AO3 link (for easier reading): https://archiveofourown.org/works/56595415/chapters/144768274
“He still refuses to accept your proposal,” the Blameless Marad asked rhetorically, “It’s a shame really. He’s the best chance we have of getting it to work.”
He’d moved so silently Avad hadn’t realized he was being approached until the man had spoken top him. As was typical of the Spymaster, he remained in the shadow and away from the sight of others who might act against him.
“Not now Marad, I’m not in the mood for your games,” Avad told him in an attempt to wave him away.
Marad simply kept himself planted firmly in place, as if he didn’t recognize the attempt to get him to leave.
“My apologies for pressing the matter, but there is a need to plan for what happens next. I suspect the King won’t take lightly to his chosen heir demanding an end to the raids.”
“What are you saying? Are you trying to claim he’ll punish Kadaman somehow? I very much doubt that.”
“Jiran is not a forgiving man, nor is he slow to calm once angered, which has become much too common as of late. At the very least, he will maybe consider selecting a new heir should Kadaman openly defy his king. You would be the obvious next choice for the role. Perhaps it’s best to begin making plans for such an eventuality?”
Avad considered it for a moment but then decided he was too tired for games. He could barely consider such a proposal at the best of times, much less right now. And rising against the Sun King would be an act against everything the Carja believed in.
“And what will he do if he finds out one of his advisors is conspiring against him? Especially one risen from such a low class.”
If Marad took any offence to the sudden insult, he didn’t show it instead remaining quiet, stoic and patient to the point of becoming stubborn.
“I act in the best interests of the tribe. Sometimes that means advising the King on important matters, other times it means ensuring the proper countermeasures are put into place to ensure the security of the tribe.”
“Even if that means acting against your King?”
“Should the need arise, then yes. In this case I believe helping you and your brother would be best for the tribe.”
Avad frowned. With Kadaman insisting on trying to reason with their father and Marad trying to convince him to overthrow him, it was starting to become too much for him to handle. He wanted to make it all go away, turn back to a time before the Red Raids and stay there. But such simple times were behind him and the issues presented before him were starting to give him a headache.
“I’ll consider it. But say nothing to Kadaman, just in case. Father might not throw us in the Sun Ring, but he won’t hesitate should you anger him. Now leave me, I need to get some rest. This day has gone on long enough.”
“Of course your Majesty. Light be with you.”
Marad left as quietly as he approached, remaining a mere shadow unseen by everyone else in the palace. Avad had his issues with the man, but he had to admit that Marad was rarely wrong about the important details. He wanted to trust Kadaman, take assurance that the Sun King could in fact be reasoned with, but the simple truth was simply that Jiran might be too far gone to be talked into ending the slaughter.
Avad kept thinking back to when he first saw that look in his father’s eyes, that need to spill blood and kill. It was at that moment he knew his father was toon far gone. There would be no end to the madness until he was removed from the throne and Kadaman made King in his place. But to overthrow a reigning Sun King would itself be an act of madness, a treasonous act against the very Sun itself. And if the faith of the priests were to be believed, the death of a Sun King would surely bring about the end of the world. Avad might not have been a particularly strong believer in the Sun Faith, in fact he very much held no faith at all, but even he was not one to tempt such dire fate. Or was he? Perhaps the only way to put an end to the madness and make the world right again was to end Jiran, end his insanity and his bloody reign before it was too late. Avad held no desire for a throne, and respected and adored his brother too much to deny him what was rightfully his. Perhaps killing his own father was… No. Avad quickly forced himself to stop thinking along these very dangerous lines of thought. To even consider killing his father was itself an act that went against everything Avad believed was right. The only way to end the madness was to encourage Kadaman to apply for regency. The priests couldn’t fight that, not without the support of the military and nobles. Admittedly even that would be a difficult task with Helis in command. But even he wouldn’t dare strike down the heir to the throne, as violent as he was. At the end of the day, all Avad could do was hope for the best. Even a Prince could only do so much and he had done as much as he could already. It was on Kadaman now to help bring their father back to reality and end the madness.
“You called for me,” Vanasha asked, annoyed at being called away from her present duties.
“Yes, I have a task for you. I need you to find the two Oseram brothers we hired for the Solstice Heist and bring them to Brightmarket,” Marad explained.
“You seem worried, is something wrong?”
“Perhaps. I am merely placing the right pieces on the board, that is all. Don’t worry about your master, I’ve already dealt with that. I’ll explain more when you return.”
“Understood.”
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