Lord Telligence

Once the heads of the house step between me and my parents, I give the room a glance. I start marking off the ones giving concerning looks. If I can see it, then Odin and Mom can.

Father is focused on the heads. "Were you the ones to hire Mage Neni?"

"We were. We had little understanding that he would do this to Your Majesties." Lord Telligence ducks his head. Lady is refusing to connect eyes. But that's normal. They would be at fault. But regret and pretending innocence can save their positions.

I step back to Priscilla. She is lost to tears. Something is off in the group before me. We're in danger here. "Jessica?" I whisper it to her. "You don't have a lot of magic skills, right?"

"Odin gave us a defensive guard when he noticed the arrow." She whispers back.

I did know the reason the arrow bounced off was because of Odin. But if anyone can see, they'd notice Jessica does have defense on me. Her magic is limited.

"I am a mage, Your Highness." Priscilla places a hand on my back. "Ask. I'm here. I'm sorry I am not as skilled as some."

"Your family is going to be marked with treason, you know."

"I know." Priscilla ducks her head. "I... My brother."

I spin to face her. "Your brother? Ryan?"

"Ryan is too cute. No. Richard." Priscilla sinks. "I cannot teleport beyond what I can lift, so I cannot offer that access. I wish I had a better grasp of how to help right now."

"You're fine. Stay with Jessica. She'll protect you." I say that, but know Jessica is limited as well. The wording is to say she's not meant to guard me now. She has someone else to watch over. I don't want her following me.

I walk forward to stand behind the lord and lady of Telligence. "Father?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry." I pull my sword out and send it to the bowed noble lord's neck. "I'm increasing my count."

The king rubs his eyes. "You can't be-"

"I can." I spin to face the heir with sword drawn. "Where did the goblins get their leather gear from, Richard?" The lady of the house freezes behind me. She's more skilled than most would think. Odin should be aware. I put myself in danger. Like normal.

I'd rather control my danger zones than be shoved into them. "There is a reason Grandfather wanted to kill House Telligence. You should apologize to his grave, Father." I step forward as Richard swings his sword.

I don't have the skill.

But the moment he lunges at me with a blade, others will get involved. Raida is literally right here. She takes over the battle with Richard. She'll subdue him.

I don't drop my weapon. I make sure I'm on guard until Raida has full control of things. Then I step up to my father to face the lady of the house. Odin has full rights as a mage. No one else does. Unless we're talking my parents themselves. I can't even say if my magic would be limited. Or Jessica's. It depends on the exact lock spell in place. "Her too." I point my sword at the lady.

She's shocked by my words. Then her eyes thin as she stands up. She's going down as a head of treason then. Since I made it clear she'll lose everything in a moment. "You will not be allowed to continue this mess of a country for much longer. Don't think we're the only ones trying to take the claims we deserve."

"Thanks for proving the treason my son mentions is completely true." The king rubs his face. "Lock her in the dungeons, Odin."

"Gladly, Your Majesty." Odin grins as the lady of the house disappears. "Shall I do the same with everyone who is tagged to her?"

"To the house. Everyone who is Telligence will be marked for questions." The king stares at the crowd. "Telligence as a house is over." He reaches for his queen. "Let's return to the castle for now."

I watch as the queen accepts my father's hand before they disappear.

Odin reviews me. "Can't believe you just added to your count."

"Sorry." I rub the back of my head. "Priscilla her brother as well. I knew he'd step forward if I killed his father. And after reading about Grandfather's trouble with Telligence... I just knew. The pieces fell into place." I scan the room. Everyone is being chained for interrogation. "We're going to need the full list of everyone who lived within Telligence as well as those who traded with them."

"This investigation is massive and will take a while. Anyone less than seven will be safe for now."

I wince. "Five."

"Don't-"

I stare at Odin. "Five." There was at one point a seven year old was used in an attempt to capture me. They weren't a complete fool in the action. "We'll want to pull all children into a special lock. Babies will need wet nurses."

"We're going to need that jail opened again." Odin sighs. "Although I'm glad we have it."

"And Grandfather revamped it."

Raida steps to us saluting. "I'm not sure which of you is considered first position here, so I'll make a report to both. There is another goblin raid incoming."

"Raid? Are you sure?" But I thought Al would have control of the other group.

"It looks like it." Raida watches me. "Do you think it's not?"

"Al's niece is the chieftain for the second group. Unless this is part of Brok. Can you send someone to see if they're calling out Brok or Agoin?"

"Sure." Raida nods and goes back to her tasks.

"Never just one thing at a time, huh?" Odin scans the room. "Give me a moment to check on the jail. I need to touch everything for a perfect teleport."

"See you soon." I wave to Odin as he disappears.

Jessica and Priscilla come up to me. "Priscilla is willing to testify against her parents."

"She'll need to be placed in the castle dungeons for the meantime." I think of Ryan. He'll be treated the same. "And the house is gone."