I'll warn my soldiers.” He stepped back and started speaking softly with the Talon Captain.
“Sire.” A Shanba courtier stepped forward. “My people are already wary of living in cities. Soldiers coming into their homes and taking whatever they want is frightening them. Many families are on the verge of leaving.”
“Taking whatever they want?” I stepped forward. “Are you implying that the soldiers are stealing items that aren't infected?”
The Dragon King cleared his throat.
I bowed to him. “My apologies, Your Majesty. It startled me, and I required clarification.”
“As do I.” The King slid his narrowed gaze from me to the courtier. “Is that what you're saying, Lord Ressan?”
The man lifted his antlered head. “Yes, Your Majesty.” As people gasped and the Captain and General glared, he went on.
“The soldiers and officers are using this as an excuse to steal valuables with impunity.
They're especially abusing my people because we are so peaceful.
The Shanba won't stand up to the abuse. They'll just leave, Sire.”
“I will not stand for such accusations!” Captain Faden stepped up beside the courtier.
The Shanba man shrank back.
“I will not stand for the abuse of my citizens!” the King roared as he stood up. “Nor for blustering threats against my esteemed courtiers!”
Captain Faden backed away, his eyes huge. “Sire, it's a lie. My men would never steal.”
“Do not call me a liar!” Lord Ressan showed surprising courage to stand up to the Captain. Perhaps that was why his people had chosen him to represent them. Of course, it helped that he knew the King was on his side.
The King stormed down the dais steps. “You cannot know the hearts of the entire Talon Force, Captain.
There is good and bad in all of us. Situations like this bring out a person's true nature.” The King swiveled his head to look at the General.
“What say you, General? Do you feel the same as the Captain?”
The General held his hands up. “I do not, Your Majesty. I know people, even good people, can succumb to temptation. And I'm not surprised there has been an abuse of power. The problem is, how do I prove who the thieves are?”
The King stretched his neck. “We don't have the time for this. But I can't ignore such abuse coming from those who are supposed to protect my people.”
I stepped forward and cleared my throat.
The King looked at me. “Master Alchemist, do you have anything to add?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I suggest you select a team of people you can trust to perform an audit. If you choose people who are not horns or talons, they will not affect the clearing. Perhaps a group containing representatives from each race? Men and women with their people’s best interests in mind.
With a racial mix, they can watch each other and ensure no wrongdoing.
Send them to the homes of the people who have made claims of theft and have them compile lists of stolen items that were not made with resonant enchantment loops.
Then the auditors will have to search the homes of every soldier and talon involved in the clearing.
If they find the stolen items, it will be proof of guilt. ”
“Every talon involved?” The Captain strode over to me. “Do you know how many homes we'd have to search?”