P.S. 4 – Chapter 44.5

Easy.

Our latest escort already had a hard time keeping up. Only a third of their knights were still holding on, knowing full well that they could only last two hours like this. Fortunately for them, that would be enough. But with less than two dozen royal knights managing to keep up with us, this was a rightful embarrassment of those that were supposed to be the pride of the kingdom.

Easy.

They still did better than the previous territories. The first dukedom on our trip had had none on our borders that could keep up, we had been forced to hold back so that at least a messenger could come with. The second had received advance warning, but they still only had had a few knights at hand that could accompany us and prevent us from being mistaken for an invading force. And the third had profited from us spending the night, but even then, only eight had managed the first part, and fourteen today. Granted, they hadn't sent their very best, but even then, if we had been an invading force, we could have easily carved our way through.

Easy.

In their defence, I was dragging a storm with me. Ambient mana rampaged into me, fuelling me while all the excess went into the mana stones and crystals that I carried on and in my body. Enhancing both oneself and one's horse was a technique that required not just focus, but also a large amount of mana. A living disruption like me? That made such techniques very hard to handle.

Yet the knights I had with me all managed to do so, managed to shield their mana usage from my impact enough to function just fine. One hundred and fifty-six of our finest, of which at least half could have kept up if I had rushed the entire way in a single day at full speed. Adding that we had held back repeatedly, and had rested well last night, there wasn't a single person present that wasn't still able to put up a good fight. I had to suppress a snarl, seeing the skill level of those supporting demands on Eirwen. They were nothing in comparison, yet they dared to act as if Verglas owed them aid.

Easy.

But even I had to keep up my focus. Only part of my mind was present with the others. The rest was observing the state at the royal capital, which we soon would reach. Nobles, knights, guards, court mages all gathered in the open. This kind of meeting could have been held in one of the palace's multiple grand halls, but they were in the main inner courtyard instead, nearby the crown's secondary communication crystal. A war meeting that kept in mind my pending arrival, which was a great convenience for me. Especially since I could spy on them through the crystal, while thanks to my accomplices, nary a soul caught on.

Oh sure, they all pretended to focus on the Eisenfild invasion plans, discussing how to share the burden across the various dukedoms. But the words that went unmentioned, carefully avoiding the name Verglas outside of the occasional whisper, showed they knew I was coming, and a perfect indication of a big problem. Rhonda and Scandlán were both present with their heirs, showing their commitment, but their perpetual frowns made very clear where Ashwood and Beirn stood when it came to the pressure being placed on the West.

Easy.

Every conversation, every whisper still within my grasp, came near to overwhelming me. If it wasn't for my accomplices helping me filter things out, it'd be too much for me to bear. It did give me a headache, which didn't help with my current temper. It helped that both Darragh and Mildred, daughter of the first prince, kept mentally reaching out to me. They took the edge off in perfect unison. Almost as if they planned it, or knew me too well. Now it was Mildred's turn to speak to me, using the crown's communication crystal to reach me with ease.

"By their most optimistic estimates, you should still be half an hour out. So how close are you?"

About four moments before we reach the city gates, then two to the palace. If they try to stop me, seven moments before I arrive where you are at. Otherwise, half a moment less.

"We gave out our orders in advance, they should still be standing right now. See you in six moments then."

I barely had the focus to keep a smirk off my face. We had prepared well. They had no idea what was coming for them. A poet might call it a reckoning. I considered it the price of treason.

Easy.

When we reached the city gates, the royal knights moved to slow down, then realised I had no such qualms. Only then did they realise that there was no crowd near the gate, all present being held back by soldiers. When the Verglas banner came into sight, all the soldiers did was move further aside, guaranteeing us a clear road up ahead. I didn't bring them all, of course. Not even I was foolish enough to bring such a large force into the capital. Most stayed outside, only my personal guard following me in, which meant that for the first time during this journey I was outnumbered, if barely.

The road to the palace grounds was kept clear, soldiers at every crossroad ensuring the path remained clear. I could sense the complicated looks on the faces of the royal knights. They knew this kind of effort required interference from someone very high up. Which meant that all they could do, was to stick to me and do their duty.

At the palace gates, we halted but for a few counts, barely enough for me to throw my weapons at members of my personal guard. I wasn't about to waste time on being peace-bonded. Besides, if I really needed a weapon, there were plenty of people I could take one from.

Easy.

A single royal knight got to follow me inside, he too having to turn in his weapons. He barely managed to keep up, clearly nervous about entering the palace grounds at such speeds. But here too none blocked my path. No surprise then, that the man's face grew more grey with every passing heartbeat. As for me, I could tell I was close when Mildred's voice rang in my head, no longer needing the crystal to reach me.

"A quarter of a moment faster than you predicted. Perfect timing."

Soldiers and knights now stood in my way, faces trying hard to look tough as they formed a line between me and all the nobles and courtiers present in the courtyard. I brought my horse to rest barely two strides removed from them, the sudden change of speed making it rear up to shed its momentum.

Oh, they knew better than to keep standing in my way. Slowly making room, they turned to formation around me and escorted me further. Now at a gentle walk, we came closer, servants making room, until I halted in the middle of a massive stone mosaic. Earlier than the soldiers had anticipated, but perfectly positioned for my taste, able to see all the important players within the corners of my eyes.

Up ahead, still many strides removed, was the staircase leading up to the dais where the royal family was standing or sitting. King, queen, their children and grandchildren, court mages and more. I looked towards them, not a single part of me interested in bowing politely. I had never needed to, except for when I was nameless. My position meant that such deference wasn't required. And honestly, me staying silent was already more deference than they deserved.

Easy.

"Thank you for holding back."

From next to the king, the royal chancellor raised his voice to address me. The man had enough practice to effortlessly make all hear his voice perfectly clear. "Greetings, Duke Verglas. Your Grace's appearance is a welcome sight, yet unexpected. May I ask what brought you to us at such speed, that only yesterday morning did you leave the Iceheart estate, yet here you have arrived already?"

I could tell who hadn't fully realised yet, who now was doing the calculations, figuring out how fast that had been. It took a carriage a full day just to travel from Iceheart to Verglas. If we had forcefully marched with a proper army, it'd have taken us a week to make our way to the royal capital. Yet here we were, an army that posed a serious threat even if they all dared to stand unified.

Easy.

The chancellor had kept his voice calm, clear. Even amplified, it hadn't been shouting. But I had no intent of holding in my rage like that. I had given them the chance to speak first. Now it was my turn, with a raised voice that could be heard and understood even without the amplification that echoed in their heads. They'd face headaches over this display. I didn't care.

"Assassins came to Iceheart. They came for my wife. Brought blades with intent to not just murder the current Duchess, but the next as well. The one she still carries in her womb." Ah, now they all began to understand. "They had help. People who orchestrated this plot. People who provided aid. People who closed their eyes and looked the other way. I have come to kill them all."