Chapter 155: What’s Happening to Me? [6]
Alaric sat alone in the chair across from Queen Vesperine.
The side door had closed behind Caleb moments ago.
Time felt slippery in this room, measured only by the steady scratch of quills against parchment as two officials recorded every word.
The Queen studied him in silence. Her green eyes moved across his face slowly, deliberately, like she was reading text written in his expression that only she could see.
She let the silence stretch. A tactic, probably. See if he’d break it first, start talking to fill the uncomfortable space.
But Alaric waited.
Then, finally, she spoke.
"Alaric Glimor." His name came out slowly, "Newly adopted heir of House Glimor. You appeared six months ago with not much prior record."
She paused, letting that hang in the air.
"Convenient timing, wouldn’t you say? Appearing just months before a major attack on the capital."
Alaric met her gaze without flinching. "If I’d planned to participate in an attack on the capital, I probably wouldn’t have gotten myself trapped in one of the barrier zones."
"Unless establishing yourself as a victim was part of the strategy. Creates an alibi. Diverts suspicion."
"Then it was a poor strategy, considering I nearly died."
The Queen’s expression didn’t shift. "Nearly. But you didn’t die. You survived, while trained soldiers and experienced guards were slaughtered around you."
Her fingers drummed once against the polished table surface.
"Walk me through it. From the beginning. Why were you in the capital that day?"
Alaric kept his posture relaxed, arms resting on the chair’s armrests. "Shopping. My sister wanted to explore the city. I accompanied her."
"Your adoptive sister."
"Yes."
"And you encountered the Duskwood siblings."
"They were already there. Elina invited them to join us for lunch."
"How long after that did the attack begin?"
"Maybe an hour. We’d finished eating, were walking through the market district."
"Which market? Specifically."
"The eastern quarter."
The Queen nodded slightly. One of the officials made a note.
"Describe the first explosion you heard."
Alaric thought back. "North of our position. Maybe three, four streets away. Then a second one, closer. South side. Then the screaming started."
"How many explosions total before the barrier appeared?"
"Five, maybe. Could have been more happening simultaneously further away."
"And the barrier manifested how quickly after the first explosion?"
"Two minutes. Maybe three."
"Which direction did you attempt to flee?"
"West. The crowds were moving that way and—"
"Why west? The palace is east. Guard stations are north and south."
Alaric’s expression stayed neutral. "The crowd was moving west. Fighting against that many panicked people seemed like a faster way to get trampled than to get to safety."
The Queen considered that. "Continue."
"We made it about two blocks before the barrier cut us off."
"How high was the dome at its peak?"
"Hard to judge. Maybe a hundred feet?"
More scratching of quills. The Lord Chancellor had moved closer to the table, listening intently.
"What happened next?" the Queen asked.
"Then those hooded figures appeared. They started herding people into groups, binding anyone who resisted."
"How many figures initially?"
"In our immediate area? Twenty. But I could see more groups operating on other streets through the barrier."
"Describe their equipment."
"Simple weapons. Swords, clubs, a few had crossbows."
"Their hoods, did they have any identifying marks?"
"No. Plain dark cloth."
"Did any of them gave orders?"
Alaric nodded. "One gave commands to the others. His voice was deeper. He directed which streets to cover, where to take the captives."
"Did he use any names? Refer to anyone specifically?"
"No names. Just ’you three, that direction’ type commands."
"Language? Accent?"
"They seemed to be local."
The Queen leaned back slightly.
"You’re very observant for someone who claims to have been terrified."
"I didn’t claim to be terrified. I said we fled with the crowd."
Her eyes narrowed a little. A ghost of something, amusement? or perhaps irritation, flickered across her face before vanishing.
"You were captured," she continued. "Where were you taken?"
"Through three streets, then into a stone building."
The Queen’s expression remained impassive. "And then you escaped."
"Yes."
"How, specifically?"
Then he told them how, he had taken the first figure, took keys and the freed himself, then others and ambushed the others, and escaped.
The Queen studied him with those calculating green eyes. "You’re remarkably calm for someone being questioned about a terrorist attack."
"Would panicking change anything?"
"Most people in your position would show emotion. Fear that we’ll find them guilty of something. Anger at being suspected. Grief over what they witnessed." Her head tilted slightly. "But you sit there like we’re discussing about weather."
"I’m answering your questions. What else would you prefer I do?"
"Show me that you’re human and not a very well-programmed construct."
Alaric’s jaw tightened a little, with barely contained irritation. "I survived an attack that killed seventeen military officials and hundreds of civilians. I watched people die. I killed people to avoid being killed myself."
His voice stayed level, "If you’re expecting me to weep about it for your satisfaction, you’ll be disappointed. That’s not how I process trauma."
The Queen’s expression shifted subtly. Something like recognition.
"No," she said quietly. "I don’t suppose it is."
She exchanged a glance with the Lord Chancellor. Some wordless communication passed between them, a slight nod from him, an almost imperceptible shake of her head.
Then she stood. "Thank you for your cooperation, Alaric Glimor."
Alaric stood as well, slower. "That’s all?"
"For now. We may have additional questions as our investigation continues." She gestured toward the main door. "An escort will return you to the academy."
He turned toward the door and left. The heavy door swung shut behind him with a solid thud.
Inside the chamber, Queen Vesperine remained standing.
The Lord Chancellor moved to stand beside her. "Well?" he asked quietly.
"Should we continue monitoring him?"
"Yes. But not as a suspect." Her gaze returned to the door Alaric had exited through. "As an asset. That boy is going to be useful, whether he realizes it yet or not."