FOREVER KNIGHTS: #12 Primal Intent
Betrayed

Lockwood advised Riaura that Alazareth was relaying messages to the Rebel leader. He explained there was a go between that wore clothes of a noble.

“He’s the one killing my people.” She said decisively. “Who is he?”

“I-I don’t know.” Lockwood shuddered.

“I knew it was him!” Riaura threw a crystal decanter against the gireplace in her chamber. Shrieking in rage. “Damn him!”

“Charles was correct!” She was pacing. “It’s so clear now.”

“What, Mum?”

“It was always Alazareth responsible for torturing my people!”

“Your knight?” Lockwood looked taken aback.

“Don’t look so shocked.” She snapped. “I’m not.” She huffed. Pacing faster. “I’ve known for awhile now that he was to blame for inciting the people against me. Rallying them to demonstratable acts against Nightway.”

“Be careful, Mum.” Lockwood cautioned. Unnerved by her rage. “I’ve watched him for several days and he’s well respected amidst your NightGuard. Very well.”

“He wants Nightway.” She was thinking aloud. “All his talk about wanting me to be a good queen…”

She shrieked again. The fury of a woman scorned. “Every night this fortnight has led to one of my people dying. And of course, he’d not tell me anything!”

She made frustrated fists. “I’d thought we told each other everything!”

“Mum?” Lockwood asked in confusion.

“He’s right! I have been blind! To the fact that he’s clearly to blame for all of it!” Her mouth tightened.

“The penalty for treachery is death, My Queen. You have that right.”

She stopped and her head lifted. She drew a deep breath.

“You must make an example of him.” Lockwood advised.

“Tomorrow. I will get a confession from him.”

“If he confesses then leniency would be a way to show your people, you’re capable of kindness. And you’d keep from making him a martyr.” Lockwood shook his head. “But he’s strong. I doubt you’ll illicit a confession from him.”

Jessica came in worriedly as soon as Riaura had ordered Lockwood off. “I heard crystal breaking. Are you okay?”

“He’s betrayed me!”

“Your Alazareth?” She queried softly. Brown eyes doe like.

“He’s not mine. He was never mine.” Riaura said coldly.

“What has he done? Can it not be made right?”

“Not this. He’s feeding Rebel leaders information. And helping the Lord torturing my people.”

“Are you crushed?” Jessica asked softly. Walking to stare up at Riaura who was tall for a woman.

“I’m heartbroken.” Riaura slumped weakly into her vanity chair. Dropping her face into her hands as she sobbed heavily. “How could he do this?”

“Charles had said he was evil.” Jessica shook her head. “I didn’t believe it either.”

“Charles was right this whole time.” Riaura sniffled.

“But he took care of you all those years.”

“He was my only friend.”

“Nothing is worse then losing a friend who knows all the torments of your soul.” Jessica said sympathetically. Wrapping Riaura in a tight hug.

“Now I have to put him to death to save Nightway. Why would he make me do that?”

“Who can tell the motives of a man?” Jessica said sadly.

After a hearty cry, Riaura stood. Swiping tears away as she dismissed her sentiment. “I am a queen first. And a woman the least.”

“You’ve said that many times, but he is your weakness.” Jessica said sympathetically.

“Not now.” Riaura’s expression hardened. “I’ve known along while I couldn’t be close with a secretive creature such as he. Now I know he’s a threat to everything.” She steadied herself. “Now, he’s my enemy.”

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