Page 90 of To Save a Kingdom

Jalius’ footsteps scrambled behind him.

“Hey, where’re we goin’?” Zadé asked, tight on his heels as ever.

“We need to figure out the current situation with the hostages.” And to find out if Roland is still alive.

“Hmm.” Zadé tapped her finger to her lips, her face scrunched in thought. “Are yeh gunna tell ‘im ‘bout Tsara?”

Elessan chewed on the inside of his cheek for several steps. “Not right away, I don’t think.” He had no idea how Roland would react to the news on top of the fact that Elessan was free, but whatever happened, it would slow down their timeline for Aliya’s rescue.

Zadé nodded. “Princess needs ta be freed a’fore Brooks realizes who she is.”

At least the general was on his side. He gave her a grim smile. “And then we can take all the time we need to explain the situation to Roland. And Aliya.”

“She’ll forgive yeh, ya know,” Zadé said, her voice dropped to a conspiratorial tone. “She’s got a good heart.”

Elessan snorted, but held back his retort. The gods weren’t often so generous, but… “We can only hope.”

The doors loomed before him, larger than life. No guards were posted outside, which didn’t bode well. Usually, Roland was more insightful than that.

Reaching for the doorknob, Elessan turned the handle. It stuck, like the latch had been jammed.

Muttering a curse, he bent, peeking into the keyhole.

Nothing. It was black.

“He’s done something to the lock.” Grabbing the knob with both hands, he wrenched with all his strength.

Nothing.

Pounding her fist on the door, Zadé called, “Yer Majesty! Let us in—we have news!” She hammered her palm against the door again.

Pressing his ear to the wood, Elessan listened.

Footsteps approached. “Who’s there?” The voice was unfamiliar.

Oh, by Abaddon… “It’s Elessan Svialto and General Brightleaf! We have an update!” One that shouldn’t be shouted through the door for the entire world to hear.

“One moment!”

Crashes and groans sounded from the other side of the doors. After several minutes, they creaked open.

Elessan blinked. No less than five spears hovered at his neck. Raising his gaze to peer behind the soldiers at King Enorathil, he raised his eyebrows.

“At ease,” the monarch said, waving his hand at them in a lazy gesture.

As one, the men stepped back, pulling their lances until the sharpened tips pointed toward the ceiling again.

“What a warm greeting.” Elessan tried to keep the sarcasm from his voice, but failed. With an eyeroll, he slid inside. Zadé and Jalius followed. The dark part of him had hoped Brooks had used a Whisperer and eliminated the royal, though that would’ve likely resulted in the death of Aliya and the other hostages, as well, if they weren’t able to wear the ear plugs Aliya had smuggled in for them.

Sprawled in Aliya’s chair, Roland sat at the head of the oversized table occupying most of the room. He leaned back, arms crossed, and glared at Zadé. “Well, boy. How did you get out of custody?”

Zadé stepped forward, fishing in her satchel. “That’s not important right now.”

Elessan put his hand out, latching onto her arm and stopping her before she could pull the Whisperer out for all to see. With how the male had been salivating over the weapons earlier, the last thing they needed was Roland getting his hands on it.

The king’s forehead wrinkled as his eyebrows lifted. “Oh, it’s not, is it?” He waved one hand to gesture around the room. “By all means, then, what is more urgent than a traitor escaping?”

Elessan took a deep breath and tilted his head toward Jalius, who was staying back between him and Zadé. “The mages have discovered a way to adjust the Whisperers so they don’t kill their victims, only knock them out.”