Cries of, “The rebel army!” echoed around the room. The royals and their courtiers assumed the rebels were as bad as the Shadows.
Part of me wanted to denounce the rebels at once. If I took the council’s opinion, then the conversation about the rebel army could be short. I could exaggerate the parts of the story where they’d imprisoned me and paint the Tenovian and Soravalian armies as though they’d saved me from great harm. Except integrity would never let me get away with that.
I had to be honest with them while maintaining Taelon’s secret identity. “They saved my life,” I swore to the council. “And I watched them save a village from fires that would have killed a hundred Tenovians. Fires set by the Ring of Shadows. I witnessed as they rescued a merchant family. Despite what you think about the Rebel Army, they are doing good things in the realm. Often, they step in when the royal army has been commanded to do nothing. They fight for the kingdom when no one else will.”
Vorestra’s king, Akio Bayani, laughed. “Are you standing up for the Rebel Army?”
“I’m merely suggesting that they are not as bad as the Ring of Shadows and that my time with them was not compromised by any misdeeds. In fact, they took me as far west as they could before the Soravalian army intervened.”
Tyrn’s head snapped toward Hugo. “The Soravalian army knew you were on the road? With the Crown?”
“No,” I countered. “They came upon me quite accidentally.”
“Then who were they looking for?” Tyrn demanded.
“Me.” The voice broke through the chatter in the room and hit me straight in my back. Directly in my spine.
Taelon Treskinat, Crown Prince of Soravale.
Arrick Westnovian, the Rebel King.
My eyes were only on Taelon as he pushed past guards and members of court. Dressed in all black, with his familiar cape clasped around his neck, he looked more like the rebel commander than royalty.
He ran a hand through his wild hair, but it did nothing to tame the locks. My gaze fell to his mud-covered boots.
Where had he been? Had he only just arrived?
“Well, Hugo, your witness has finally arrived after holding up court for nearly three days.” Tyrn’s accusations only stoked my curiosity. I tore my eyes away from Taelon to witness the council’s reaction.
“Forgive us, Your Majesty,” Taelon interjected. He swept into a low bow. “We would have been here a day earlier had we not been detained at the wall by your guards. For some reason they were under the impression that I was not to be allowed back through.”
Tyrn’s face turned a mottled red. “And yet here you are. They must have come to their senses eventually.”
Taelon’s smile flashed with promise. “I’m afraid they are too easily swayed by gold. For the right amount I dare say they would let anyone pass through the gates.”
Tyrn slammed his hand down on the armrest of his throne. “My guards are not the ones on trial, Taelon Treskinat. Does your presence have a point?”
Taelon’s gaze flickered to mine. “It most certainly does.”
A lone butterfly glided through my chest.
“Then out with it, prince,” my uncle demanded. “Conandra has dragged on long enough.”
“Agreed,” Taelon said. He stepped to the side and two other men joined him. Two men that I recognized instantly—Gunter Creshnika and Eret, one of the commanders from the Rebel Army.
What was he doing? If Taelon exposed himself as the rebel commander, Tyrn would have him hanged for anarchy and crimes against the crown.
“My associates,” Taelon went on. “This is Eret Grimsayer, commander of the Rebel Army.” The assembled crowd exploded with outrage. Taelon spoke louder, “And Gunter Creshnika, leader of the Cavolia.”
The voices grew louder. People shouted at Taelon’s guests, calling them all manner of wicked names. Even the monarchs rose from their seats, equally afraid and furious.
“Silence!” Tyrn bellowed. He did not wait for obedience before he said, “You’d better have a good reason for bringing these mercenaries into my palace, Soravalian prince, or I shall charge you all with crimes of sedition.”
When it was quiet enough to be heard, Taelon explained, “Members of the council, you asked Tessana Allisand how she managed to survive from Heprin to Elysia. What you have failed to ask is why a person traveling alone across three peaceful kingdoms is not expected to live.”
The sovereigns voiced their disagreement, but Taelon held up a hand and continued. “You’re right. That is a discussion for another time. The truth is, Tessana would have been in peril whether our highways were safe or not, simply because of her bloodline and because of the crown she carried with her. By providence of the Light, I happened to be in the Blood Woods at the same time she wandered through.
"Without the Seat of Power’s knowledge, I have been working with the Cavolia for over a year now. Soravale believes that the Cavolia will be an invaluable asset and ally should the Ring of Shadows continue to grow. And the Cavolia have been working with the rebels in an attempt to clear the Tellekane Forest of the Ring’s presence. It was a meeting between the Cavolia and rebels that Tessana stumbled upon. I recognized her immediately. As it was already stated, she was my betrothed as a child and I helped her escape the castle on the day her family was murdered. Knowing that she wasn’t dead, I have spent the better part of eight years looking for her. Additionally, she was wearing a pendant I gave her as a child. I convinced the Rebel Army and the Cavolia to protect her until we reached Soravale. Which they did.”
Tyrn’s gaze narrowed. “If I am to believe you at your word, then you’re telling the council, you,
