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“So,” says Lyr, “Don’t you think it's strange that Opeth told me this is what Atticul fears?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“I don’t think Atticul is your enemy.”
“Oh, be certain, Atticul is my enemy.”
“Your real enemy would never be so obvious as Atticul. Atticul is a fool. He’s always been a fool. His attacks on you always fail because he is arrogant and stupid. He had the confession on his person when he came to confront you. He attacks you in stupid, spiteful ways, using the only weakness you truly have. But the things he thinks about you, the way you threaten him, he didn’t come up with those by himself. I think there’s someone else using Atticul. Someone who can’t be seen to attack you the way he can. Perhaps someone clever enough to play a subtle game in case they fail and have to be your ally. Because this person, this person who is out to destroy you is very clever. And Atticul is just one of their tools.” Lyr presses his lips together briefly, then says, “When you were sent into the army at fourteen it wasn’t your father’s idea to use the law of stead, was it? He’d never have come up with that. He jumped at the chance of sending you away because he had no other choice that wouldn’t destroy him. But it wasn’t his idea to do it.”
Damon narrows his eyes. “He told me the idea had been put to him as a way of preventing the need for him to be indentured himself.”
“So who came up with it? Who put it to him? Who wanted you sent to war?”
“The Rose Court I suppose,” Damon sounds irritated with these questions. “Lyr, this is enough. Please, you must leave.”
Lyr ignores this. “But who is the Rose Court? Or who would have been then?”
“Selim, my father, Doroth Zain, Vindar, Gelen the Green, Pershel the Moon Truth, Whoever was General Paramount twenty-two years ago. There are twelve, so five more. I forget.”
“Damon, I think you’re in danger. Real danger. I think someone, and someone important, wants you dead. Has been trying for years.”
Damon sighs. “Is that it?”
“It? Damon, you aren’t concerned?”
“Lyr, you are worried people are plotting against me. But my whole life this has been the case. I am not the fool you think I am. I was sent to war for twenty years. Do you not think I have considered that there are people who wanted me to die in battle? I am a bastard and the son of the Crown Prince. I am an inconvenience to many people. You think someone is whispering in Atticul’s ear, fuelling his jealousy in the hope it ends in my death or exile? You think I do not know the danger I am in? You think I am not cautious. I am trying to be cautious now. Which is why I need you to leave.”
“I think it would be safer if we ran,” Lyr says. “If we left Azuria. If you forgot this plan to become Warden of Vashti. It’s too dangerous. We should leave tonight. Do not go to the Rose Palace.”
Damon shakes his head. “I have survived this long, slave.”
“You would order me to drop this? As your slave?”
Damon shakes his head. “No. Of course I would not. You have concerns for me as I do for you. I understand. When we are this close to freedom it can feel more dangerous than ever. But I will go to the Rose Palace. I have been there many times.”
“Then let me come with you.”
Damon stands up. He moves close to Lyr and takes his hand. “This will make you happy?”
Lyr nods. “Please. You are taking servants with you.”
“I am not taking kitchen slaves.”
“Take me.”
“You think I cannot keep myself safe?”
“Please.”
Damon takes one of Lyr’s hands. “If this is what you need, very well, I will take you as my cupbearer.”
Lyr nods. “Thank you,” he says.
Damon shakes his head. “I think your fears are overstated. But I understand Azuria is a confusing place for strangers. And you did not ask to be brought into my world. I will do what it takes to keep you safe and make you feel that I am safe.”
Lyr nods. “And you will be wary. Please, promise me.”
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