The next morning came too quickly.
Aldrich stood outside the Royal Court chamber. His body was healed, but he was tired. So tired. Not just from the fight. From everything.
Inside his mind, Solomon was quiet. For once, he wasn't making jokes or being dramatic. He knew what was coming.
The doors opened.
Two guards stood on either side. They wore silver armor and held long spears. They didn't speak. They just gestured for him to enter.
Aldrich took a breath and walked inside.
The Royal Court chamber was massive. The ceiling was high, supported by stone pillars carved with the faces of past kings. Sunlight came through tall windows, making the room bright .
In the center of the room was a half circle of elevated seats. Seven old men sat there. These were the Elders. The ones who made the laws. The ones who judged.
They all looked old. White hair. Deep wrinkles. Eyes that had seen too much. They wore dark robes with gold trim. Each one had a different symbol on their chest representing the great families and two representing the royal bloodline itself.
Below them, on the main floor, stood the four Royal Heads.
Lucian Makaveli stood on the left. His white coat was clean. His face was calm.Liam Cross stood next to him. His red coat was bright against the gray stone. His wand was at his side.
Liora Slothwell stood on the right. She wasn't smoking this time. Her arms were crossed. Her eyes were sharp.
Silas Heartveil stood in the center. Silent. His hand rested on his katana. He watched Aldrich closely.
And sitting on a throne to the side was King Augustus.
He wore his royal robes. Red and gold. His crown sat on his head. But his left eye was covered with a white bandage. Blood had soaked through it slightly. He looked at Aldrich and smiled.
Aldrich walked to the center of the room. There was a spot marked on the floor. He stood there.
One of the Elders hit a staff on the ground three times. The sound echoed through the chamber.
"This court is now in session," the Elder said. His voice was old but strong. "Prince Solomon Aurelius, you stand accused of treason. You attacked your King. You broke the sacred vow. You destroyed royal property. You endangered the lives of citizens."
He paused. "How do you plead?"
Aldrich looked up at them. At the seven Elders. At the four Royal Heads. At Augustus.
"I am guilty of attacking my brother," he said. Solomon's voice came out. Respectful. "But I am not guilty of treason."
The Elders looked at each other. One of them leaned forward. "Explain yourself."
Aldrich took a breath. "The sacred vow states that no one should go against the King. That we must obey his commands. But what happens when the King himself breaks the laws of this kingdom?"
Augustus's smile faded slightly.
"King Augustus killed our father," Aldrich said clearly. "King Aurelius did not die of natural causes. He was murdered. And my brother is the one who did it."
The room went silent.
The Elders stared. The Royal Heads didn't move. Even the guards at the door looked shocked.
Augustus stood up slowly. "That is a bold accusation, brother."
"It's the truth," Aldrich said. He looked at the Elders. "Our father was poisoned. I know this because my memories remembers it. Augustus wanted the throne. He couldn't wait. So he killed him."
One of the Elders hit his staff again. "This is a serious claim. Do you have proof?"
Aldrich hesitated. "I have memories. memories. But they're inside me. I can't show them to you I know what I saw."
Another Elder spoke. "Memories are not proof. They can be false. They can be lies."
"They're not lies," Aldrich said desperately. "Why would I make this up?"
Augustus walked forward. His one good eye was cold. "You would make it up because you're desperate. You attacked me. You destroyed half the palace. And now you're trying to save yourself by accusing me of murder."
He turned to the Elders. "My brother has been possessed by devil's spirit. Everyone knows this. Solomon hated me. And now, he's trying to destroy me again."
Lucian stepped forward. "Your Majesty, if I may speak."
One of the Elders nodded. "Proceed, Royal Head Makaveli."
Lucian looked at Aldrich. "I investigated King Aurelius's death personally. I found no evidence of poison. No signs of foul play. His body showed natural decline. Old age. Sickness. Nothing more."
Aldrich's heart sank. "But"
"However," Lucian continued, "I will say this. I found it strange that the King's health declined so quickly in his final months. It was unusual. But unusual is not proof."
Liora spoke next. "I was there when King Aurelius died. I saw him take his last breath. It looked natural to me."
Silas said nothing. He just watched.
Liam shrugged. "I wasn't there. But I trust Lucian's investigation."
Augustus spread his hands. "You see? There is no proof. Just the words of a spirit who hates me."
One of the Elders leaned back in his chair. "Prince Solomon, your accusation is noted. But without proof, we cannot act on it. Do you have anything else to say in your defense?"
Aldrich's fists clenched. Inside his mind, Solomon's voice was frustrated. "They won't believe us. They can't. Augustus has covered his tracks too well."
Aldrich spoke again. "I attacked Augustus because he's a tyrant. Because he's cruel. Because he doesn't deserve to be King."
Another Elder shook his head. "That is not for you to decide. The throne passes by blood and law. Augustus is the rightful King."
"Even if he's evil?" Aldrich asked.
"Even then," the Elder said quietly. "We have laws. Without them, we have chaos."
The head Elder hit his staff three times. "We have heard enough. Prince Solomon Aurelius, you are guilty of attacking the King. You are guilty of destroying royal property. You are guilty of breaking the sacred vow."
Aldrich felt cold at that moment.
"However," the Elder continued, "we recognize that you are a prince of this kingdom. We recognize your service in the past. And we recognize that killing you would waste your potential."
He paused. "Therefore, your punishment is this. You will serve the kingdom by joining the military. You will lead an expedition to the Ice Kingdom of Frostholt. There have been reports of increased monster attacks on the border. The treaty between our kingdoms is fragile. You will go there. You will strengthen the alliance. You will protect there people."
Another Elder spoke. "This is not a request. This is your sentence. You will leave tomorrow. You will not return until your mission is complete. If you refuse, you will be executed."
Aldrich stared at them. "You're exiling me."
"We are giving you purpose," the Elder said. "Serve your kingdom. Prove your loyalty. Or die."
Augustus smiled again. "I think that's fair, don't you, brother?"
Aldrich wanted to say something. To argue. To fight. But he knew it was pointless. The decision was made.
He bowed his head. "I accept the judgment."
The Elder hit his staff one final time. "This court is dismissed."
The next day, Aldrich stood at the northern gate of the capital. Snow was already falling even though they were still in the kingdom. The Ice Kingdom was weeks away by horse.
Behind him, the city was busy. People were rebuilding. Fixing the damage from the fight. Life was moving on.
A group of soldiers stood nearby. They would travel with him. Twenty men. All experienced. All loyal to the kingdom, not to him.
Lucian approached. He handed Aldrich a sealed letter. "Give this to Queen Elara of Frostholt. It contains the terms of our continued alliance."
Aldrich took it. "Why are you really sending me there?"
Lucian's expression didn't change. "Because you're dangerous here. And because Frostholt needs someone strong. Monsters have been attacking their villages. People are dying. You'll be useful there plus in that letter it contains someone I've always wanted to join our force, I'm hoping you will be her to me ."
"Or I'll die there," Aldrich said.
"Perhaps," Lucian said. "But if you succeed, you may earn your way back."
He turned and walked away.
Liora was next. She lit a cigarette and blew smoke. "Try not to freeze to death, Prince."
"Thanks for the encouragement," Aldrich muttered.
She almost smiled. "You're stronger than you think. Don't waste it."
Silas came last. He said nothing. He just placed a hand on Aldrich's shoulder for a moment. Then he left.
Liam didn't come at all.
Inside Aldrich's mind, Solomon spoke. "Well, my boy. Looks like we're going on an adventure."
"An exile, you mean," Aldrich said bitterly.
"Exile, adventure, same thing really." Solomon's tone was lighter now. "Besides, the Ice Kingdom is beautiful this time of year. Freezing cold and full of monsters. What could be more fun?"
Aldrich couldn't help it. He almost laughed. "You're insane."
"And you're stuck with me." Solomon paused. "We'll survive this, Aldrich. We always do plus I think it's test I show you something over as we journey , you need to know more our powers starting with the contract you sealed with the joker a deadly and stubborn summon."
Aldrich looked at the northern road. It stretched out before him. Long and Cold. Uncertain of what would happen .
He mounted his horse. The soldiers did the same.
One of them, a captain with a scarred face, looked at him. "Ready, Your Highness?"
Aldrich nodded. "Let's go."
And they rode north.
Toward the snow. Toward the monsters. Toward the Ice Kingdom of Frostholt.
Toward whatever came next.