The Tenth Throne of Fire

by Adimega10

"Do you think it's easy ruling during time of crisis? Chaos is rising, deities all over the pantheon are questioning my authority and I have to alter my plans to compromise with a literal child. I love you, Mother, but your constructive criticism is the last thing I want to deal with." Welcome to the 10th anniversary rewrite: "The Throne Of Fire - And We Shall Await The Sunrise".

5. One of them

16.03.2015

Amos

What was I doing? Honestly? I should've been in my room, resting. At least that's what all the healers were saying. But I had a feeling that something was wrong. I really hoped it was my intuition. And Michel kept on telling me I had to learn to trust myself again, so here we were.

It started a couple of days ago when Michel had come over for our daily talk. I knew the magician who was with him that day, but it had taken me a moment to remember the name. Vladimir Menshikov. When I saw him I was afraid Michel had finally decided I must be eliminated. And then I was terrified, because a part of me liked the idea. According to Michel, Menshikov was actually here to help me. Help my entire nome, in fact.

That was red flag number one: You should never trust someone who claims they can solve all your problems. Especially if that person was Vlad the Inhaler. I almost teared up upon remembering the nickname. When we were younger Julius had joked that Vlad reminded him of Dart Vader, because they both sounded like they need an inhaler. It was stupid, but it had stuck.

And it was true. Vladimir's throat, lungs and possibly vocal cords were all damaged. Yet he was still one of the most successful assassins in the House of Life. Not that the House would ever admit it had assassins.

I snuck down to the end of the hall, looked around to see if I was alone and pressed my ear on the door to the Hall.

"-worried about him." I heard Michel say. "Losing your brother is hard enough on its own. What Amos went through-"

I took a step back from the door and tried to even my breathing. Maybe this wasn't the best of ideas, but I needed to know what they were going to say. I needed to know what Menshikov was feeding Michel. I remember the look in his eyes when we last talked, confused and far away. I remember seeing that look in the reflection of my eyes in Set's. I remember-

No. Amos, concentrate. Please. This is important. In. One. Two. Three. Four. Hold. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Out. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Repeat. Repeat.

I needed to know what was wrong so I could help Michel. So I could save at least one of them.

"Amos is stained, Master," I heard Menshikov say. "Just like the rest of his family. He should be dealt with, not coddled."

One. Two. Three. Four. Hold.

"Vladimir, please." Michel's tone was wrong. This sentence should've been an order. Instead, it sounded like a plea.

"I know this may sound a bit harsh, My Lord. But you keep referring to him as if he is a kid. He is a grown men who should face the repercussions of his actions."

"And the children? What about them?"

"I've made arrangements to protect them," Julius had said. "Besides, if I don't do this, we're all in danger. Now, back off."

"I can't, Julius."

"The children are not there anymore." Menshikov's tone turned deadly serious. "We've both seen this happen numerous times before. I am saying this like one worried friend to another, Michel. Trust me."

Michel either didn't notice the magic behind Menshikov's words, or decided to ignore it. I'm not sure which worried me more.

That was enough, then. I wasn't fully sure I was ready to go to Brooklyn for tomorrow, but my return couldn't wait anymore. Back in 21st I would have enough resources and freedom to come up with a plan.

I knew it was pointless, but I still found myself whispering "Please, gods, let me save at least one of them!"