didn't you?'
'I don't understand. Tell me what's happened!'
'Prince Aalun has told the king that he has your support to be named heir, and that your legions stand ready to swear loyalty to him and him alone.'
'He's done what?' Ullsaard's bellow echoed from the corridor walls as he grabbed the front of Noran's tunic and hauled the herald to the tips of his toes. The herald wrested himself free and straightened out his clothes with an indignant look.
'Prince Aalun says that your legions are loyal to him and support his claim to be made heir over Kalmud.'
Ullsaard turned away and stalked down the length of the corridor. The serving staff scurried from his path like mice bolting from a cat, disappearing through archways and ducking into doorways hidden by wall hangings. The clatter of the general's bodyguard followed him up the hall as he thrust open the door at the far end.
In the hall beyond he was confronted by more legionnaires, more than a company of them. Three senior Brothers regarded him through the eye slits of their faceless masks. They stood between the general and the doors leading towards the throne room. No words were spoken, but their intent was clear. Ullsaard cut to his right, quickening his pace even more, and headed towards the royal apartments, his men and Noran jogging after him.
'Where are you going?' Noran asked breathlessly.
'To find Aalun!' Ullsaard snarled.
IV
The prince's apartment was in tumult. The door was opened wide.
'Wait here,' Ullsaard told his bodyguard before he marched in, Noran tagging along behind. Every chamber and hall and corridor bustled with servants filling chests and sacks with Aalun's possessions. Ullsaard grabbed one of the men.
'Where is your master?' he demanded. The servant waved uncertainly towards the rear rooms. Ullsaard let go of him and continued down the main passageway, glancing through arches and doorways for a sign of Aalun. He found the prince in the windowed rotunda facing the gardens. Aalun stood with one foot up on a bench, staring out of a window.
'What have you said?' barked Ullsaard as he strode into the room. Aalun turned sharply, surprised.
'You made it!' he said with obvious delight. 'I knew you would come.'
Ullsaard stopped just a pace from the prince, fists clenched. Aalun held his ground. The two stared at each other.
'I am still a Prince of the Blood,' Aalun said quietly.
Ullsaard met his gaze for a while longer before stepping back, averting his eyes. Aalun sat down with a long sigh.
'Those cretinous governors have turned on me,' he said. 'Despite promises and bargains, they've sided with my father and called for my exile for disputing the succession. Even Murian! I don't know what my father has offered them for their support, but they've all fallen into line.'
'And why is it that I find my path barred by Brothers and legionnaires?' said Ullsaard.
'My father does not want to grant you an audience,' replied the prince. 'If you cannot make your petition in person, you cannot claim your personal campaign. Now that you have your legions here, things might be a bit different.'
'I don't see how,' said Ullsaard. 'The king has obviously decided to call our bluff. There's not a lot we can do now.'
'Don't be so defeatist, Ullsaard. This is just a setback. We'll be able to turn the governors around. It will just take some time, that is all.'
'But you are leaving now?' asked Noran.
Aalun looked past Ullsaard, seeing the herald for the first time.
'I am exiled,' the prince said quietly. 'Banned not only from the city but from all lands within the Wall. I've wrangled and argued just to remain here long enough for Ullsaard to arrive. If I stay any longer I will invite even more trouble. No, it will be best to leave for the time being and let things cool down. We will regroup in Nalanor and consider our options.'
'And what is to happen to me?' said Ullsaard.
'Well, my father's edict does not name you, but it does extend to all so-called conspirators and agents of mine. I think the implication is clear.'
'Exile? I'll lose my command. I'll lose everything!'
'That will not happen,' Aalun assured, grabbing Ullsaard by both shoulders. 'If we stick together, we can still make this happen.'
Ullsaard tried to understand this turnaround in events. Less than an hour ago he had been steeling himself to make his claim to lead a campaign into Salphoria. Now he was on the brink of ruin. The king would take everything he had: his generalship, his legions, his lands, his…
'My family!' He pulled away from Aalun and headed for the door.
'They are safe!' Aalun called after him. The general swung back to face the prince.
'How do you know?'
'I feared my father would use them against you, so I had your wives moved to one of the houses I own in the city. We can take them with us when we leave.'
'Where? Which house? What about my sons?'
'Ullnaar is protected by the sanctuary of the colleges,' Aalun said. 'Jutaar is still in the guard of Allon, far away. As for Urikh, nobody knows where he is. Somewhere in Enair, it seems. There is nothing to worry about.'
Noran spoke from the doorway.
'There is no reason to believe the king would harm them. Can I speak with you for a moment, Ullsaard?'
There was something in the tone of his friend's voice, urgent and insistent. With a glance toward Aalun, who nodded his assent, Ullsaard followed Noran out of the apartment into the corridor. Luamid and Rondin had positioned the bodyguard at either end of the passage, where several harassed officials were demanding to be let past. The First Captains saw Ullsaard leaving the apartment and started towards him, but he held up a hand to stop them.
'This is not your fault,' Noran said. The herald was quiet but firm. 'The king's dispute is with Aalun. Why would you ever think you could change the succession?'
'I didn't come here to change the succession!' hissed Ullsaard. 'I just want to state my right to lead my legions on a campaign of my choosing.'
'You want to do what? What madness is this?'
'It's not madness, it is my right. Aalun explained it to me. I came to Askh to petition the king to accept my right to command a campaign against Salphoria.'
'Oh.' Noran seemed disappointed that his friend had not been a conspirator in the quiet but bitter power struggle between Aalun and his father. 'Oh! Aalun has played you for a fool. The king thinks you are here to enforce his claim to the succession. You should send Lutaar your promise that you have no intention of doing that. Though there may be some repercussions, there is no reason to be caught up any more than you already are.'
'I can't abandon Aalun,' Ullsaard said. 'A fine way to repay the favour he has shown me, to let him be thrown out in this way.'
'Don't get involved in something this big,' warned Noran. 'You were right before, it is not in your nature.'
'Perhaps I need to make it part of my nature. It seems to me that service and loyalty are not enough to earn a man the rewards and recognition he deserves. Sometimes he has to demand them.'
'Don't do anything hasty. Take Aalun and your family out of the city. I'll have a nose around to see what I can find out and I will come to you tomorrow. Promise me you won't do anything rash.'
'Promise you? Why didn't you send me a warning of how Aalun was using my name? Why did you wait until I
