Chapter 144

Two guards ran for the dungeon for calling Maester whereas the rest of them stormed their way to the throne room. None of them gave a second thought regarding their clamors. Jehaule felt his heart racing as they reached the gigantic door.

Carrying war cries and drawn weapons, they broke inside the room. They had their targets on Bloudkast and Saer, who were in mid-point of the hall.

"Bring an end to this embarrassment." King Lacroix rose from his throne.

The soldiers somehow stopped their feet after taking few steps. Their swords were still far from their sheaths, yet. Even the king's order wasn’t going to make it put them back there.

King did not ask for it. Neither did the Prime Minister or Hand of the King seated on both sides of the gold throne. None of them uttered anything even when archers flocked in the room without anyone's command.

Maester Rudolph stood between the throne and Nortze, keeping holding a rusted key. Key to the Calajhan's house.

"Is he Bloudkast?" Nortze heard a whisper travel from end of the hall.

The old man's nose and lips resembled to what people were accustomed to know as Bloudkast. Transfiguration had worn off by a huge margin and Nortze did not care fixing it.

"Your daughter said he is a cut-throat." Rudolph pointed at none other than Saer.

Jehaule had his say, "I had been telling Hand of the King that he looks like a killer. But his prejudice…."

"Darius disappeared after this man's arrival and Uzmaen – whom we had sent to trace the assassin, got murdered." The minister said.

"And he cheated to learn sorcery from me." Rudolph added.

"With a betraying shape shifter and his bloodthirsty family." said King Lacroix.

"Pardon me, your highness." Nortze said, "I did not come here for a trial."

"You came here to assassinate our king." Prime Minister said, "You plotted to get him killed. You would have killed Prince Tudor too, after she would have born an heir to the kingdom. This was a ruse laid by your family to claim Winstrova."

"None of these accusations are true." Nortze snapped, "Where is family?"

"I have merely put them in a field they can't breach." Rudolph unfolded his arms, "But I can harm them on will. Possibly kill them too."

Rudolph closed his fist, increasing the intensity of screams.

"Release my family. I apologize on their behalf."

"It would be absurdity to liberate them after hearing what your daughter had spoken on your behalf."

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"What did she say?"

"My father will kill you all.'" Rudolph whispered.

"She is just a child."

"Looking at what she has done, I don’t think so."

"You assume we had come here to kill the king?"

"And to claim this kingdom for your bloodline."

"Careful Maester." Saer interrupted, "Reality is too far-fetched for people to grasp."

Nortze elbowed Saer on side of his body for everyone to see.

"Same thing to speak from a different tongue." Jehaule giggled, "Braden told me he used to act in plays. Seems like you two didn’t rehearse your lines well."

"Says a bull with his brain on his arse." Saer chuckled.

"Not funny." Jehaule stormed at his direction.

Looking at him, Saer could tell he was about to lose some of his teeth. He could see Jehaule tightening his fist from a distance.

Maester Rudolph raised his arm, stopping Jehaule who had already reached infront of Saer. Jehaule kept looking into Saer's eyes, slowly lowering his hammer like hand.

"Tell me your name." Rudolph's voice was calm.

"I can't." Nortze muttered, "I shouldn’t."

"I knew you wouldn’t." Rudolph said, "Close the doors and windows!"One by one the windows slammed shut. The door thumped on the wall in the end. Flames of torches on the wall shrunk, darkening the room.

Then the flames grew back again. This time they were green and much brighter. Along with the colour, it brought a fragrance of roses. Nortze could feel his muscles relaxing.

As the darkness reduced, Nortze saw the green light bounce off an object Rudolph held in his hands.

Vessel.

"Your daughter told me they came here for this." Rudolph said, "I mean how important this must be that they decided to retrieve it instead of rescuing Braden?"

"Wernh'An is here." Nortze's tongue slipped.

What did I say?

Nortze tightened his lips. I shouldn’t have said it.

King Lacroix squinted at Maester with horror. Maester gulped and said, "Your Majesty, Truth Fragrance will take a little time to work."

"Truth Fragrance?" Nortze bellowed.

Rudolph sniffed the air like he was waiting for something.

"Who are you?" asked Maester Rudolph.

Saer could see Nortze's lips shaking, trying to stop himself from spilling the truth. He was about to force Nortze's mouth shut but Jehaule's heavy punch knocked him down.

"WHO ARE YOU?" Rudolph screamed.

"Nortze Calajhan." Nortze's lips told the secret.