see the four council members standing side-by-side with a noose around each of their necks. Kaden motioned Lorcan to stand ready near the stage, and Lorcan patted the sword underneath his cloak to assure Kaden they wouldn’t be killed without a fight.
Kaden moved through the crowd, pushing through people as much as he could. When he finally reached the door of the castle, he was met by a group of guards. He recognized the captain of the Royal Guard instantly.
“Robin,” Kaden said, giving him a slight nod.
“The king was wondering if you would come,” he answered, looking troubled. “To tell you the truth, I was hoping you would.”
“You don’t agree with Julian on this either?”
“I’m not allowed to comment on how I feel about the king’s decisions,” Robin said. “But if I were not captain of the Royal Guard I would tell you that I think it’s absolute madness what the king is doing today. I’ve never seen someone so determined to remain angry. He doesn’t listen to any of his advisors. He just keeps saying that he wants his enemies dead and that he can’t trust any of them.”
“How much time do I have?” Kaden asked.
“Only a few minutes,” Robin answered. “Come. I’ll take you to him.”
They rushed up the stairs and through a couple of hallways until they reached a large room. It was almost empty except for one chair. In it sat Julian staring through the open doorway that led to the balcony where he would view the execution. Kaden gave Robin a slight nod, and stepped forward into the room, thankful that he had not missed the opportunity to save the Dunarians. Kaden had trained Julian. They had their share of arguments in the past, but nothing as serious as this. Julian would listen to him. He had to listen to him.
Without turning, Julian called out to Kaden.
“I suppose you are here to ask me to spare their lives,” Julian said.
“No,” Kaden answered quickly. “I’m here to ask you to reconsider your hastiness. At least let the courts decide.”
“The courts would only find the same proof I have found,” he told Kaden. “Memory orbs have been used as evidence to put men to death on many occasions.” He held the orb in his hands, still staring out the doorway. “I have seen it.” He stood, finally looking in Kaden’s direction. He pointed out toward the execution area. “I’ve seen each of those people in a meeting discussing how they would destroy us!”
“The memory orb is false,” Kaden said.
“It can’t be false, Kaden. You want it to be. I want it to be. But you and I both know that it is impossible.”
“Not if the owner was possessed by the Stühocs!” Kaden shouted.
Julian looked at him with dark eyes. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that Ward Holden was possessed. Whatever memories you saw were illusions created but the Stühocs. He truly remembered meeting with those four out there, but he was deceived somehow.”
“How could the Stühocs do that?”
“I don’t know,” Kaden said, frustrated. “All I know is that you should investigate more before killing them!”
“No!” Julian yelled. “Our enemies have deceived us long enough! This is just another one of their games. They want you to stop me! They want us to be confused and unable to trust each other. No longer! This is the time to show them that we are not their puppets, and that we are going to stand together against them!” Julian moved to step around Kaden.
“Don’t go onto that balcony,” Kaden warned.
“You’ve been a good friend and teacher, Kaden. Don’t stand in my way.” Julian walked to the balcony, ready to give the order.
“Julian, stop!” Kaden yelled, drawing his sword.
Julian froze in place at the sound of the ringing metal. “You’d pull a sword on me?”
“To protect the innocent, yes.”
“Guards!” Julian yelled. In an instant, Robin and two more guards appeared in the room. Kaden turned on his heels, pointing his sword at the guards, ready for a fight.
“I will kill you,” Kaden said as he faced Robin.
“You would kill innocents to save a bunch of traitors?” Julian asked.
“You are a fool, Julian. An absolute fool.”
Julian shook his head, angrily. “Arrest him.”
The guards moved in as Kaden began to swing his sword in an attempt to ward them off. Julian stepped out onto the balcony to command the execution of the four council members, and ignored the sounds of struggle behind him. Kaden was torn between defending himself and trying to stop