But he was not.

He had terror in his heart.

And he didn’t understand it.

“Yes,” he lied.

Mars studied him long moments before he glanced at True and wisely decided not to pursue it.

“Your conversation with the Airenzian witch?” Mars prompted when he looked back to Cass.

“The aristocracy of Airen sense change. They do not like it. Fern’s underground of women and witches who have spent years spiriting the most afflicted females out of Airen is now at the ready to do all we need them to do, from spying to fighting. We’re beginning with spying.”

“And the alliance strengthens,” Mars murmured.

“Indeed,” Cass confirmed.

“I’ve had a message from Lorenz,” Mars shared.

“Yes?” Cassius asked.

“He reports the Go’Doan temple in Fire City is nearly deserted.”

Cassius felt his spine snap straight.

“As you suspected, they were behind the attack,” he deduced.

Mars shook his head. “We cannot know. An interview with one of the few Go’Doan priests that remain made mention that this Rising that was shouted about at the pits, the priests in the Dome City believe has to do with the quakes and the return of the Beast. Why they would recruit Firenz citizens to assail my palace, he did not know. We suspect he does not know about the prophecy, which could be an explanation. Or, perhaps, not.”

“And as this priest remained, it can be assumed he’s not one of what appears more and more to be conspirators,” Cassius remarked.

Mars nodded, but said, “Though, only assumed. Lorenz reports this man is in the dark as to why so many priests have fled. And Lorenz feels this ignorance is genuine. Before we leave, I will have a word Seph, Jell and Liam, who travel with the royal procession. It will be an antagonistic word, though I do not suspect Jell or Liam. But I never liked Seph. And if he knows something, I will sense it.”

“And this priest Lorenz has in his home?” Cassius queried.

“He is healing. He is settling. But he is not talking,” Mars told him. “However, the Go’Doan in Fire City pursued his whereabouts with some fervor. It was only when Guard himself visited the temple to share that he slipped away from the infirmary in the middle of the night and it could only be assumed with his other injuries that he was beset upon by someone, for possible gambling debts, or a jealous husband, thus, he has likely escaped for his own safety, did they cease demanding to know where he was.”

“But Lorenz still thinks he knows something?” True entered the conversation, sharing that Mars had not fully briefed True before Cassius arrived.