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“How?”
“Call off your army.”
“Release your hostages.”
“No.”
Harristan’s voice is like steel. “Then no.”
I turn to look at him. “Can’t you give them anything?” I hiss. “Can you have the army back off?”
“I came in good faith, Tessa. He must meet me halfway.”
“He’s not shooting you.”
“He’s no fool. If he kills me, this army will eviscerate them all. He’s banking on my wish to save the consuls. It’s literally the only leverage he has.” Harristan looks at Lochlan and raises his voice. “I’ll have my army retreat fifty yards if you release one hostage.”
“You have archers,” says Lochlan. “Fifty yards is nothing.”
“Are we at an impasse?” Harristan spreads his hands. “I am willing to hear your demands.”
“We want medicine,” says Lochlan. “Medicine for everyone. We want to survive.”
Harristan hesitates.
This has always been the crux of it. Lochlan doesn’t understand. I didn’t understand.
“Is that a no?” says Lochlan.
“I can’t promise medicine,” says Harristan, “but—”
“You can’t move your army. You can’t promise medicine.” Lochlan takes a step back and looks over his shoulder at the rebels trapping the hostages. “Shoot another one.”
“No!” I scream, but it’s too late. The crossbow has already snapped.
