“Isn’t it?”
“No.” He shook his head, an amused smile on his face. “I came because I suspected they hadn’t thought about the question of succession, and I wanted to help educate the next imperial leader.”
“But you insisted on this girl—only this girl. Why would you do that unless she really is the heir?”
“That makes no sense. How could I know who the heir is? Or even if an heir still lives?”
“How indeed. That was the missing piece. You are actually the only one who could know. Tell me, Arcadius Latimer, what did your father do for a living?”
“He was a weaver, but I fail to see—”
“Yes, so how did the poor son of a weaver from a small village become the master of lore at Sheridan University? I doubt your father even knew how to read, and yet his son is one of the most renowned scholars in the world? How does that happen?”
“Really, Guy, I would not think I would need to explain the merits of ambition and hard work to someone such as you.”
Guy sneered back. “You disappeared for ten years, and when you came back, you knew a lot more than when you left.”
“You’re just making things up.”
Guy smirked. “The church doesn’t let just anyone teach at their university. Did you think they didn’t keep records?”
“Of course not. I just didn’t think you’d see them.” The old man smiled.
“I’m a sentinel, you idiot! I have access to every archive in the church.”
“Yes, but I didn’t think my scholastic examination would be of any interest. I was a rebel in my youth—handsome too. Did the records indicate that?”
“It said you found the tomb of Yolric. Who was Yolric?”
“And here I thought you knew everything.”
“I didn’t have time to linger in libraries. I was in a hurry to catch you.”
“But why? Why are you after me? Why is your sword out?”
“Because the Heir of Novron must die.”
“She’s not the heir. Why do you think she is? How could I even know who the heir was?”
“Because that is one of the secrets you brought back. You discovered how to locate the heir.”
“Bah! Really, Guy, you have quite an imagination.”
“There were other records. The church called you in for questioning. They thought you might have gone to Percepliquis like that Edmund Hall fellow. And then, only days after that meeting, there was a fight in the city of Ratibor. A pregnant mother and her husband were killed. Identified as Linitha and Naron Brown, they and their child were executed by Seret Knights. After centuries of looking, I find it interesting that my predecessor managed to locate the Heir of Novron just days after the church interrogated you.” Guy glared at the professor. “Did you make a deal with the church? Did you trade information in exchange for freedom? I’m sure they told you they wanted to find the heir so they could make him king again. When you discovered what they really did, I imagine you felt used—the guilt must be awful.”
Guy paused for Arcadius to respond but the professor said nothing.
“After that everyone thought the bloodline had ended, didn’t they? Even the Patriarch had no idea another heir still lived. Then Esrahaddon escapes and he goes straight to Degan Gaunt. Only Degan isn’t the heir. I was fooled for a long time too, but imagine my shock when he failed the blood test that he previously passed. No doubt the result of the same potion Esrahaddon used on King Amrath and Arista that made Braga suspect the Essendons. I suppose, looking back on it, we should have guessed a wizard of the Old Empire wasn’t a fool and would never lead us to the real heir.
“But there was another, wasn’t there? And you performed whatever trick you did the first time to find her.” Guy peered at Mercy. “What is she? A bastard child? A niece?” He advanced toward Miranda. “Hand her over.”
“No!” the old professor shouted.
One of the soldiers grabbed Miranda, and the other pulled the girl from her.
“But let’s be certain, shall we? I will not make the same mistake twice.” With a deft sweep of his wrist, Guy slashed Mercy across her hand. She screamed and Mr. Rings hissed.
“That’s uncalled for!” Arcadius said.
“Watch them,” Guy ordered his men while he moved to his horse.
“Hush now, be a brave girl for me,” Miranda told Mercy.
Guy carefully laid his sword on the ground, then withdrew a small leather case from his saddlebag. From it, he pulled forth a set of three vials. He uncorked the first, tilted it slightly, and tapped on it with his finger until a bit of powder sprinkled onto the bloodstained end of his sword.
“I want to leave now,” Mercy whimpered as the guard held her fast. “Please can we go?”
“Interesting,” Guy muttered to himself, then applied the contents of the next vial. This one held a liquid that hissed and fizzled when it landed on the blade.
“Guy!” Arcadius shouted at him as he stepped forward.