One thought besieged Adall's mind throughout the family spokesperson's speech. He wasn't as ignorant as one might think due to his young age.
He had a good idea of why he was summoned to the council chamber, him being locked up and poorly fed for two days now.
However, one thing still eluded him. And that was what he asked for as soon as he was given the floor, even though he didn't have the strength to formulate a proper sentence around his concern.
Why?
Why had his uncle abandoned him?
Why were his own family, the same people who laughed and danced with him during his birthday party and on many other occasions, kicking him out overnight?
Why was none of these people sitting in the room coming to his defense?
He could see in the crowd of 200 occupied seats people he knew all too well because they often visited his father and him when the latter was still alive.
So why weren't they intervening on his behalf?
Why were they content to remain silent and watch his expulsion unfold?
"Uncle Zackael, why?"
Adall's question was directed at one person in particular, and that person knew it very well. So the one who spoke after Adall was Zackael.
"Don't make the situation harder than it already is, little prince. This decision was made unanimously by the family members. Consider yourself lucky not to be executed like that traitor Adélaïde, who dared to bite the hand that fed and sheltered her for all those years."
Unanimously?
Adall's eyes rebelled at those words. Even though most of the important family members were present, how dare he speak of unanimity when his aunt, Axelle, was clearly absent?
The same was true for his uncle Merlin, but the latter was still on a journey, so hoping to see him at a family council was misplaced hope.
Moreover, it was highly likely that he was unaware of Adall's situation, given how the family had worked hard to block the news of the patriarch's death from leaking out.
Indeed, the sudden loss of a 10th circle magician was too tempting an opportunity for the family's enemies to pass up. So, to give themselves time to prepare for all eventualities, Zackael, the new patriarch, requested that the ongoing events remain a secret until further notice from him.
Even though Adall wanted to cry out "lie" after his uncle's words, he fought with all his might to keep calm and not make a stupid move in the heat of his emotions.
Moreover, what could he hope for from these people who had almost knocked him out with just their murderous intentions as soon as he entered the council chamber?
Would they have listened to him even if he shouted at the top of his lungs that his uncle was lying?
Certainly not! And unfortunately, that was the only thing he could do given his strength.
Zackael spoke again after noticing that Adall was no longer resisting the decision to banish him.
"All I can wish for you, Adall, is to live a long life away from danger. My brother would certainly curse me from beyond if you were to die too young. So, flee if you must, but stay alive and healthy for as long as possible."
What a loving person? These were the only thoughts nourished by those present at the council.
***
A few hours after the family council...
Adall, sitting in the carriage destined to take him out of Windsor territory, was closely watched by 3 guardian knights and a person whose face was familiar to him, Martin Windsor.
He was a member of the secondary branch of the family, but maintained a strong friendly relationship with his father. He was also present at the family council, and the dark glances he momentarily cast at Adall indicated that he was not an ally.
As everyone looked at each other in silence, a rather improbable event occurred.
The carriage suddenly stopped, and the coachman's voice rang out.
"We're under attack."
Who were these people brave enough to attack a carriage bearing the Windsor emblem on their own territory?
The three guardian knights quickly got out of the carriage, closely followed by Martin. Sword strikes rang out the next second, and then everything was very quiet again.
Adall, holding his breath in fear, could now hear the footsteps of a person heading towards the carriage he was hiding in.
Ka!
The carriage door swung open wide, revealing the familiar face with which he had been traveling. But something was different this time!
Martin, who had been scowling since the beginning of the journey, was now smiling.
"I apologize for my behavior of the past few hours, young Adall. They needed to truly believe that I am on their side."
He was apologizing for his behavior? Tears immediately welled up in Adall's eyes, which he quickly wiped away with the back of his right hand.
Since the events of the past few hours, he never would have imagined that one of the people present at this family council would come to apologize to him for their behavior.
"You are safe now."
Adall wasted no time and got out of the carriage.
As he looked at the scene before him, he could easily guess what had happened.
First, a false alarm forcing the guardian knights and Martin to get out of the carriage. Then, a few sword strikes in the back when the knights were focused on searching for enemies in front of them.
It was cowardly of Martin, but very effective in giving rise to the reality they were currently experiencing.
Adall now understood the situation a little better. Especially the fact that what was happening was not against him.
So he could lower his defenses and relax a bit. But this respite was clearly only temporary, as he soon felt movement behind the trees next to which they had stopped.