“Why would you free him?” I asked Trafford, slamming my hands onto his desk. “Gunner is a monster! He deserves to be locked up for life.”

  As soon as the match between Gunner and Thrig finished, I marched to Trafford’s office. Beth, Nia, Greenspring, and Valna all joined me, though Valna hung back a bit behind the others. If Trafford was intimidated by the angry faces staring down at him, he didn’t show it.

  In fact, he looked delighted.

  “Isn’t it exciting?” asked Trafford. “The fated rematch between the Rebel King and the Bard of Xalir. People love that kind of drama.”

  “I don’t care what people love, I want him gone!” I yelled. “There’s no way I’m fighting against that monster.”

  Nia leaned over Trafford, glaring at him with murderous intent. “If you don’t give Gunner back to the harska, I swear I’ll—”

  “—You misunderstand,” said Trafford. “I didn’t take Gunner, I bought Gunner.”

  “You couldn’t have bought him, he was in jail,” said Beth.

  “Ah, but with the right price, you can buy anything, Mrs. Benson,” replied Trafford, the corners of his lips curled.

  “Bagheera would never sell Gunner,” I said, glaring at Trafford. “Even if he would, the other harska wouldn’t allow it.”

  Trafford laughed. “You really don’t know harska well, do you? They are opportunists to a fault. They’d sell their own mother for a loaf of bread. Sure, they like to talk about brotherhood and all that garbage, but at the end of the day, all that matters is staying alive. King Bagheera had no choice.”

  “Did you threaten him?” asked Greenspring.

  Trafford’s smile dropped as he turned to look at the druid. “Why are you here?” he sneered.

  “He’s my friend,” I answered.

  “He’s the real monster.”

  “We’re getting off-track,” said Valna as she stepped forward. “Did you threaten King Bagheera?”

  After taking a deep breath to calm himself, Trafford answered, “No, but I was the one who gave him the offer. Since your little adventure, the harska have been struggling to survive. So I offered King Bagheera a deal.”

  “He didn’t tell me they were struggling,” I said.

  “Maybe you aren’t as good of friends as you think,” said Trafford. “Regardless, I offered the good king a deal. Let me take Gunner off his hands, and I would pay him for the trouble and promote his legitimacy. It was an offer he couldn’t refuse. After all, keeping Gunner alive was a foolish endeavor.”

  “So what now?” I asked, gritting my teeth. “Are you gonna help him become king again?”

  “Of course not,” replied Trafford. “Gunner is a failure. That would be a waste of both my time and money. If he couldn’t do it well the first time, what makes you think he’d be able to do it the second? No, I’m done helping him.”

  “But you helped him escape prison? Why?” asked Nia.

  “I didn’t help him escape prison, I bought him. Honestly it’s like none of you are listening. He’ll fight in my tournament, and if he doesn’t win then I’ll send him out to fight against the empire. He’ll make a good little soldier, I’m sure of it.”

  My fingers grazed my neck. Hearing about the empire reminded me of the lies I told to help Gunner. The many lives I ruined to save my family, the people I killed. While I didn’t know much about the war, I knew it wasn’t going well. Stories of fields caked in bodies and endless battles were commonplace these days. Having to fight in such a pointless conflict wasn’t a fate I wished upon anyone. But when it came to Gunner, I didn’t exactly hate the idea.

  “If you have nothing else to ask me, then I have a question for you, Norman,” said Trafford. “If you have such strong feelings about Gunner, then shouldn’t you feel excited to best him once again?”

  “I want him in prison, where he belongs for his crimes.”

  Trafford laughed. “Only I get what I want, Norman. Take Gunner as a cautionary tale, don’t ever disappoint me. Now, I think it’s time for you all to leave. I have tons of paperwork to get done before your big fight.”

  Valna bowed. “Of course, Lord Trafford, we’ll take our leave.”

  Nia tried to complain, but Valna quickly silenced her with a pleading look. As we walked out of his office, I wondered how Trafford had gained so much control. My eyes drifted toward the shipyard. Men were unloading cargo off massive ships. One of them tripped and fell, spilling a barrel of fish all over the dock. No one moved to help him. Guess I wasn’t the only one having a tough day.

  If only things were simple. Everything to do with Trafford was getting so messy. He controlled heads of churches and bought disgraced kings. At least my family was safe this time. That made it easier to take some time and think things through.

  But what could I do? Stopping Trafford would mean unraveling the whole system. I was just a simple farmer, not meant to change the world. All I wanted to be was a famous bard, someone whose songs were spread far and wide. So why did I keep coming into conflict with kings and worldshakers?

  “Are you okay, Norman,” asked Valna, picking up her pace so she could walk beside me.

  Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

  I rubbed the back of my neck. “I should ask you the same. After all, my first match is against someone from your church.”

  She turned to watch an elderly couple cross the street. They kept looking back at us, their eyes focusing on Nia. “It’s barely my church. Even before I became the Adherent, Trafford had total control.” One mean look from Nia and the couple hurried away.

  “So take it back,” said Greenspring, leaning on Beth’s shoulder so he could match our pace. “Become the leader you were born to be.”

  Valna laughed sadly. “It’s not that simple.”

  “Is it not?” asked Greenspring. “Are you not the head of the Lawmaker’s Assembly?”

  “I am.”

  “Charisse’s blessing surrounds you. True justice, is that not what you strive for?” he asked.

  “It is.”

  Greenspring turned to me. “Norman, are you going to let fear control you? Your daughter, Young Arienne, held great courage under the Sapphire Mountains. Why do you think that is?”

  “She’s a strong girl,” I answered, smiling.

  “It is because she had you. Do not fear Gunner or Trafford. You are better than them. Prove it to yourself and others,” said Greenspring.

  “He’s right,” said Nia. “We stopped Gunner, we can stop Trafford.”

  “What makes you so sure?” asked Valna, staring at her feet. “You don’t know him.”

  “No, they’re right,” I said, grinning from ear-to-ear. “In my head, I’ve been thinking about this all wrong. They aren’t gods, they’re like us. If we can beat Gunner, we can beat Trafford.”

  Valna nodded, but I could tell that she wasn’t convinced. I didn’t know her whole story, only bits and pieces I gathered since coming to Adelbern. What I did know was that Valna was suffering under Trafford. What kind of bard would I be if I let one of my fans suffer? Not a very good one.

  “Valna,” I said, grabbing her shoulders. Her green eyes looked up at me. “Do you want to lead your church?”

  “I am the head of my church.”

  I shook my head. “Do you want to lead your church?”

  Tears filled her eyes. “All I’ve ever wanted to do was make my goddess proud.”

  “Say it. Say you want to lead your church.”

  As a single tear fell down her rosy cheeks, she smiled at me with a confidence I had not yet seen. “I want to lead my church.”

  “Then help us take down Trafford.”

  Valna looked around at the smiling faces of my friends and family. “You tip the goddess’ scales, Norman Benson,” said Valna, wiping her face. “For as long as I am an Adherent of Justice, I shall give you aid.”

  Greenspring laughed. “The power of a goddess on our side? Almost feels like this will be too easy.”

  As the others laughed and tried their best to cheer up Valna, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread. Even with a goddess on our side, the odds didn’t feel in our favor. Trafford and Gunner, the two of them working together once again. Thrig Paleshield and Advocate Richard, would they help us or go against us? Zadona, where did she stand?

  We made our way back to Valna’s mansion. The servants greeted us at the front door like they usually did, though I could tell something was off. They appeared to be nervous, anxiously waiting to tell Valna something that they didn’t want us to hear. Was it about Trafford? Did he already know that Valna was plotting against him?

  “Mistress Valna,” said one of the younger servants. “You have a guest waiting in your study.”

  “Thank you, Benjamin,” said Valna. “I’ll go meet them at once.”

  The others didn’t wait for Valna, already heading off to their rooms to relax. Even Beth left my side to go enjoy Valna’s large guest bathroom. I had to admit, the thought of soaking in the bathtub with my wife was an appealing thought. However, my curiosity got the better of me.

  Whistling a short merry tune, I walked toward the kitchen. It was in the opposite direction of Valna’s study, but that was alright. Less people would see me that way. As I walked, I rubbed my arms as inconspicuously as I could. Trying to appear unseen and unheard was difficult for a novice illusionist. For a bard such as myself, child’s play.

  Sneaking toward her study, I dodged maids and butlers as they cleaned every speck of the mansion. It made me a bit jealous to see how efficient they were. At home, it was just Beth and I who kept the house looking nice. Pop and Ma didn’t bother to clean anymore. Though at least Ma tried not to make a mess.

  As I slipped past two maids who were busy arguing about the colors of bed sheets, I saw Valna step inside her study. The door was left ajar. I grinned, wondering if she knew that I planned to spy on her meeting. She most likely didn’t, but I wasn’t complaining either way. It just made it easier to slip inside without being noticed.

  Valna’s study was a cozy room with a large wooden desk set in the center. On the eastern side was a fireplace, and a cushioned chair for resting. A collection of various books lay on a small table nearby. I didn’t bother checking the names. Sitting in front of the desk, in another chair, was Advocate Richard.

  “Richard,” said Valna graciously as she moved to sit opposite him. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

  “I’m worried about this tournament,” said Richard, keeping his voice low. “Lord Trafford is spending an awful lot of money for so little gain.”

  “He’s a performer, entertaining crowds is what makes him happy. I wouldn’t worry about Lord Trafford, he’ll be fine.”

  “So you say. But what about this business with the harska king?”

  “Former harska king,” corrected Valna.

  Richard smiled nervously. “So they say. Yet, he’s here isn’t he? How long until Trafford returns him to full power.”

  “I spoke with Lord Trafford today,” said Valna leaning back in her chair. “I doubt he’ll do such a thing.”

  Richard groaned, rubbing his face as he slumped forward. “I don’t know how much longer we can deal with this. Relying on his donations seemed all well and good at the start, but look at all we’re doing now. Ousting other churches, fighting in useless tournaments, rewriting laws. This isn’t good, Valna, not good at all.”

  “Weren’t you praising him this morning? Why the change in tune? Tired of being pond scum?”

  Richard stared at Valna through his fingertips. “Your words cut deep. Am I not allowed to feel doubt?”

  “Don’t forget that the goddess watches over us. Lord Trafford may have his hands on one of the scales, but the goddess always finds a way to balance them.”

  He sighed. “I know. Sometimes I just wonder if all this is worth it.”

  “Be patient, my friend. I have a good feeling that things are beginning to change.”

  “Thank you, Adherent Valna,” said Richard, smiling weakly. His normally perfectly groomed hair was a bit disheveled, giving him more of a humble look. “I always enjoy our talks.”

  “As do I. Now, would you like to brief me on our budget for this month? I want to make sure that this tournament doesn’t bleed our coffers too heavily.”

  Sensing it was my time to leave, I slipped out of the room. Once I was far enough away from her study, I ended my illusion and headed toward my bedroom. My mind was still reeling from my earlier meeting with Trafford, but I did feel slightly relieved. It seemed that I had judged Richard wrong, he wasn’t a lapdog of Trafford’s. At least not entirely.

  When I entered my room, I heard singing coming from the connected bathroom. It seemed that Beth had yet to finish her bath. As I went to go and join her, I felt like the luckiest man in the world. After all, what other man had such good friends, a great family, and a beautiful wife?

  Yes, things were getting better. I was sure of it.