A ripple of unrest swept through the councilmen. Some craned their necks towards the doors as if they could see the fires, others turned wide eyes on the queen, waiting for her word.
Charis pulled free of Danaos, her amber gown swirling as she descended the polished steps. “What? Where?”
Leukos’ magic faded at once, the pale blue light flickering out like a dying ember. Alena turned to him, but his face was unreadable, power subdued beneath calm restraint.
“It appears to be the hamlets along the riverbank,” one scout reported.
Danaos’ voice rumbled through the chamber. “The Twelfth Legion. They’ve made good on their threat.”
Despoina’s frown deepened. “Them, or another legion. The smoke is thick. The guards estimate dozens of fires.”
“We believe a whole cohort was sent to attack the villages around the river bend,” the scout added grimly.
Alarm spread through the ring of councilmen. Several muttered curses under their breath.
Blood drained from Charis’ face, her composure cracking. “A whole cohort?”
Alena’s stomach dropped. Five hundred soldiers would tear through those hamlets like wolves through sheep.
“They’ll massacre them,” Danaos spat, brow furrowed. “The Rasennans are out for blood.”
Leukos’ voice cut through the tension, sharp and cold as the ice he’d conjured moments ago. “Then we’ll give it to them.” Histone carried the unshakable confidence of someone who knew his strength.
Alena’s gaze flicked to him. He stood tall, expression unwavering, as though facing down five hundred soldiers were no more daunting than a morning drill.
Charis shook her head, shadowed by grim reality. “What can we do against five hundred? Our army is tied down by the siege, and Danaos and Despoina can only move so many.”
Leukos stepped forward, determination hardening his features. “You accuse me of betraying the alliance, yet I do not take our promise lightly. With my men, I will defend our people against the Rasennans—all the way to Argos if I must.”
Several councilmen shifted at his words—half in fear, half in hope—while others avoided his gaze altogether.
Charis held his stare, scepticism still in her eyes.
“And I’ll go with him,” Alena said without hesitation, her voice ringing clear. “As will the Amazon.”
Danaos and Charis exchanged a quick glance, unspoken understanding passing between them. Danaos gave a sharp nod. “Then we leave now. If we don’t stop the Rasennans, those villages won’t survive the night.”
Leukos turned to him. “How many can you move at once?”
“Over such a short distance, Despoina and I can manage three dozen at a time with their horses,” Danaos answered. Despite their earlier conflict, grudging respect edged his tone. They had a common enemy now.
Leukos nodded once, already calculating. “That will do.” His eyes swept to Nik. “Find Theo—we’ll need him. Then join Pelagios and take the best men you have. Meet us at the gates, and make sure they know what happened. Some might have family out there.”
Nik gave a curt nod and, in a blur, vanished from the chamber.
“Councilmen”—Charis’ voice rang out as she turned back towards the dais—“with me. We’ll coordinate with the healers and prepare for the wounded.”
The gathered men hesitated, exchanging uneasy looks before shuffling after their queen.
Charis cast a brief, steady look at Danaos, a silent exchange between husband and wife, before sweeping from the throne room, the long folds of her peplos trailing behind as guards and councilmen followed.
Despoina leaned close to Danaos, already trading low, urgent words with the scouts.
Leukos’ attention shifted to Alena. His voice dropped, meant only for her. “Go find the Amazon and tell her what happened. I’ll come get you when it’s time.”
It was the first time he’d spoken directly to her since the incident. A dozen things rose in her throat—that it wasn’t his fault, that she didn’t fear him—but the words died before they formed. This wasn’t the moment. Bigger battles loomed.
He turned back to Despoina, and Alena took it as her cue to leave. Her steps quickened through the stone corridors, pulse hammering with the weight of what was coming.
