“Lady Maren,” Daric emphasized, “came to you at my direction, seeking the help of your healers for an injury she’d sustained. We kept it quiet for reasons we preferred not to disclose. Only a handful outside of this room even know about it.” His eyes scanned the room. “Some of you tried to help. Others…didn’t.”
A few shifted uncomfortably.
“She didn’t beg,” Daric finished, a note in his voice that dared anyone to challenge him.
“She begged,” Senred growled. “And then she, a girl, dared chastise me. A king. I’ve never been so insulted. If she’d been one of my subjects, I would have had her hanged.”
“Instead, you sent her back with nothing,” Daric said. “Even though she came on my behalf, seeking help, hoping that if we all united against Kern, we’d be able to defeat him before… Well, before what happened.” His eyes scanned the room, challenging.
The silence was deafening.
“We didn’t know,” King Edwin finally said. He actually sounded sorry. “If we had…I mean…two and a half years…”
Maren couldn’t stay quiet any longer. “You mean if you’d known Kern was an evil mage who would go to any lengths to get revenge?” She let her words sink in. “You did. You all did. And we paid for it.”
King Edwin’s shoulders sagged. “Yes, we did. And yes, we did nothing. But we tried to help you when you were injured, put our best healers at your disposal.”
Her tone softened. “You did, Your Majesty, and for that I’m grateful. But you’re attributing that same charity to everyone here. And unfortunately it doesn’t apply.”
Shouting broke out around the room, and she just sat there, waiting for it to be over. “I’m sorry,” she whispered to Daric. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
“It needed to be said. They just don’t want to hear it.”
“But you still feel the same? Your decision hasn’t changed?”
“No.” His mouth set in a firm line. “My decision hasn’t changed.”
Philip watched the exchange, eyes darting between the two of them, obviously wanting to ask more questions than he could put into words but knowing it would have to wait. She almost felt bad for him. Almost. He’d abandoned them for three years. He deserved to be ignorant about what happened while he was gone.
“Well, I think they’ve had enough time to yell at each other,” Daric finally said with half a smile before raising his hand and waiting for silence. “We aren’t here to argue about what happened in the past. We’re here to discuss the present. I know you’ve all come with proposals, and I’d like to hear them, starting with Senred.”
Everyone sat except for Senred. “I’d like to begin by expressing my deepest sympathies for what you’ve been through.”
If he sounded even the smallest bit sorry, it would have helped. Instead, he looked more like a victor ready to collect his spoils.
“As you know, Prendak has the best quarries in the known world. I can offer you granite, slate, precious metals, almost anything. I know your cash reserves aren’t what they were, but I’m sure we can work something out. Trade. Delay payment. Something.”
Or he could have offered them for free, to right past wrongs. But Maren knew he didn’t truly want trade or payment. Well, maybe trade. Tredare had the only known diamond mines. But mostly he wanted power, control. Some favor or pressure he could exact from Daric in the future.
“It would go a long way to helping you rebuild the castle and the surrounding town. We could also offer food, supplies, and men to patrol the border between our kingdoms, make sure any potential problems are taken care of.”
Potential problems? She frowned. Did Senred think Daric was stupid? That he’d just leave matters of dispute in the hands of Senred’s soldiers, who were almost guaranteed to be biased?
“Thank you,” Daric said, his face betraying not a hint of emotion. “Bayde?”
And on it went, through all five kings. They all offered the best of their kingdoms, and all of them acted as if Tredare couldn’t survive without them, as if it were the backward cousin that needed their guidance. Had they forgotten Tredare’s past, that it was Tredare’s king who had negotiated the first peace, that it was Tredare who had the greatest history of magic and warfare, that it was Tredare who had defeated Kern not once, but twice? King Edwin was the only one Maren felt any true sympathy from. And still she didn’t want his help.
Once everyone had a chance to speak, Daric rose to his feet again. “Thank you for your proposals.” He paused, looking around the room at each of the kings. “I truly do appreciate them. However, I’m not going to accept.”
The room broke into chaos. Only this time, Maren enjoyed watching it.
“Who do you think you are?” Senred yelled over the commotion. “We have offered you the best we have and you refuse? Do you think you can brush us aside as if we’re unimportant? You are young, Daric. Your father died before he could teach you what you needed to know. We can forgive you your youth. We can’t forgive stupidity.”
Maren jumped to her feet. “How dare you? He is as much a king as any of you are. Age is of no consequence here. Leadership is. And what we went through, what he did, what we saw and endured…” Her voice broke.
“Well, I guess we know who advised him against accepting our help,” Senred sneered. “Imagine, a king taking counsel from a girl.”
She straightened her shoulders. “It was a decision already made, but when asked, yes I agreed, and yes, I would have advised against it. And do you want to know why? Because when we asked for help, it wasn’t given. When I personally came and begged, yes begged, for your armies and your mages, you refused. You left us vulnerable, alone, subject to Kern and his siege. You were cowards. No, I don’t want your help. I know too well that you wouldn’t offer it unless you hoped for something in return, and I’m not willing to let you hold power over this kingdom or its king in return for rocks and a few ears of corn.”
Senred turned bright red and looked as if he’d like to murder her. “Are you going to allow her to talk to me like that?” he yelled at Daric. “I’m a king!”
Daric drew her hand through his arm. “She didn’t say anything I don’t believe. And given her previous experience with you personally, yes, I think she has a right to talk to you however she wants.”
“If you treat your allies with such disrespect, you won’t have any left,” King Albert offered, voice laced with anger. “Not a position you’re strong enough to be in right now, Daric.”
“I don’t want to lose any allies, or disrupt the peace,” Daric answered. “I just want to be left alone to rebuild Tredare how I see fit.”
“And if we don’t see it that way?” Senred asked.
Daric didn’t flinch. “Then know that I have the strongest army ever assembled currently under my control. They are seasoned, dedicated, and loyal. They have fought and died to protect this kingdom.” He nodded to Philip. “And they have a leader they would follow anywhere. Not to mention they are brave, brave enough to fight against Kern.” Daric’s eyes traveled the room, meeting each king’s directly. “And win.”
An uncomfortable silence moved through the room until Edwin stood. “I think we’re done here.” He actually walked forward and shook Daric’s hand. “Thank you for your hospitality. I’ll be taking my leave. You have a lot of work to do and don’t need me or my people getting in your way. But in all sincerity, my offer still stands if you ever need it.”
“Thank you,” Daric said. “I’ll remember that.”
After that the meeting was effectively over. Daric’s military threat was significant. And at least for now, none of them dared oppose it.
Senred was the last to leave. He shook hands with Philip and offered a few polite words. Then he turned to her. “Lady Maren, it’s always a pleasure.”
His words were belied by the coldness in his eyes and the unpleasant tilt to his mouth.
“May I inquire about your health?”
She gave him h
er most polite smile. “It’s fine, thank you.”
He grabbed her left arm before she could react and applied just the smallest amount of pressure.
Pain shot through her shoulder and caused her eyes to water.
“Really?” he sneered.
And then Daric and Philip were in front of her. “If you touch Lady Maren again, you’ll have me to deal with personally,” Philip said.
“You’ll have to get in line behind me,” Daric insisted. Then he turned to the soldiers behind him. “Please escort King Senred out of the hall. He’s no longer welcome.”
Once the doors closed behind them, Maren leaned heavily against the table. That had hurt more than it should, more than it would have a week ago.
“Maren? Are you all right?” Daric’s arm was around her waist, leading her to the door.
She straightened. “I’m fine. He’s just…he’s just awful.”
She stepped towards the door but heard Philip call her name. She couldn’t deal with him right now, couldn’t answer questions that were too painful, so she pretended not to hear. Even when he called a second time.
“Philip, let her go,” Daric said, sounding tired but resigned. “I’ll tell you what you want to know.”
Six
It truly was an impressive sight. Philip’s men, in their navy uniforms trimmed in silver, lounged about the yard, waiting for the signal to form into perfect columns. They were heading out to various corners of the kingdom where Daric needed them as a result of the meeting with the kings. It had only taken two days for all the visiting monarchs to leave. It hadn’t even taken that long for rumors to spread about why – and tensions were running high.
Earlier today, Daric had met with his ruling nobles to discuss options for rebuilding the kingdom. Maren hadn’t heard what was decided. No matter what role she played during the siege, no matter that Daric still listened to her, even sought out her advice, the Council had cut her off from anything official. All she knew was the army was leaving today.
She looked over the soldiers, hoping to glean some kind of information. Philip’s captains huddled together, probably discussing locations and travel routes. Teige was there, which accounted for the pain in her shoulder.
The only person she couldn’t see was Philip.
A quick scan of the courtyard found him. He leaned against a stone wall off to one side. His arms were crossed over his chest and his lips were pressed into a thin line. Everything about him said he wanted to be alone.
He stood as still as the wall behind him, obviously deep in thought. Probably planning. Deciding the best place to put soldiers, which captains should be assigned where.
Just like the day she’d seen him with his men, she felt as if this were the real Philip, grown into the man he should be. Realizing this was a Philip she didn’t know, would probably never know, was more painful than she could have imagined. It was as if she’d lost something she couldn’t live without, and yet she had to.
She couldn’t watch anymore.
Moving towards where Daric and Adare stood, she glanced over her shoulder one more time.
And that’s when Philip saw her.
He immediately shoved himself away from the wall and headed her direction, a determined look in his eye.
Her heart raced and she kept moving, hoping he wouldn’t catch up to her before she reached the others. She’d avoided him since the meeting with the kings, hoping to escape his questions about what happened while he was gone and the injury that had sent her to the monarchs for help. And she couldn’t answer those questions today, not after seeing him that way, not feeling the way she felt right now.
“Maren.”
She didn’t stop, keeping her eyes on Daric and Adare, who had just stepped out of the castle.
“Maren, I know you can hear me.”
Everything in her wanted to keep walking, but she just couldn’t.
“Maren, please,” he begged. “You can’t avoid me forever. I want to talk to you.”
She spun around. “What is there to talk about? Daric already told you everything.”
He reached out and gently took her left hand. He could have taken either, but he took the left, the one on the side Kern injured. “Daric doesn’t know the answer to the one thing I want to know the most.”
He squeezed her hand, not hard, just enough to know he was in earnest. “Why? Why didn’t you tell me the other day when I grabbed your arm and hurt you?” A brief look of inner pain clouded his eyes. “And why did you do it? Why you? Why not someone else?”
She looked down at his fingers laced through hers and felt her heart constrict. But the words wouldn’t come. She didn’t know where to begin, especially now, with people all around them and her emotions so close to the surface.
“I...I don’t—” Whatever she might have said next was lost as the pain in her shoulder bloomed worse than ever. She stiffened and squeezed her eyes shut.
“Maren?” Philip was genuinely worried. She could hear it in his voice, feel it in the pressure of his hand on her waist.
She let out the breath she’d been holding. Now that the initial shock of the pain was gone, it was bearable.
“I’ll be all right. It’s not like it hasn’t happened before.”
“But—”
“Philip, I think we’re ready for you.” Teige’s voice didn’t surprise her, but a look of annoyance crossed Philip’s features.
“Of course,” he said. “I’ll be right there. I just need to help Lady Maren over to the queen. She’s feeling a little light headed.”
Teige was immediately all concern. “I’ll come with you. The king wanted a word with us before he addresses the soldiers.”
Philip pulled her hand through his arm. It gave her something to lean on, but since Teige fell into place on her other side, she didn’t get any relief as they made their way to where Daric and Adare stood.
“Here,” Adare said, eyes creased with worry and pointing to the chair next to her. “I’ve saved you a seat.”
Maren sank into it gratefully, both for the relief and because it meant she didn’t have to be so close to Philip – or Teige.
“So, is everything ready?” Daric asked.
“Yes.” Philip glanced her direction, but only for a second. “Teige said you wanted a word?”
“Yes.” Daric motioned his guard and a few others to leave them for a moment. Then he turned back to Philip. “We haven’t had a chance to talk since the Council meeting this morning, and I wanted to make sure you didn’t have any questions.”
“I think I’m up to speed,” Philip said, running a hand down his face. “Montagu is an obvious threat, especially after how Senred behaved and knowing the relationship between the two of them. Besides, Montagu’s always hated you, always questioned your ability as king. Not to mention he feels your father stole the crown from him. He definitely needs watching.”
Maren thought Montagu needed more than watching, but an army along the border would be enough for now.
“And Beaumont and Alton are also a concern,” Philip continued. “Although I’m a little less clear as to why.”
Daric looked over at her and raised his brows. “Maren?”
She took a deep breath and avoided looking at Philip. “Montagu ignored Daric’s summon before the siege started, but Beaumont and Alton were never even asked. They’re greedy and selfish, but not quite enough to sell out their country. Or destroy their own lands.”
Philip’s eyes widened. “So you only summoned the Lords you were worried would betray you. They were the ones trapped inside the walls.”
Daric nodded. “We knew the ones like Beaumont and Alton had too much self preservation to see their lands go to ruin. We also knew we’d need those resources if the siege ever ended.”
“And now they don’t want to give you those resources. Typical.” A small crease formed between Philip’s eyes. “But Beaumont and Alton are an annoyance compared to Montagu. He hates you. He wouldn’t come w
hen summoned – as if he knew what was coming.”
“Exactly as if he knew what was coming,” Daric said and then paused, adding emphasis to his next words. “And that no one would come to our aid.”
“Wait,” Teige said. “You believe the other kings collectively decided not to help Tredare?”
Daric nodded. “Led by Senred, or bullied by him. And with the threat of Lord Kern hanging over them.”
“And how did Montagu plan on dealing with Kern afterwards?” Teige asked. “Did he think Kern would ignore them once he’d taken Tredare?”
“We don’t know,” Daric said. “Maybe Montagu planned on uniting the kingdoms at that point and fighting against Kern.”
Philip folded his arms over his chest. “Or maybe Kern promised them something if they left Tredare to fight alone. It was Daric he wanted to hurt for trapping him in that tomb.”
“Yes, it was.” Teige said, his voice tight with anger, as if the thought of Kern taking revenge on Daric was too much.
“So keep as many eyes as possible on Montagu and make sure Beaumont and Alton stay in line?” Philip asked. “Anything else?”
“No,” Daric said. “At least not for now. My guess is that Montagu will stew in silence while he makes plans. Beaumont and Alton may be a bit…louder.”
Philip chuckled. “They didn’t look too pleased at the idea of contributing to the rebuilding process.”
Daric grinned. “I particularly enjoyed Beamont’s expression when I told him I didn’t need to counsel him before making the decision.”
“It was almost as good as when you gave that veiled threat to Montagu,” Philip laughed. “I wish at the time I’d fully understood just how good it was.”
“Daric, you didn’t,” Adare scolded.
“I did,” he grinned. “I hinted that I knew about his smuggling and ties with Senred and suggested there were lesser nobles to whom I would gladly give his lands to.”
“Now that’s something I wish I could have seen,” Maren said.
Daric walked over and put a hand on her arm. “I can’t change hundreds of years of tradition overnight, Maren. I wish I could. I wish you could have been there more than anyone.”
Borrowed Magic Page 5