Theodore planted his father’s sword on the desk of Governor Farbend and slammed the laboratory analysis down beside it.
“Read this,” he said.
Gregory Farbend shot him a skeptical look. He flipped through the report. “This is a lot of big words for an old man, Grayweather. I have things to do today. Do you want to just tell me why you’re bringing a weapon into my office again?”
Theodore leaned over the desk. “I found this sword in the Fairy Circle. It has a spell on it, an illegal fey killing spell. It was brought there by an assassin.” He took the sword, hilt up, and pointed his family crest at the Governor. “My father.”
The pages fell limp in Mr. Farbend’s hand. “What? Is this some sort of joke?”
“No.” Theodore smiled despite himself. “I discovered it in a deep, forgotten fold of the Fairy Court. It was plunged through the body of a helpless nymph. He was still alive, tortured by the magic in this sword. The Hero Champion was responsible.”
The governor’s mustache bristled. “That…” He searched through the report, as if looking for some other answer. “Ridiculous. Lance would not do that! Not without good reason.” He looked up. “Where is this nymph now?”
Theodore’s smile vanished. “He’s… dead. When I removed the sword, he perished.” He clenched the sword tighter. “The spell killed him.”
“Good,” Farbend said. “That simplifies things.”
“Sir?”
“This could’ve started a revolt.” The governor sat back. “If there’s no witness, we can carry on.”
“Carry on?!” Theodore said. “This proves the Hero Champion was a criminal! You want us to act like nothing happened?!”
He sighed. “The people remember Lance. He drove back the Korvelian military and brought an end to the North Manor raids. He stopped the Black Candle riots.” The Governor chopped a hand through the air. “He talked a dragon down from attacking our villages! He is a national icon! I knew him. He was a good man.” Farbend glared, his eyes electric. “Whatever possessed him to do this, I know it was for the good of everyone in Laien.”
“No!” Theodore’s fingers curled stiff like hooks. “You can’t keep doing this! Laws have been broken! He killed a creature! The facts are here, right in front of you! We need to hold people accountable! You can’t just ignore the law!”
The governor stood up, his girth a wall. “The law exists to serve the people, not the other way around. What good would it do anyone if we brought this to light? There would be a scandal. The people would lose a hero, a man who inspired countless people. Our alliance with the Whirlwood Fairy Circle would be tested. An alliance, need I remind you, which grants us the privilege to harvest magic from the Fount.” Farbend shook his head. “You would have us risk that. For what? To punish a man who’s already dead? Are you mad?”
“Look at the report!” Theodore pointed. “Look at what he did!”
“There is no need.” Mr. Farbend dropped the report into desk drawer and locked it shut. He corrected his posture. “The crown trusts the Hero Champion to make decisions that are beyond the letter of the law. Whatever Lance’s intentions were, it’s been six years since he died. He left us safe and prosperous. Any crime he committed had no consequence for us.”
“What about the fairies?” Theodore said. “Do they not matter? We’re sworn to protect them and we’ve wronged them!”
“There has been no complaint,” he said. “Either the Fair Lady does not know this happened, or, more likely, she was wise enough not to let this destroy a partnership that has lasted generations. It is better we do not push our luck.”
Theodore couldn’t stand the calm in the old man’s face. “You’re saying we should ignore this injustice.”
“I’m saying our priority is to insure peace and happiness for everyone. Dragging this secret into the light can only cause strife. Is that what you want?”
“No!”
“Good.” The governor took the sword and shoved it back into Theodore’s hands. “Then get rid of this thing. Stop investigating. I can’t risk you pulling the dragon’s teeth on this one. There’s too much we stand to lose. Do you understand that?”
Theodor’s grip on the sword slackened. There was truth in what Mr. Farbend was saying. There was no telling what kind of damage this investigation could cause. Theodore looked down.
“Leave the weapon with my secretary,” Mr. Farbend said. “I’ll have her take it to Agent Records, where we’ll be sure it won’t cause any more trouble, alright?”
Theodore nodded, his neck feeling like it was ready to lock in place. “Yes, sir.”
He turned away and reached for the door, pausing when he saw the ring on his finger. It felt tight. The laws were made for a reason. What good were they if they could be thrown away out of convenience? Was it right to take advantage of the Fair Lady’s prudence if it meant her people were wronged? How many times before had creatures suffered because the law had not been held? How many of those creatures had become Red Caps?
Theodore let the door swing shut behind him. He marched past the secretary’s desk without looking back. The governor was not going to do anything. It was a mistake to come here, to think it would be any different than before. He made a sharp turn down the hall, sword in hand, his stride gaining speed. There was no way sealing the truth away in a vault was the right thing to do. Nothing would change. All the same problems would go on and on forever.
He crossed Oboe in the stairwell, who must’ve decided to catch up to him.
“Theo!” She said, startled. “What’s going on?”
“We’re leaving!” Theodore said, storming down past her.