"I am still a Prince of the Blood," Aalun said quietly.
Ullsaard met his gaze for a while longer before stepping back, averting his eyes. Aalun sat down with a long sigh.
"Those cretinous governors have turned on me," he said. "Despite promises and bargains, they've sided with my father and called for my exile for disputing the succession. Even Murian! I don't know what my father has offered them for their support, but they've all fallen into line."
"And why is it that I find my path barred by Brothers and legionnaires?" said Ullsaard.
"My father does not want to grant you an audience," replied the prince. "If you cannot make your petition in person, you cannot claim your personal campaign. Now that you have your legions here, things might be a bit different."
"I don't see how," said Ullsaard. "The king has obviously decided to call our bluff. There's not a lot we can do now."
"Don't be so defeatist, Ullsaard. This is just a setback. We'll be able to turn the governors around. It will just take some time, that is all."
"But you are leaving now?" asked Noran.
Aalun looked past Ullsaard, seeing the herald for the first time.
"I am exiled," the prince said quietly. "Banned not only from the city but from all lands within the Wall. I've wrangled and argued just to remain here long enough for Ullsaard to arrive. If I stay any longer I will invite even more trouble. No, it will be best to leave for the time being and let things cool down. We will regroup in Nalanor and consider our options."
"And what is to happen to me?" said Ullsaard.
"Well, my father's edict does not name you, but it does extend to all so-called conspirators and agents of mine. I think the implication is clear."
"Exile? I'll lose my command. I'll lose everything!"
"That will not happen," Aalun assured, grabbing Ullsaard by both shoulders. "If we stick together, we can still make this happen."
Ullsaard tried to understand this turnaround in events. Less than an hour ago he had been steeling himself to make his claim to lead a campaign into Salphoria. Now he was on the brink of ruin. The king would take everything he had: his generalship, his legions, his lands, his…
"My family!" He pulled away from Aalun and headed for the door.
"They are safe!" Aalun called after him. The general swung back to face the prince.
"How do you know?"
"I feared my father would use them against you, so I had your wives moved to one of the houses I own in the city. We can take them with us when we leave."
"Where? Which house? What about my sons?"
"Ullnaar is protected by the sanctuary of the colleges," Aalun said. "Jutaar is still in the guard of Allon, far away. As for Urikh, nobody knows where he is. Somewhere in Enair, it seems. There is nothing to worry about."
Noran spoke from the doorway.
"There is no reason to believe the king would harm them. Can I speak with you for a moment, Ullsaard?"
There was something in the tone of his friend's voice, urgent and insistent. With a glance toward Aalun, who nodded his assent, Ullsaard followed Noran out of the apartment into the corridor. Luamid and Rondin had positioned the bodyguard at either end of the passage, where several harassed officials were demanding to be let past. The First Captains saw Ullsaard leaving the apartment and started towards him, but he held up a hand to stop them.
"This is not your fault," Noran said. The herald was quiet but firm. "The king's dispute is with Aalun. Why would you ever think you could change the succession?"
"I didn't come here to change the succession!" hissed Ullsaard. "I just want to state my right to lead my legions on a campaign of my choosing."
"You want to do what? What madness is this?"
"It's not madness, it is my right. Aalun explained it to me. I came to Askh to petition the king to accept my right to command a campaign against Salphoria."
"Oh." Noran seemed disappointed that his friend had not been a conspirator in the quiet but bitter power struggle between Aalun and his father. "Oh! Aalun has played you for a fool. The king thinks you are here to enforce his claim to the succession. You should send Lutaar your promise that you have no intention of doing that. Though there may be some repercussions, there is no reason to be caught up any more than you already are."
"I can't abandon Aalun," Ullsaard said. "A fine way to repay the favour he has shown me, to let him be thrown out in this way."
"Don't get involved in something this big," warned Noran. "You were right before, it is not in your nature."
"Perhaps I need to make it part of my nature. It seems to me that service and loyalty are not enough to earn a man the rewards and recognition he deserves. Sometimes he has to demand them."
"Don't do anything hasty. Take Aalun and your family out of the city. I'll have a nose around to see what I can find out and I will come to you tomorrow. Promise me you won't do anything rash."
"Promise you? Why didn't you send me a warning of how Aalun was using my name? Why did you wait until I was at the palace?"
"I did not know that you were planning to come to Askh, of all things. Aalun kept that secret to himself. When messengers arrived two days ago that you were at the Wall, the whole palace was in uproar and that was the first I knew of it. What do you plan to do now?"
"Just as both you and Aalun suggest. I'll leave Askh with the prince, and I'll wait for you in camp. I am sure we can work this out."
Noran looked unconvinced.
"Your plan is to wait and see what happens?"
"Just for the time being. If need be, I'll withdraw my legions beyond the Wall and return alone to speak with Lutaar. Perhaps he'll be more reasonable if he doesn't feel threatened."
"You've already marched here with an army, that's a clear signal of intent, my friend. But you may be right. Maybe."
"Do you have a better suggestion? I would be happy to hear it."
"That depends on what it is you want to achieve."
"I want to lead my legions on a worthy campaign, not fuck about in the desert chasing savages. I want what is mine by right."
Noran pursed his lips, something he was prone to when agitated. "Then I have no ideas for you."
"I'll see you tomorrow," said Ullsaard. "I hope you bring me good news."
Noran nodded and turned away, stepping quickly through the legionnaires. At a wave from Ullsaard, Luamid and Rondin approached.
"We are going to form an escort for Prince Aalun," the general told them. "I don't like the look of that mob that was forming outside. The Brotherhood are up to something. Don't let anyone in or out of this area."
Rondin saluted and turned away, leaving Ullsaard with Luamid. The First Captain of the Sixteenth smiled ruefully.
"No honours then, General?"
Ullsaard couldn't help but smile as well.
"Not at the moment, Captain," he replied. Luamid saluted sharply and headed off towards the other end of the passage.
Ullsaard walked back into the prince's chambers. Travel chests and boxes were piling around the door. Aalun was in a banqueting hall, directing his servants to remove the wall hangings. Ullsaard called out to him. "Is your armour packed?" Aalun nodded and pointed to a box in the hallway. "Take that and one chest of clothes," said Ullsaard. "What do you mean? I can't live with just one chest of clothes."
"If all goes well, you can send for more of your gear later. If it doesn't… Well, a change of clothes is going to be the least of your problems."
V
It was two hours into High Watch when the prince was ready to leave. The legionnaires formed up, thirty in front, twenty behind, with Aalun, Ullsaard and the two First Captains between. Several porters carried three chests between them — Ullsaard had relented slightly and allowed the prince to bring a number of maps, scrolls and other important documents from his library.
"What about Meerina?" Ullsaard asked Aalun when all were gathered outsider the royal apartments.