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After breakfast, a servant informs me that Mato, king of the Mountain People, is waiting in the throne room. I have no clue where that is, so one of the soldiers leads the way. He’s tall, maybe six feet seven, and has long black hair with a distinctive white streak over one temple. If it weren’t for his hauntingly pasty skin and perma-scowl, he might be considered an attractive man.
“What’s your name?” I ask, following him through a maze of torchlit hallways. There are no windows anywhere.
“General Rool, my queen.”
A general. That means he was likely Benicio’s right hand and possibly not very excited about the change in leadership. I’ll have to tread carefully and test the waters.
“And how long have you served in the army, General?” It’s been a very long time from the looks of his uniform—black leather pants (shocker), black long-sleeve shirt, and a leather breastplate that’s battered to a suedelike texture. The handle of the long sword strapped to his back is caked with dried blood.
“Five hundred years, give or take a few, my queen.”
Five hundred? “Exactly how long do vampires live?”
“Forever if they are not injured or killed.” Interesting. I definitely hadn’t thought about that.
Living forever…sounds kinda horrible.“So at what point do you retire from my army?”
“Once you vow allegiance to protect your kingdom, you cannot go back on it.”
“That doesn’t sound very fair. Maybe I’ll revise the rules so you can explore other options.”
He stops and turns, a hard, bitter look in his dark eyes. “You mean to remove me from the army? And what would I do for a living?”
“So you actuallywantto stay in the army until the day you die?”
He lifts his chin. “It is a great honor to serve the Blood People. And it was the honor of my life serving the Blood King.” He points to a set of heavy wooden doors with intricate carvings of fanged monsters. “The throne room is through there.”
I nod slowly. “So it’s not such an honor to serve me.”
His eyes remain fixed straight ahead, and he doesn’t reply.
“I see.” I turn toward the doors.
“You are too soft, my queen,” he adds. “You will never hold the throne or gain the Blood People’s allegiance if you do not make an example of our enemies.”
I turn back around to face Rool. “Example how?”
“You must make all the kings and queens kneel to you, including your husband. Anyone who does not should be struck down on the spot.”
I’m a stranger to politics, and there’s no beating around that bush. But if I want to save my home, someone here is going to have to protect the wall while I shut down the water and let the inhabitants of Monsterland die of thirst. It behooves me to know which kingdom or group would be open to betraying every single living being on the planet. I must learn who is for sale and what they want.
I rethink my position on giving that inaugural address. I should use my throne to my advantage and take power. For real.
“Then I will call them here and make them bow,” I say.
“I do not advise that, my queen.”
“Didn’t you just say I should bring them here?” I raise a brow in question.
He goes on, “Gathering the leaders in one room invites a situation where they may team up and refuse to vow allegiance. You must go to each kingdom and face each ruler one by one. They are less likely to turn their back, knowing you have an army outside their gates.”
Okay. Lesson number one. Don’t allow the kings or queens the opportunity to create strength in numbers. Actually, that’s wrong. Lesson one is kill or be eaten. Number two is to trust no one. Three, don’t show weakness. And, FYI, in Monsterland, kindness and civility are considered a weakness. You win no points by being respectful.
“Your point, Rool, is flawed and moronic. I’m shocked Benicio saw fit to make you a general.”
He blinks at me, a look of indignation on his face.
I continue, “Bending the knee and vowing allegiance no longer carry any meaning. Not without the No Ones to enforce the vow.”
