Well, here we are...The end of part II!! For all of you who have made it this far, THANK YOU FOR READING! This chapter will tie up at least one loose end and kinda change EVERYTHING. Hope you enjoy;-)

Henry

Henry had read over Dresden Rearder's report so many times as to lose count. An exercise in self-flagellation, drilling the traitorous activities of Cecil Dirham into his conscious over and over gain until they became real. The only man he had ever trusted was in fact his worst enemy. It was a bitter reality to swallow.

After receiving Rearder's account of Cecil's betrayal Henry worked tirelessly for the better part of a month straight, checking what he could of Rearder's assertions, making certain that the evidence against the High Chancellor was all but unimpeachable. No matter how he wished to deny it, there was no question that Cecil Dirham had sought his destruction.

The note Lord Rearder had brought when making his initial allegation was merely the tip of the mountain of evidence the man had been able to produce against the High Chancellor. Cecil had exchanged correspondence with known associates of the Vox Populi, aiding them in their quest to attack the lives and holdings of those who were Henry's true allies. He had provided money to fund an assortment of small armies of various noblemen, and leaked confidential information regarding security within Auresir at royal arms stores throughout the Empire. It seemed he had even taken weapons for himself, no doubt accounting for the arms the rebels had been able to miraculously obtain.

Always having prided himself on his ability to read others, Henry despaired to have been so deceived. He had been blinded by love for his teacher and mentor. For a man who had raised him and acted as a father more than Fredrick ever had.

The High Chancellor had not been in Auresir through the duration the investigation into the allegations against him. Since Reader had planted the seed of distrust in his mind, Henry had found it too painful to be in Cecil's presence. More importantly, he needed time to find and question those in the Capitol with close connections to the Chancellor to assess the veracity of Rearder's supposed "proof." He knew it would have been difficult to do so without Cecil's knowledge. In keeping the Chancellor clear of the Capitol he could better prevent the Chancellor from hindering Henry's men from finding the truth. While Henry might have simply had the man arrested and questioned himself, somehow he could not bring himself to cast aspersions on his dear friend until he was certain of his guilt.

Instead, Henry suggested that Cecil take a well-earned rest at the Dirham estate in Chestershire for all his hard work. The Chancellor had readily agreed. Apparently entirely oblivious to Henry's distress, Cecil had accepted his temporary leave as a true sign of gratitude from the Crown. The man's ignorance had been telling. Clearly the High Chancellor was far less observant that Henry had always believed.

Yet in spite of everything Henry had still held out hope until the end, when the mound of evidence grew too great to ignore. Since that point however, he had done his best to prepare himself for the confrontation that was unavoidable, throwing himself into the task of fully documenting the truth of each and every allegation Dresden Rearder had sent in his report. And now, the time had come. Cecil had been summoned two days prior from his estate and was due to arrive that very day. Henry had nearly finished Rearder's long document yet again when the knock came upon the door of his study.

"Your Majesty, Lord High Chancellor Cecil Dirham to see you."

Henry laid down the papers in a neat pile and took a deep breath. "Send him in and see that we are not disturbed," he said.

It seemed to Henry that Cecil entered the room with a bit of trepidation, though he knew it might be a figment of his imagination. The Chancellor could have no way of knowing that he had been discovered. If he had, the man would never have returned to the palace so willingly. Apparently, Henry's efforts in preventing Cecil from having any chance to cover up his actions in the course of the investigation had proved effective. The Chancellor did not realize that his death warrant was already signed. 

Henry stared at the man intently as he entered the study. The man he had presumed to know so well. In his life, Cecil had perhaps been the one figure who had never disappointed him and Henry had always looked upon him with great respect. But now, staring into the face of his advisor and mentor, Henry could see only the accusations painted across his skin. Each treacherous deed etched into his flesh.

Standing before him, Cecil bowed his head respectfully. "My Lord," he said. "You called for me and I came as soon as I could."

"And for that I am grateful," Henry replied, pushing way the feelings of resentment that quickly filled him in Cecil's presence. "I ask your pardon, Sir," Henry continued. "I know I had suggested you take respite on your own estate for a full two months, but there are matters of importance I felt could not wait."

"Of course, Sire," Cecil answered.

There was no hint of guilt in his face as his spoke. No sign of his duplicity. The face of a friend masking that of a traitor.

"I am your humble servant and will always put the needs of the Crown above my own."

Henry nodded. "As you have always done," he said. "As you did in service to my father and grandfather before me." He wondered if Cecil could hear the hint of bitterness in his voice as he spoke. Sure enough, as he stared at the man in silence, Henry could now see a clear hint of discomfort in the Chancellor's eyes.

"Is something wrong, Sire?" Cecil asked. Henry did not answer immediately. Everything was wrong after all.

"Cecil," he said finally, "my father once told me that you were a religious man. Is that true?"

The Chancellor seemed confused by the question. His mouth turned down slightly, brow furrowed in thought. "I am a God fearing man as much as any," he said.

Henry nodded. "I myself have never put much stock in the words of Kanjar or the God, but I do see faith as a useful tool. It is only too true that man is more likely to be honest with a celestial judge than with a King. Divine right is never quite enough to override the divine himself."

"I suppose that man does fear the consequences of an immortal master who deals in the stuff of souls more than his temporal counterpart," Cecil replied after a moment's consideration.

Henry smiled slightly. Cecil the quick-witted. This was who he was. A man of intelligence and tact Henry had admired so. If only he had used those skills to provide council instead of deception.

"This is why I have always loved you, my friend," Henry replied. "Your honesty. So tell me now, High Chancellor. Are you loyal to me? Honest towards your earthly master?"

"Majesty?" Cecil was clearly surprised to be asked for a confirmation of his loyalty. So haughty. He believed he was safe from discovery. He was wrong.

"It is a simple question, Lord Dirham," Henry said. "Are you loyal to me?" He asked the question more pointedly this time, but Dirham seemed not to have noticed.

"Of course, my Lord."

"And would you kiss my ring, as you did my father's, in the presence of my men, my guards who wait just outside of that door there, swords at the ready? Would you swear your undying allegiance to me? Would you swear by the holy God in heaven?"

Cecil answered without hesitation. "I would, Sire. You know I would. Were you to ask me to  make such proclamations in the name of the Lord above I would do so in the church of Kanjar on the book of the prophet."

Henry looked at the High Chancellor and felt an overwhelming sadness. His betrayal was so complete. In the sincerity of his tone, Henry found himself almost fooled into believing Cecil's words. If only the evidence against him were not so damning...He sighed.

"I am glad, my friend, that I do not believe in the stuffs of religion then," Henry said finally. "For if I did, I would fear greatly for your immortal soul to swear so. Indeed, if I was a believer I would know without doubt that you were surely to be dammed for the lies perpetrated against me and my heart would be even heavier than it has already become."

"I..."

Henry could see the touch of apprehension catch hold of the man as he began to sense the noose being tied round his neck.

"You claim to have been working towards solidifying my power. To be working for my aims?" Henry asked.

"I have, your Highness. Can you doubt it?"

"For all the time since my father's death you have done this. Still the rumors of rebellion have not dissipated."

"Building a new Empire takes time, Sire," he answered, though his confidence seemed to be wavering. " The people must learn to adjust to your leadership. I have done my best to help ensure your safety, but the complete security of your reign is not something that can be obtained in the course of a day."

Henry shook his head slowly at the man's weak excuses. "And that is why you go around in the shadows?" he asked. "Why you whisper to my father's allies? Amassing a following of nobility who respond to you alone?"

The fear seemed to quicken in him. Henry could see his body grow rigid, like a cornered rabbit seconds before a hound tears out its throat. He must have begun to realize the truth by now.

"I know, Cecil," Henry said quietly.

"Know what, Sire?"

"I know of your plans. Of your treachery."

The man opened his mouth and then closed it again looking for the proper response, no doubt wondering how much he might have discovered. The Chancellor still likely believed he could defend himself. Henry knew better.

"Henry..." Cecil began.

"You will address me properly," Henry answered curtly before the man could complete his thought.

"Of course, Majesty," Cecil countered quickly, bowing his head in a short nod of contrition. "Forgive me. But I tell you plainly Sire I do not understand your words."

"Do you not?" Henry kept his voice even and smooth.

"No, your Majesty. You speak of treachery. I have never been anything but a loyal servant to the Bastario line."

"Oh Cecil if only that were true." Henry felt the bile of anger at his throat. The lies, the falsities. Cecil's betrayal stabbed him as surely as if he had thrust a dagger in Henry's side.

"But it is true, Sire," the man insisted.

"You will stop lying to me this instant!" Henry said, rising from his desk, unable to contain his frustration any longer. Dirham's distress was clear now, the man was practically trembling.

"I see you shake," Henry said, "Your fear only confirms your guilt, Sir."

"Forgive me, Majesty," Cecil answered, still trying to keep up the pretense. "I am only frightened because I fear you have made a terrible mistake. I have done nothing wrong."

"Do not lie to your lord and master!" Henry shouted stalking away from him, not trusting himself to get close to the Chancellor without striking him outright. Was it not enough for his friend and teacher to have betrayed him? Must he deny it so convincingly as well? 

You know the truth, he reminded himself. You do not condemn unjustly. You have done everything you could in your attempts to clear his name. The man is guilty. 

Henry took a deep breath. This was not an emotional matter. Cecil Dirham had been dually investigated and convicted of treason by the evidence against him. Henry had overseen every step of the proceedings himself, allowing Rearder no part in the effort to ensure the findings were not tainted. Cecil had nothing with which he might defend himself.

"Sire please," Cecil said in the momentary silence Henry had used to collect himself. "There has been some grave mistake. If you will only tell me what it is you believe me guilty of, I am certain I can prove my innocence."

"Lord Rearder has told me all Cecil," Henry said. "The time for explanation has passed. He watched as Dirham's fear was almost instantaneously replaced by rage, his widened eyes narrowing to mere slits.

"Rearder is a deceitful, sniveling, cowardly snake," he snarled, the mention of Dresden's name erasing his composed assertion of innocence.

"Control yourself, Sir," Henry answered calmly, having mastered his emotions.

"Yes of course. Forgive me, " Cecil said, bowing his head again to master himself, though his rage could not be fully hidden. "But Majesty you must hear me. Dresden Rearder cannot be trusted!"

Henry stared at Cecil's rage unfazed. "You have made a fatal mistake Lord Dirham," he replied. "You seem to believe me to be as foolish as my father was before me. Of course I do not trust Rearder. That does not make your treachery any less real."

"My Lord, I have always been a loyal servant. I have..."

"There is proof," Henry said cutting him off sharply, but maintaining as much indifference as he could in his tone. "Do you think I would have condemned you, my one true ally, without proof?" He took another breath to contain the anger and pain that threatened to overtake him again as he walked back towards his desk. "You were followed sir, on multiple occasions. Your illicit actions have been well documented. I know of your efforts to amass a group of supporters from within the court. I know of your aiding the filth that call themselves the 'voice of the people'. You wish to take the throne for yourself."

"That is not true," he asserted. "I am loyal to your crown!"

More proclamations of innocence, but they seemed almost desperate now.

"Not true?" Henry asked with incredulity. "If that is so perhaps you can explain away this!" He picked up Dresden's large report and slammed it down loudly on the desk daring Dirham to challenge the mountain of evidence against him.

"What is that?" Cecil asked hesitantly. He was no longer successfully masking his fear. Did he now see his unmaking was imminent? That he was undone? Henry removed a document from the stack of paper and held it out. As Cecil took it in his hand Henry heard an audible gasp escape his lips.

"Yes, Cecil," Henry said. "I suppose you recognize your own hand? A letter directly authorizing the sale of twenty firearms from an Asha factory to the Lord of Lemenster. And this?" Henry threw down another document. "Payment of six hundred gold talers to a Mr. Smith. We have since found this man. He is a marked member of the rebellion. Shall I show you more? You see the size of this report," he said gesturing to the tall stack of papers. "The evidence cannot be refuted. My investigation into your crimes as been thorough and complete and all doubt has long since been erased in my mind." As Henry spoke he felt his resolve cementing. From Cecil's reaction he could see that the man knew he could not explain himself. He no longer protested. He merely stared blankly at the documents on Henry's desk in disbelief. No doubt shocked that he had been so completely unmasked.

"You have tried to do away with me," Henry said. "You deserve the worst punishment I can mete out. People who fear the wrath of the divine would do well to fear their lords in this life Cecil. You see the God can only promise the possibility of theoretical punishment in a non-existent realm. The pain and retribution I can promise is very, very real."

"Sire, please," Cecil began.

Henry did not interrupt, waiting to see what he might possibly say in his defense.

"I am certain I can explain myself if you would only permit me to see the complete report. You know I would never do anything to act against you."

A final attempt at denial. Henry shook his head, disappointed at the man's weak response. Cecil could only to delay the inevitable with such a tactic. No amount of explanation could absolve him of his crimes.

"Do not speak further," he said. His head was full of white-hot anger, a crushing sense of betrayal, yet his voice remained composed. "Do not dare attempt to defend yourself when we both know you have no evidence to support your innocence save your own false assurances of loyalty. Whilst you were away an official committee of inquiry was convened and your guilt affirmed. A public trial will not be necessary and no defense will spare you now. Save what little dignity you have left and stand behind your actions. Is that not what you have always taught me? Defend your convictions and make no excuses. A strong man is proud of his deeds and willingly accepts defeat."

Cecil's mouth remained open though he remained silent. Perhaps it was shame that finally overtook him enough to stop his protestations.

"I have only one question remaining for you, Lord Dirham," Henry continued. "Just one. How could you do it? We could have changed the Empire together. I trusted you above all others."

In the coldness of his words Cecil seemed overcome with despair. Any semblance of strength was washed away. He appeared to be on the verge of tears.

"Please, Henry," he begged. "You are like a son to me." In an instant, Dirham seemed to realize his mistake. Henry gave him a glare he knew could have cut diamonds. The Chancellor's appeal for consideration as a friend brought Henry's wrath washing over him in full force. How dare Cecil reach for compassion when he had shown none in his attempts to take Henry's very life. To destroy him!

"Like a son?" Henry repeated as he walked slowly towards the cowering man. "Yes, Cecil. Indeed you have proved to be just like my father, caring nothing for me. Betraying my love, my trust." Their faces were impossibly close as he towered above his teacher's bent frame. "And now, like him, you will die by my hand," Henry said in a whispered hiss.

Cecil's face turned white. "No, please listen to me," he choked. Henry ignored the man's pitiful supplication, walking to the door and opening it wide.

"Guards!" he shouted.

Three soldiers filled the room standing at attention.

"Seize him!"

The men surrounded Dirham, taking him by the arms and binding his hands behind his back.

"Your Majesty, please." Cecil's eyes were wet. His face was a disgusting display of sniveling cowardice. Henry was sickened to think that he had ever respected this insignificant traitor.

"You will escort Chancellor Dirham to the tower cells," Henry commanded. The men nodded their understanding. Henry turned to Dirham once more.

 "For your heinous crimes, I should see you boiled alive, flayed from the bottom up, your limbs hewn from your body and hung about the city for the birds to feed upon your filth." 

Cecil's eyes were wide with terror now. Henry reveled in that fear. In truth, no matter what pain he inflicted on the man for his treachery, it could not be enough to echo the pain in his heart at finding his one true ally untrue.

"But for your service to myself, and my predecessors before me," Henry continued, "I will grant you a final kindness. Lord Cecil Dirham, you are hereby sentenced to be beheaded in three days time on the market square scaffolding when the clock strikes midday. May the God have mercy on your soul."

"Henry, this is all a mistake," Cecil said, attempting one last time for some defense, but his words had no strength behind them. He was entirely defeated.

"Know this Chancellor," Henry said ignoring his final protests entirely. "I will hunt down every last one of the men you called friend and ally. I will destroy them and everything they have. Know that in your final moments of life. Know that you have brought downfall and ruin to those who could have, with me as their leader, risen so very high." Cecil did not reply. There was nothing he might say after all.

"Take him away," Henry commanded. "I no more wish to hear his venomous words nor gaze upon his duplicitous face." Dirham allowed himself to be led from the room though Henry could see his feet dragging slightly, as if waiting for some reprieve, for some ounce of sympathy or mercy to be thrown his way. He would wait in vain, Henry thought to himself. No one could cross him and live. 

And there you have it. Cecil has been condemned to die, Henry seems to have chosen to trust Rearder. Things don't look good for the Vox Populi now...Cecil was Alex's secret. Without the High Chancellor's help, where does that leave the rebellion? And What about Fiona? Will this change in central government affect her decision of which side to align with? It was Cecil's involvement with the rebels that made her weary of Alex's cause, but then again Alex hasn't proven himself to be the best allie anyway...:-/ Still her worries about Henry are still a thing as well. 

What about Rearder? Will he now be a player in this story? Might there be another few characters I have yet to toss into the mix? Hint...there are! hehe, though you have heard all of their names mentioned before...;-)Dont worry, there's no test. But their names may sound familiar.

Again, to all of my readers, thank you SO much for sticking with the story. Hope you follow me into part III! One final thought. Hope you have all noticed my new cover. I can tell you that the image depicts a scene that will occur in the next part of the book. A forest on fire and a girl in the midst of it....wonder what it means....READ ON TO FIND OUT! :-)

*Thanks to Ferret-bird for the awesome cover art!!