Page 146 of Queen of War and Ruin

“That’s the king of Lisal’s seal,” Zarek says, frowning at the parchment. “And that’s from Aning,” he says, pointing to another blob of wax. “And Wesing. Hells, that’s Creoria.”

Zarek turns to Elrick. “They’re calling a conference of the Seven Allied Kingdoms?”

“Yes,” Elrick nods. He looks grim. “They’re calling a conference in Lisal.”

“Lisal is Malrik’s next target,” Zarek says. “That’s not exactly a secret. He announced it to his entire ballroom.”

“That’s probably why Lisal is hosting the conference,” Petrys replies. “Gathering all the kingdoms together so Vsenrog doesn’t pick them off one by one.”

“Well, it’s about fucking time,” Gerard announces.

Petrys makes a noise in the back of his throat as Gerard walks over to the table.

“Maybe now those bastards will actually do something about Vsenrog,” Gerard continues. “After all, what’s the point of the Seven Allied Kingdoms if they aren’t going to actually act like fucking allies?”

“Vsenrog will also be there,” Petrys says, his voice low and dangerous. “Whether they were invited or not.”

Gerard laughs. “So? They’ll be outnumbered.”

“They’ll have the weapon,” Zarek says.

The room falls silent. Elrick leans back in his chair and pinches the bridge of his nose.

“He’s right,” Elrick says. “I’m sure Vsenrog will be there, and I’m sure they’ll bring their damned weapon. Marion was invited to attend the conference, but why? Do the other kingdoms actually want to help us, or are they trying to sell us off to gain favor with Malrik?”

“Like Prince Laurance,” Zarek says, in a low voice.

“So what?” Gerard snaps. “Are you saying you want to stay here? Hide out and hope Vsenrog just goes away?”

“I thought you didn’t want to be in Lisal when Vsenrog’s army invaded?” Zarek replies.

“That was before I knew they were calling a conference of the Seven Allied Kingdoms,” Gerard says. “Malrik would have to be insane to invade during a conference and piss off all the kingdoms at once. And you’re the one who said we needed allies!”

Everyone starts talking at once. I wrap my fingers around the carved wooden armrests of my chair and try not to think about the look on my brother’s face in the stables of Ethiria, when the guards started to examine the stalls. Just before Zarek stood up and sacrificed himself so Elrick and Anura could escape.

The idea that first came to me when we rode away from the gates of Vsenrog with our heads down and our hoods up whispers through my mind again.

I know where we should go. And it’s not Lisal.

“He’s right,” Petrys says.

His voice is so calm, so cold, that it cuts through the din like a blade. I turn to stare at him as the room falls silent once more.

“Gerard is right,” Petrys says. “You do need allies. You can’t hide here forever.”

“Why not?” I snap. “Isn’t that what Dungal is doing?”

“But your royal family is still alive,” Petrys replies. “And Malrik knows it. As long as Elrick survives, there’s a whisper of hope for Marion. There’s a reason for all the farmers and ranchers in this valley to fight against Vsenrog.”

“Shit,” Elrick mutters.

“They would fight even without Elrick,” I say.

“You’re probably right,” Petrys says, with a shrug. “Still. You can’t keep this place hidden for long. Not if Malrik is trying to find it. And he will be trying to find it.”

From behind my brother, Owain barks a laugh. It’s a cold, humorless sound.

“Great,” Owain says. “March into Lisal before Vsenrog’s armies invade or wait here for those armies to find us? We’re damned if we do and damned if we don’t, aren’t we?”