Page 148 of Destiny of a King

“Inside the castle fighting alongside Dravic. They will be dead by the time you get there.”

The man grinned. “That makes things easier.”

Ernach looked around at the gathered men. “Remember, you have no worry of magic. Enough disgruntled Driochmorians have joined forces with us to counter any magic you may face. You know your orders. Attack now and bring the Morvane Clan down and all in it. Do not spare a soul.”

Grins flashed, eager for battle.

Adira’s heart began beating faster.

Ernach raised his voice. “As we continue through Scotara⁠—”

The men quieted.

“There will be more men waiting to join you along the way. By the time anyone understands what is happening, our numbers will have grown, and word will already be spreading that King Dravic and the Warlord of Drogath killed each other in battle. Chaos will follow with no one left to lead.”

A murmur of approval passed through the men.

Adira stared at Ernach. He planned to take the entire kingdom.

“When done, we meet where you were told… near to Driochmor’s High Council that has been in session since the Morvane symbols have been brought to their attention.”

“We carved enough of them symbols,” one man said, laughing, and the others joined in.

Adira’s stomach tightened. Everything had been a well-planned trap, leading to this moment.

“It kept the council busy, not looking elsewhere. We kill every council member before they learn what happened here. Dar and Kaelen need to fall quickly, or they could present a problem. Once the council falls, I will put those Driochmorians who stood with me in charge and all of Driochmor will fight by my side. Now go. The sooner we see this war done… the sooner I claim the throne.”

Adira’s thoughts were racing. Dravic didn’t know any of this. He knew Ernach wanted the crown. He knew the men inside the castle belonged to him. But he couldn’t possibly know about the mercenaries hidden in these woods or the others waiting throughout Scotara. And he didn’t know Ernach intended to attack the High Council.

Ernach stood watching the first group of mercenaries disappear into the woods.

A few warriors remained behind, and one turned to Ernach.

“You can’t trust any of them. More than one of them probably thinks to take the throne from you.” He grinned. “Or wait a year or two and let age take you.”

“He’s right,” said another. “You have years on you.”

Ernach smiled. “My queen will see me live a long life.”

“Wear you out is more likely.”

The men laughed.

Ernach didn’t.

His smile vanished and his eyes narrowed. “Not when your wife is the healer who can defy death.”

The man stared at him.

“How will you find her when no one else can?”

“She will come to me,” Ernach boasted. “She will not let the people of Scotara suffer needlessly and I will see that they do. She will show herself and I will strike a bargain with her that she cannot refuse.”

He was completely mad and he had madmen following him. She couldn’t let Ernach take her farther away. Dravic would find her eventually. She had no doubt of that, but by then it might be too late to stop what Ernach had set in motion.

She glanced at the man holding her. His attention was on the departing warriors, looking with envy on them and his hand had loosened on her arm.

Ernach was closer than she would like, but then so was the thick forest.