"I unfortunately can't provide counsel regarding that," Jazz said, rubbing the back of his head. "I agree with you. It would feel morbid to hold a coronation seeing you skewered the man. But I'm not that well versed in Iridian customs."

Jinx and Trix didn't have a more lucrative opinion either, the two of them merely shrugging.

"Your mother sounds annoying, though," Trix said. "No offense."

Cage sighed. "None taken. I've just been living in a world in which I believe my mother ignored me to protect me and appease Fherras. It appears that she merely doesn't care."

"If I were you, I would evacuate her from her rooms. They don't belong to her, but the future queen," Jinx said. "She doesn't deserve any favors."

"I already did that." Cage wasn't proud of himself, but the conversation had irked him so much, he'd had the Queen Mother evacuated at once. He guessed it served to prove that he was serious. He'd also sent a message to Edmund telling him to seek him out after he grew some sense.

"I don't envy your position, my friend," Jazz said with a shake of his head.

"Or I yours. Terrani is snooping around and asking to see me once every few hours."

"Good thing I'm leaving then."

"Yeah, about that." Cage got off his chair and came closer to the map of Iride.

Not for the first time since he'd taken the crown he felt frustrated that the map only represented Iride. He'd give anything to have at least bits of Endir there. He'd seen maps before and knew where certain things were, but it would be much easier to have the entire continent laid out before him. Maybe he should order a new map for the table.

"I think you should pass through the border villages into Endir proper," he said, pointing to the spot on the map. "Jinx still knows the area and that will be an advantage. Given the weather and the location, you should be able to cross the Grey Pass before it's snowed in."

"That sounds reasonable," Jinx said. "It shouldn't take us more than a couple of weeks to get there."

A couple of weeks sounded like infinity to Cage, but he had no choice. He was convinced no one could make the journey faster than Jazz and Jinx.

"We'll be back before you know it," Jazz said, as if reading his mind.

"There's one more thing I'd like you guys to verify." Cage glanced out the tall painted windows. Even if he couldn't see the image beyond, the light flitting through spoke of a warm autumn sun. "I know that no one in their right mind would start a campaign with winter around the corner, but with Kat's powers..."

"You're thinking she might start the war before spring," Jinx said, looking worried.

"Yes. All our calculations were based on her having to wait until the spring. That gave us enough time to see what's going on in Endir and try to find a peaceful solution. If she charges earlier..."

"Look, I know she has ice powers," Trix said, "but her army doesn't. She can't invade alone. Don't you think that she might be facing the same drawbacks that you are?"

Cage hadn't considered that. He was so fed up with all the court drama and he'd never considered that Kat might have to deal with something similar herself. Plus, unlike him, she had no experience with slippery nobles or with leading armies. He had the upper hand there.

"Cage is right, though," Jazz said. "We have to consider that, too. Our visions are filled with frost and snow, and we cannot know if they're a result of Kat's powers or the weather."

"Then we should not linger. Jazz and I will leave immediately," Jinx said.

"And I should be getting on as well," Trix said. "It will take me a while to dig out the information I know you need."

"Just be careful," Cage said. "I don't want to fish you out of a gutter."

"Please." Trix rolled his eyes. "I know my way around the gutters of Valona better than you think."

"Don't get overconfident," Jazz warned. "We're still not sure you don't have a bit of Lucille stuck in you just waiting to come out and ruin your plans."

Trix had no smart remark for that. Even if all seemed safe, he admitted to still feeling a bit odd, as if a part of him was always cold. So far, however, there had been no intrusive present or ice powers.

"Focus on the populace and the guilds. See their positions regarding my taking over the throne." Cage hesitated. "And maybe see if an official coronation is expected for them to recognize me as their king."

Trix nodded. He was already wearing black, just like Jazz and Jinx were dressed in travel cloaks. They all exchanged goodbyes, then Cage was forced to watch the only people he could call friends walking out the door. Even if Trix would remain in Valona, Cage was aware he might not see him for weeks. The success of his mission was crucial, almost as important as what Jinx and Jazz were doing.

With them gone, Cage slumped in his seat. The crown rested on the table and he glanced at it, wondering if he should be putting it in a vault until he decided regarding the coronation. Why did everything have to be so complicated? It felt much easier to organize a defense of the country than win it over from within.

"Your Majesty?" Humphry lingered in the doorway.

"Yes, come in. I actually wanted to call you." As if sensing the disapproval of the Palace master, he straightened in his seat. "Have you managed to do what I asked?"

"Of course." The old man walked over and presented a list of the staff.

Cage took it and scanned it. He could recognize very few names on it. A large part was the kitchen staff that hadn't changed much since his childhood. He could also recognize the names of a few of the guards. He reached out for a pen, but stopped himself. Humphrey knew these people much better than he did, so there was no need to point them out.

"I know some of them. I think you are aware which."

"Yes, your Majesty."

"What can you tell me about the others?"

"The maids are mostly young women from the poor quarter of Valona. Our previous king was not very interested in hiring help as long as they were decent looking." He paused for a few moments and Cage got the picture. "So I was the one to choose them ultimately. Good girls. The same can be said about the servants and the stable boys. They are regular folk who do not have ambition or political preferences. Now the squires..."

Yes, the squires. Unlike the rest of the castle staff, the squires were the sons of nobles, so of course each of them would most likely sport the family belief. What with the circumstances, it was hard to anticipate what those were.

"The senior squire is the son of the Earl of Dromer. He is a bright lad, if a little shifty. The others are mostly sons of local barons."

"What about the Prince's squire?"

Humphry wrinkled his nose and it was all the appraisal Cage needed. "He is a bit of a snob. Son of Baron Gatewind from the east."

"Gatewind?" The city was right at the pass into Endir, so it was an important garrison. Even if Cage was aware of that, the border cities were all much smaller than the port ones around the coast. It felt peculiar that Fherras had entrusted this position of honor to one of the border barons. "Do you have any clue as to why?"

"I believe it was because the port cities haven't sent young boys to court for years now."

And there was another problem. With a heavy sigh, Cage picked up a bound notebook and noted this down. Even if his memory was usually flawless, ever since he'd taken over the throne, it felt as if every bit of information was just waiting to leak out of him and turn into a giant mess. He couldn't afford to forget anything. No detail, name or silly court custom he'd never been bothered with.

"We need to call the barons to Valona for discussions. We're going to need their armies--" He halted as the door opened and a harassed looking guard poked his head in.

"Your Majesty, Lord Terrani is insisting to see you."

Fuck. Why couldn't that asshole just wait a few more years? "I'm in the middle of something." He nodded towards Humphrey as if to make a point.

"I have informed him that you are with the Palace master, but he still--" The guard didn't get to finish because Terrani pushed past him, joined by his two assassin guards.

"Forgive me, your Majesty," he said, his eyes narrowed in displeasure, "but I must insist that it is necessary to discuss with you."

Cage made a show out of shutting his notebook while glaring at Terrani. With Jazz gone, it was now safe for the Talian lord to do whatever he pleased, but that was not a reason to indulge rudeness. Cage saw this interruption for what it was. An attempt from the man to gauge the power of the current king of Iride.

"My lord, your petulant actions could be seen as an act of war in more traditional courts." The words were sharp, but calm.

Terrani halted with one foot in midair. Cage noticed how the two Crimsonhawks moved ever so slightly, placing their hands on the hilts of their daggers.

"I wouldn't make any more of those subtle moves either. Those are seen as declarations of war in any court."

The entire Talian delegation took a step back at his words. Cage stood, handing his notebook to Humphrey. This was the game he had to play if he wanted to get what he needed to protect his kingdom. Unfortunately for Terrani, he had underestimated his political prowess. In all his time at court, he hadn't been subtle or openly interested in protocol, but that didn't mean he didn't know how to play the game.

"I understand the urgency of your mission here. Word on the street is that you have been missing your man for over ten years. I trust that his father wants to see him home safely. However, that does not give you, or anyone else the right to burst into my council room."

"Apologies, your Majesty." Terrani bowed his head.

Cage stepped closer to him. The man was roundish and much shorter than him, so the closer he got, the more the height difference became apparent. "Despite my rather youthful appearances, I have been involved in court politics and negotiations before. I have been to war. I know what you are doing. So when you return to Napoletta, you can let your Governor know that the king of Iride cannot be pushed. Those who try will be punished accordingly."

"Your Majesty, I--"

Cage raised his hand. Terrani swallowed his words at once. Cage could tell he wasn't afraid, but the political implications of his mission were important, so it was more a matter of whether he'd botched his mission or not.

"The situation hasn't changed," he said. "I do not have time for this matter. However, in a show of good faith to Napoletta and all of Talia, I am giving you and your men permission to search this palace for your missing man. Should you find him, you may do with him as you see fit. You have one week. Then, I would like to discuss the message I want to send to Talia."

Terrani nodded, his eyes wide with the shock of being allowed to conduct a search of the Grand Palace of Valona. "Than-Thank you, your Majesty."

"Keep in mind, Lord Terrani. Searching does not mean you have the right to harass my staff or interrupt them from their duties."

"Of course. Thank you. We will be swift. And then, depending on what we will find, we may discuss your message to Talia." The Talian's eyes were shrewd and narrowed. It was obvious that, should they find their target, all discussions were off.

Cage dismissed him with a wave of his hand and the man saw himself out together with his assassins.

"Kale," Humphrey said softly. "I'm not convinced that was the right thing to do."

"Me neither, but I need his help and this is the fastest way to get it. Jazz is gone. And let's hope that no one knew he was Talian since he has no accent."

Humphrey hummed, but nodded. "True. I wouldn't have thought he was if you hadn't told me."

"We'll see how that turns out. Right, I was saying, before he so rudely interrupted, that I need you to summon the port barons to the palace..." His voice faltered as worry crept up his spine. "Humphrey, do you think we should hold an official coronation?"

The old man seemed startled by the question. "Why would you ask me that?"

"Because I don't know who else to ask. And you're the expert on royal protocol."

"It's usually the decision of the king."

"Did any king not have one?" The palace master's silence was answer enough. "It doesn't matter what I want if the people won't see me as king without a coronation."

"The circumstances are unusual," Humphrey conceded. "And there is one person who could enlighten you in this regard."

"Don't say my mother because she's clueless."

"Oh no, not her royal highness." The old man pursed his lips. "You're not going to like this. It's General Harkiss."

Fabulous. "And let me guess. He refused my invitation."

"Not outright refused. But he did claim he was busy and he would let you know as soon as he was available."

Which could be tomorrow or never. Cage had a suspicion it was the latter.

"I understand. Please bring me a list of all the squires so we may discuss them. I trust that the rest of the staff under your care is trustworthy, but keep an ear out. I want to know how they feel about me taking over. And regarding General Harkiss... I think I'll handle the matter myself."

Humphrey didn't ask and Cage was grateful. He didn't want to tell his old instructor in matters of protocol that he was going to sneak into the general's garden and throw rocks at his daughter's window. Again.

⚜⚜⚜

Seriously now. Are you enjoying the court drama? I know I am. But it could be seen as a shift from the previous books. Of course, before, Cage had no reason to bother himself with all this. Now, he's drowning in it.

But hey, exciting spying missions for Jazz, Jinx and Trix, right? And Cage is all alone. Poor guy!

In case you're wondering where Kat is and what she's doing... Well, you'll be seeing her, but not too soon. Cage needs to fix stuff first.

Thank you for your support and don't forget to vote and comment.