Chapters (46)
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Dedication
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-one
- Twenty-two
- Twenty-three
- Twenty-four
- Twenty-five
- Twenty-six
- Twenty-seven
- Twenty-eight
- Twenty-nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-one
- Thirty-two
- Thirty-three
- Thirty-four
- Thirty-five
- Thirty-six
- Thirty-seven
- Thirty-eight
- Thirty-nine
- Forty
- Epilogue
- Acknowledgments
- About the Author
She took a deep breath and stepped inside. The Red Shields trailed a step behind her. Kyra had never seen the Council Room before—there had been no need, since no records were kept there, and no important supplies. Facing the door were two semicircular rows of tables, the outer raised above the inner, where the twenty Council members sat. Councilman Willem presided in the center of the outer row. Kyra spotted Malikel in the inner row and once again wondered what the councilman thought of her, and what he made of the accusations James had leveled at her in the forest.
The Red Shields escorted her to a bench and motioned for her to sit. They stood behind her to watch the proceedings.
A herald cleared his throat. “We call Sir Tristam of Brancel to stand before the Council.”
Kyra jumped at the name and scanned the room, eager to catch a glimpse of him. He stood by a bench on the opposite side of the room, and he was also flanked by two soldiers. He didn’t look hurt, and he held his head high, though his lips were pressed in a grim line.
Councilman Willem cleared his throat. “Sir Tristam of Brancel,” said Councilman Willem. “You are guilty of disobeying the Council’s orders and attempting to rescue Kyra of Forge, causing the death of a Palace soldier in the process. Do you deny these charges?”
“No, Your Grace, I do not.”
“Because of your disobedience, you will be stripped of your knighthood for one year. You will serve as a Red Shield and perform all the duties required of your new station. At the end of the year, the Council will review your behavior and make a decision as to whether to reinstate your rank.”
The slightest of shudders passed through his body, but his voice was clear when he responded. “I accept the judgment of the Council.”
“You are dismissed. I call Kyra of Forge to stand before the Council.”
Kyra threw one last look at Tristam’s back as he was led out the door.
“Kyra of Forge,” said Willem. “You are guilty of high treason and murder. Do you deny these charges?”
Her crimes were common knowledge by now and denying them would have been useless. Still, it was hard to get the words out. “I do not deny these charges,” she said.
“The penalty for these crimes is death. Do you understand this?”
“I understand.”
The councilman paused and studied her face, as if he were trying to see if his words scared her. “Your crimes are grievous, but you’ve performed a great service to the city. By capturing the assassin James, you’ve removed a grave threat. The Demon Riders still attack the countryside, but without the Guild’s encouragement, they stay away from Forge.” The councilman glanced at the documents in front of him. “In light of your service, the Council hereby revokes your death sentence.”