Bastial Frenzy (The Rhythm of Rivalry: Book 4) Read Free Page B

explaining why the public shouldn’t know.”
    Cleve couldn’t help but stand. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Because it would create panic to find out their leader murders people without trial.”
    “Sit.” Welson spoke firmly. “And quiet your voice.”
    Cleve’s body screamed to remain standing. But he fought against it and sat. It felt like he was holding his breath as he remained there, and that relief would come only when he stood and started to yell at the man who’d ordered his parents’ deaths.
    Welson continued. “No trial was needed. It was clear your father was the one who shot mine with a long-range arrow as my father stood on the balcony of this castle.”
    Cleve barely managed to get out the words without shouting. “That’s not true.”
    “It took eleven years of information gathering, Cleve. I was certain. Eleven years. You realize how long this was for a man of fifteen to wait for justice?”
    “Whatever you found led you to the wrong man. There’s no way—”
    “It was your father!” Welson slammed his fist on the table as he interrupted Cleve. “You will not speak back to me!”
    Welson reclined, shaking his head as he sighed. “It’s frustrating that no matter what I say, you refuse to believe the truth.” He leaned forward. “But it is the truth. Dex Polken murdered my father.”
    “Who’s the archer you sent after my father? Who killed him?”
    “There were three archers, all dead now. Your mother or father killed two of them, and the one who survived must’ve been involved in other matters, for he was found murdered himself later.”
    Cleve didn’t realize he was letting his skepticism come out as he stared at the King…until Welson rolled his eyes.
    “You must at least believe they’re all dead. The three archers were waiting for your father as he came out of the Fjallejon Pathway. But they were surprised by your mother, who must’ve followed Dex without him knowing. I believe both of them knew there was danger when I sent your father to Corin Forest. But he couldn’t ignore a demand from his king. Your mother probably tried to talk her way into going with him, but he wouldn’t allow it, so she followed him. Your parents managed to kill two of their attackers before being struck with an arrow.” Welson paused to study Cleve’s face. “What don’t you believe?”
    Everything. Cleve realized he no longer trusted Welson at all.
    The King stood. “No matter. I didn’t bring you here to convince you of what happened.” He started to pace once more. “So long as you don’t speak of this, I won’t put you back in prison. You’re too useful to be locked away while we’re at war.” He turned and looked through the tops of his eyes. “Yet, you’re forbidden to come into Kyrro City ever again. You must keep your distance from me. Am I clear?”
    Cleve nodded. “As long as I’m allowed to fight and stay in Kyrro, that’s what I care about. That’s all I ever wanted to do.”
    “You should thank me for sending you to Goldram. You’ve come back and brought a horse and a Bastial steel weapon with you.”
    Cleve’s heart jumped. He clutched the hilt of his sword.
    “That’s right. I know all about its value.”
    I won’t let you take it. Cleve could feel his face exposing his desperation, but he could do nothing to suppress it.
    Welson smiled, but it wasn’t a friendly expression. It was the look that Cleve envisioned when he imagined trading his life for the King’s, for there was no chance he would make it out of the castle alive after killing him.
    “You can relax, Cleve,” Welson said. “I’ve heard you’re the most capable warrior in the Academy, among the best of all my warriors. I wouldn’t take away a weapon from such a fighter. But you’ll use your Bastial steel sword and your bow for Kyrro.”
    With that, the King walked to a locked chest. He knelt as he produced a key from his pocket. For a moment, the monarch simply stood holding Cleve’s