Hunted Sorcery (Jon Oklar Book 2), B.T. Narro [digital book reader txt] 📗

Nykal turned his attention back to Kataleya, as did everyone else. Her mouth slowly fell open. She pointed at the ring the king held.

“That is a callring?” she asked.

He nodded.

“And it was found in my room?”

He nodded again.

Kataleya’s face went white. “That is not mine! I’ve never even seen it before!”

“You used this to notify my enemies that the castle would be unguarded,” Nykal said. “By keeping it in your room you clearly planned to use it again. What for? What’s Cason’s next step? I promise that if you cooperate your punishment will be much less severe.”

“Sire, please believe me,” Kataleya said. “I have never seen that ring before. Someone could’ve put it in my room. As you know, we don’t have keys. We can only lock our doors from the inside.” Her gaze darted at Barrett. “But Barrett has a key to all our rooms. For all I know, he could’ve planted the ring there. Or it could have been anyone else in the castle!”

Nykal appeared annoyed. “I have known Barrett Edgar my whole life. He would never betray me, and we have already investigated everyone else who works here.”

“Well, my family wouldn’t betray you, either!” Kataleya spoke with balled fists. “Somebody put that ring in my room. They want you to suspect me.” She glared at all of us. “Which one of you did this? And why me?”

“Hold on.” Leon stepped into the makeshift circle with the king and Barrett. “What did I miss that led you to accuse Kataleya?”

“He hasn’t told any of us,” Kataleya said. “And I have no idea what it could be.”

“Have all of you forgotten that we captured a few dark mages from Rohaer after the battle in Curdith Forest?” Nykal accused.

“And one finally spoke?” Leon asked.

“More than one has been speaking for some time now, but nothing they’ve given us has made much sense. Until now.”

“Are they being tortured, sire?” I asked cautiously. I knew these men had come here to kill and pillage, but I still hoped there was a better way to get them to talk.

“No, Jon. Torture is more likely to get a false answer than a true one. I reason with them. None of these men want to remain in the dungeon for years, but none are quick to betray Cason, either. They are scared of him and of their own king’s retribution if they speak. Considering it takes a lot to frighten a man who has been corrupted by dteria, I would assume Cason and King Frederick’s threats against their own men are very real. One has agreed to assist us in exchange for freedom and a bit of coin when this is all over. The information he gave us seems to be accurate so far.” Nykal glanced at Kataleya.

“He claimed my father is working for Cason?” she asked.

“No, he explained what Cason’s plan used to be before we took out his army in the forest. Those one hundred troops had come from Rohaer, and they were to take Koluk, like Cason had told Jennava. They would force all men in Koluk to join them or kill those who didn’t. Correct, Jennava?”

“Yes,” she said. “He didn’t tell me what would happen after he built up a quick army in Koluk.”

“We thought he might have planned to attack Tryn or the capital,” Nykal said, “but this doesn’t seem to be the case. His plan was a lot more devious than that.”

“Oh, he would use the threat,” Jennava said. “I see it now.”

“Yes,” Nykal agreed.

The rest of us seemed confused, however.

“Explain,” Leon said.

“Once his army was a threat to Tryn or Newhaven,” Nykal gestured at himself, “I would be forced to gather my army in case he marched. Coin would be needed to pay these men.”

“Oh,” Leon said, and I was beginning to understand as well.

Kataleya broke in. “There are other families besides mine who could be involved in this plot, sire!”

“One other,” he said with a lifted finger. “And his family will be investigated as well, but we found a callring in your room.”

“But it isn’t mine,” she growled in restraint. “Someone set me up. Whoever this other family is, I’m sure it was them.”

“None of them have been in the castle, Kataleya. They couldn’t possibly have snuck a callring into your room.”

“Then someone here is helping them!”

“I don’t understand,” Charlie exclaimed. “How does the king needing to pay for an army mean a noble family betrayed us?”

“I will explain,” the king said. “But before that, there is more this dark mage shared that all of you need to know.”

“You’re not worried about Kataleya telling her father?” Charlie asked, confused.

“Charlie, I didn’t do this!” she said.

He looked at her nervously before glancing back at the king.

“What I’m going to do with Kataleya will make it impossible for her to tell her family anything until we get all of this sorted out.”

She shot a look at the open portcullis across the courtyard.

“If you run, it will be an admission of guilt,” Nykal warned.

A tear ran down her cheek. “Please, sire. I promise you I’ve never seen that callring before. Bind me to a contract to tell the truth.”

“I’m sure you’re aware that the truth cannot be forced out through binding contracts. They can only incite or prevent actions.”

“Then bind me with a contract in any way you see fit. I promise I have not done anything like you accuse, and I’m willing to prove it however you wish.”

Barrett stepped in. “Kataleya, you know better than anyone how ordia works. Leon explained that you were the most knowledgeable when you came here. Contracts cannot force anyone to tell the truth no matter how we might phrase them.”

“I don’t know how ordia works.” She wiped another tear. “Leon? What did you say?”

I was having difficulty watching this go on, but I couldn’t look away.

Leon scowled at the king’s councilman. “Kataleya never gave me the impression she knows about all that ordia sh—rules. I never said she did.” He