Hearing the derision in his tone, Deckard pursed his lips and turned away. “If you aren’t going to take this seriously, then I’ll keep my concerns to myself,” he said.
“Don’t be cross,” Thom said lightly. “I’m not saying you’re wrong. I’m just questioning your rationale.”
Deckard tightened his grip on the reins. “My reasoning is this: If they kidnapped Prince Ephren, allowing the deaths of dozens of men in his capture and our rescue, all to determineif Evylin was a Warrior, why wouldn’t they force us into service however they see fit? How can their intentions truly be honorable when they’re willing to sacrifice their people so negligently?”
“Maybe it wasn’t theAlliancedoing the sacrificing,” Thom offered.
Deckard stared at him, dumbfounded and confused.
Thom tipped his chin back toward the rest of the troop riding half a mile behind. “You heard Isla the other day,” he said. “The people of the Alliance sacrifice willingly. That’s part of what makes them so assured of their success. They are willing to do anything—absolutelyanything—to ensure the establishment of their government. Even if that’s at the cost of their individual lives.”
“And what if that requires the murder of innocents?” Deckard demanded. “If they’d doanything, would they do that?”
Thom frowned. “Now, you’re just being dramatic.”
“This is important, Thom. What if the Alliance isn’t what it seems? What if they trap us into a life of service to worse tyrants than are already on the thrones?”
That made Thom hesitate for a drawn-out moment. Then he shook his head vehemently, a dry scoff working out of him. “Have you met the Calders?” he said. “They may be odd, but they aren’t cold-blooded murderers. And I think it’s safe to say they certainly wouldn’t support an organization made up of homicidal maniacs.”
Deckard ran a hand over his face, sighing heavily. This was Evylin’s exact argument. Why was he the only one willing to consider the Calders’ additional duplicity? He wondered if Rafferty would be any more rational. After all, Evylin and Thom had built friendships with Ilain, and Ethenn was now betrothed to her. They would be incapable of seeing the woman’s fraudulence until it was too late.
IfIlain was deceitful.
A tinge of doubt lingered in Deckard’s mind as to that fact. No matter how much he questioned the Alliance and their people, he couldn’t deny that Ilain and her family showed a level of loyalty, bravery, and piousness that he didn’t think could be feigned for quite this long.
Maybe Evylin and Thom were right. Maybe Deckard was being overly cautious.
Repentant, Deckard faced Thom again. “I do fear that they’ll force Evylin and me into a life we don’t want,” he admitted. “After all their lies in the past, I struggle to trust that they’re as good as they claim.”
Thom nodded in understanding. “I don’t know that any government can be called ‘good,’ Jonn,” he said thoughtfully. “There’s better and worse, but goodness... That belongs to people.”
“And people are what form a government,” Deckard said.
“Yes,” Thom agreed, then grinned. “So wouldn’t you want to make sure the best people are at the head of it?”
“Of course.”
“Right.” Thom’s grin turned sly. “Personally, I can’t think of anyone better than you.”
Immediately, Deckard scowled. “I’m not a ruler. I’m a soldier, and that’s all I want to be.”
Thom raised a pacifying hand. “Then don’t become Highlord Chancellor,” he said. “But perhaps you could help select the men and women whoaregoing to rule. If the Alliance values you enough to let you lead, then surely, they’d value your opinion on who they set in your place.”
Deckard considered that. The idea wasn’t altogether abhorrent to him.
Rulership was out of the question. But advising? That he could do.
With a slow nod, Deckard surveyed his brother with interest. “When did you get so wise?” he asked companionably.
Thom scoffed. “I’ve been spending too much time with Ilain. That woman is downright insightful and frighteningly blunt. You’ve got her to thank for any improvements.”
Deckard chuckled. “Remind me to do just that when we get back to camp.”
“Nah, don’t.” Thom smirked. “It’ll just go to her head.”
They managed to make it to the large town of Gaatshead, deep in the foothills. Near the mountain range and one of the few towns in the area, the fiefdom was granted to a well-trusted Ephrian nobleman whose ancestor was one of the Shepherd King’s closest friends. Deckard couldn’t quite remember the name of the viscount, but he recognized the insignia of the green banners with the charging knight, his steed rearing, and his sword raised.
Watching those banners flap above the walls a mile away, Deckard gave his instructions. “We’ll go into the town for the night,” he said, then reached into his coat’s interior pocket. “Thom, this is our letter of assignment. Take Rafferty and Vayden and get us rooms in the best inn you can find.”
