CHAPTER 74: THEY ARE HELPING

"Felix found their poison supplier and traced their payment while Identified seventeen previous eliminations." Iris’s voice was gentle. "In their eyes, that made him extremely dangerous. They don’t wait for threats to mature. They eliminate them early."

"Which means they see me as a threat then?" I said In a gloomy tone.

Victor confirmed. "For them to target Felix then they must have their eyes on you. And not only them."

He pulled out another document. "This is why I’m really here. The Baron has filed formal charges with the Royal Court. Conspiracy to commit treason. Operating an illegal militant organization. Harboring known criminals."

"Ravenna was cleared....."

"Doesn’t matter. He’s arguing the trial was compromised. He’s pushing for a royal investigation, and he has enough political clout backing to make it happen."

"When?"

"In few weeks, that’s the amount of time I can buy you." Victor’s expression was grim. "I’m not sure how interested the Crown is in this matter but I’m also going all out to throw my weight."

"And if I’m convicted?"

"Execution. Or permanent exile to the frontier." Victor leaned forward. "The Crown might even use this to slash more power from its nobility.

But that’s not the worst part. If you’re convicted, everyone associated with your faction becomes suspect. They could arrest your inner circle, seize Ravana assets, dismantle everything you’ve built."

"The Baron wouldn’t have the authority....."

"The Baron has backing, maybe one of the organizations and we can’t even rule out the League." Iris said. "I’m certain of it now. The timing is just too perfect. Felix’s death, the formal charges, the political pressure must be all coordinated. They’re trying to eliminate you legally since assassination failed."

I sat back, processing. "So the Inter-Academy Tournament might also be a trap."

"Not exactly," Victor said. "It’s an opportunity. If you perform well, you gain recognition and can use that in your step to start building allies outside. Having capital eyes on you also makes you harder to eliminate quietly. But if you perform poorly, it gives the Baron ammunition for his case."

"So I have to win publicly and pectacularly."

"You have to survive," Iris corrected. "Winning would be nice, but staying alive is the priority. The League will be watching, and maybe intervening but there would be little they could do anyway, not in a place so shrouded in power but they might send more operatives.’

"Then we prepare for that too." I stood, walked to the window. "Felix died discovering their poison supplier and I’m not wasting that sacrifice no matter what. Marcus has already created an enhanced tracking crystal using the magical signatures from the attack. Lucille’s network is tracing on Silas Vex’s location. Isabella’s tracing payment patterns. We’re not stopping."

"I’m not asking you to stop," Victor said. "I’m asking you to be smart about it and don’t charge into the Ashen Wastes hunting poison suppliers. At least not yet. Go to the tournament. Win recognition. Build your political position. Then, when you’re stronger and better protected, you move on the League."

"And if they kill someone else while we’re waiting?"

"Then we mourn them and keep fighting." Iris’s voice was hard. "This is war, Hadeon. In war, people die. The only thing we can do is make their deaths mean something.

"And this is a war that did not start yesterday. Others have decades to build their power base. You? What do you want to do now? Only try not to be smashed by the waves."

I hated that she was right, but I gritted my teeth. In the books that I read don’t people magically find something that increases their power and they can go on killing rampage on anyone and everything?

But reality is far different. Things needed to be taken slowly....fuck!

"Fine. We focus on the tournament. But after....."

"After, we coordinate," Victor said. "We’ll see who’s moving and who’s not. We need to know how important you are and why lots of things are trying to move around you. Only then will we sit and plan our moves."

"Agreed." I turned back to them.

"And Hadeon?" Victor stood. "Your parents would be proud of what you’re doing. Scared for you, absolutely. But proud. You’ve accomplished more in six months than most."

"I had good teachers." I met his eyes. "Thank you.’

"I learned from your father’s mistake. He tried to shield me from the danger, keep me ignorant ’for my own safety.’ All it did was leave me unprepared when they came." Victor gripped my shoulder. "You’re my nephew. My family. I won’t make the same mistake. So I’m telling you everything, giving you every resource, and trusting you to be smart about it."

"I’ll try."

"That’s all I ask." He moved toward the door, then paused. "Oh, and the soldiers I sent? Don’t forget they’ll be staying. I’ll even add more."

"Victor, I can’t accept....."

"You already did. They’re loyal to House Ravana which means they’re loyal to you. Use them." He smiled grimly. "Besides, I’m not giving the League any more easy targets. Felix was the last person who dies because we weren’t prepared enough."

With that he turned and left.

Iris remained, studying me with those ancient eyes.

"You’re carrying a lot of weight," she said finally. "Guilt over Felix. Anger about your parents. Responsibility for your faction. The pressure of the tournament. The threat of the League. The Baron’s legal maneuvering." She paused. "That’s too much for one person."

"I don’t have a choice."

"You do. You could share the burden. Let your inner circle help carry it."

"They are helping....."

"I mean really help. Not just following orders. Actually letting them in." She stood. "You’re doing what your father did, trying to protect everyone by keeping them at a distance. It didn’t work for him. It won’t work for you either."

"What are you suggesting?"

"Tell them everything. About your parents. About the journal. About your fears and doubts and the nightmares that wake you up screaming." Iris moved to the door. "They’re not just subordinates anymore, Hadeon. They might be family as well. Let them act like it. Let them choose it.

She left me alone with my father’s journal and too many thoughts.

Family eh? Didn’t work out the last time... I could only stare at the door with a dark complicated expression.