Reign of Madness (Revised Edition) (34 page)

“Careful, Brandt, you are close to revealing the intelligent
and studious man you truly are,” Rezkin remarked. Palis was looking at Brandt
as though seeing a stranger. “You believe that such would not be the case with
the so-called
true king
?” Rezkin continued.

Brandt ignored his friend’s questioning look and replied
with confidence, “It depends on the identity of the man, of course, but the
dukes cannot dismiss King Bordran’s right to name his heir as easily as Caydean
did. Besides, none of the dukes want to give up power to any of the others.
They may be willing to back an unknown before conceding to one of their
adversaries.”

Rezkin recognized the truth of Brandt’s words, but he did
not think it would be so easy. Only Prince Thresson could depend on full
support of the Council upon his brother’s death. The Council would be split no
matter who attempted to seize the throne, otherwise.

The warrior sighed and said, “The so-called
true king’s
claim is not as clear as you might hope. Bordran never specifically stated the
man was to be his heir.”

“I thought you said King Bordran named the man his heir,”
Palis questioned with a hint of anger.

“That is Kai’s interpretation, and it is a valid one. It is
one he holds to dearly because it gives him hope and allows him to retain his
honor in choosing not to serve Caydean,” Rezkin stated.

“Please explain,” Palis demanded. His disappointment was
almost palpable.

Rezkin frowned and stared at the floor as he thought about
how to explain something so complex without giving himself away, particularly
when he did not completely agree with the conclusion. “You are all aware of the
authority granted a Sword Bearer, yes?”

Everyone nodded as Palis stated, “Every Sword Bearer is
granted some kind of irrevocable authority as specified in his Certificate of
Authority for the Sheyalin blade.”

Rezkin grunted and said, “It is only considered irrevocable
because it can only be revoked by the blademaster’s death. Each blade is
enchanted, as the journeyman can explain in greater detail. It is bonded to the
Sword Bearer and to the king. The king can use his bond with the blade to keep
track of the Sword Bearer, particularly in case he needs to
revoke
the
authority, if you understand my meaning.”

“Interesting,” Waylen said. “I did not know that.” There
were nods of agreement around the room.

Rezkin continued carefully, “Bordran bequeathed a
Certificate of Authority unto this man. There are three key components that led
to Kai’s assertion that this man is the rightful heir. First, in the
certificate, the man’s name bears no title, family name, surname or place of
origin of any sort, which is legally binding. It is the same manner in which
the royal family, and only the royal family, is identified.

“Second, it is simply stated that the bearer receives all
the rightful authority of a Sheyalin Sword Bearer, with no limitations
specified. Essentially, he has unlimited power within and in regard to the
Kingdom of Ashai. He has the
Right of Rule
. It is a power to rival the
king,” Rezkin stated and continued thoughtfully, “– perhaps even greater
than the king, since the king is supposed to be, at least in part, answerable
to the Council.

“Third, Bordran, himself, released the king’s blade bond,
freeing the bearer from the king’s oversight. The bearer is completely
autonomous with equal power and authority to the king. Since all of this took
place
before
Bordran’s death, obviously, it is tantamount to a
declaration of rightful succession identifying the man in question as the heir
apparent.”

“If what you say is true, I would have to agree,” Palis
remarked. “It is not that I doubt you, Rezkin, but how can we be sure the
certificate is genuine?”

“I have seen it and certified the certificate as true and
has not been tampered with,” Wesson remarked. “By Oath of Power, I say it is
so.”

“You have met him, too?” Waylen asked in surprise.

“I have,” Wesson said cautiously.

“You and Kai were both in Fendendril. Does that mean he was
there as well? Is that where you met?” Waylen inquired excitedly.

“Yes, on both accounts,” Wesson carefully answered.

“Do you serve him as well?” Waylen asked.

“Ah, well,” he stuttered glancing at his employer, “I have sworn
no allegiance, but I suppose I serve his cause, at the moment, as I am now
employed by Rezkin. I am still undecided to what extent. Truth be told, I did
not realize exactly what I was getting into when I agreed.” He nervously met
the warrior’s gaze.

Rezkin nodded acceptance and said, “I apologize, Journeyman
Wesson. Neither did I expect such revelations at the time when I made the offer
of employment. If you have changed your mind, I will release you from your
contract, and you many keep your pay.”

Wesson’s eyes widened in surprise, and he said, “You paid me
for two months. I have not even served a week! I would serve my contract as
agreed, if you do not mind.”

Rezkin smiled pleasantly and said, “Of course, Journeyman. I
appreciate your service and work ethic.”

Frisha spoke up saying, “My father mentioned on a few
occasions that trade was struggling, but I had little interest at the time and
did not ask about how much or why. I know it was one of the reasons he made the
arrangement with Uncle Marcum. Rez, I support your decision. If you say this
man is to be trusted, then I believe you, but I was shocked when you said you
do not serve King Caydean. I think that is something you should probably
mention to your intended bride.”

The warrior bowed slightly in the lady’s direction and said,
“You are correct, Frisha. It is one of the reasons I did not push the matter
with the general. I told you I had secrets and that I believed you unable to
make an informed decision at the time.”

“So General Marcum knows of the man?” Brandt asked in
surprise. “And, he
still
accepted you as our escort? If the general
knows, then surely the king must as well, unless the general serves the
true
king
, now.”

Rezkin frowned and said, “No, the general is loyal to the
crown, and as far as I know, he considers that to be Caydean. Marcum knows of
the man and his authority, but he was not aware of the release of the blade
bond, and I do not believe he thought through to the implication that the man
is the rightful king. He merely recognizes the man as a Sword Bearer with
unlimited authority.”

Frisha’s eyes widened with understanding. “That is why Uncle
Marcum deferred to you! You were speaking on the man’s behalf, and you showed
him some proof of the man’s authority, didn’t you? He thought you were using me
to gain his support for your master. Is that the source of the problems between
the two of you?”

The warrior furrowed his brow and said, “Your uncle was
uncomfortable with me from the first, even before he received any proof of
authority. As a lifelong military man, he recognized me as a potential threat,
and he does not like you being involved in something so dangerous. However, his
acceptance of my proposal could be viewed as support for my cause should my
lack of allegiance to Caydean be made public.”

“You said the general is loyal to the crown, and the army is
loyal to the general,” Brandt observed. “If he could be convinced the crown
rests on the wrong head, he could draw the entire Army of Ashai to our cause.”

Rezkin raised a brow and looked pointedly at Brandt. “
Our
cause?”

Brandt shrugged as he leaned the chair back against the
wall. “Despite what everyone thinks, I am not an idiot. If your master’s cause
is to root out an evil despot and put things to rights, then we are of one cause.”
Brandt looked around at the surprised faces. Brandt’s words were treason, but
so was merely entertaining this conversation. “I do not concern myself that any
of you will speak out against me. The mage, here, can swear under Oath of Power
that you were all complicit in these proceedings. If one of use hangs, we all
do.”

Palis scowled at Brandt and said, “No one was thinking of
turning you in, Brandt,” although he eyed Reaylin wearily.

“Don’t look at me,
Lord
Palis,” the young woman said.
“I serve the
true king
. Lord Brandt’s words are no treason to my ears.”

Frisha turned to Reaylin in surprise and said, “Since when
do
you
serve the true king? You have met him?”

Reaylin shrugged but said, “No, but if I do, I will swear
fealty to him.” Her face lit with a smile as she said, “Until then, I will
serve him through Rez.”

Frisha frowned, not liking the way Reaylin talked of serving
through
her
man. Turning questioning eyes on her boyfriend, Frisha
asked, “Do I need to swear fealty to him, Rez?”

Rezkin shook his head. “He does not ask for anyone’s
fealty.”

“Frisha said you spoke to General Marcum with the true
king’s authority. Are you his
Voice
then? Do you speak for him?” Brandt
inquired.

“Yes,” Rezkin replied thoughtfully. “I speak for the man
known as the
true king
.” It was difficult having this conversation
without revealing too much. Rezkin did not wish to outright lie to his friends.
Once the truth came out, which it surely would, they would be angry and lose
respect for him if they decided he had lied.

“Then you could accept vows of fealty on his behalf,” the
young lord replied with a gleam in his eye.

Reaylin’s eyes darted excitedly to the warrior as she said,
“Is that true? You can do that?”

Rezkin sighed and said, “Yes, I have that authority. But, I
would not advise
anyone
to swear fealty to someone he or she does not
know. You do not even know the man’s name. He could be a tyrant or a slave
trader from MonCay for all you know.”

Reaylin laughed and said, “Oh, Rezkin, I can’t imagine you
serving such a man. Besides, if he’s truly King Bordran’s chosen heir, then, as
citizens of Ashai, we already owe him our fealty. Swearing it is just a
formality. Bordran wouldn’t have chosen someone
less
worthy than his own
son.”

“The woman has a point,” Brandt observed, eyeing Rezkin
speculatively. “I have never heard of a king or a king’s Voice so intent on
not
garnering support. Does the
true king
intend to shirk his duties to King
Bordran and Ashai and allow Caydean free reign?”

Rezkin’s crystal gaze took in the young man leaning
nonchalantly back in the chair. Brandt’s gleeful smirk and the twinkle in his
eye declared a challenge had been issued.

“Lord Brandt,” Rezkin said formally, “his duty is served
only so long as it is to the benefit of Ashai. The scales must be weighed. Will
Caydean’s actions cause more damage than all out war or is war inevitable?
Because
war
is what it will be to take the throne. There are many who
would not support the so-called true king’s claim, either for Caydean’s benefit
or for their own, or simply because they would not have new blood upon the
throne.”

Reaylin, who had been sitting idly gathering her courage,
abruptly bounced to her feet and said, “Okay, what do I do?”

“What?” Brandt asked when he realized the young woman was speaking
to him.

“What do I do? To swear fealty?” Reaylin asked glancing back
and forth between the two lords.

Rezkin stared at the young woman as though peering into her
soul. The others were unmoving and silent as they regarded her with a mixture
of fascination, excitement, and fear. It was the fear of partaking in an action
that one knows could lead to one’s death. It was an uncontrolled race over an
icy plain on a raging horse. It was the ascension of a vertical cliff over a
rocky shore battered by unrelenting waves. It was a duel to the death where not
even the winner was sure to survive. The audience was riveted.

“Reaylin,” Rezkin said firmly, “this is not the kind of
decision one makes on impulse.”

The tiny woman huffed and crossed her arms beneath her ample
breasts. “I dare say I have thought this over more thoroughly than any of
you
.
I’ve served the rebellion for several years.” She lifted her chin high and
said, “Now my cause not only has right on its side but legitimacy. I can’t be
accused of treason since I serve the
true
king.”

Rezkin cocked his head curiously as he considered the young
woman once again. Reaylin had been a virtual blank in his repertoire of
intelligence. She carried little with her, and he had no knowledge of any
friends or relatives. He had been too busy manipulating events, gathering
information, and creating a criminal empire to follow her to wherever she
stayed in Kaibain.

“
You
are a rebel?” Palis nearly shouted.

Reaylin sniffed, “My comrades and I have always known of
Caydean’s tyranny. Some of us were affected long before the rest of you even
considered the problem. My father was one of the first to join the resistance
about five years ago. We had no problem with King Bordran, but certain events
drove people to refuse Caydean as his successor. Of course, everyone knew it
would come someday, and some started to prepare. No one thought the old king
would die so soon, though.” She turned questioning eyes on Rezkin and said,
“Will you accept my oath on the king’s behalf?”

Rezkin met the girl’s eyes and said, “I will.” Not only was
Reaylin’s admission a death sentence if anyone turned her in, she would be
brutally interrogated to find out more about the rebels. The only way to
protect the young woman, now, was to accept her fealty. Of course, if anyone
went to the authorities, everyone present would all be tortured and put to
death. Rezkin mentally cringed at the thought of having
another
vassal.

The young woman nodded firmly and said, “What do I do?”