Chapter 64

Ajax had plans to reform the army; it had weakened within the brief period they had spent looking for Nicholas. And apart from that, since he ascended to the rank of general following Nicholas's death, he had had an I'll foreboding. Something in his guts told him that something subversive was about to happen. He did not know what it was but he never ignored his presentiments. A long time ago, when Robert was still king, he had had a feeling deep in his bones akin to this. He had not known that Nicholas was conniving with Fabian, but when he saw Fabian walking the lengths of the palace grounds, talking in hushed tones to some soldiers, he knew something was up. He told it to his wife who then tried to dispel his feelings by telling him that Fabian would not do anything to upset the balance of the kingdom of Linerdo. When the coup happened, he had no other choice. Even though he swore loyalty to Linerdo and its king, Robert, deep in his heart, he knew that his allegiance was