Uroboros

08. Treason

Twilight had already fallen upon the world when Kaidan barged into his chambers in a rush. After little more than one day away, his room felt cold and strange. Built from stone and decorated with silk, Kaidan's chamber was completely different than Shepard's.

Swiftly, Kaidan changed out of his armor. He needed to clean it, but now wasn't the time. He ripped off his sweat-soaked clothes and chose a new set for himself. He washed himself at a bowl quickly and put on his clean clothes. He felt more human already.

Without much hesitation, Kaidan stormed into his study. He opened one crate after the other, looking for an old book he has stored there. He found the tome in the corner, covered by dust. It was a book about the great families of the Alliance and their history. He was sure that the information he needed was in here, somewhere.

He passed the names of the greater families that were extinct already, some of them even by the hand of his lover. He turned many pages at once, looking for more recent history. When he found his own family name and those of Ashley's, his quick movements slowed down. Eventually, his eyes landed on the word "Shepard", illustrated with swirls and little flowers. Apparently, the family started as common knights and every generation surpassed the last until they finally gained a position at court. The last known Shepard was a man Kaidan had never met. But what interested him wasn't the knight's name, but that of his wife.

Lady Hannah's name was written in neat handwriting on the section about Lord Shepard's spouse. It stated that she was a commoner, a soldier in King Steven's army before marrying Lord Shepard. After her husband's death, she joined King Steven's personal guard, upholding the vow Lord Shepard took. Kaidan read on. After a few short paragraphs recording Lady and Lord Shepard's greatest deeds, Kaidan found a note stating that Lady Hannah later had a bastard son.

That's it. No description of the child. No names, nothing.

Frustrated, Kaidan closed the tome with a dead sound. He snorted loudly and let himself sink into his chair. Without more evidence, he could never convince the council that he indeed had found the last Hackett. Even with the sword Arcturus and his golden pendant, it wasn't enough.

A loud knock on his door interrupted his brooding. Whoever was out there didn't wait for his answer but entered.

"Kaidan? Are you there?"

"Ash?" He jumped from his chair and rushed into his entry to meet her. "What are you doing here?"

"So the rumor is true," She gasped. Her cheeks was flushed, as if she had ran all the steps up to his chambers. "You're back. What happened? Did you flee? Hey, what's that on your neck? Did he hurt you?"

"Slow down, Ash," Kaidan held up two hands to stop her. "I'm fine. I convinced him to let me go."

"Really?" Her voice dripped of disbelieve. "Just like that."

"Not just like that," He shook his head and gestured her to help him with his armor. "But he let me go."

She slipped out of her gauntlets and put them on the table. She gave Kaidan's bloodied plate a disapproving look, but grabbed them anyway. "Is he who I think he is?"

"What do you mean?"

"The guy from Chora's Den!" She stared at him. "The merc you slept with."

Kaidan had completely forgotten that Ashley was there. He winced at that memory and the embarrassment. But he nodded.

"I knew it!" She gasped. "Shit."

"I know." Kaidan nodded.

"What did he want?"

"I'm not sure." He sighed. "He said he wanted just me, but I doubt it. No one marches an army to our door for a husband. Not even the crazy Specter."

"And what now? Is he going to leave or... will he attack?"

"I don't think so," Kaidan shook his head and put his gauntlet's on. Ashley was crouching at his feet, fumbling with Kaidan's greaves. "He promised not to attack, but I won't bet my life on it. His mood changes like the weather on open sea. And I found a map of Vancouver in his tent, all entrances and weak points marked out. Though I generally believe him, we still should be on our guard."

"Most of the soldiers have returned to their normal duty." Ashley said and came up to stand before him. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and wiped a few strands from her face. "Councilor Udina has declared the siege over and opened the gates this morning."

"I noticed that."

"Something isn't right, Kaidan." She frowned. "A lot of people entered the city today."

"What people?" He bound his sword belt around his waist and checked if his blade was well oiled.

"Strangers." Ashley followed suit and started checking her own weapons. "From other Alliance Cities it seemed. Some of them clearly were soldiers, mercs, I'd bet."

"What is Udina planning?" Kaidan finished the last of his checks and rubbed his chin.

"Kaidan, what's going on?" Ashley's gaze turned sharp. "What are you keeping from me?"

"What do you mean?" Kaidan stared at her.

"What's going on between you and the Specter?" She didn't let him answer. "He shows up and you jump into bed with him."

"With your encouragement!"

"And a day later, the Specters are at our door. Instead of fighting, you let them into the city. And then, I see you two snuggling in the gardens. Then he..." She grunted with frustration. "Do I have to continue? You realize how it looks? Be honest with me, Kaidan. Or I can't help you."

"Help me with what?" Kaidan frowned.

"There are rumors," Her eyes narrowed. "That you and the Specter are..."

"Are what?"

The door behind him barged open a third time this evening. "Involved." A stranger said. He stepped into the room with the confidence of a winner, followed by armored troops Kaidan didn't recognize. They surrounded the two Vancouver knights, their hands already on the handles of their swords.

"Well done, Chief Williams," The stranger nodded towards Ashley, then placed himself before her. "Lord Udina will be very pleased."

"Who are you?" Kaidan and Ashley asked in the same time.

"My name is Kai Leng," the stranger explained. He removed his helmet, revealing his foreign face. His eyes were marked by black paint that still showed its almond shape. His black hair was long, hanging down to his shoulders. Even the tight armor he wore was unfamiliar.

Kaidan could bet that this was one of the strangers entering their City Ashley told him about.

"On Lord Udina's request, I've come to help enforce the law." Kai Leng added. "Chief Williams, you have stalled just enough time for me and my men to move in. Now, please step aside."

"What's going on here?" Kaidan hissed, his hand sprang to grasp his sword.

"I wouldn't do that, Prince Alenko" the stranger only said. "You are clearly outnumbered. If you come with us quietly, the court might grant you mercy."

"What?" Kaidan gasped. He suppressed the fire of his magic and only stared in the stranger's eyes. "What is my charge?"

"Treason."

"That's not our deal!" Ashley protested, but the stranger silenced her with a hand-gesture.

"I advise you not to overstep your boundaries, Chief Williams." Kai Leng was getting obnoxious by the minute. "Or do you want me to think you were somehow involved in his plans?"

Ashley hesitated for a fraction, but then lowered her head. "No. I don't know of his plans."

"Ash..." Kaidan gasped. "You betrayed me?"

"I'm sorry, Kaidan." Her face flushed with shame. "But the evidence is against you."

"What? I've committed no crime against Vancouver!"

"That's for the court to decide." Kai Leng added.

"Fine!" Kaidan spat. "Bring me to the King. I'll hear my charges from him."

The stranger nodded and turned to leave. His troops closed in around Kaidan, escorting him towards the grand throne-room. While they walked, Kaidan saw Ashley throw shy glances at him. He didn't return them. He still couldn't believe that Ashley had sold him out. She had been his most loyal subordinate and friend. How could she do this to him?

When they neared the center of the castle, nobles and servants backed away to give them more room. Kaidan felt their eyes on him as he walked between his guards, caged in like the criminal they though he was. He heard whisperers, people shouting "traitor" in his way. A woman cried out, stating that she had trusted him. How could he have done this to them.

Kaidan ignored them. How quickly the tides had turned. Barely a few days ago, he was their champion. He was their prince of virtue, the most desired bachelor in Vancouver. They had shouted their love for him and expressed their admiration. How quickly he had fallen, just because he had allowed a savage to defy him.

He shook his head. This shouldn't be Shepard's fault. The Specter had nothing to do with it. It was Udina's paranoia that had twisted his father's mind. Once he looked his parents in the eyes and told them the truth, he would be free again. It was just a huge misunderstanding that happened to work against him. Nothing more.

Kai Leng pushed open the door to the throne-room before him. Kaidan heard people inside gasp as others gathered at the gate, trying to gain a glimpse of what was happening inside. With all the gawking nobles and shrieking servants around them, Kaidan realized too late that the man sitting in the throne wasn't his father, but his first advisor, Councilor Donald Udina.

It also did not escape his notice that Udina was completely dressed in black, like a man in mourning. Even his posture and countenance indicated that someone had died. Sitting in there like a man with a great burden, the politician displayed his sorrow perfectly. If Kaidan only believed him.

"Where is my father?" Kaidan asked when they came to a stop. Kai Leng retreated back to where Kaidan used to stand beside his father. Ashley returned to her post and the other guards stepped just outside of Kaidan's reach.

"Lord Kaidan Alenko," Udina said with a sad voice. "How bold of you to return after the treason you have committed."

"Where is my father?" Kaidan demanded again. His eyes scanned the room but found no trace of him. His mother too was absent. Seeing some other high ranking members of the Vancouver government also dressed in black, Kaidan's gut's turned. "Where is my mother?"

"Spare us this act, Prince Regent," Udina straightened himself in his seat. He took a deep breath and the throne-room silenced. "The King and Queen Regent are dead. Murdered by your accomplice, Specter Shepard."

"What?" Kaidan suddenly couldn't breathe. What was Udina saying? His parents couldn't be dead. They just couldn't. Kaidan saw them just yesterday, perfectly healthy, perfectly alive. He was just gone more than one day, they couldn't be dead.

"You're lying..." he gasped, feeling dizzy all the sudden. "Where are they? Where are my parents?"

"Persistent till the end, I see." Udina sneered. "A servant found them in their bed this morning, both dead. They were poisoned by the first Specter, who was the last man to see them alive. But I needn't tell you that, since it was you who has staged this infamous betrayal! You, whom we all trusted!"

The court was in disarray. In the chaos of outraged expressions, Kaidan failed to register what was spoken. Regardless if they were with or against him, Kaidan felt very alone in the middle of the hall. He was petrified, not able to move. His head spun, still trying to realize that his mother was dead. He pictured her lying in their bed, asleep, with a gentle smile on her lips and knew that she would never open her eyes again. He felt a tear coming to his eyes, but blinked it away. Eventually, he lifted his head towards Udina and couldn't manage to say a single word.

Rage and shock tied his tongue. His mild dislike for Udina grew into an infinite hate. He glared at the new king regent whose sight fooled the entire court but him. He channeled the magic inside him, freeing him from the stupor. As blue fire surrounded him again, the guards drew their swords.

Kaidan's hand reached for his own. He would not stand here and let this happen. He would fight for his honor, or die trying.

In the black yurt camped outside Vancouver, Shepard blinked his tears away. He reached for the blanket Kaidan slept in, hoping to catch a glimpse of Kaidan's scent. But it was already gone. It smelled only like himself.

He swallowed, feeling a new wave of tears attacking his eyes. He hadn't cried in years. But with Kaidan so close and far from him, his bundled emotions crashed against him. He rolled around, pulling one arm over his eyes and allowed himself to cry in silence, hating the word for everything.

He had Kaidan. He had everything. For those brief hours, his life was perfect. As Kaidan came undone beneath his touch, Shepard really believed that Kaidan wouldn't want to leave afterwards.

But Kaidan did. He slipped out of Shepard's embrace softly, leaving nothing but a fleeting memory. He didn't see him off, now he might never see Kaidan again. He just couldn't manage seeing Kaidan ride past him again. Not after all those years of pining. Not after having Kaidan.

He grunted with frustration. He turned in bed and cried out in heart-ache. It stung harder than any blade and hurt more than any wound. It was a pain not just contained to one section but caught his own being. He felt as if his head and chest were about to burst. He let the tears flow freely. They come in waves, each one stronger than the last. He felt as if he had spent hours crying until his throat was hoarse and his eyes dry.

Only then did he realize the presence at his flap.

"Liara," he murmured. Shame made him turn his face away.

"Maybe it's better I don't ask why you let him go."

Shepard get off his bed and poured some wine for himself. "Because I love him. Keeping him here..." He shook his head, trying not to give into his softness. "Because being a knight is who he is. It's what I love about him. I couldn't change that."

"How curious?"

"I'm sorry," Shepard looked at her. "I never apologized for leaving you. Now I know how you felt."

"It's in the past," She smiled sadly. "I couldn't change you either. But I can help you now."

"How? He's gone."

"He is just a few hours ride away. We can easily return him to you."

"We?"

"We love you, Shepard." Liara sat down next to him. "And that includes seeing you happy."

"Something I should know about?"

"Grunt and James are prepared to kidnap him." Liara said with a chuckle. "Whereas Garrus and I are for a more subtle approach."

"How?"

"Garrus is scouting the area. There must be something we can use." She said.

"You want to play politician again?"

"Well, the situation in the Alliance is strained to say at least. Without the last Hackett to occupy the throne, I'm afraid war is inevitable."

Shepard frowned. "Looks like we should ready ourselves for more additions. With war raging, refugees will need our support. It will be like ten years ago."

"Worse," Liara nodded. "All Alliance cities will be involved this time. If my prediction is correct, they will fight for the fertile lands. Vancouver will be attacked, repeatedly."

"Who can challenge them?" He moved towards his war-room and looked down at the map of the Alliance controlled territory.

"They call themselves Cerberus," Liara pointed at the City of Cronos. "Their leader is a ruthless idealist by the name of Illusive Man. I've encountered his agents many times. They are not like the anointed knights of Vancouver. They follow no code of honor, only the idea of a dominant Alliance that tolerated no competition."

"What do they want?"

"To wipe us out." She explained. "We are the weeds that spoiled their lands."

"Mhm..." Shepard massaged his stubbed chin. He could use a shave again. "They certainly will deal with the Alliance Cities first before turning their attention to us. Which gives us more time to prepare. And if they attacked Vancouver, a strong ally like the Fire Claws will be welcome. Is this what you're saying?"

"Our people needs a home eventually." She said. "Saving Vancouver from destruction will smooth over the strained relationship to their King Regent."

"Kaidan's father isn't really fond of me."

"But you returned his son, now. I'm sure Prince Kaidan will be more than grateful if you came to his aid."

"Yeah, but Cerberus has to attack first." Shepard mused.

"It is only a matter of time." She leaned against the table. "The treaty of Vancouver expires in a few months."

"The what?"

"You didn't know?" Liara sounded surprised. "Oh well, the treaty King Regent Alenko signed with all the other kings after Hackett's death."

"What does it say?"

"That the last Hackett has to claim his throne before he reaches the age of 25. After that, the Hackett birthright becomes... invalid." Liara's gaze said more than her mouth did. "Right now, Robert Alenko acts with the Hackett authority. After that... you can imagine what happens."

"War of succession," Shepard counted. "Burned fields, dead soldiers, rape, hunger, refugees, chaos. Yeah, we've seen that before."

"So?"

"What?" Shepard gasped.

"You could put a stop to it."

"Yeah, by giving my support to Vancouver," Shepard said quickly. "And for that, well, I guess I would have earned the prince. And after the war, Kaidan wouldn't have a reason to refuse me. If I fight beside him, he might fall in love with me."

"Is that all you think about?" Liara chuckled. "Love?"

"What else is there to life?" He laughed. "Well, I think about our people, too. Some of them will find a good home in Vancouver."

"What will we do?" Liara wondered.

"Let's think about that when this is over." Shepard toasted Liara with his wine. His heart throbbed at the thought of war. Ever since he united all the clans, he hadn't had a decent fight with an opponent that offered him challenge. Thinking about leading his enormous army into war, Shepard grinned.

"What's on your mind?"

"War." He answered. "It's what I'm made for."

"It's what you're best at." Liara agreed.

"Besides making love, that is." He laughed again and downed his wine. Now that he had a plan of conquering Kaidan, the previous heart-ache felt a lot more like motivation. He even looked forward to it.

Hooves thundering on earth alerted Shepard. A minute later, Garrus rushed into his tent, his skin shimmering and his spear dripping with blood. The heat in his eyes told Shepard his best friend just killed a man. The worry between his brows made Shepard halt in his movements.

"We have a problem." Garrus gasped. "Kaidan has been arrested."

"Drop your sword, Lord Alenko." Kai Leng landed before Kaidan in a swift flip, his own thin blade only an arm-length away from Kaidan. Many nobles gasped and backed away while the armored guards Udina had brought to the city closed in. Kaidan was outnumbered one to six. Even with his exceptional combat expertise that exceeded everyone else in Vancouver, Kaidan knew that he had no chance of winning this fight.

Drawing his weapon was a rash move. It was the anger of being accused that led Kaidan's hand to his blade. Realizing this the bad timing, the prince lowered his sword slightly, but did not drop it.

"Prince Kaidan, please don't make a scene," Udina spoke as if he was begging. "If you admit your crimes, I promise to be merciful."

"What crimes?" Kaidan cried out. He glared at the nobles gathered before him, all of them high functional of Vancouver. When his position was reversed, Kaidan always took pride seeing these men and women, knowing that their politics constantly protected Vancouver. But standing before him as an accused traitor, he feared their judgment. "I didn't kill my parents!"

"We never accused you of doing it yourself," Udina sat straighter in his throne. "It was only you who had planned it. Together with your betrothed, you have planned to take over Vancouver. Isn't it true? It started when you invited him into this very hall instead of protecting us from his presence. It has not passed our attention that you know him already beforehand. And while our beloved king was off guard, you orchestrated a duel which united you with your ally. After that, while you were safely out of the way, you let the Specter poison your own parents! Now you return to us to claim this throne, knowing that it would be vacant. But you thought wrong, Prince Alenko. My men and your own captain saw through your lies. They came to me for these honorable knights could no longer bare to be part of your schemes. They urged me to act as the King Regent, freeing Vancouver from a traitor."

"Lies!" Kaidan shouted out. He had listened to them with his teeth clenched but could no longer suffer it. "All lies!"

"Is it, Prince Alenko?" Udina challenged. "I have witnesses whose words I trust."

"Let them speak before me, then!" Kaidan demanded. "I'll uncover their lies about me."

"Chief Williams," Udina made a gesture and Ashley flinched. "Would you be so kind to tell the court what you told me?"

"My Lord," she hesitated. "I..."

"Your oath not to betrayal Prince Alenko's confidence is release the moment he was accused. Don't be shy, child."

"Ash," Kaidan begged. "Don't do this."

"I'm sorry, Kaidan. But you were acting very strange lately." She stepped down into the middle and addressed the gathered nobles. "I saw Prince Alenko with the first Specter during the feast. They were in the gardens, alone." She swallowed. "They appeared very... familiar."

"Don't do this to me, Ash." Kaidan shook his head. He didn't know if he should be grateful that she hadn't mentioned the night in Chora's Den. If would ruin just about everything...

"What did they say?" Udina asked.

"I was too far away," Ashley reported. "I couldn't hear it."

"What did they do, then?"

"They... talked." Ashley said. "And... were intimate."

Kaidan winced and the court gasped. They whispered to each other eagerly, discussing the meaning of it. Kaidan should have known that someone noticed them. He should have been more careful.

"Thank you, Chief Williams. You may return to your post." Udina focused on the court instead of Kaidan. "Shameful!" He spat. "You should have leaved it at there, Prince Alenko. Instead, you choose to fool us with an outrageous charade. The duel was nothing but a fraud."

"It was not!" Kaidan protested. "How dare you accuse me of false honor? You yourself encouraged me to challenging him myself!"

"I encouraged you to defend our people, to spare lives, not to bed a savage."

Kaidan cheeks burned with anger. His grip around his sword tightened and the muscles in his body tensed. Immediately, Kai Leng lifted his blade in a defensive position.

"I..." Kaidan started but was cut short.

"It was my love for you and your father that had blinded me to your dubious game." Udina continued. "But I will not be fooled again by your tricks, Prince Alenko. It is still not too late to admit your guilt."

"I have nothing to confess!" Kaidan said firmly. He hinted a bow at the gathered nobles around him before he opened his mouth. "Hear me, Lord and Ladies of Vancouver. I am not a traitor. Even since my knighthood, I have served the crown loyally and honorably. Letting Shepard into our hall was a mistake, but only one I made out of concern for your lives." Kaidan took a short breath and took in the attention on himself. "Like my father, I detest bloodshed. But you all know that I have never hesitated striking our enemies down. But Shepard is not our enemy. It was a stroke of fate that had led me to him. In the brief time I have known him, I've learned of his noble origin. After twelve years, I have found the last Hackett!" With that, Kaidan withdrew the golden pendant baring King Steven's sigil. He lifted it high, so all could see it. As the people around him gasped and whispered again, Kaidan turned back towards Udina. "John Shepard, the first Specter is the son of Lady Hannah Shepard and our late King Steven. Before his death, King Steven revealed this secret to my father and to your, Councilor Udina. Shepard is the rightful King of Vancouver."

"Preposterous!" Udina barked. He frowned deeply, glaring at Kaidan as if he wanted to shut him up by the force of will. "It is another fraud to rob this throne! The last Shepard is a myth, a story you cling on to stall time while you planned to take over. Tell me, what did the savage promise you when you make him king?"

"He promised me nothing!" Kaidan snapped. "I learned of the truth this morning and thus I returned to confirm it. I didn't kill my parents and neither did Shepard. I am wrongly accused."

"You claim to be innocent, then?"

"I do!"

"Then you surely wouldn't oppose a trial to determine that."

It was either fighting his way out like a guilty criminal or place his trust in the justice of Vancouver. Kaidan sighed and nodded.

"Very well," Udina nodded and Kaidan breathed out. "Chief Williams, please escort Lord Kaidan to his chambers where he should be constantly under guard. My Lord and Ladies, I am very sorry to today's inconvenience. Lord Alenko's trail will be in a fortnight, after the mourning of..."

Behind them, a squad of Kaidan's men pushed their way through the gathered nobles. The leader of them, Sir Jenkis made his way towards Councilor Udina and hinted a quick bow.

"My Lord," He said breathlessly. "The Savage broke through our defenses, they are in the city!"

"What?" Kaidan gasped and exchanged a quick glance with Ashley. "What did you say?"

"They came out of nowhere, My Lord!" Sir Jenkins gasped. "We didn't see them coming. The witch did something and then the Specters are in the city. They opened the gate and... they are headed this way."

"What do they want?" Ashley asked, her eyes wide with shock.

"They..." Jenkins hesitated, fumbling with his fingers.

"Out with it!" Udina barked.

"They want Prince Kaidan, My Lord." Jenkins looked from Udina to Kaidan then lowered his gaze. "They demand the immediate release of Prince Kaidan, or they'll burn the city down."

"Oh shit..." Kaidan murmured. Now no one would ever believe that he was innocent.

"Cease that traitor!" Someone called from the crowd. Other agitated shouts quickly joined in, calling out the worst insults. One man even demanded Kaidan's head.

"Apprehend the traitor!" Udina sneered, his acted mercy all gone.

Before Kaidan could protest, the foreign assassin landed in Kaidan's path, his sword glowing. He didn't wait for acknowledgment, but attacked. The knight sidestepped the slash, quickly murmuring a spell to infuse his armor and arms. He lifted his sword just in time to block Kai Leng's second slash.

The stranger moved fast, with many acrobatic stunts. It was difficult following his movements, let alone predict where he might strike next. Many times, Kaidan felt the thin blade connect with his armor, leaving scratches and cut in them. He channeled more energy into his hand as Kai Leng circled around him. When the assassin jumped this time, Kaidan unleashed the gathered lightning into Leng's direction, catching him in full scale.

The man cried out in pain as his magical barrier burst. He flipped backwards, landing in a low crouch. "Cover me!" He shouted. His men, the men Udina had let into the city advanced, using the opening in Kaidan's defenses. While the knight crossed his sword with the other soldiers, he saw in the corner of his eyes that Kai Leng was murmuring an incantation. Things were getting worse by the minute.

Kaidan rolled out of the way as two swords crashed down on him. He slashed out low, catching their unprotected legs. Both men cried out before falling down on the ground. The men behind them had to jump over their wounded comrades to get to the Prince.

Kaidan used this chance to slip behind a column. He pushed a noble man out of the way and emerged from the other side. He shifted behind the man following him and pushed his charged sword into his side. The man had no more strength to cry out. He gasped and fell when Kaidan withdrew his sword, making blood spread again.

"Surrender!" Ashley barked, coming towards him with her sword drawn. "Kaidan, don't make it worse!"

"My guilt is decided!" Kaidan gasped back. He conjured a shield from blue fire to protect his left side and faced her in a defensive position. "Ashley, I didn't betray us, you know it. You have to believe me."

"Then stop fighting!"

"And let those strangers take me?"

"Please, Kaidan. Don't make me kill you!"

"Dammit, Ash! You know me! I'm not a traitor!"

"But you..."

"I know you're trying to do the right thing! But you've been fooled. This is some coup. If you give me time, I can prove it! Ash, believe me!"

For a moment, it looks like Ashley was about to give in. Then, her eyes widened and looked past Kaidan. The prince turned around just in time to block the incoming missile. An arrow bounced off his magical shield and Kaidan threw his sword at the archer. His blade embedded itself deeply into the man's chest, who crashed against the wall and slid down.

Kaidan switched to his dagger and stabbed it into the chin of a solder that tried to flank him. He pulled the man around to shield himself from two other arrows before rolling out of the way. The Magical shield on Kaidan's arm was small and inefficient against ranged attacks. It was more made for melee, than blocking waves of eaves of arrows.

Without a proper sword in his hand, Kaidan dived behind a column again. He came to stand face to face with a terrified maid. He gestured her to stay slow and crawl out of the way at first chance. The knight didn't dare looking around, afraid he might see even more innocent who had been caught in the bloodshed in the throne-room.

"Come out!" Kai Leng challenged and Kaidan quickly stole a glance at his opponent. Kai Leng was standing proudly in the middle of the hall, his whole body again glowing with magical barrier. His sword, thought, rested on Ashley's throat. "And drop your weapons, or she dies."

"You bastard!" Ashley cursed.

"Shut up, Williams!" Kai Leng yanked her towards Kaidan by her hair. "Prince Alenko, it's your call."

Cursing Udina with all his imagination, Kaidan managed a frustrated yell. He stepped out of the shadow and let his dagger fall to the ground. The shield magically attached to his left arm dissolved as the blue surrounding him faded.

"Good prince," Kai Leng smirked. "Now, kneel."

"You son of a bitch!" Kaidan hissed, but dropped to his knees.