Kael woke before dawn, as usual. The campfire was nothing but embers. Kira still slept, rolled in a blanket, shoulders hunched. The soldiers kept watch, silent.
He rose, stretched, then walked toward the avenue of statues. The air was cold, still. The sky was barely lightening in the east, tinting the black stones with purple reflections.
"Kira, get up. We're leaving."
Kira opened his eyes, grunted, then sat up.
"Already?"
"Yes."
"You didn't sleep?"
"A little."
"Liar."
"Perhaps."
They gathered their belongings. The soldiers saddled the horses. The small troop set out toward the Sanctuary's exit.
Kael walked at the head, his cloak billowing. He thought about the Council, the agreements, the gazes of the other kings. All that was behind him. He was eager to return to the Neverdie Realm, the borders, his people.
He reached the great stone arch that marked the Sanctuary's limit.
And he stopped.
Something was wrong.
The air before him was slightly hazy, like an invisible pane of glass. He reached out his hand.
His palm touched a hard, smooth, slightly warm surface.
"What is it?" asked Kira.
"A barrier."
"What?"
"The Sanctuary's spell. It's holding us."
"But the Council is over."
"The spell doesn't know that."
Kael pushed harder. The barrier didn't yield. It emitted a dull vibration, like a warning.
"Do you want me to try?" asked Kira.
"No. It's useless."
"What do you mean?"
"The spell was cast by the Sorcerer King. It can't be broken by force."
"Then what do we do?"
"We wait."
Kael turned toward the Sanctuary. The other kings were beginning to emerge, some with their escorts. They all stopped before the barrier, more or less surprised.
Varka arrived first, massive, face closed.
"Still closed?"
"Yes."
"By the abyss. I hate this spell."
"You knew it lasted several days?"
"Yes. But I was hoping for an exception."
"No exceptions."
Selyna approached in turn, a cup in hand.
"The Sanctuary always imposes three days. That's the rule. Time for the oaths to take hold."
"The oaths," Varka grumbled. "We signed agreements, not oaths."
"To the Sanctuary, it's the same."
Maëldor hung back, arms crossed, face dark. He looked at the barrier, then at Kael. His eyes said many things. None of them kind.
"So we're trapped here," said Kael.
"Trapped is a strong word," said Osskar, arriving, leaning on a bone staff. "Let's say the Sanctuary offers us hospitality."
"For how long?"
"Two more days."
"Perfect."
Kael ran a hand over his face.
"And if we try to force it?"
"The spell can wound. Or worse."
"Worse?"
"Some kings tried to leave early. They were never seen again."
"Charming."
Osskar smiled, revealing yellowed teeth.
"The Sorcerer King didn't like guests leaving his table too early."
Kael turned to Kira.
"We stay."
"Fine."
"Set up camp. Since we have to spend two days here, we might as well be comfortable."
"And the others?"
"They'll do as they please."
Kael walked back toward the Sanctuary. The day would be long. The kings would have to coexist, eat, sleep, talk. Without fighting. Without leaving.
A true exercise in patience.
---
The first day was strange.
Most kings avoided each other. Some stayed in their quarters. Others paced the corridors. Sylva stood near a window, watching the distant forest. Xelphar did not emerge from the shadows.
Kael, for his part, explored the Sanctuary.
It was an immense place, built of black stone veined with silver. The corridors were wide, the ceilings high, the rooms countless. Libraries, armories, inner gardens. Everything was frozen in a soft light, as if time had fallen asleep.
"It's a palace," said Kira.
"It's a tomb."
"You're pessimistic."
"Realistic. Look at these walls. Every stone was placed to last. Every statue weeps for a dead king."
"Then why do the kings come here?"
"Because it's the only place where they can't kill each other."
They crossed paths with Lyssa, seated on a stone bench, a black flower between her fingers. She didn't look up.
"Queen Lyssa," said Kael.
"King Kael."
"You didn't speak at the Council."
"I had nothing to say."
"Yet you listened."
"Listening is already acting."
She turned the flower between her fingers.
"You have returned stronger. That's good."
"Thank you."
"But strength attracts shadows. And shadows are hungry."
"You speak of Serya's visions?"
Lyssa finally looked up.
"I speak of what approaches."
"What approaches?"
"I don't know. But I feel it. Like the smell of cold ash."
Kael was silent.
"Beware," Lyssa continued. "The dream is not the only trap."
"Then what else?"
"Mirrors. Reflections. Promises you thought forgotten."
She stood.
"Good night, Demon King."
She walked away, the black flower still in hand.
Kira looked at Kael.
"Everyone speaks in riddles here."
"Yes."
"It's exhausting."
"It's their way of protecting themselves."
"Do you understand them?"
"Enough to be wary."
They returned to their quarters.
Outside, the barrier gleamed softly under the stars.
Two days to hold out.
Two days without fighting.
Two days of kings.