The Book of Knowledge. The history of the first years of the kingdom as recorded by Eden’s first seer. Growing up, Andreus’s tutors spoke of the book, but none had actually seen it. Most believed it had been destroyed when the Bastians had taken a torch to the castle in an effort to leave nothing of value for their usurpers to claim.
“Since you haven’t consulted the text, I shall read it to you now.” The pages of the ancient text crackled as Imogen opened it to the page she sought. Imogen read, “If two or more members of the royal family have equal claim to the Throne of Light, a series of trials must be held in order to determine the rightful heir. The Trials will be devised and administered by the Council of Elders, the designated representatives of the districts, and will measure the claimants’ abilities to uphold the seven virtues necessary to wield power and avoid the temptations elevation to the crown can bring.”
“You want us to compete in some kind of public contest?” Carys asked before Andreus could react. She chuckled. “No. I am happy to step aside and let Andreus rule. He understands wind power, so the Masters respect him. He’s studied with the Captain of the Guard, so he understands the men he would command in battle. If I abdicate my position, his claim is greatest. There’s no reason for us to have to perform as if we are street entertainers.”
“Carys . . . ,” Andreus started to protest, but his chest swelled. His sister had proclaimed him the worthier heir to the throne—here, in front of the Council. No other member of his family would have done so.
“Both of you have skills that would make you strong rulers, but it is not for you or the Council to choose the next defender of the light. The law demands a series of trials.” Imogen straightened her slight shoulders and locked eyes with Andreus as if willing him to trust her. “It is your duty to follow the law just as it is the Council of Elders’ duty to see that it is administered.”
Turning back to face the Council, Imogen said, “Ever since I took my oath and began my duties as the Seer of Eden, there is one vision that appears to me when the stars are at their brightest. I see two paths stretching from Eden’s orb. At the end of both paths is a crown. One path is covered in darkness. The other bathed in light. One littered with war and unrest. The other with prosperity and peace. Never has a vision been so strong or the purpose so clear. You must follow the ancient law of Eden as your oath commands of you. Only then can we be certain we have followed the path of light.”
Imogen slammed the book shut. The sound rang through the cavernous room. “If you do not adhere to your oath, if Prince Andreus and Princess Carys do not compete for their place at the head of the Hall of Virtues, you will set the kingdom on a course toward war and suffering and a darkness that stretches on beyond time.”
Elder Cestrum smoothed his white beard to a point as he studied Imogen. She was so calm and beautiful under the Elder’s scrutiny. So unlike the girl they were used to dealing with. And it was because of Andreus. She was taking this chance—thwarting the plans of the men who wished to do her harm—out of love.
“May I have the book?” Elder Cestrum asked, holding out his iron-clawed hand.
“Of course, my lord. The page I read from is marked.” She turned the book over to him, then folded her hands in front of her as the Council of Elders huddled around the tome.
Andreus tried to catch Imogen’s attention, but she didn’t glance his way. She kept her eyes on Chief Elder Cestrum and the rest of the Council as they whispered and flipped pages and argued.
The seer folded her hands together as the conversation became more heated, but she never flinched or turned away. And in that moment, Andreus realized something. He couldn’t compete in public trials. Not without risking the Council of Elders being reminded of his curse. If any of them saw Andreus in the throes of an attack, they would declare him unfit. They would realize Carys and the Queen knew of his affliction all along and pronounce them all traitors. A contest would kill them all.
Which Imogen had no way of knowing.
He shook his head. “I think Lady Imogen’s appearance with the Book of Knowledge demonstrates how many laws govern succession. None of us knows them all.” He nodded to the guards. “The people simply assume either Carys or I will take the throne; we should assure them of this. And in the meanwhile, we should thoroughly study all the laws and determine the best course for the—”
“Excuse us, Your Highness.” Chief Elder Cestrum motioned to the rest of the Council, who gathered around him. As the Elders spoke in tones too muted for Andreus to make out the words, he looked at Carys and Imogen. In his sister’s eyes he saw the storm of uncertainty that must be reflected in his own. The world had been yanked upside down and neither of them had any idea how to right it. Imogen’s face remained assured, placid. Almost eerily so.
Elder Cestrum cleared his throat. “Delay won’t be necessary, Prince Andreus. The Council of Elders is in agreement and we thank Lady Imogen for her study and guardianship of the realm’s history. If it hadn’t been for the seer, we might have made a grievous error that violated our oaths.” The Elder smiled at Lady Imogen while, standing just behind him, Elder Jacobs glowered with open contempt.
“And we wouldn’t have wanted that, would we?” Elder Jacobs drawled.
Andreus squelched the urge to shield Lady Imogen from his malice. Instead, he tightened his grip on his sword and tried to feign the confidence his sister was projecting beside him.
“I am only upholding my duty to Eden,” Lady Imogen said. “I take my charge to search the stars and call the winds seriously. Without them, I can only imagine how hard it would be for the throne to keep the confidence of the people through the cold months ahead. It is important for all of us to work together to see the throne passes to the true Keeper of Virtues and Guardian of the Light. Or darkness will descend upon us all.”
Smooth words covering the iron steel of a threat.
Elder Cestrum tightened his hold on the book, but his expression never wavered. After several tense moments, he nodded to the guards, who took their hands off their weapons, and Andreus let out the breath he’d been holding.
“We all serve the Kingdom of Eden,” Elder Cestrum said. “Which means the Council will create a series of trials for our prince and princess to participate in that will decide the true successor to the Throne of Light. The Trials of Virtuous Succession must be designed to demonstrate the claimants’ dedication to the realm and the virtues that guide it. And once the Trials of Virtuous Succession begin, the contest must continue until a successor is declared victorious or all other equal claimants to the throne are dead.”
9
“Dead?” Carys stepped forward. “You wish us to voluntarily participate in a series of contests in which one of us could die?”
“I wish nothing,” Elder Cestrum said with what Carys was certain was supposed to be a shrug.