“Ah, Gaea did tell you the secret, then. I don’t know why I trusted her to keep it.”
“It didn’t come easily from her, if that’s what you’re worried about. I don’t think she will tell anyone else.”
“I told them no because I’ve known for a long time King Autus was not going to be happy conquering only the other half of the north. He believes himself to be a greater ruler. His mother’s ties through Coro’s lands drive him. I was here, you know. During the Iron Wars. I know that gleam in his eye. If I had left him for Coro, he would have only killed us both once he moves south.”
“Did you want to leave?”
“Yes.” His brow furrowed, and I guessed he would have preferred to lie about that.
“I’m going to tell you something now, but I need your word that you will not repeat it.”
“I’m not sure that’s a bargain worth taking.” Oravan fidgeted with his hands.
I shifted in my seat and leaned in. “I won’t force you to accept, but if you’re interested, there is another option outside of the court’s rule.”
He looked at me for a long time until his gaze shifted as he studied the flames of the forge’s fire. “What’s in the drink, Temir?”
I stared at him. Only Gaea and I knew of the truth serum. If I told him, I wasn’t sure I could hold him to his word. Still, the rebellion was testing me, and I needed to prove myself. I’d joined to make a difference, and that’s what I was going to do.
“It’s a truth serum, Oravan. Now that you’ve consumed it, you will either be stuck telling the truth until, one day, it eventually wears off, or I can give you the antidote right now.” I patted my other pocket as his eyes lifted.
“Alright. A secret for a secret. You know I only stayed out of fear, and I know you have the ability to make a very dangerous weapon.”
I glanced around the room noting the blades covering the walls. “You can also make a very dangerous weapon, Oravan.”
“Yes, I can. There’s one in particular you might want to know about.” He looked at me expectantly.
“I won’t give you the other information until you verbally speak the bargain out loud. You must promise that this will stay between you and me, no matter what.”
“Okay, I promise I won’t speak a word of anything we have discussed on this day as long as you make the same bargain to me.”
I paused, realizing he had me. It was a game we were playing. He had something else to share, and so did I, but could I promise not to speak of it? A promise under the truth serum wasn’t even binding, though I didn’t tell him that.
I nodded. “It’s a deal. You first.”
“The king asked me to duplicate a weapon. It is a blade forged in magic replicating one I’d only heard passed down in stories. Terrible stories.”
“So he wants a new sword?” I didn’t see the issue.
“It’s not just any sword, Temir. Once I’ve finished this, it will be kin to the most powerful sword ever created. I think he has a plan for it, I just haven’t been able to determine what it is.
“Can you give him a fake?”
He shook his head. “I don’t think so. The amount of power this thing needs will nearly drain me. Evin knows it. The king will have him test it, as he always does. If I don’t put enough magic into it, he will know.”
“Shit.” I’d forgotten about the king’s personal magic detector.
“Your turn,” he said, eyeing me.
“Right. Well, I’m not sure how to say this other than bluntly. The rebellion wants you to leave the king and go into hiding with them. They need your skills, and I’ve been sent to personally ask you to join us.”
“Wait.” He stood. “Holy fuck, Temir.” He ran his hands through the hair at the top of his head. Eyes wide, he looked away and back to me. “Are you telling me there’s an organized rebellion against the king?”
“I am,” I said, nodding.
“And they want me to join?”
“They do.”
