Lakin watched the funeral and laughed at the king’s speech. Luthien and Tarowen had done well in making the king upset, but he had hoped the death of the boy would have made him less eager for war. It upset him to see they had only succeeded in making his resolve stronger. Although the Magima were in disguise, it was only a matter of time before Traug recognized them. Another problem he would have to deal with. Lakin sat back and smiled. He wondered how Malena was taking things and his smile turned into an evil grin. He hoped this incident would put Malena in her place. Since Brin came to him, he had noticed just how bothersome Malena had become. He heard shuffling coming from his rooms and moved to see what Brin was doing.
He stood in the doorway and saw she was rearranging the furniture.
“I think the room was fine before,” he said, trying to be calm. Nothing annoyed him more than someone moving his things about.
She stopped what she was doing and looked at Lakin. “It was fine before. Now it needs to be changed,” was her response, and she went back to what she was doing.
“And why is that?”
“I do not know. I just had the urge to move everything around. It is as if someone is guiding me.”
Lakin’s anger left him quickly. If some higher power was urging her to do this, there had to be a reason for it.
Suddenly she stopped what she was doing and flopped down onto the floor.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
“You have not heard from my father. I had hoped he would have written you by now wondering about me.”
Her comment came as a bit of a shock. He had thought Brin was rid of these silly thoughts of her family. Lakin had been certain she was now against her family and this remark made him upset.
“I told you your parents don't care about you. They are only concerned with Koral and Eric, you have to see that.”
“I know mother only cares for the twins, but father was different around me.”
In that one statement, Lakin realized his error. He had made her give up all the family at once, when he should have targeted them individually. Now he would have to come up with a plan to put Brin against her father.
“We should go to the lower levels. You still have a bit of training to do, and it may take your mind off of your family.”
Reluctantly Brin agreed and took Lakin’s arm as he escorted her to the lower levels.
As they passed fellow Magima, Lakin was pleased to see they had finally taken to Brin. Some had been suspicious of her, wondering if she was just here to infiltrate them. They didn’t ever speak of it, but they would never bow, as her title demands. Most would whisper after they had passed. Now, when he walked down the hallway with her, they acknowledged Brin in the same manner as he. Although he wasn’t royalty, Lakin was their leader and they treated him as a king. They arrived at the training room and Lakin noticed something was not right.
Vernia stepped out of the shadows at moved towards the two. “We have news, my lord,” she stated, bowing low.
The act unnerved Lakin. “What news?”
She looked up and her eyes quickly shifted from Lakin to Brin and back. He understood what she was meaning and quickly excused himself and Vernia from the room. Brin nodded and moved off.
“What has happened?” he asked, knowing what the news would be.
“It appears someone has killed one of the king’s servants. In addition, the king has formally announced he is preparing his defences and going to begin training men. He’s aware an attack is imminent.”
Lakin was stunned. This was a bold move for the king, and would work out perfectly. He now needed to twist things to his liking and then inform Brin of what is going on. This was just what he needed to turn her against her father.
“He must have good cause to be announcing he is preparing for war,” said Lakin, feigning surprise.
“Yes, but do you think this will affect our plans?”
“No, in fact this will help us greatly. With the king going to war, all eyes will be on the coming battle, not with the children. Everyone’s attention will be away from our doings. We will be able to steal the kingdom from under him.”
Vernia nodded, understanding how this would help Lakin, but
Inside, she was realizing just how far he was willing to go.
“Do you think that was wise?” asked Korben. They had started moving the townsfolk into the castle and he was worried the king's speech may reach the ears of Baron Lychen.
“What else could I have done? He and the duke started this; I was just letting the people know.”
“The men who killed Robyn were not found. You don't know they were sent with the baron’s knowledge.”
“It is most likely they were not, but it does not matter. He has joined with forces he does not understand, and it is going to be his downfall.”
Korben stared intently at the king. He had never heard him speak so vehemently, and it disturbed him. “I hope you have taken this course for your people, not because of Brin.”
“What if I am doing this because of her? What if she is the reason all this is happening, did you ever think of that!” yelled Jeremy.
Korben took a step back. “No, I didn't think of that. I do think this is going to become more than a simple battle to put a baron and a duke back in their place.”
The king flopped down into a chair and surveyed the library. “So many stories of epic battles, wars which saved worlds, but what will be written of mine.”
“I don't know, Jeremy,” said Korben softly, sitting next to him. “I never thought we would be involved in a political battle. I know we are all trained for the day we may be called to war, but we have been segregated from the rest of Melarandra for so long; I didn't think my services would ever be needed.”
“There are many things you did not expect to happen,” came Meechie’s voice from behind.
Both men turned to see the old priest shuffling towards them.
“What do you mean?” asked Korben, motioning for him to sit next to him.
“Well,” he said, sitting down. “It seems we have a problem.”
Jeremy and Korben exchanged glances, and then looked back at the priest. “It appears you aren't going to be able to maintain this facade anymore, Korben.”
Meechie looked into his eyes and saw he understood. “If the twins succeed, the spell which was cast on you will no longer be effective. I have researched it and everything I find points to this conclusion. Magic returning will be an over powering event. All illusions will cease to exist, and only truth will be seen. And it may be quite some time before it can be changed.”
Korben sat back in his chair and Jeremy gasped. “What will this do?” he asked.
Meechie looked hard at both men. “Duke Dubar would be able to claim you succeeded to the throne under false pretences, your highness. He could have you dethroned.”
After a few moments of silence, Korben spoke. “I wonder how close the twins are to their goal.”
“We cannot stop them. Their quest is for all of Melarandra. The failing of magic in our kingdom will eventually spread. We are just going to have to deal with this when it happens,” stated Jeremy.
“There is another option,” said Meechie. “I could remove the spell early.”
“How will that help?” asked Korben exasperated.
“The townsfolk love you both, they would understand. Maybe it will make it an easier transition and the baron’s claims may fall on deaf ears.”
“No,” snapped Jeremy. “I will not put Korben through that until we need to.”
“It is ultimately Korben’s decision.”
Both men looked to Korben. “I will have to think on this.”
“I understand, but remember we don’t know how much time we have.”
Meechie stood and left the room, leaving the pair with much to think about.
Korben excused himself from Jeremy's presence, and headed to his room. Remove the spell ear
ly, or wait until magic returns? This was something he never thought he would have to contemplate. He had become accustomed to being the head of the Royal Guard. He learned more from studying in the Temple of Allorethna than he would have in any royal position. Nevertheless, the old priest was right. The duke would most likely use this against Jeremy. Elizanne was a proven witch now, and although she was older, her claim on the throne was no longer valid.
It was then his course of action became apparent. “There is only one thing I can do,” he whispered to himself, sadly.