The historian looked at Aren.
“Perhaps that is appropriate.”
Aldric raised his hand.
“Arrest him.”
Royal Guards surrounded Master Oren.
The crowd murmured.
Prince Corvin stepped forward.
“Father.”
“Stay back.”
“Why is he being arrested?”
“Because he has forgotten his loyalty.”
Oren laughed softly.
“Loyalty.”
The giant’s golden eyes flared.
The sound from beneath the palace grew louder.
THUMP.
Aren felt the sword pulling at him.
Not physically.
Somewhere below.
He whispered, “There’s something beneath the throne.”
Oren’s face changed.
“Aren.”
It was the first time anyone from the court had spoken his name.
Aren stared.
“How do you know my name?”
The historian closed his eyes.
The answer seemed to hurt him.
“I named you.”
The world narrowed.
The square disappeared.
The guards.
The giant.
The King.
Everything except an old man standing beneath royal banners.
“What?”
Master Oren opened his eyes.
“Your mother asked me.”
Aren’s throat tightened.
“I don’t have a mother.”
“You did.”
King Aldric shouted, “Take him!”
The guards grabbed Oren.
Aren moved forward.
The sword finally released his hands.
He ran toward the historian.
A guard blocked him.
The Stone Guardian’s fist struck the ground.
BOOM.
Everyone stumbled.
The guard released Oren.
The giant spoke.
“NO HARM SHALL COME TO THE BLOOD OF ELDORIA.”
The King’s face tightened.
“You are addressing me.”
The Guardian looked down at Aldric.
“No.”
A murmur passed through the crowd.
Prince Corvin looked toward Aren.
Then at his own father.
Aren saw confusion becoming fear.
King Aldric shouted, “Archers!”
Dozens of soldiers appeared along balconies.
“Draw!”
Bows aimed at the Guardian.
Then at Aren.
Queen Maris stepped forward.
“Aldric, stop.”
“This is an attack on the Crown.”
“The creature hasn’t attacked anyone.”
“It recognizes a false claimant.”
Master Oren said, “There is nothing false about him.”
Aldric turned.
That was enough.
A crossbow bolt flew.
Not from the King.
From somewhere high in the palace gallery.
Master Oren shouted.
“Aren!”
The old man shoved him sideways.
The bolt struck the marble where Aren had been standing.
Chaos erupted.
The Guardian roared.
Golden light flashed across the square.
The attacker vanished behind a column.
Royal soldiers shouted contradictory orders.
Aren hit the ground.
Master Oren pulled him up.
“Run.”