Chapter 63: Shadows Over the Dawn

Reika awoke to pain in her chest. She rubbed her head as if the action would clear her vision, just as Daisy entered her room, juggling a tray with steaming tea and fresh bread. "You look like you barely slept," Daisy said, setting the tray on the table. "Because I didn't," Reika replied shortly, then tempered. "Sorry. It's just… everything feels like it's unraveling all at once." Daisy sat, sobering. "Then maybe it's time to tighten the threads." Reika raised an eyebrow. "What do you suggest?" "The Dawn family," Daisy whispered, leaning in closer. "They've been too quiet of late, almost as if they're waiting for something. And I don't trust them. You've seen how they've been cozying up to Alpha Ileus-always offering advice, always meddling in council affairs." Reika's jaw clenched. Since the day she first stepped into the palace, the family of the Dawn had been such a headache for her, putting on smiling faces. Beneath all that, Reika felt dangerous ambition. "Think it might have something to do with this rebellion? "I wouldn't be surprised," Daisy said. "They're smooth enough not to stand in the open against you, yet that won't stop them from acting from behind the curtain." Reika's eyes darkened. "Then it's time for them to reveal their true colors." --- Conference in the Gardens Later that morning, Reika summoned a private audience with the matriarch of the family, Lady Elara Dawn. It was staged in the gardens of the palace, an attempt thinly veiled to cloak civility over the weight of what was at stake. Exquisitely attired, Lady Elara bowed deep, with her gold locks combed into an elegant coil behind her head. "You summoned me, Your Majesty?" Elara asked, honey dripping from her voice, but steel to edge. Reika motioned with her hand to the stone bench opposite her. "Please, sit." As Elara sat, Reika watched her closely. The woman was a mistress of manipulation; words were as sharp as any blade to her. Still, Reika didn't impress easily. "I've been hearing some disturbing rumors," Reika said lightly. "Rebellion in the northern territories. Whispers of treachery." The faint smile had curled Elara's lips, and she said, "Rumors do have a way of getting out of hand, Your Majesty. Surely you don't take the idea seriously that the Dawn family would involve themselves in such things." "I think the Dawn family has always been … opportunistic," Reika said, leaning forward. "And opportunity often breeds disloyalty." The smile slipped a moment, then returned. "You wound me, Your Majesty," she said. "My family has been loyal to the crown for generations." "Loyalty is proved by actions, not by words," Reika snapped out. "I suggest you make sure your family stays on the right side of history." Elara rose, her face cold. "Of course, Your Majesty. We live to serve." With Elara's back turned and the grace of her gait away from her, satisfaction welled in her chest. The seeds were sewn. Now came the time to water them. --- A Perilous Alliance That evening, Reika called Captain Harren and Daisy to her chambers. It was an intimate gathering - just three of them huddled in the candlelight around a large map of the northern territories. "The Dawn family needs to be watched," Reika said. "I want eyes on their every move—who they meet with, what they say, even what they eat for breakfast." Harren nodded. "I'll assign my best men to the task." "Good," Reika replied. She turned to Daisy. "And you-keep your ears open among the servants. The Dawns have a knack for using others to do their dirty work." Daisy smiled. "You can count on me." As they finished planning, there came a knock to the door. Coming in was one of the many palace guards, bowing very low. "Your Majesty, Lady Elara has arrived, requesting an audience with Alpha Ileus. She sits in the council chamber." Reika frowned. "Whatever could she want with my husband at this time of night?" "Just one way to find out," Daisy said. ---The Eavesdropping Reika burst across the threshold of the chamber, her friend Daisy practically breathing down her neck. Bringing herself to a stop sharp just outside of them, Reika pressed her ear to the chilling wood. From beyond that sleek polished door, the voice of Elara took precedence-smooth as silk: "My lord, I must admit, the behaviour of the queen does make me afraid of late." In an instant, Reika's blood stirred. "She's grown increasingly… unpredictable," Elara went on to say. "And as much as we are all in wonder at her strength, I nearly fear it will carry her into decisions that endanger the kingdom." "I understand your misgivings," Ileus returned in a modulated tone. "But my wife is perfectly capable of handling her own responsibilities." "Of course, my lord," Elara hastened to reply. "It is just that, as your loyal advisor, duty binds me to see your reign in stable times. Perhaps it would be wise to consider alternative measures, against the eventuality. Which is not, of course, to say-" Reika leaned back from the door, her heart racing as Elara was sowing seeds of doubt in Ileus's mind, striving to turn him against her. "We have to do something quick," Daisy whispered. "If she continues in this vein, who can tell what Ileus may begin to think?" Reika nodded and said nothing. She had no words to say. ---The Unlikely Visitor Later that night, sitting at the fire, lost deep in thought, Reika heard a knock on the door. She thought it probably was Daisy so she called, "Come in." Her surprise came when Riftan entered, flanked between two guards, the soft clinking of chains with each careful step. "Riftan?" Reika repeated as she rose from her seat. "Your guards have decided that you may like to have a word with me," he returned with an ever present grin. She let out the guards and offered for one to a chair, upon which to let Riftan take his seat. "Sister, you've been busy," he stated falling into the settee across from her. "And you've been quiet," she returned. "Too quiet." Riftan laughed. "What can I say? I am just so enjoying every minute of your squirming." Reika leaned forward, her eyes cold. "The Dawn family-do you know anything about their involvement in the rebellion?" Riftan's smirk faltered. "The Dawns are snakes, Reika. Always have been. But they're also clever. If they're involved, they'll cover their tracks well." "How do I expose them, then?" Riftan shrugged. "You don't. You let them hang themselves." "What if they don't?" Riftan's eyes gleamed. "Then you out-snake the snakes." --- The Cliffhanger As Riftan was dragged away to his cell, Reika was left with nothing but the echoing words of his. Of course, he could not be trusted. But how many of his words had been tinged with the truth-only by joining in the Dawn family game, beating them at their own sport, would hope stand a chance of pulling down one stone. But as she stared into the fire, a knock came at the window that startled her. Turning, she saw outside a figure in the shadows. Her heart pounding, Reika opened the window. A slip of parchment was pinned to the window frame. "The Dawns are moving faster than you think. Watch your back." No signature. No clue as to who had left it. She folded the parchment, her mind already made up; things were about to get serious in this game, and she was not about to lose.