The Outcast (Summoner #4)(94)

“We went to Corcillum,” Daniels continued, and he had the good grace to look ashamed. “We were on our way back anyway, when Barcroft’s orders arrived. There were riders skirting the southern entrances—they stopped us before we could go into the city. They said they’d occupied the southern half of the capital, and we were to make camp and wait for more orders. But there weren’t many other squads there; ours was one of the first. We thought it would be safer at Vocans … wait it out, you know?”

He shook his head, and Arcturus could not tell if his expression was one of regret or relief.

“Then one of the other sergeants came over,” Daniels said. “He told us the nobles had gathered their household troops and barricaded themselves in Corwin Plaza. That we’d be assaulting it at the tenth bell the next day. And to expect heavy casualties, but that we would triumph.”

“They’re going to attack?” Prince Harold said. “Are they mad?”

“No,” Uhtred said. “They have the numbers.”

“If you think that, you’re a bigger fool than I gave you credit for,” Zacharias laughed.

“With respect,” Prince Harold said, ignoring Zacharias’s words, “these are powerful summoners, many with their own trained bodyguards. Even the squads that patrol Hominum’s southern border would not be able to beat all of them.”

“The rebels don’t need the soldiers,” Uhtred replied. “They have the people. There are marches in the streets, flags being burned. The citizens don’t even realize that there’s a rebellion; they think it’s a spontaneous protest. Just a mass of angry people gathered around the plaza, singing songs and waving banners. Thousands of them.”

“How do you know this?” Arcturus asked.

“The dwarves have their friends among the humans,” Uhtred said. “We know what’s happening. Some are even rebels who want us to join them. But we will not risk dwarven lives for a human cause. Alfric may hate us, but these rebels may be no better.”

Ulfr cursed quietly. The rebels were winning. He had chosen the wrong side, and now the dwarves would be punished.

“The soldiers are supposed to start the fight, then shepherd the crowds toward the plaza,” Uhtred continued. “It’s a powder keg, waiting to explode. And they will light the fuse in a few hours.”

“The cowards are going to make the citizens fight their battle for them,” Rotter growled.

“Hang on—they said they would attack today?” Prince Harold said, horrified.

“That’s right,” Daniels said.

“We have to stop this!” Prince Harold exclaimed.

“So you can protect your inheritance?” Uhtred said, raising an eyebrow. “There’s nothing you can do. The king will be forced to surrender—even a summoner can’t defeat thousands. How can someone rule those who refuse to obey him? It is better this way.”

“We were never the key to the rebellion,” Arcturus said, realization hitting him like a brick wall. “We were insurance. To make sure the nobles behave after they surrender.”

“You don’t understand,” Prince Harold said, wringing his hands. “You think my father would surrender? He would never.”

“But…,” Arcturus began.

“No!” Prince Harold said. “He would die first. It will be a massacre. Hundreds, maybe thousands will be slaughtered. He is one of the most powerful summoners to have ever lived. His demons will butcher people in the streets. Blood will run in the gutters and half the city will be burned to ash before he’s done.”

Arcturus knew it was true. He had seen the cruelty in the man’s eyes.

“Our families have charging stones full of mana,” Zacharias scoffed, misunderstanding Prince Harold’s tone. “We’d win, easily.”

“They underestimate his power … and overestimate his aversion for killing innocents,” Prince Harold whispered.

“Some of our parents would surrender; they wouldn’t want to kill citizens … but I know Alfric would not fight alone,” Josephine said. It was the first time she had spoken since they had left Vocans, and Arcturus looked at her, surprised.

“The Favershams, the Forsyths, the Rooks, and many others. They would join him,” she continued, tears in her eyes.

“And well they should,” Zacharias said. “Why should they lie down and let the plebs steal our birthright?”

His words were met with grim stares, even from Josephine. The noble lowered his head.

“Maybe we could win,” Josephine whispered. “But at what cost?”

“So we have to stop it,” Prince Harold said.

He turned to Elaine. She was sitting cross-legged, her tongue sticking out with concentration as she guided Valens over the roofs of Corcillum, oblivious to the conversation.

“Elaine,” Prince Harold said.

She looked up and blinked tiredly.

“I can’t find our parents,” she said, her eyes half-closed. “Can you tell me where the palace is again?”

“It’s okay,” Prince Harold said, brushing a smear of dirt from her cheek. “You can sleep now. We don’t need to get a message to them anymore.”

“Why not?” Zacharias demanded.