The bickering between the Commander and the princess subsided as both trained their gaze on the king. Rose's eyes pleaded with her father while Borit looked on with mock concern.
"My decision is that neither of you may talk to the other as long as you are in this inquiry. It is not productive and my headache is on the verge of returning." Rhodri rubbed his forehead experimentally. He sighed.
Rose and Borit nodded in understanding before sparing each other an angry glance. Neither wanted to be the one to send His Majesty into another episode. It would delay things or even cause the offending party to lose the argument entirely.
Staring at Silver, Rhodri searched every part of the man's face. He shook his head and sighed. "Guardian, I will admit that there had been a doubt in my mind as to your identity. My Commander has always been quite keen on seeing you arrested that I thought he had mistaken someone else for you in his determination.
"But your eyes flashing and magical cape are a testament to his claims. No one can fake those. Not that you ever denied who you are. You reacted to many of the Commander's claims, but your name was not one of them.
"Here is where I struggle, though. I cannot understand how a Chosen of the Fates would go this far. Unless you are a fraud, you were picked to protect humanity. So what changed? Do you just want power? Or is there something more?"
The king paused as he saw Silver's shoulders slump. He motioned for the soldier to remove Silver's gag.
"I have no desire for power, Your Majesty." Silver worked his mouth, trying to get the cotton taste out of it. Rose's heart raced at hearing his voice. Up until that point she had still held out vain hope that her eyes were deceiving her.
Rhodri narrowed his eyes at the prisoner. "If it is not power you seek, then what egregious error have I committed that makes me worthy of your rebellion?"
"You are a wise and just king," Silver answered, his head still lowered. "I have that on very good authority." He peeked up at his sister with a sad smile. Borit cleared his throat, and the Guardian looked away.
"Then what..." Rhodri struggled to form his question. The Commander jumped in at his pause.
"Your aim is admirable, My king, but I do not think we will ever understand the mind of the deranged, Your Majesty." Borit bowed.
Licking his lips, the king gave a short nod. "I suppose you are right."
Something about the two men before him did not sit right with him. Most often, the guilty parties would assert their innocence and fidelity, swearing by the Maker, the Fates and any other entity they thought might help them.
Yet neither man had made a statement one way or the other if they were loyal to the crown. Not that Rhodri had outright asked them if they were planning to kill him. Whether they were or were not, the answer would still be 'no,' unless they were foolish.
These men were many things, but Rhodri did not think they were fools. So the question was left unasked.
"I need to gather more information before I am prepared to declare a verdict and order sentencing."
"Surely gathering an army against you in the field is more than enough to put the Guardian to death here and now," Borit argued.
"That may be, but I am reluctant to act so rashly against someone who at some point was deemed worthy. You may not believe in Fates, but I am more conservative. And I need to know just how involved Sir Samberg is in this. I will be less able to discover that if his main accomplice is dead." Rhodri put forth his argument such that Borit had no choice but to agree.
If he didn't, then perhaps Ethyn would be found innocent and set free, which was something the commander could not allow. "You are very wise, Your Majesty," the commander agreed. "I will escort these men to the dungeon and then let in the troops to reinforce the castle immediately."
Something about the way Borit slipped in the last part struck a memory in Rose's mind. The commander had spoken so matter of factly, as if he was fulfilling an order that Rhodri had already given.
She thought back to Callum's message. He had been adamant about soldiers as well...
'Soldiers!'
"Father, if these two men are indeed the ones behind all the trouble, then why does the Commander need to bring troops into the castle? If there is no longer an outside threat from Lakyle or anywhere else, surely these men are of more use elsewhere." Rose was very careful to keep her eyes on the king.
She had been instructed not to speak to Borit, but the princess could still challenge him indirectly. Even without looking, the princess knew that the handsome Commander was staring daggers at her. The feeling of his ire was almost palpable.
"Your Majesty," Borit honeyed his words. "It is just a precaution, perhaps there are more of Silver's men, and they will make a foolish attempt to try and free him."
Rhodri looked at Silver, who had his head lowered, showed no reaction. Again, it was curious to the king how little the Guardian said. The king imagined the man must have much to say, so why wasn't he speaking?
Perhaps the guilt of his crimes was finally hitting him.
"As you left none of the others alive, I think the rebellion is likely quelled. I think it is wiser to firm up the walls and city, checking identities more strictly of those who both enter—and exit —the castle." Rhodri nodded definitively. "Rabert will help you with where the troops should be stationed."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Borit's tone was respectful but strained.
Rhodri reached for three pieces of paper, penned two messages, and added the seal from his ring into a soft wax pad. "These orders are for the new reinforcements—one for you and the other I'll give to the Captain—, and this order is for our prisoners. No one is to visit them without my express written permission, including my daughter."
"But Father!" Rose had hoped to sneak to wherever the men were being held as soon as she was dismissed.
"You, Rose, are confined to your room until further notice. These men obviously have a strong influence over you, and I do not want you to do anything foolish. I only hope you regain a clear mind soon."
The princess furrowed her brow. "My mind is clear, father. It is you who is confused."
"Enough." Rodri shot his daughter a warning look. "I will hear all of your concerns after I have had a short rest." The king rubbed his forehead.
Rose wanted to press forward, but a voice in the back of her head told her to concede for now. Nothing she could add would help.
The king could see the Princess's struggle. His heart softened. "Commander Borit, do not let anything happen to these men. I expect them to be in the same condition when I see them again as they are now."
"Put them next to the lunatic. You know who I mean," Borit instructed the soldiers. He bowed before the king. "Trust me, Your Majesty, I am as committed as you are to making sure this man goes to trial. Maybe more so."
Borit flashed a brilliant smile. "We must make sure justice is served…"