AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“A Dulraith would solve the problem, but you cannot fight him here. Not while he is surrounded by all those warrior families he has swayed to his side. He would kill you before you even have a chance to challenge him.” Zavni sighed and crossed his arms. “Many of your strongest supporters live outside of Osmana.”
“We need to buy time so that he doesn’t kill all of your supporters in Osmana before you have a chance to rally those loyal to you.” Vriska glanced over her shoulder at the door. “He will search the city for you.”
“We will fight for you, Your Majesty.” Mymrar stepped forward. “Many of those you have helped would fight for you.”
Rharreth turned to better face the couple. “I thank you for your willingness to fight, but you are not warriors. I don’t wish for my people to be slaughtered for my throne.”
How was he to protect his people? How could he buy time? He squeezed Melantha’s hand. More importantly, how did he protect her? If he lost the Dulraith, she would be killed.
But, if Rharreth waited to challenge Drurvas until they were by the border with Tarenhiel, Zavni or one of the other remaining loyal shield brothers could spirit her across the border. If her brother would grant her sanctuary, she would be safe, even if Rharreth lost.
It was the best plan he had, even if he did not like asking the elves for anything. “Perhaps you are right. We flee to Tarenhiel. But, we have Vriska tell Drurvas that is our plan. He will gather his warriors and will give chase instead of spending his time purging Osmana.”
Vriska’s jaw tightened, but she nodded. “I will tell him tomorrow. I can buy you a day to get clear of Osmana. But what if he catches up? You will be able to move quickly, but...” Vriska’s gaze flicked to Melantha.
Melantha was not a warrior nor was she a troll. She was more susceptible to the cold. Would she have the strength for the journey ahead?
As if sensing their scrutiny, Melantha’s spine went even straighter, her chin lifting. Reminding Rharreth with her bearing that she was strong, even if it was not in the same way as the troll warrior women. Melantha had her magic, and that might prove to be more useful than a resistance to cold.
Rharreth rested his free palm against his chest, where her magic was busy healing the last of his wounds. Her magic had already proven invaluable.
“Tell Drurvas that we will be sticking near the train tracks. It is a more level and easier route, even if it is slightly longer. It will make sense, and he will use the train to move his army to the border.” Rharreth tapped the table, as if a map was spread in front of him.
Zavni and Vriska nodded, as if they both could visualize that same map. Melantha glanced between the three of them, but she didn’t interrupt.
“Melantha and I will take the direct route and cross the border at Argar Point. That is rough country, but we can find shelter at Gozat Stronghold halfway there. Zavni, I know your father Ezrec will remain loyal to me. He has counseled for making peace with Tarenhiel for years.” Rharreth pointed to a spot on the table along the invisible line that was the Tarenhieli-Kostarian border. “Zavni, I want you and all of the warriors loyal to me to spread the word quietly to meet me at Argar Point. But be careful. Our plan will fall apart if Drurvas catches wind of this.”
“Drurvas was bold last night. He made his move, and he committed all his resources to it, expecting complete success. He had no backup plans if you survived the night. Because of that, the lines have been clearly drawn between his supporters and yours.” Vriska shrugged and headed for the door. “Zavni, I will do my best to stay in touch and alert you to anything I learn from within Drurvas’s inner circle. Now, I had better leave, otherwise Drurvas may suspect.”
Zavni stood aside and let Vriska leave, locking the door behind her.
The woman stepped forward, her head high. “Your Majesty, we will spread word among our neighbors that you are alive. Once you have left, of course. We have no wish to bring danger to you. But the people need to know you live.”
“Once again, I thank you. You are correct. The people need to know.” Rharreth nodded his head toward her. “Drurvas will spread lies that I am dead. Failing that, he will continue to spread lies about my weakness and unworthiness as king, especially once he hears that I am fleeing to Tarenhiel. He will use that as evidence.”
It would look bad, fleeing to Tarenhiel. But Melantha was right. They had no choice. Not if they wanted to take this fight to the border and away from street fighting in Osmana that would only harm the innocent people of Kostaria.
And, somehow, the thought that others might think him weak or unworthy didn’t sting as it once had. He knew his own strength. He knew what he was doing was right. He could live with the consequences.
“We will tell the truth.” The man stepped up next to his wife and rested a hand on her shoulder.
Rharreth did not deserve their loyalty. He had failed them. He had failed all of Kostaria. He had known Drurvas was restless and not happy with the direction that Rharreth was taking the kingdom. He had seen the signs, but he had chosen, once again, to do nothing, believing that Drurvas’s loyalty as a shield brother would be enough.
“Thank you.” Melantha stood and gifted the woman with one of her rare smiles, the ones that lit her face and redrew the hard lines into something softer, kinder.
Rharreth was not sure she even realized the effect that her genuine smiles had. Perhaps because she seemed so reluctant to betray such emotions to others. Even if she never felt comfortable showing emotions before strangers, Rharreth would take whatever genuine emotion she wanted to grant him. Her anger. Her passion. Her tears. And, yes, her joy. An emotion she had struggled to feel when he’d met her.
Melantha turned to him and rested a hand on his shoulder, the smile still on her face. “I know we just woke up, but we ought to rest. You are still healing, and I assume we cannot leave until we have the cover of darkness.”
“Please, take our room.” The woman gestured behind her.
“We could not possibly put you out...”
The woman gestured at the kitchen, something almost like a twitch of a smile on her face. “No disrespect, but I need my kitchen. You will be putting me more out if you keep blocking my fireplace from use.”
Melantha gave her deep, throaty laugh and nodded. “Of course.”
Rharreth was not going to argue. He needed a few moments alone with Melantha even more than he needed rest.
