They made a quiet clatter as they skittered toward his boot.

Carrington’s head was lolling on his shoulders to such an extent, he did not notice this.

“Do you know what they do to traitors in the necropolis of Firenze?” he asked.

Carrington’s swelling eyelids fluttered.

But his split, bloody lips said, “Long live The Rising.”

He said this with a lisp.

True was far from amused or even gratified by the sound.

Sensing this, Mars got close.

Cassius did too.

But Aramus stayed where he was and simply said, “My friend.”

True drew in another deep breath.

“You’ll be moved to the Down,” he shared with his prisoner.

“Long live The Rising,” Carrington replied.

True crossed his arms on his chest.

“I see,” he whispered.

Carrington’s head twitched at this in surprise.

True moved closer to him.

Carrington winced as his body braced.

Cassius and Mars stayed close.

But True only crouched beside the odious man.

“My mother told me you urged my father to tax the Go’Doan. With this show of loyalty to them, was that subterfuge?”

“There are many followers of Go’Doan in Wodell, Your Grace.”

“And a tax against their religion would not be well regarded.”

Carrington said nothing.

But if it could be credited, he smirked.

In other words, another plan to create dissension and reduce the popularity of the monarch.

True did not resort to his earlier method to wipe that smirk off his face.

“I’m claiming regent,” he said softly.

Carrington’s mangled face managed to show some shock before he blanked it.

“It doesn’t matter,” he replied.

“You did not wish that, but I see it doesn’t alarm you,” True remarked. “What will alarm you is that I will claim regent for only a very short time. That time being as long as it takes for the papers to be drawn up and my father to sign his abdication.”

Carrington jolted in his chair.

He hadn’t expected that.

True felt no pleasure at his surprise.

None at all.

“These papers will be ready on the morn. They’ll also be signed on the morn. And then I will have all clear rights, claims and powers over this land,” True told him.

“That doesn’t matter either,” Carrington returned.

“You are so sure?” True asked.

“I am very sure, Your Grace,” Carrington replied, a definite smirk now lifting his bloodied lips.

“Well then,” True said on a sigh as he straightened from his crouch, “we shall see. But on the matter of you, there have been a number of changes.”

Carrington lifted his chin. “I do not fear the Down.”

“You won’t be there long,” True shared. “And I imagine you suspect that. Thus, I can understand why you would not fear it. However, with all clear rights, claims and powers over this land, I can make any number of decisions. Indeed, all of them. Including the one I make in the now. You are found guilty of high treason against the Kingdom of Wodell.”

“I’ll have my tribunal,” Carrington stated calmly.