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“That doesn’t explain what you are doing here. Our kingdoms are at war. Finding a group of enemies living behind enemy lines is suspicious,” I countered, loosening my hold on the bow string.
“That’s because we found out what the war was really about.” Tuck interjected, his eyes looking toward the ground at Einri’s sharp look.
“What do you mean?” I asked, flicking my thumb along the feather fletching.
“The war began as a border dispute that escalated until it became what it is now. Because of his need for an indestructible soldier to fight an enemy that does not exist, he turned his sight to Thimmaria.” Einri explained, before he sighed, shoulders slumping further.
“I don’t understand.” My eyebrows pinched as I tried to figure out what he was trying to say.
“Rusalko has turned so many of his own people that ended in failed transitions that he needs a new gene pool.” Einri responded, his fists clenching.
“You mean new people. My countrymen?” I was horrified that the Bruralian king had turned his attention here.
“The goal is to infect as many as he can, force them to swear allegiance to him, then assume control.”
“But how? People would notice wolves poisoning drinks.” There’s no way this could be done unnoticed.
But it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Will noticed the strange behavior. He even warned the captain of the guard and his suspension were disregarded. Even Brex spoke of the servants' odd mannerisms that were chalked up to a difference in culture. Had we overlooked the signs and invited the wolf growling at the door into the den?
“They are infecting people that way and also with blood arrows. Our archers dip their arrowheads into their blood. Whomever gets cut or shot by them will be infected. Most go rogue but those that turn are smuggled into Brural and forced into the kings pack.” Einri revealed, causing me to gasp.
That’s how the servants, guards, and ladies all knew their way around the castle and the surrounding area. They’d gotten firsthand information about Castle Hill and possibly the whole kingdom.
King Rusalko was turning Thimmarians, infecting them with wolves, and forcing them into his service. If he wasn’t stopped what would become of Thimmaria? What would become of Loxley?
“Will knew.” I whispered, squeezing the bow in my fist. “He knew something was happening, but his suspicions were brushed aside. Even I didn’t see it, too enthralled by the snake's tail to realize its head was doing something different. This can’t happen.”
“We don’t intend for this to happen. It’s why those who are infected on the frontlines are sent to me. I can call the wolf and give it a place to belong while doing what we can to defend the common people and help where we can.” Einri nodded, his face hardening with determination and I realized that he carried around a boulder size amount of guilt. This wasn’t his fault. His brother started this war; he did everything in order to belong but ended up making a new family that ran deeper than blood.
My mind was spinning as I looked into the silver eyes that had single handedly flipped my worldview around on its axis. This was a lot of information to take in, but I didn’t have the luxury of time. I pushed this kingdom altering news to the back of my mind. I had to focus onmyfamily.
I slashed my hand through the air, as if to cut through the power of his gaze. “That is a problem for later. Right now, I have to handle the problem in the clearing.”
Einri growled, and every hair on my body stood to attention. “This is madness. Were you not listening?”
It was my turn to growl. “My cousin is there.” I pointed in the direction of the camp. “There is no way I am leaving him behind. I came to rescue him and that’s what I plan to do!”
“Arrow,” Tuck started.
“We have watched each other’s back’s since we were children. I’m not about to stop that now.” I warned.
“We don’t even know if he made it through the change.” Einri replied harshly.
All the breath seemed to escape my lungs in a violent rush. I hadn’t considered that possibility. My entire being had been focused on rescuing him and had consumed my thoughts so much so that I hadn’t taken the time to consider any other option, too afraid, perhaps? The possibility had my breath coming in quick pants as my brain tried to process a future without Will in it. It was inconceivable.
“There’s no need to be cruel.” Tuck spat at Einri.
“She needs to know what she faces.”
“So, you pick the cruelest way to tell her?” Tuck asked, his temper clearly rising.
“You remember what it was like, Tuck. One in five who goes through the change survive. Chances are not in his favor.” Einri’s voice lowered. “She is on a fool’s errand.”
I listened to them bicker, their voices coming to me through a fog.Will had a one in five chance?I thought. I remembered that day clearly, the look in his face as the wolf’s muzzle tore into his skin. So much blood... Could he have survived both the vicious wound and the brutal change?
I realized then that it didn’t matter. Whether he survived or whether he didn’t, either way, he didn’t deserve me failing him. I took a deep breath and grabbed hold of the frayed strands of my resolve. If he was alive I would find him, and if he was dead... well, I would find that out too.
I dashed away the stray tears and turned to the two men, seeing them as they stood toe to toe, chests heaving. They looked close to blows. Stupid. We didn’t have time for their pissing contests. “Tuck, are the statistics accurate?”
