But they didn’t head directly to the main palace. No, they went to another of the residences nearby. And they were surprised to see Thaedric there because it was mostly for servants. High-ranking servants.

But before they could enter the building, two guards stepped in their way. They wore the blue and purple of the Blue Shields, but there was a deep blue slash around their waists.

Thaedric raised his brows. That was new. When did they add that to their uniform? And most importantly...."Why are you standing in my way?"

One of them stepped forward and bowed. It was shallow. "The Elders. They have summoned you."

Thaedric looked him in the eyes and asked slowly. "Why did you stand in my way?"

The guards exchanged looks among themselves. "It was the Elders that wanted to see you." The second one stepped forward too.

"That’s not the question I asked you," his voice was cold. "Why are you suddenly standing in my way? You stepped in my way and stopped my movement. Why?"

They shifted uncomfortably. This wasn’t the Thaedric they knew. The one they knew was timid and would follow them if they did as they mentioned he do. That is, if they managed to drag him out of his room.

"We...apologize." They bowed and stepped out of the way.

Thaedric frowned slightly. "Next time, you stay on the sideline until you are acknowledged. Now, tell the Elders I will see them when I am done with my business here."

They continued on their way into the building and the hall where everyone bowed as they swept into the hallway. Malak groaned. "Politics. I hate it! Why are they doing like that? Are you not the Scion?"

"I am not...as respected as you might think within these walls." Thaedric said. He stopped in front of a worn wooden door and knocked.

"But you are the Scion." Malak hissed.

Thaedric looked at Urlk with a raised brow. "Well, the Bloodshield is not the most popular person in the Dominion right now, and now that she’s ill, there’s a power vacuum scattered around the Castle. And the Dominion."

Malak groaned again. "And what are we doing here?"

"One of those scattered powers is here."

Kagerou had been silent for a while now. "The clown?"

Thaedric smiled. "So you know, Kage."

A sigh. "They gave me no choice. Father won’t let me rest."

The door opened before any more words could be said, and they entered. And it closed by itself again with a click. The room was surprisingly big. Tables and chairs took up most of the furniture. The tables were scattered with papers and used ink bottles.

Small beasts napped in every corner of the room.

And standing in front of them was a smiling Rashaka. That’s the only way to describe him. Smiling. Everything about him was smiling—the slant of his eyes, the quirk of his mouth, his painted face, and his clothes.

"Ah! See who it is! The Scion himself! I would have been glad to be the first one you visited if it wasn’t that you went to the Bloodshield first."

Thaedric pointed at him and then to his friends. "Meet the court’s clown, jester, storyteller! Anything you want to call him!"

"Huh. What are we doing here then?" Malak said.

The Clown turned to him. "Ah, it’s Malak of the slave fighters. An orphan who managed to rise to the level of serving the Scion. I must say, you’ve done well for yourself."

Malak stiffened, and Urlk looked at him in surprise. Kagerou just sighed. Thaedric laughed and sat down on one of the chairs. "And he’s my mother’s trusted spy. He leads the spies in the capital. Don’t be offended. It’s his job to know. It’s an offense if he doesn’t."

"Come on! Now you’re going too far."

"Am I now? Anyway, I brought you a gift." Thaedric pointed at Urlk. "Urlk Scuridae."

The Clown smiled. "Urlk Scuridae. The last of his clan because of the Ometra. You worked with his Lordship in the slave fighting. But that still doesn’t explain the reason why he made you a retainer. Unless you really did save him."

Urlk flinched.

"He did," Thaedric said firmly. "I must say news travels fast."

"Indeed it does, my Lord. Now what do you say about this gift?"

Thaedric continued. "Urlk. You will train him personally to be my spy. Give him the best training you can. It was originally his clan’s work, but now he’ll carry on alone."

The Clown smiled faintly. "And why should I do that?"

Thaedric smiled too, a flash of fangs. "Because I want you to."

He gave him a long look before he bowed. "As you said, Your Majesty. And what about him? Do you have something planned for him too?" He pointed at Malak, who was looking at the contents on other tables.

"No. Malak stays with me."

"Is that so? A lot of people in the palace would want to have a Tier Four to themselves."

"Good luck to them."

The room was silent as the two watched each other. "You have indeed changed. Thaedric Hydraeus."

Thaedric smiled. "And what do you think of the changes?"

"I think it will make a lot of things interesting."

"Interesting, you say. Then tell me, Clown. Why should I not kill you now where you stand?"

It was as if electricity passed through the room. The Clown stiffened, and behind him, a shadow moved, lunging forward towards Thaedric, but Malak smacked him down.

Kagerou’s sword and Urlk’s dagger were pointed at his neck. The Clown swallowed. "Why would you want me killed, my Lord?"

"Because if I am to guess correctly, you knew where I was. You knew Cormac kidnapped me. Why did you leave me to die?"

The Clown looked at the weapons pointed at him and swallowed again. "But you are not dead..."

"No, I’m not. Now tell me if you don’t want your head to roll." Thaedric smiled as lightning cracked through his whole body.