The Wicked House of Caroline

Beks could feel the scathing glare from her mother focus on Luther as he appeared, escorting the oracle into the Gilded Palace’s dining hall for dinner. Beks raised her hand to rub her forehead, wondering why the Fourth Prince had such a lack of tact that it was almost as if he were doing it on purpose.

If it were another man, she’d think so, but having known the Fourth Prince as long as she did, he doubted he’d do it on purpose.

Lady Eleanor swore under her breath and Beks could see her fist curl at her side as she introduced everyone. Before Luther or anyone else could greet each other, Laurence spoke up.

“Luther.” Laurence’s voice was laced with disapproval as his placid blue eyes settled on his youngest brother. “I almost didn’t expect you to join us tonight.” For him to be so direct in pointing it out meant that he was angry despite not showing it on his face.

“Forgive him, Your Majesty.” The Third Consort, who had entered just before Luther and the new oracle, bowed his head, aggrieved. “As the host of the Oracle, Luther was indisposed.”

“Yes, after all, what could be more important than accompanying the new oracle,” Lady Eleanor said with a sharp, condescending smile. “Certainly not greeting his future-in-laws who’ve traveled for weeks to come here.”

The pleasant smiles on both Luther and the new oracle’s faces dropped. Luther pulled his arm away from the Oracle Elpidah and took a step to the side, his expression almost panicked as he looked towards the tall, stately couple looking back at him with piercing glares. Their cold looks were nothing compared to Deo’s scowl.

He stepped forward and loomed over Luther’s shorter figure.

“I should’ve known better than to expect much from you,” Deo spat out, not bothering to hide the disdain in his voice. “But even this is an unexpected low.”

“Brother.” Beks grasped his sleeve and pulled him back. “We discussed this.”

“A discussion can’t erase the disgust felt when you see something so pathetic.” Deo turned his head away from Luther, and Beks watched her fiancé drop his head and shift uncomfortably in his spot. The Third Consort was not in a position to defend his son further.

Beks inhaled deeply once more and looked to Laurence for help. He hadn’t intervened for his youngest brother, nor did he seem to want to. The King stood there, watching Luther berated as if expecting it.

Laurence grasped Lady Eleanor’s hand and pulled her closer, rubbing the top of her forearm to quell her anger on Beks’ behalf.

“Now that everyone is here, let’s take our seats,” he said, motioning one hand to the long formal dining table in the center of the room.

As attendants stepped forward to pull out chairs, Luther took quick steps to Beks and gently pulled her aside.

“I’m sorry,” he said in a low voice as his eyes were downcast. “I lost track of time and forgot that your family was arriving.”

“Brother Laurence sent someone to notify you of their arrival, but was told you couldn’t be bothered,” Beks replied, her voice quiet but distant. Luther gritted his teeth and squeezed her hand.

“I would’ve come if I’d known. I’ll punish the servant who ignored the messenger.”

“It’s all right. My family is here now.”

“Then, I’ll visit them. Where are they staying?” Luther said, perking up. “The Hall of Serenity? The Hall of Felicity?

“The Old Tower.”

“The Old....” Luther drew his head back and looked at her with surprise. “Why are they staying there?”

“Whenever my father or brother visits, they always stay at the Old Tower with me. I have special permission from the late Queen and now Brother Laurence to allow them to reside at the Old Tower while they are here.”

“You can have guests?” Luther looked stunned and almost dropped his jaw. “If that’s the case, why didn’t you invite Oracle Elpidah to stay there?”

Her eyes narrowed at once. “The Old Tower isn’t a guest manor. It is my private residence allocated by the late Queen and Brother Laurence. You know that. The oracle is not my personal guest, but my family is.”

He didn’t seem to want to accept it. “But you could’ve extended your hospitality, Beks. You’re so good at it.”

“My family had been scheduled to come for some time and all the accommodations in the Old Tower have been set aside from them.” Beks kept her straight posture and met his eyes. “The Old Tower’s facilities are not as new or luxurious as those of the Hall of Eloquence. It’s narrow, dark, and cramped. My family wouldn’t mind this for my sake, but for a guest like the oracle, is such a residence fitting?”

This seemed to remind Luther about the importance of his guest. He stood up straight and nodded, as if enlightened. “You’re right.” Beks gave him a small nod and prepared to turn around to take her seat. “We should do renovations to improve the facilities of the Old Tower.”

The corner of her eye twitched as her back faced him. She tilted her head to the side, barely glancing at him. “We don’t have the budget.”

She moved forward and went to take the seat that was waiting for her.

Laurence sat at the head of the table. The Duke sat on his right side, followed by the Duchess and then their children, including Beks, according to birth order.

On Laurence’s left were Lady Eleanor, Luther, the Third Consort, and Oracle Elpidah.

Laurence dominated the conversation with the Duke, asking about the situation in Sagittate, the territories on the north, and how their journey went.

“It went smoothly. This time of year is the easiest to travel in,” the Duke said with a smile. “We’re in luck and will be able to attend the Inundation Blessing.”

“About that,” the Third Consort spoke up. Beks’ eyes darted to him across the table. He’d been suspiciously quiet most of the meal. “I don’t think you should go. Oracle Elpidah’s prophecy shows too big of a risk.”

“Prophecy?” the Duchess lifted her head and looked around. “What Prophecy?”

“Your Grace, I had a vision a few days ago,” Oracle Elpidah said, sitting up straight in her chair. Her voice was calm and knowing, even though it was clear that Beks’ family did not like her. “I foresaw His Majesty falling into water and drowning. The details are uncertain, but I am worried that he will be in danger near bodies of water.”

“He has yet to be crowned. It’s too dangerous for him to do the blessing right beside the river,” the Third Consort said with a frown. He looked towards his son. “Luther should go. He can recite the blessing on the royal family’s behalf.”

Beks’ expression didn’t change, but she couldn’t help but wonder what the Third Consort was plotting. The Inundation Blessing presented the royal family, especially the ruling monarch, to the people, making them familiar. If someone else presided over the blessing, wouldn’t that imply that someone else was king?

In the past, the only time another family member recited the blessing was because the ruling monarch was too ill to do so. It was their heir who would do it.

Luther was technically the heir, but Laurence wasn’t deathly ill.

“If it were another time, that would be an option. However, bringing up the point of having yet to be crowned, it is important that I appear in front of the people as a show of royal power and stability,” Laurence replied, as if stating a fact. “I must do the blessing myself.”

The Third Consort continued to frown. “It is too dangerous. Didn’t you hear what the Oracle said? It’s dangerous for you to be around a body of water. The river is the strongest body of water in the area. Aren’t you taking too big a risk?”

“I would like to ask Her Eminence, the Oracle, if it is possible to avoid the danger or at least mitigate it, now that we know the threat,” the Duchess said from across the table. Her dark eyes fixed on the younger woman expectantly.

The Oracle furrowed her brows and lowered her gaze. “It is possible. Certainly, I’ve heard of people avoiding such instances because they knew of it before it happened. There are stories of people who didn’t join a caravan after it was prophesied that they’d fall victim to a storm, and thus survived and avoided a large financial loss.”

“There you have it. There is a chance that such a disaster can be avoided,” Laurence said with confidence. Beks wasn’t sure if he was as confident as he appeared as her intuition was still unsettled despite the oracle’s words. “We’ve also prepared additional safety precautions, right, Beks?”

All eyes turned to her and she lifted her head. She gave them a nod, but didn’t hold the same enthusiasm. “The blessing itself will take place on the promenade on the shore, and there are railings to keep someone from accidentally falling into the water.”

“Is that enough?” the Third Consort asked with a sharp glare. “Are you willing to allow your foster brother to do something so dangerous?”

“If you’re that concerned, then why don’t my wife and I attend as an additional layer of protection to His Majesty?” the Duke said as he cut through a piece of meat. “The Duchess is from the West Islands. She’s an excellent swimmer and has experience saving people from the water.”

Laurence’s eyes lit up and he looked at the Duchess with appreciation. “Would you be able to remain nearby in case of such an accident, Your Grace?”

The older woman gave him a regal nod. “Of course, Your Majesty.”

“Mom....” Beks looked towards her mother with uncertainty. Her mother was from the West Islands and she knew that her mother grew up by the water, but it had been years since she had. The Duchess had spent over the last quarter century on land, in Sagittate.

Her mother looked towards her and gave her a warm, reassuring smile. She reached across, by-passing Deo to touch her daughter’s hand. “Don’t worry, my dear. I am more skilled with water than most think.”

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She put her hands on the wooden railing that had been erected another head and a half taller than where the stone wall had stopped. While the stretch of the riverwalk where the blessing ceremony would take place had a stone wall that reached her hips and functioned as a barrier between the edge of the paved riverwalk and the river itself, Beks felt that one could easily tumble over if they leaned too far forward.

She had an additional length of wooden railing added to ensure that such an accident wouldn’t happen and from the little movement the wooden railing made when she pushed against it, it was secure.

“Confident?” Deo asked beside her. He’d come to the blessing site early with her. It was her first time being so far from the capital city since she arrived, but she hadn’t been as excited as when she got to leave the palace grounds for the first time by herself.

Her mind had been preoccupied with the concern over Laurence’s safety.

The kingdom had lost its last stable monarch. It couldn’t afford to lose its next one.

Her eyes scanned the area prepared. The podium was in place with additional railing behind it. A barrier was set up to keep the crowds at bay so they couldn’t rush forward and cause an accident.

There were large fire pits to illuminate the area, hanging lanterns, and river boats nearby with guards, more lanterns, and equipment for scooping people out of the water. Beks had hired two water biha users from Nexus, as well, and they were acting as attendants holding up banners on either side of the podium.

The artifacts for the ceremony were also checked, and Beks placed them on the table herself: the herbal concoction, incense, and blessed water in a glass carafe that would be poured into the river. For that, Laurence would have to walk to the very edge and lean over to pour out the water.

Beks took a deep breath. “This is as secure as it will get without attaching Brother Laurence to a safety tether.”

The corner of Deo’s lips curled up as he grinned. “Don’t worry. Mom is here. She won’t let anything happen to him.”

He put his arm around Beks’ shoulder and gave her a reassuring squeeze. She nodded and looked back at the ceremonial area.

“I suddenly wish I had water biha,” she said in a tight voice.

“Beks, not everyone is lucky enough to be born with a biha well or spirit core. Even in Sagittate, it is not guaranteed that one would be born with such a gift,” Deo told her as he stroked her hair back.

He likely knew how frustrated she felt about it. Beks let out a small, bitter laugh. “Do Mom and Dad have biha wells?”

“Yes.”

“Does Thad?”

“Yes, but it’s a shallow well.”

“What about Wrath?”

“No.” Deo replied at once, but seeing her raise a brow in question, he let out a reluctant breath. His voice went quiet as he admitted. “She has a spirit core.”

“Even rarer.”

“Beks-”

“I just feel I’d be able to do more if I had a biha well or a spirit core,” Beks said as she pulled away from her brother and walked along the site. Soon, people from the surrounding villages and the city would arrive to watch the ceremony and take part in the night festival that followed.

“You’re already so smart. You can recite anything you read. Some would argue that’s even better,” Deo told her as he followed.

“How is going to recite Infrastructure Volume Two: Waterways, going to help if Brother Laurence falls into the river?” Beks asked as she looked over her shoulder and gave him a dull expression.

Deo grimaced. “All right, perhaps it isn’t as useful in this situation, but it has its place.”

“Isn’t it rare in itself for a child with parents who both have a biha well to lack one of their own?” The chances were greatly increased if both parents had a biha well or a spirit core. This multiplied the chances of such in Sagittate, as well. Beks shrugged her shoulders, momentarily shedding the royal posture tutors had drilled into her. “I’m out of place.”

“No, you’re not.”

Beks stopped walking. She turned around to face Deo with helplessness on her face. “Brother, I am. I have tried very hard to maintain my roots from Sagittate. I tried to decorate the Old Tower to resemble the environment. I kept up with the language. I even ask for Sagittate dishes for some meals, but I’ve been away for so long. I feel as if I’ve lost the culture I was born into.”

Her brother’s face softened. “Beks, you only had three years of it before you were taken away. You tried your best to maintain what you remember and that’s admirable considering the circumstances and the environment you’re in now.”

She lowered her eyes. “Wrath asked me this morning why I talk strange.”

Deo cocked his head to one side. “What do you mean?”

“Why don’t I sound like you when I talk?” Beks elaborated. “When I speak in Jasper, I do so with a Kadmium accent. When I speak in Sagittater, it’s also with a Kadmium accent. A heavy one. It doesn’t sound like the rest of the family.” When Wrath had pointed that out and even expressed doubt that Beks was her sister, Beks felt more estranged from her family than ever.

“Jasper has been your primary language since you arrived,” Deo said. He transitioned from Jasper to Sagittater and drew his head back, as if realizing that he’d been speaking to his sister in a language that wasn’t their mother tongue the entire time.

That wasn’t something done naturally between close relatives.

Beks noticed at once. She’d been answering him in Sagittater, but up until now, he’d replied in Jasper.

She knew that the rest of her life would be spent in Kadmium, so she would have little chance to return to her family’s duchy, but that didn’t mean she wanted to lose her heritage. She didn’t want to be so different from her family.

“When Brother Laurence is crowned and I am married, I will ask to take the Fourth Prince to Sagittate,” Beks said. “Even if it is for a short while.”

“Laurence is much more lenient than the late Queen,” Deo told her. “He will allow you to visit often once your position in the royal family is settled.” Beks nodded, but didn’t expect her brother to mention another point. “If the Fourth Prince treats you badly and his lover diminishes your strength, you are not required to stay with him. There are other options.”

“I see Brother Laurence as much of a brother as I see you,” Beks said with some disgust. “And he says he will not marry a Wife of Convenience.”

“I didn’t mean to marry Laurence....” Deo trailed off and looked confused. “Isn’t Eleanor his Wife of Convenience?”

“No, she’s the Wife of Choice,” Beks replied with some pride. “It was convenient that the late Queen betrothed them, but they want to marry each other. They are very much in love.” She would think that they’d be more cautious expressing their affection after she’d caught them, and been traumatized, so many times.

“I see....” Deo rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t talking about Laurence, though. He has two other brothers. Besides, I can see you more with a soldier like Lazarus than I see you with that irresponsible Fourth Prince. If Lucian hadn’t already drunk the Water of the Covenant, then I’d prefer you with him. He was always the most calm and respectful of the two.”

“We’re just hoping they’ll return at this point,” Beks said. She didn’t care about marriage; she just wanted them to be alive.

Deo patted her head to reassure her. “You worry too much,” he said. “I am sure they are fine.”

She wasn’t sure if he was talking about the Second and Third Prince or Laurence or even herself, but she prayed that he was right.

She checked the railings once more, paying particular attention to the area behind the podium where Laurence would lean over to pour the blessed water into the river.

By the time the sun began to set, the crowds had gathered and the carriage train of guards and royals had arrived. With them was the head Priest of Kadmium, who would read the welcome prayers, and the new oracle with her entourage.

Beks stood to the side of the podium, already wearing a suitable gown with a decorated fur-trimmed cloak and orange ribbons on her shoulders. She stood beside her brother as royal guards lined the walkway, keeping the spectators in place as the procession to the podium began.

The scent of incense filled the air and every few steps, a hand drum was beaten. The priest stood on the podium first, followed by Laurence standing behind him in fitting regalia and a thick, gold circlet crown.

Luther stood to one side of the podium with his father while the new oracle had a reserved seat to the side along with Lady Eleanor. Beks’ younger siblings also sat there while her father stood beside him. On her side of the podium, her mother was closest to where Laurence was standing.

The head priest began the prayers and the crowds were silent. Their heads were bent. After every passage, the drum would be beaten three times.

After the prayer, Laurence stepped forward.

With practiced movements, he placed the individual herbs into a stone bowl then lit the incense and waved it over the herbs.

He spoke about the water blessing the fertile fields of Kadmus and how the gods should take pity on their people by blessing them with water. He offered the herbs, a symbol of what was grown in the valley’s field’s, to the sky, then put the herbs in the water.

He took a thin gold stick and stirred the herbs into the water before moving the incense around the carafe. After putting the incense down, he gingerly picked up the glass container and lifted it to the sky once more.

Beks kept a careful eye on him as he turned around. His ceremonial robe trailed behind him, but an attendant made sure to move it aside so he would not trip. He walked towards the edge of the podium, which went up against the railing. The glass carafe was still held up to the sky. Beks held her breath and almost balanced on the balls of her feet.

“We humbly bless the rivers of Kadmus. We humbly pray to the gods to accept this mortal offering.” Laurence bent his knee slightly and the crowds behind them mirrored the act, bending down and staying on their bent knees as Laurence stood up and poured the herb-infused water into the river.

As soon as the last drop had been emptied, the drums began to beat and the priest shouted a closing prayer.

Cheering and whistling came from all around them as Beks clapped her hands, but kept her eyes on Laurence. He handed the carafe to an attendant and turned to face the crowd. He smiled, lifted an arm, and waved at his people.

“It’s done.” She heard Deo whisper from her right. Beks continued to clap.

Laurence only needed to do the blessing. After a few minutes of greeting the crowds, then he could get back into his carriage and return to the palace.

No matter how smoothly the blessing went, no matter how dry Laurence was, until he was back, Beks didn’t think she could quell the anxiousness tightening in her stomach. She lowered her arms, watching Laurence thank the priest as the crowds yelled all around them.

“The night is still young,” Beks said. She couldn’t bring herself to relax just yet. “Continue to watch him carefully.”

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As per her admittedly slightly overbearing instructions, Laurence completed his duties without approaching the river. Beks was on guard the entire time, watching him as he and Lady Eleanor thanked the priest and then began a slow procession back to the carriage, stopping every step or two in order to greet those who had attended and listen to some of their worries.

Royal guards flanked them and along with them, her parents followed behind. Once Laurence was in the carriage, she let out a sigh of relief. She turned around and began instructing the remaining staff to gather the ceremonial items and put them away.

Past the podium, Deo was talking to their younger siblings. He’d mentioned taking them around the festival row before they left, so they’d leave a bit later.

However, Beks’ eyes landed on the couple just a few paces away from them.

Luther’s face was bright and smiling. He laughed, his eyes crescents as a woman hung on his arm and leaned towards him. He lifted a hand and placed it over hers as he leaned towards her and said something, making her laugh.

He motioned towards the festival along the riverwalk and the oracle tugged his arm, appearing eager to go and experience it.

Then, Luther turned his head and met Beks’ dulled, gray eyes.

His bright smile dropped at once and he seemed to freeze in place, like a child caught being naughty and unsure what to do.

It took him another moment to pull his arm out of the oracle’s before he stepped aside. He seemed to excuse himself, giving the oracle a small, apologetic bow of his head before making his way towards Beks. As he approached, he put on an embarrassed smile.

“Your hard work was worth it. You did a wonderful job, Beks. Everything went smoothly.”

She stood in place and took a deep breath. That was the first sentence he’d spoken to her since the day before, when he came to have lunch with her and her family only to leave immediately after the meal. She supposed he tried, though her parents and Deo hadn’t been impressed.

“Thank you, Your Highness. After I check that the artifacts have been stored, I will return to the palace.”

His brows shot up and he drew his head back. “Already?” He looked past her and then around at the bustling riverwalk. There were stalls set up, people selling all sorts of trinkets, hawkers peddling different food, and even a few street games. It was still very early in the evening and the place was lively. “Aren’t you going to experience the festival? The night is still young and there is much to see and do.”

During previous Inundation Blessings, she was not allowed to come. She’d never tried street food or played fair games. She’d never experienced the excitement of any sort of festival. She would be lying if she said she wasn’t curious.

But all the stress of the last few days, from preparing the site, security, and the fear that Laurence could accidentally fall into the river and drown had caught up with her.

The corners of her lips pulled into a wry, tired smile. “In order to prepare for the ceremony, I had little sleep and had been awake since dawn. I left the palace just after breakfast. Since I’ve arrived, I’ve been standing and checking the venue, speaking to attendants, guards, and ceremony organizers. I’m afraid I’m too tired to attend the festival.”

“Sister!” A voice cut in and she looked down to see her younger brother wedge himself between them and lift up his hand, offering her some sugar-coated fried dough squares on a stick. “Brother says you haven’t eaten all day. I saw these and bought some for you. Have some!”

He pushed the fried dough squares up further and her face softened. She’d been so preoccupied, she didn’t realize she hadn’t eaten, let alone that she was hungry. Beks raised her arm and took the thin stick from her brother’s hand.

“Thank you, Thad. I don’t need to eat much. Do you want to share?”

“No!” Thad beamed and looked back to where Deo was standing with Wrath, and holding two more sticks. “I bought enough for everyone.”

“How thoughtful of you, Thad. Thank you. I will eat this. You go and play with Brother and Wrath.”

“If you are tired, Sister, go back and rest. There will be other festivals,” Thad told her with some reassurance. She stroked his hair back with her free hand and smiled, thanking him once more before he ran back to their siblings.

Beks watched them walk away with a slight smile on her face. As they disappeared into the crowd, her sincere smile faded and was replaced with a placid one that didn’t reach her eyes. She looked towards Luther. “Are you going to stay out the rest of the night?”

His hands were knotted at his sides and he shifted in place. He looked over his shoulder several times, back towards where the oracle was waiting with two attendants standing just a few steps away. As soon as his eyes met the oracle’s, a smile bloomed.

Luther turned back to Beks, the joy on his face clear. “I was going to escort Oracle Elpidah as her host.” He paused and his smile grew earnest. “But, if you want me to go back with you, I will.”

“I want you to go back with me.” Beks didn’t hesitate and the smile on his face froze. There was a blankness in his eyes that made it clear that he didn’t expect her to agree. In the past, if he offered to do something for her that wasn’t related to royal duty, she would reject him.

“No, it’s all right. You have too much to do.” or “Perhaps next time. I’m afraid I have some work that needs to be done.” Other times, she would simply tell him it wasn’t necessary and to enjoy his time, while she smiled and was left behind.

As soon as Luther gathered his bearings, his mouth flopped open and he stammered. “You...go back?” He’d fallen into her trap that he himself had set up and Beks almost wanted to laugh at his flabbergasted expression.

“Yes. Brother Laurence allocated me a carriage. We’ll have guards escorting us.” She watched him, still smiling, but with cold eyes. He’s going to make an excuse to get out of it.

“How can I go back now? Beks, can’t you stay a bit longer?” He stepped back and motioned an arm towards the oracle. “I promised to guide her through the festival as it’s her first time at the Inundation Blessing.”

There it is. Beks’ smile had a subtle change. From empty and cold to mocking. She knew he didn’t mean it when he said he’d go back with her if she wanted. “Your Highness,” she replied with undisguised derision. “It is my first time at the Inundation Blessing, too.”

The reminder seemed to strike him, but instead of feeling guilty for forgetting, his face lit up. “Then come with us!”

Is this man serious? She just told him she was exhausted.

She hadn’t spoken aloud, but Luther seemed to remember and he drew his head back and grimaced. “But, you’re tired, aren’t you? You’ve spent days planning and haven’t eaten yet....” His eyes drifted to the fried dough on a stick she held in one hand. He furrowed his brows and thought for a moment. She knew he’d come up with some sort of idea when he perked up. He met her eyes and gave her another excited smile. “Why don’t you rest in your carriage for a bit and when you’re up to it, join us at the festival?”

The corner of her eye almost twitched. Rest in the carriage? And then after, she’d have to search through the festival, which was 1,765 strides long? Even if she sent guards to look for them, she’d still have to chase to catch up.

And then what would happen when she did? Her gray eyes drifted over his shoulder and glanced at the oracle. She wasn’t naive enough to believe that she wouldn’t be an unwanted party with the two of them.

Her eyes darkened as she looked back at Luther.

“Why did you ask what I wanted to do if you are going to ignore my answer?”

A wounded expression filled his face and she wanted to ask why he looked hurt when he’d ignored her until they made eye contact and flaunted his affair, despite their agreement to keep such relationships private. Did he take her seriously at all?

Before Luther could speak, the Third Consort’s familiar voice reached them. Both she and Luther turned towards the oracle and found that the Third Consort had come to stand beside her. The Third Consort hadn’t yelled, but his loud voice was enough to get their attention.

When Beks met his eyes, the man’s face filled with haughtiness. His lips curled up into a smirk and he looked at her, gloating.

“What are you doing, Luther? Oracle Elpidah is waiting. She’s spent half the day traveling; you should take her around before she tires out.” Even though the Third Consort was speaking to his son, his eyes were on Beks.

Luther looked back at her. “I’m sorry, Beks. I can’t go back with you. Father wants me to escort the oracle. I don’t have a choice.” He reached for her hand to try to give her his usual apologetic squeeze, but she leaned back ever so slightly and avoided his hand. Luther’s shoulders dropped as his eyes lowered. “Beks-”

“Unfortunately, since your brothers are gone, I don’t have a choice, either.” She turned away from him and walked towards the two attendants packing the ceremonial objects into a chest. “Make sure that goes on to my carriage. I will have it returned to the royal vaults in the morning.”

She ignored Luther’s stunned face. From the corner of her eye, she saw him turn around, his body a bit hunched, as if he’d been beaten. He continued to walk towards the oracle and Beks held back a sneer.