While the kings held council, their attendants stayed back. Some served as escorts, others as advisors, a few as mere witnesses. But all shared the same condition: they followed in the shadow of a king.
Kira understood this when he saw the others arrive. Massive guards, silent mages, devoted blades. Each bore the mark of their master. Each knew why they were there.
That evening, as the kings gathered in the great hall, the attendants found themselves in a secondary chamber, lower down, warmed by a simple fire. The faceless servants had set a more modest table, but the dishes were the same.
Kira entered among the last. He hesitated a moment on the threshold, then sat apart.
"You there," said a deep voice. "You're the half-demon."
Kira looked up. It was a massive warrior, covered in scars, arms as thick as tree trunks. He wore Varka's colors.
"Yes," Kira replied.
"People talk about you a lot."
"Really?"
"Little Kira who crossed the human lands. The loyal one. The Demon King's shadow."
"I'm not a shadow."
"Yet you walk behind him."
"I walk beside him."
The warrior let out a dry laugh.
"All right-hand men say that."
"And you? What are you?"
"I'm Varka's axe. I strike. That's all."
Other attendants took their places. A pale woman, dressed in grey, sat across from Kira. She wore a black flower in her hair. She was Lyssa's attendant.
"There's no shame in being a shadow," she said softly.
"I'm not ashamed," said Kira. "But I'm not a shadow. I'm a brother in arms."
"That's what loyal shadows say."
"Perhaps. But it's true."
The woman smiled faintly.
"My name is Nyris. I serve Queen Lyssa."
"I'm Kira."
"I know. Everyone knows."
A slender young man with grey eyes sat at the other end of the table. He wore Selyna's colors. His fingers traced the rim of his cup.
"Kira," he said. "The half-demon who refused to die."
"I didn't refuse. I fought."
"It's the same."
"No."
"Yes. Survival is a fight."
Kira relaxed slightly.
"And you are?"
"Eras. I serve the Queen of Mirror Waters."
"You seem charming."
"I'm a bastard. But I'm loyal."
"That's something."
Varka's great warrior, whose name was Brok, slammed the table.
"Enough talk. We're here to eat, not to size each other up."
"We can do both," said Nyris.
"No. We eat first. We size each other up after."
He grabbed a roast fowl and tore into it with both hands. Kira served himself more calmly. The wine was dark, thick, slightly smoky.
"So," said Eras, "what's it like serving Kael Neverdie?"
"It's not service."
"Call it what you want."
"It's a choice."
"A choice that cost you ten years."
"Yes."
"And you'd do it again?"
"Without hesitation."
Eras nodded.
"You loyal ones are all the same. You think loyalty is a virtue."
"And you think it's a weakness?"
"I think it's a debt. And debts must be paid."
"Then I pay."
"With your life?"
"With what I have."
The conversation rolled on, sometimes rough, sometimes curious. Some spoke of battles, others of magic, a few of their respective kings. There was mistrust, but also a form of camaraderie. All knew what it was like to follow power in a world of predators.
"And you," Kira asked a silent figure. "Who do you serve?"
It was a tall being, dressed in black, his face half-hidden. He hadn't touched the food.
"I serve Xelphar."
"Do you have a name?"
"No. I am his voice when he is silent."
"And now, you're silent."
"Yes."
"You don't eat?"
"I don't eat."
"What do you do, then?"
"I listen."
Kira stared at him for a moment.
"Do you learn things?"
"Always."
"Then listen carefully. My king is not a rumor. He has returned, he is real, and he will not bend."
"I know."
"Good."
The evening stretched on. Laughter, grunts, half-spoken confidences. Kira found himself smiling more than once.
"You're different from what I imagined," said Nyris.
"What was I like in your imagination?"
"Cold. Brutal."
"I can be."
"But not here."
"No. Not here."
"Is it the Sanctuary?"
"No. It's us. The attendants. We're all a bit outside the thrones."
"That's true."
"Then for one night, we can just be."
They clinked their cups.
Outside, the barrier gleamed.
But inside, around this low table, the shadows of kings kept watch together.