He did, bowing low and graciously before standing straight and waiting for my questions.
“Please tell the room what you witnessed, Amil.”
“As you know, my king, my land sits adjacent to Trig’s goat farm, just north of the city. First, I heard a bit of screaming, so I went outside to see what the cause of it was. I saw the smoke before the flames in the distance, and then witnessed the guards racing back down the road toward the city. I hopped on Gana, my horse, and rode as fast as I could to Trig’s, but I was too late. There were no more cries by the time I got there.”
The crowded room grew in volume as they heard the witness’ tale. I held my hand in the air for silence, but it did not come.
“What will you say for your guard’s actions?” someone called out from the middle of the room.
“Did you order it yourself?” another asked.
“Were they related to Muth? I heard you attacked him in the pits.”
I stood and slammed my staff into the floor. “Enough.” The room fell silent, but the stares were deadly. “You’ve heard the witness and now know as much as I do. I did not give an order to have anyone killed. I don’t know which guards were responsible. You will be respectful, or you will be taken from this room by force, understood?”
Silence.
I looked to my council. They whispered amongst each other but said nothing out loud. Perhaps I should have consulted them first.
“Can you describe the guards to the room, Amil?” I asked, taking my seat once more.
“N-no, Your Grace. I did not see faces, only the guard’s ensemble as they rode off.”
“So, we have no way of proving they were actually our guards and not imposters wearing stolen uniforms?” I asked.
“No, Your Grace.”
“Okay then. I have given testament that I have not ordered this tragic event. The witness has agreed that he cannot prove the soldiers were mine. Does anyone have anything to add?” I could see the disdain on their faces, but no one spoke. “You are all dismissed.”
All but my council rose from their seats and exited the room. No one left satisfied, but in that we were the same.
“King Tolero,” Madu stood.
“Yes?” I thrummed my hands along the arm of my jeweled throne.
“Is there anything more you can share with the council aside from the information given to the people? The death toll in your kingdom is rising. What will you do?”
I stood once more and strode with my tiger’s intensity. I knew what it looked like. I knew what they thought. But they were all wrong, and I would answer to no one.
“You’ve been given all the information to this point. Don’t think for one moment that I owe you or anyone else an explanation of my own innocence. You’re welcome to visit the northern kingdoms if you need a reminder of what life could be like here.”
Sabra stood with Madu. “I think what he means to ask is what will we do? Should we warn the people to use more caution until we can discover what is happening?”
“You may use your own discretion. If you feel concerned, use caution. Now go, all of you.”
I didn’t watch the shock on their faces as they left the room. For a long time, I leaned on my council. The tumultuous relationships between them were not helpful though.
“Inok,” I whispered, sitting back on my throne. “Please bring Muth in.”
As I waited, I closed my eyes and tried to send myself back to the dream with Efi.
Let loose the tiger, she had said. Didn’t she know? Didn’t they all know how dangerous that would be? If I did not control myself?
Muth entered the emptied hall and knelt before me, placing his nose to the ground without prompting. This morning, I would have yanked the pits away from him without thought. Now, I realized the fae, the ones questioning me and my intentions, needed to be reminded of my mercy.
“Rise,” I commanded. He slowly rose to his feet yet kept his chin tucked and his eyes to the floor. “You have one minute to convince me to let you keep your title as pit lord. One minute to explain why you should have a place in the Trials.” He was silent. “You’re losing time, Muth.”
“Your Grace,” he said, barely above a whisper. “I can only apologize for the sight you witnessed and beseech your forgiveness. I have taken my liberties too far, and I am regretful.”
