Free The Warlock Senator (Book 2) by Sam Ferguson Page B

the table. “You expect me to have the presence of mind to act as Lepkin would when I will be attending a tribunal that claims my father is a traitor.” Erik finished his water and turned the glass over in his hand, watching the candlelight refract through it. “I don’t think I can do that.”
    Al nodded. “I only expect you to do your best,” he assured him. “Besides, Braun is on his way to the tribunal as well. He’ll help us if we get into trouble.”
    Erik smirked. “Or he will cause trouble,” he said.
    Al licked his forefinger and then began gathering bread crumbs by sticking them to his finger. “You might be right,” Al said. He raised his breaded finger up to his mouth and sucked the crumbs off. “Lepkin has a powerful role to play here, Erik. When he is summoned for a tribunal, he gets a vote for the verdict. He also oversees the tribunal itself to ensure there is sufficient evidence against the accused, and that the proper protocol is followed.”
    Erik jumped to his feet, knocking his chair back to the floor. “How am I supposed to do that? I don’t know the proper protocol, and I have never even seen a senator. Just standing in front of Master Orres at Kuldiga Academy makes me nervous, and here I am trapped in Lepkin’s body and on my way to a tribunal that is deciding whether my father is a traitor.” Erik folded his arms and turned away from the table.
    “I will be with you the whole time,” Al promised. “I have been there many times. I can coach you on everything that is to be done. Besides, I have never known you to back down from a challenge when it comes to protecting your family.”
    Erik turned back and saw Al smiling warmly at him. Erik offered a half smile and picked his chair off the floor and set it right. Then he poured another glass of water and sat back down as he scooped the last few grapes from a silver fruit bowl and popped them into his mouth in a single fistful.
    “One other thing I should mention to you,” Al said. “On my way here I was attacked by a Blacktongue. He was partnered with another man.”
    “A Blacktongue?” Erik asked. “Why were they after you?”
    Al smiled. “After I put the Blacktongue down I asked the man named Deglain that very question, among others.” Al frowned. “Would you like the good news or the bad news?”
    “Give me the bad news first,” Erik said.
    “He was hired by a warlock named Gondok’hr. He said he was part of the warlock’s personal retinue, but he didn’t know where I could find the warlock or what his plans were.”
    “So another warlock is after us, and all we know is that he hired the same assassins that Tukai used.”
    Al nodded and smiled. “And the good news is that he said there are more assassins on their way to make sure we all die.”
    Erik blanched. “That’s the good news?” Erik asked.
    Al nodded excitedly. “Sure is. Think about it, this means that we will get some excitement along our journey to the tribunal!” Al said with a winking grin.
    Erik sighed and shook his head. “Sounds wonderful.” The two of them sat quietly for a few minutes. Quiet enough that Erik was sure Al could hear him chewing the grapes and gulping them down with the water.
    “Are you alright?” Al asked.
    Erik nodded quietly.
    “Let me into that head of yours, beanpole,” Al said with a forced smile. “What are you thinking about?”
    “That we are both walking into a trap,” Erik replied coolly.
    Al’s smile stretched wider. “That we are, my boy,” he said. “But, we’ll beat them,” he promised with a wink.
    Erik laughed nervously. “You forget I can tell when you’re lying,” Erik replied.
    Al’s smile faded. “Well, it was worth a shot,” he said with a shrug.
     
    *****
     
    Master Wendal turned the brass knob and pushed the heavy, oaken door inward. B’dargen’s office smelled of parchment, formaldehyde, and smoke. Wendal was used to such smells. His own office smelled of them quite often. That