Chapter 35
I strideinto the war room, where every member of my council sits, waiting for me.
Ivor speaks first. “My Lord, I’m afraid the situation in the city has taken a dire turn. The rebel faction grows bolder by the day. Our grain stores have been raided twice more, leaving many families hungry.”
He pauses, and I sense the worst is yet to come. “Just this morning, a contingent of city guards were ambushed and slaughtered not five leagues from the palace gates.”
Anger flashes through me, and I slam my fist against the table. The maps and wooden figures rattle from the impact. “Who is responsible for this outrage?”
“Our spies believe it’s the work of Keel,” Aleksander says. “He and his followers grow more brazen every day.”
Keel?
My veins heat as I think about Keel being one of Jerrod’s generals. He was the first corrupted man I stripped of his title and kicked out of my army after Jerrod died. Now, Keel is stirring a rebellion against me.
I’m not surprised. He’s always been traitorous and cowardly.
Ivor nods. “The people are afraid. Keel sews discord and fans the flames of resentment against your rule.”
I stand and pace before the hearth, the fire’s warmth doing nothing to abate the ice in my veins. I should have crushed this rebellion sooner.
“We’ve been too lenient. It’s time to remind the people of Sharhavva who their rightful chieftain is.” I meet each of their gazes. “We will root out these rebels.”
The council nods as I continue. “Crushing the rebellion will require a coordinated strategy across all fronts. Ivor, increase patrols even more throughout the city. Any rebels captured are to be questioned, then publicly executed as traitors.”
Ivor nods. “It will be done, My Lord.”
I turn my attention to Widow Maker, my war chief. “Ready our forces to stamp out the rebel camps.”
Widow Maker slams a fist to his chest. “With pleasure.”
My focus shifts to Elar next. “You know what to do. Spread whispers, turn the people against these insurgents.”
Elar dips his chin. “Their support will wither on the vine.”
Finally, I pin Aleksander with a pointed stare. “Aleksander, I want you to apply your singular talents to unmasking the locations of the rebel leaders, starting with Keel.”
As my spymaster, Aleksander operates in the shadows, gathering intelligence and secrets that allow me to snuff out threats before they ignite. While his skills are invaluable, even I cannot deny the ruthless edge that lurks beneath his calm facade. He will use any means necessary to fulfill this directive.
“It will be done, My Lord.” Even though he speaks calmly, I know this is one order he relishes. Ferreting out rebels and dissenters feeds some dark impulse within him.
Keel and his ilk threaten everything we’ve built. If blood must be spilled to secure our power, so be it. Aleksander is simply my blade in this matter, cutting where I aim him.
I stop in front of the table. “Remember, I want them alive, so I can question them.”
My council voices their assent.
For too long, I’ve allowed the fires of rebellion to smolder. No more. It’s time to snuff them out for good.
“Go now and make it so.” I dismiss them with a wave of my hand.
Their chairs scrape back as they rise.
“We will not fail you,” Ivor vows.
As their footsteps fade down the corridor, my mind drifts to Annora, as it so often does these days. I’ve tarried too long in the pleasures of her body.
Now, I must don the mantle of chieftain and crush this dissent before it spirals out of control.
Annora will understand.