The memories came flooding back.
The guards.
Alixia injured.
Ikan fighting alone.
Then…
The guard.
The silver knife.
The blade imbued with a spell.
The blood.
Throat cut.
The pain.
The scar.
The illusion spell.
Rage exploded in Eiden's mind.
The room shook violently.
The guests jumped.
Bryan, surprised:
— "Eiden… what's happening?" »
Without answering...
Eiden suddenly grabbed Ikan by the collar, pulled his jacket lightly... and lowered his collar.
A thin silver scar appeared.
Total silence.
Alixia widened her eyes.
— "Ikan… you… you had that…? »
Lord Severian blanched.
Lior trembled.
Naëlle turned pale.
Eiden, in a calm but terrifying voice:
— "What is this…
THIS? »
Lior stammered:
— "It…it was a slight accident…"
Eiden slowly turned towards him.
— "A…
light…
accident…? »
His voice became sharp.
— "This attack could have KILLED my son.
And you call that an accident? »
Bryan burst into cold laughter.
— "Lord Severian…
you disappoint me greatly. »
He took a step forward.
— "Your son attacked the future vampire queen.
And attempted to assassinate the future ruler of the hunters.
Do you know what the penalty is for this? »
A dangerous smile.
— "Death. »
Severian, Lior and Naëlle almost fell to their knees.
- " Pity !
Grace !
We beg you! »
Bryan looked at them for a long time.
Then sighed.
- " Alright.
In consideration of your past services…
I leave you life. »
Severian breathed a sigh of relief.
— "However…
you are excluded from the council. »
— "…"
— "And it takes effect immediately. »
— "My… my lord…"
— "What?
Do you prefer execution? "
- " No ! No !
Thank you… thank you very much…"
Bryan turned away.
Eiden, Ikan and Alixia did the same.
Walking away...
Ikan (telepathy):
So dear friend...
what does your revenge taste like?
Alixia:
Exquisite.
They disappeared into the crowd.
Behind them...
Lord Severian exploded.
— "LIOR!!! »
Lior jumped.
— "YOU JUST MADE ME LOSE EVERYTHING!!!
MY TITLE!
MY POWER!
MY POSITION ON THE BOARD! »
— "But father I…"
— "SILENCE!"
BECAUSE OF YOU I AM POLITICALLY RUINED!
DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY YEARS I TAKEN TO GET THERE?! »
Naëlle tried:
— "Lord Severian calm down…"
— "YOU TOO SHUT UP!"
You are officially the STUPIDEST kids IN THE KINGDOM! »
Lior dared to whisper:
— "At least… we're alive…"
Severian stared at him.
— "YOU SHOULD THANK HEAVEN THESE PEOPLE HAD HUMOR!!!
OTHERWISE YOU WOULD ALREADY BE A Stain ON THE FLOOR!!! »
Lior groaned.
— "I… I just wanted to impress…"
— "IMPRESS WHO?!"
THE EXECUTIONERS?! »
And in the room...
The heirs laughed quietly.