Fractured Kingdoms: The Siege

"And you believe the elves are being held captive in this underground library?"

Roan glanced at the Provider, nodding. He felt a strange mixture of awe and discomfort standing next to the king who had thrown his mother in prison. Under deceptive circumstances, granted, but still.

"And why are you betraying your governor?" Vosh asked quietly. "Who are you really?"

The implication was obvious—How do I know this isn't a trap?

Roan took a breath. "My mother was the head servant in your palace. She was wrongly imprisoned when she came under suspicion of leading assassins to you."

Vosh raised his eyebrows. "And this is supposed to improve your credibility with me?"

"No," he said. "I'm telling you that my mother no longer trusts you because of what's happened to her. But she explained the situation to me, and I know that you were deceived. She may not trust you anymore . . . but I do. You've been a good king to our land. I haven't seen a reason to doubt that. But I've seen plenty of doubtful things from Caselle."

"Interesting," Vosh mused. "You could have kept that tidbit about your mother from me."

"And I didn't," Roan answered evenly.

The Provider nodded, understanding. "When we take the city, lead the way. If you're right about the elves . . . I'll see what I can do about your mother."