He offered Selia a reassuring smile and whispered, “Follow my lead.”
A tall man, grey hair flowing over his shoulder and topped by gold circlet, sat on a throne atop a dais at the far end of the room. He observed them with pale blue eyes.
Nathan squeezed Selia’s hand. They crossed half of the room and then Nathan bowed. Selia dropped into a passable curtsey.
“Approach,” the king said.
A large black cat looked up from the side of the throne with lazy green eyes then resumed washing itself.
Nathan and Selia crossed the distance.
The king stretched out one bejeweled hand. “Ah, Commander Nathan. I’ve been expecting you and was told you brought a guest, but everyone failed to tell me you brought a beautiful woman. This is not the female soldier, is it?”
Nathan dropped to one knee, relieved at the king’s even tone, kissed the ringed hand and then stood. “Yes, Majesty. May I present Selia?”
The king offered his hand to her. She followed Nathan’s example.
“Selia. I’ve not heard that name at court.”
“She is from Calud, Majesty. On the crossroads.”
The king withdrew his hand. His nose widened as though he smelled something bad. “Calud? And she is a soldier?”
Nathan glanced at Selia. From the tension in her jaw he could tell she was biting her tongue, hard. “She defeated Tanik, one of my best men, in fair combat, Majesty.”
The king’s blue eyes lit. “Really? That’s a story I would like to hear.” He turned toward Selia, acknowledging her presence. “I didn’t know Calud contained such appealing women. Will you dine with us, my dear? A female soldier? It’s bound to make interesting conversation.”
“With all due respect, Your Majesty, we have urgent matters to discuss,” Nathan said.
Leisle waved his hand. “Yes, I received your missive, and I’ve considered your fears and your actions and decided to forgive you. You are hasty, Nathan. A product of your youth I suppose, but one that does not become a commander of a king’s army.” He smiled. “But let’s speak of these things later. We’re safe behind the walls of Newhaven, and these matters can wait until tomorrow.”
“Majesty,” Nathan tried again.
“Tomorrow, Commander,” the king repeated in a tone that accepted no argument.
Nathan bowed.
“I will see you both at dinner,” the king continued in the same voice.
Their audience was over. Nathan took Selia’s elbow and escorted her from the room.
“Hasty?” she whispered.
Nathan sighed. He couldn’t help pondering that one day might be the difference between the king thinking he was safe behind his walls and finding out he wasn’t.
Chapter Thirty-six
Selia fingered the cold metal links worked into the leather shirt. When she returned to her room after the obligatory tour of the castle, it had been lying on her bed, along with wrist guards and a sword. A gift from the king. She’d never owned anything quite so fine. She pulled the sword out of its sheath. Her skin pebbled at the sound of fine metal against leather. There was no other noise like it on earth. Well-balanced with clean lines, the sword fit her hand like it had been made for her. She sighed. This just reinforced her mixed feelings about the king. Leisle seemed nice, asking questions and showing interest, but Selia thought it was interest in all the wrong things. He’d actively avoided speaking of anything that would dampen the jovial mood of his house. If the king put Nathan off much longer, he’d explode.
She’d observed the king. Leisle was scared. She hadn’t paid much attention to the court gossip that made its way to the Outskirts or Calud, but she did know that Leisle’s father had been a strong, stern but fair king, known for his sharp tongue and quick action. Leisle, however, was known for his parties. It was stupid, really. Avoiding something didn’t make it go away, least of all the Svistra.
Now, the second day in the castle and still the king hadn’t heard them out. She wasn’t looking forward to tonight’s dinner where, if the night before had been any indication, she’d be little more than entertainment. It was only midday and she’d already had her fill of galleries, gardens and more gossip than she’d heard in a year at the tavern. The members of court might be considered genteel, but she’d never met such vicious people.
She replaced the sword and laid it gently on the bed to pace the luxurious room. The beautiful dress, another gift, swished over the stone floor. Once she grew accustomed to the weight of them, Selia decided dresses weren’t too bad. She kind of liked the way Nathan looked at her the same way he would a work of art. Not that she would have the patience to put it all together if not for the ready servants, and even then she wasn’t the type of woman satisfied to merely stand still and be appreciated. In the heavy dresses she was capable of very little else.
Sitting down on the bed sent a waft of rose into the room. She stifled a sneeze. Two days. Two days of luxury. If this was what it meant to be a lady she’d take tavern owner any day. It was boring. Boring, and she felt like a fake. She wasn’t like the other women who had oh’d and ah’d at the feats of daring they watched in an impromptu tournament that morning. Her palm had itched for the pommel of a sword because she could win, or at least place in the damn tournament. She sighed.
Embroidery. The rest of the women at court were in the solarium upstairs working on a tapestry. She hated embroidery. Selia moved to the window and looked out in time to see one of the pages running from the inner wall, full tilt toward the castle. This wasn’t such an unusual thing, except for some reason it made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on edge.
Nathan paced the hall outside the king’s office where he knew Leisle conferred with the chamberlain. He’d had enough. Even if it meant dining with the rats and cockroaches in the dungeon he’d say his piece. If the king didn’t listen or believe him at least Nathan’s conscience would be clear. Not that it would do the villagers below any good when the Svistra poured over their walls.
Grinding his jaw together Nathan knocked once on the heavy oak door and, without waiting for a reply, entered. He immediately dropped to one knee and lowered his head. “Your Majesty. I’m sorry. But the time for diplomacy is over. Josiam has betrayed you.”
“What! How dare you—”
Nathan glanced up at the king’s outraged face. He’d thought the best way to gain the king’s attention was to shock him. He’d succeeded. Nathan glanced at the chamberlain, who sported a thoughtful look. Perhaps he had an ally. Gods knew he could use one. He should have brought Selia with him as well.
“Majesty, let him speak,” the chamberlain spoke.
Leisle sputtered, “Is this why you left my lands unprotected? This…this lie? Josiam is my sister’s husband.”
“No, Majesty. Or rather, that is part of the reason, and it is not a lie. I left your lands because I had information that the Svistra would attack Newhaven by the new moon.”
“That’s preposterous. They wouldn’t do such a thing. It would be suicide.”
Did living surrounded by luxury and servants dull one’s mind? Nathan reached into an inner pocket and retrieved the rolled leather, sending a silent prayer to the gods. “With all due respect.” He handed the missive to the king.
The king took it in one jeweled hand and peered at the seal. “This is from Josiam. And it is unopened. How did you come by it?”
“A…a spy of mine captured the messenger. It was on its way to the Svistra high commander.”
Leisle’s face lost color. He turned the letter over in his hands.
The chamberlain’s eyes narrowed. “Open it, Majesty.”
The king laughed. “If you haven’t opened it, then you don’t know what it contains.” Leisle continued but his hands trembled. “It could be nothing. You are mistaken.”
“There’s only one way to find out, Your Majesty.” The chamberlain’s hand settled on the king’s shoulder.
Nathan watched Leisle’s Adam’s app
le rise then fall. He looked toward the chamberlain, who nodded. Finally the monarch opened the seal and read. Color drained from his face so alarmingly that the chamberlain pressed a cup of wine into the king’s aging hands. The letter fell limp onto his lap.
The chamberlain stretched out his hand, and the king handed him the letter without a word. After scanning the message he looked up at Nathan. “You don’t know what this contains?”
Nathan again shook his head.
“Then you risked much on little knowledge.”
“It’s not the only bit of knowledge I have. Shortly before we left Eagle Rock I intercepted a letter from Josiam to the Svistra commander detailing Eagle Rock’s weaknesses. We were attacked by the Svistra.”
“Where is that letter?” the chamberlain asked.
“I don’t have it.” Nathan ran his fingers through his hair.
The chamberlain glanced at the king then back to Nathan. “You beat the Svistra back, obviously?”
“Eventually, yes. But after much loss of life.”
Leisle still held the wine in his hand but stared over Nathan’s head toward a tapestry on the opposite wall. Nathan kept himself from following the king’s gaze. Thoughts tumbled in the king’s eyes.
“I’ve lived in peace all my life. I’m old, and the old do not easily change.” The king’s gaze didn’t leave the far wall. “But I am king, and a king must be more than he is.”
Finally Leisle snapped as though all his bones found their connections. He drained the goblet and handed it to the chamberlain. “I’ve always lived in my father’s shadow. I am not a soldier. I never desired to conquer. I’ve only wanted to live in peace and prosperity.” He sighed. “This letter states that by the new moon Josiam’s army will be poised to take Newhaven. That is two days hence.” He shook his head and looked at the chamberlain. “You have long told me I’m a fool, but I wouldn’t listen. I am sorry, my old friend.”
The chamberlain’s eyes softened, and his hand once again found Leisle’s shoulder.
“We will soon be under attack from two fronts. How’s my army, Commander?” The king’s voice held the authority it once must have had in its youth.
“Reduced, but ready to die defending your kingdom. I sent word for the captains of the other northern fortresses to meet me here, but I have not received word, and they’ve obviously not arrived. I fear the worst.”
Leisle nodded. “I can shed some light on that. Shortly before you arrived I received a message from Captain Darion. He wrote that the Svistra had stopped raiding and left the northlands. He was afraid your ambition had confused your ability to make decisions.”
Nathan snorted, but dread iced his limbs. There was no chance of reinforcements now. “They have indeed stopped raiding, but only because they’re preparing to march south.”
Leisle nodded. “I see that now. But we will be a battalion short.”
“That’s Bain’s Crossing. What about Hope’s End?” the chamberlain asked.
Nathan shook his head. “The Svistra are massing near there. If they didn’t leave…I don’t know. If I was the Svistra commander, I’d take care of them first to assure no one could march at my back.”
“Are they so powerful?” Leisle laid a hand over the chamberlain’s, still resting on his shoulder.
“They don’t fight like we do. They hide in the forests and attack from the shadows giving us no target, no way to fight back.”
“It will not be so here. They’ll be in plain view,” the chamberlain stated.
“Yes. And they’ll have King Josiam’s army to back them up.”
Leisle’s face turned a shade of grey.
“One more thing, Your Majesty.”
Leisle raised an eyebrow.
“I took the liberty of sending word to King Guirre of the western kingdom telling him of our predicament. I sent him the missing letter.”
The king’s second eyebrow joined the first.
“I’ve begged him for help and reminded him that if King Josiam gains Asild, he is in a perfect position to attack the western lands.”
The king’s watery blue eyes sharpened, then he laughed. “Well done, Commander, well done. King Guirre is intelligent. He’ll see the sense in it, I don’t doubt. How long ago did you send this message?”
Nathan swallowed. “Long enough ago that we should have heard word.”
“Don’t doubt, Nathan.” The king rose from his chair. “Where would Guirre send this word? To Eagle Rock, where you may no longer be? To Newhaven? If I were in his position I’d send no word, but an army. We will see. Now—”
The door burst open.
“Majesty, the scouts have just sent word. A Svistra army approaches.”
Leisle closed his eyes then opened them with a snap. “It starts already. Don’t stand there, Nathan—you’ve a castle to protect.”
Selia tore out of her room, cursing the bulky skirt and slippery shoes, and ran up the stairs toward the battlements. Her lungs ached. She stepped on and tore the hem of her dress several times by the time she reached the battlements. The sky was achingly blue, the wind cold against her heated skin. She ran to the northern end of the castle, half expecting to see the brightly colored banners of an attacking army spread out over the field, but she was wrong.
She began to turn then hesitated. Out of the corner of her eye, silver flashed under the shelter of the forest. Her blood ran cold. Svistra. We’re out of time. Again she saw the Svistra flow over the walls of Eagle Rock as though they were no more than water, or mist, and the wall only a small hindrance. She stared at the surrounding forest. Her knees buckled as rank after rank of Svistra on horseback emerged from beneath the trees.
How? She’d walked that very path. She knew it was narrow and kept that way on purpose. The Svistra were still flesh and blood. How had they gotten through? Selia shook her head. They had. They were here, and Nathan still hadn’t spoken with the king.
I should warn someone. But she felt frozen in place. The Svistra army continued to pour from the forest without end. She couldn’t see them clearly, but she could picture the painted demonic faces from memory and remembered the fear they inspired. She picked out the leader, sitting tall on a solid black horse. Keldar!
Selia closed her eyes. This time there was no Jaden to save her. Keldar rode several lengths out from his men flanked by two other riders then stopped. She blinked several times in disbelief. He was holding a flag of parlay. He wants to speak?
Nathan stared out a window overlooking the forest thick with Svistra. Damn! He’d hoped…well, a fool’s hope, and he was too old for wishful thinking. Jaden had failed. Sorrow gripped his breast. The depth of emotion surprised him, but then Jaden had surprised him and that didn’t happen often. He closed his eyes. Selia. Not now, later. Now he had more important things to worry about. Like keeping her alive. He’d already ordered the gates barred and the walls manned. Now he waited for the Svistra to make a move.
The enemy took up position around the perimeter of the forest, just out of bow range. He scanned the surrounding land. No sign of the Josiam’s army, and still nothing from the Guirre.
Flanked by two other riders the commander spurred his horse a few paces away from the group, holding a flag of parlay.
Nathan ground his jaw. Svistra didn’t negotiate. They were buying time, but for what? Perhaps they waited for Josiam’s army. If that were the case his best course of action would be to attack them now before reinforcements arrived.
He cursed under his breath. Honor dictated he hear the Svistra commander out, but the idea grated on his nerves. The Svistra didn’t fight with honor, so why should he?
Nathan finished dressing. He hated fighting blind. His men could hold the castle against the Svistra, but for how long? He didn’t know. Too many factors lay out of his control.
Nathan placed his helm on his head and pulled on the gauntlets. He’d parlay with the Svistra. He needed time too. He turned to leave the room and pulled up short. Selia stood in the
doorway, dark hair flowing over the mail shirt that had been Leisle’s gift, a sheathed sword hanging low on her hips.
“What are you doing?” But as soon as he saw her face he knew.
“I’m coming with you.”
Chapter Thirty-seven
Selia and Nathan thundered down the stairs. King Leisle waited on the ground floor, flanked by his personal guard. She blinked, surprised by the king’s transformation. It wasn’t just the finely woven armor or sword at his side; he’d shed years with surprising alacrity. He looked a different man.
“They fly a flag of parlay,” the king said as Nathan bowed low.
Selia attempted an awkward curtsey. It just didn’t work the same in leggings.
“Yes.” Nathan straightened.
“You don’t sound encouraged.”
“The Svistra don’t negotiate.”
Leisle hesitated. “You will ride out to meet them.” It wasn’t a question.
“I’ll take Selia and another of my men.”
Leisle’s gaze found Selia and he nodded. “We’ll accompany you to the gates and then I’ll watch from the ramparts. Gods speed, Commander.”
Selia followed Nathan. The ground was hard under her feet, and the warm aroma of horse surrounded her when someone handed her reins for a mount, but everything seemed unreal. Her mind could not quite comprehend that she was voluntarily going out to meet Keldar again. She felt again his hot breath on her neck, and a shudder coursed her body.
Staying behind wasn’t a consideration, but her stomach didn’t stop churning and her hands on the reins trembled.
A short distance from the edge of the forest three Svistra horses stood almost as still as the warriors on their backs. They could have been made of stone, save for the occasional puff of wind rippling the horses’ manes. She’d only seen Svistra horses from a distance, but she recognized magnificent animals. Beside her Nathan jerked in the saddle and swore under his breath. She glanced his way, but he focused on the Svistra, disbelief etched on his face. He’d seen Svistra face paint before, so what had startled him? She had avoided looking at the painted faces but willed her eyes toward the trio of Svistra.
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