Shardoe and Brurock were in the throne room of Erafla. The Rhudonians were now keeping order. People were not coming out of their homes; they were too scared. Shardoe was angry that he didn’t realize that Lunae was a Signuck. This changed everything. If she were the heir to the throne, then power these worlds have never seen before would flourish, and he would be powerless against it. As he thought about it, he was starting to become unhinged.
Brurock was enraged that he couldn’t kill Fulch; he was sure that it was too late. The Piskals had magic now. They would be harder to kill. It took centuries to get the Piskals' numbers to where they are now. They both sat there stewing as Druya walked in and bowed.
“Your father requests your presence, Brurock, immediately,” Druya said, as he noticed the tension in the air. Shardoe didn’t like this one bit.
“Brurock let the old man die. I need you here to strategize against those two imbeciles,” Shardoe said. Brurock didn’t want to be near Shardoe anymore, and he wanted a bigger army.
“I will leave and grab more men. You will train more priests. We must find a way to the Signuck world,” Brurock said. Druya wanted to be caught up with what had happened, but next to Shardoe was not the best idea.
“Fine, I’ll find a way to the Signuck world, and I will get you more priests,” Shardoe said. Brurock left with Druya. They didn’t talk to each other until they were out of the city. Once in the trees, Druya spoke up.
“How bad is it?” He said. Brurock punched a hole in a tree.
“We almost had them, and now they have magic. The new master is Signuck, which means we’re doomed. They cannot know what powers they can conjure up together…Now, what does my father want me to do?” Brurock said.
“Your father is dying, and he wants you to take control at home and name me general. He said to kill Shardoe once he gets rid of the masters, and to take over the Porpura people,” Druya said.
“Well, at least one of those is done. I’ll go back for now. You stay here and keep an eye on things. Shardoe is losing his mind, be cautious,” Brurock said. Druya bowed, and Brurock left for home.
***
Shardoe started to suspect that Brurock would turn on him. He was even more scared that if Lunae and Fulch got to the fulcrum of acquiescence, then his plan would completely fall apart. He was talking to himself when Druya came back to him.
“What needs to be done?” Druya said. Shardoe, startled, looked at him and glared.
“You are loyal only to Brurock. Tell me what would make you loyal to me?” Shardoe said. Druya chuckled.
“There is nothing you can give me,” Druya said. Shardoe scoffed at this.
“I need you to go through the Porpuraian soldiers and find the ones that aren’t loyal to me. Find them and then kill them,” Shardoe said.
“Now, why would I do that?” Druya said. Shardoe didn’t like his attitude. So he started to burn his water. Druya showed his teeth, clearly in pain.
“Fine, I’ll do it,” Druya said, knowing full well that he must stay alive and in his position. Shardoe brushed him off, and Druya acted like he left, but stayed close to the door to listen. Then a Porpura soldier came in, one that Shardoe trusted.
“I need you to cover for me,” Shardoe said. The soldier looked confused.
“Are you going somewhere?” the soldier said. Shardoe looked around.
“I am going to the Rhudon world. There is something there that I desperately need to find. I need the most loyal priests to come with me. I don’t know how long I will be gone. Can I rely on you?” Shardoe said.
“I will get you the priests; you can count on me,” the soldier said. Druya knew this was important information. He needed to see if his trusted priest was still alive, and if so, he needed to infiltrate this group.