Lucas’s eyes narrowed with suspicion as he realized that this situation felt all too familiar, that it felt too close to what had happened with Jason and the others non-Humans who had staged a rebellion against Kegan. He felt a smoldering rage ignite in his stomach, and bile rose up in the back of his throat. “You mean that someone organized these attacks?”

“Well . . .” The guard backed up half a step. Whether done consciously or not, it was clear that he realized he had said more than he should. “It’s not that . . . umm . . . Look, I’m not saying that someone organized an attack, but . . . Well, just after Kegan was married, his people rebelled even though he was the nicest noble in the entire land. He worked with us from the moment he took the ring, and he was doing everything that he could to make things run smoothly. So, why would the good and righteous races attack that particular human sc—” The guard choked off the last word, leaving it unspoken and shifting uncomfortably. “Why would anyone attack such a noble and not one of the other bastards that actually does bad things to his citizens?”

Lucas took a small step forward, pressing his advantage. “And that has to do with this gate being closed because . . .?”

The guard conspiratorially looked both ways and then in a low tone answered, “Well, it’s just speculation, but . . . Look, we all know that bastard was after the queen before she married the king two months ago, and he was after Sir Kegan’s woman before. So, when that damn attack hit last week, it was no surprise. We knew old fatty was—”

“Who is the bastard?” Lucas interrupted, although he had a sinking suspicion of who it was already. “What are you talking about?” Why would he be after an Alfar Queen? He’s in the Imperium. That’s just not how . . . Lucas’s thoughts were interrupted when the noise coming from behind the guard reached a crescendo. It had been steadily growing while they talked, and it was now so loud that it couldn’t be ignored any longer.

“I’ll tell you later,” the guard said, turning around.

“No,” Lucas said firmly, trying to stop the guard. “Tell me now. I need to know.” The information was actually irrelevant to his arc as a villain, but he wanted the facts all the same. He wanted to know who had done such a horrible thing to Kegan, who had been behind Isabel’s death. Even knowing that all of the characters were NPCs and that he was supposed to be playing the part of the villain, he still wanted to do right by them. It was a ridiculous juxtaposition of emotions, but he felt compelled to right the wrong that had been done to Isabel, someone who had been innocent.

“After!” the guard insisted, taking a few steps away. “I have a duty to fulfill!”