“What do you mean High King?”
Terrence smiled. “The deities must obey the High King. He is the true sovereign, chosen by His Eminence. The High King ensured that peace between the five known deities, Linos, Vasil, Sortiris, Emoris, and Lathil, and the people remained. Both Emoris and Lathil fear the rise of a second High King. Their rule will be stripped, and a more favorable order will return to Alimphis.”
If a High King was meant to keep order, those chests Faust found might have been messages from the first High King! “How do we find the High King?”
“That is a task left to His Eminence. No one else can choose him, but the deities and those they’ve blessed will know when they lay eyes on a High King,” Terrence said. “They will be drawn to him and cannot help but love the High King.”
Love the High King. The deities had consorts. It made little sense for them to share their love. Faust looked at the cracked slab. “Was . . . Linos friendly with the Commandant?”
“Why do you ask?”
“In the dream, there was another deity with red wings here,” Faust said.
“Do you have these dreams often?”
Faust shook his head. “They are fleeting, but they started not too long ago.”
“You should write them down,” Terrence said. He walked back to his horse, grabbed a small satchel, and passed it to Faust. “Those dreams may come in handy later.”
Faust took the bag but eyed the guild master. Terrence kept his back to the royal guard still. “You know something.”
“I know a great many things,” Terrence said with a wide smile. “Those chests you can open are special to you and only you. I have told you too much already. King Roland will be quite cross with me. Our knowledge of the past keeps us safe from Emoris and Lathil.”
Faust nodded. “I will not ask anymore.” He glanced at the saddlebags on his horse. If he had the chance, he wanted Terrence to look at the journals they found and perhaps the two he kept close.
“I can say one thing more. You need to be aware of it. Only one chest remains, according to my records,” Terrence added, “but it is said not to lay in any of the three kingdoms.”
“I will add it to my list of things to search for, but I think the guild would be better suited,” Faust said. “Would it be enough for me to request it as Lord Arcus?”
“And what will you offer us in return?”
Faust smiled. Terrence was keen on the ways of business. “In exchange, I will give the Guild of Masters as much business as the Guild of Artisans in Alios, even if they are under the guise of regular merchants.”
Terrence’s eyes flickered with mirth. “Deal. We will topple the corruption one step at a time as it was done here. We are still working on our last step.”
Faust shared his own smile. “As are we.”
The wards flashed, and the wind burst around the pair and up to a hillside. A familiar magic wrapped around Faust and tugged. Faust brought his gaze up to the hill, aware that the others passed the wards.
Konrad stood at the top of the hill, his chestnut gaze judging.
The King of Alios had arrived.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Faust searched his brother for injury, but right now, all he saw was the king. Konrad’s presence was intense and pronounced, that of a king even though he appeared far younger than a man in his forties. It was as if his brother hadn’t aged a day past his thirtieth birthday, but the knowledge behind that gaze spoke of much more. The only difference he could spot today was his aura. Konrad’s usual bright lilac aura had dimmed.
Rene knelt to the king and shot Faust a look.
Faust gasped and knelt by Rene. He hadn’t expected Konrad for another few weeks. He must have been close by when they spoke last.
Konrad turned on his heel and disappeared into the trees. The sound of horses galloping drifted through the air as Konrad rode into the clearing with Daren. “Rise, Rene, Lord Arcus,” Konrad said and slid off his horse. He gazed at Faust, eyes narrowed.
Faust tilted his head in question.
Konrad leaned close. “Your aura changed. What happened?”
Faust blinked and stared.
“It is sky blue.”
Faust shook his head. His aura had always been a dark purple. He didn’t know auras could change.
Konrad stood, looking over Faust’s head. “We will discuss it later.”
“Yes, sir,” Faust whispered and stepped back, tracking Konrad’s gaze. “This is Lord Clare, Your Majesty,” he said, motioning to Terrence.
Konrad gave a charming smile and offered his hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Clare. I am pleased you accepted Lord Arcus as your patron.”
Faust bit back a grin.
“Lord Clare has not been permitted to meet with you, King of Alios,” a royal guard spat.
Terrence shot the guard a cold stare and turned back to Konrad. “It is an honor,” Terrence said with a respectful nod, grasping Konrad’s hand. “I’m afraid I cannot enter any talks here, though.”
“I will use the proper channels to do such things,” Konrad said. “I am here to pick up my court merchant and historian before they get into any more trouble.”
Terrence’s lips perked. “They’ve had quite the journey.”
“If that is all, we will be on our way, Lord Clare,” a royal guard called. “We have strict orders not to stop nor return without you.”
Terrence sighed.
Faust shared a glance with the guild master. “I will keep in contact.”
“As will I.” Terrence smiled wider. He waltzed over to his horse, escorted by two Verdine Knights, and swung up into the saddle. Terrence kicked his steed into motion and disappeared into the forest and out of sight.
Konrad’s gaze drifted to Ignas.
Ignas held his ground.
“We will not need you on our journey home,” Konrad said. “But I am willing to invite you to be a part of our plan.”
Faust shared a glance with Daren, but the captain only shrugged.
“If the price is right,” Ignas said.
“Then you are not needed.” Konrad looked from Ignas to Zara and back again. “I expect you to fight hard to protect him when the time comes. It would be best if you head back to your kingdom and lead, Ignas Walder.”
Ignas didn’t respond.
Faust raised an eyebrow in question and tried to catch Ignas’s gaze, but Ignas continued to glare at Konrad in challenge.
“If you insist, then I want a moment with Lord Arcus,” Ignas countered.
A slow smile crossed Konrad’s face.
Faust felt the air shift. His brother wasn’t pleased, but Konrad seemed to like the challenge Ignas had proposed to his orders.
Rene and Daren flanked the king, their light purple auras flaring up, but Konrad waved his hand to stop them. “You have ten minutes, a second more and I will not hesitate to kill you. There are orders concerning anyone from the Kingdom of Windilum. Consider this a motion of good faith.”
Anger boiled under Faust’s skin. He would not let anyone kill Ignas.
Konrad motioned Rene to follow him, and Daren was quick to fall in step beside him. He walked a distance away to give Faust some privacy, but not far enough away so that he couldn’t come to Faust’s aid if needed, like the worrywart he was.