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All she had to do was say it. She had them in her trap.
Her assassin watched her with bright eyes.
But then the trap would close, and Rune would depart. She would never see that wicked smile again, cross swords with him, or laugh. It would be exactly what she had wanted. But she didn’t want it anymore.
“Evidence to indicate,” Elma continued, at last firm in her conviction, “that Slödava is open to a treaty of peace with Rothen.”
Rune’s eyes narrowed, the only hint of his surprise. She had not discussed this with him, though she knew he would play along. After all, she needed him if this plan was going to work, and he would see that. All she had to do was convince her men.
Grumbling broke out among the advisors.
“Peace? With Slödava?” said Godwin, incredulous. “Impossible. Even if they deign to sign a treaty, they’ll turn around and slit your throat by cover of night. Whatever evidence you may have received is clearly a lie, some weak attempt at misdirection. At first, I stood with you in this, but to avoid action now? War isinevitable.We must begin to gather forces. Three times, Majesty. Three times, they have tried to kill you. And now that you sit on the throne, it is within your rights to declare a legal war with Slödava, to seekaid from other kingdoms. None can question such a war. King Alaric may even send his sorcerer if…”
“His sorcerer?” Ferdinand interrupted. “That unkempt, brooding creature?”
“We are the frozen fist of Rothen,” Bertram cut in. “We need no magic.”
Elma stood abruptly, her chair skidding across the floor. She could not lose them now. This was her moment. Bracing her fingertips on the table, she leaned forward, catching each of them in the fierceness of her glare.
“There willbeno war with Slödava,” Elma said. Icicles could have formed on her words. “I am the Queen of Rothen. I will not send my subjects to their deaths. We do not have the resources for a full-scale war. We do not have the strength of arms. And even if we did, I willnotbegin my reign with the blood of thousands on my hands. If you continue to push for war, I’m in the mood to have your tongues removed.”
A smile unfurled across Rune’s face.
“But Your Majesty,” said Godwin, the clench of his fists belying a barely-contained anger, “we can’t just sit here and do nothing in the wake of three assassination attempts. Rothen will be seen as weak.”
Elma spun on her uncle. “I’m beginning to suspect you haven’t heard a single word I’ve said, Uncle. Perhaps one ought to consider listening to one’s queen before speaking, lest one soundwitless. Was I not clear enough? Slödava is open to peace with Rothen, should we pursue it. My bodyguard has attested to the truth of this matter.”
“You would trust a Slödavan?” Godwin said. “One of the very monsters who scale our walls, who raid our villages and scatter the guts of our people in the snow? It’s a ruse, a trap—”
“Whatever it is, Uncle, it is up to me to decide whetherthe risk is worth taking. I am the Queen of Rothen, am I not?”
The advisors shared a look.
At last, Maurice, who had been utterly silent until then, folded his hands before him on the table. “Your Majesty,” he said, “how do you propose we negotiate with Slödava? Their men attack on sight. Pigeons cannot fly that way. No ambassador would ever agree to such a journey, as it is certain death.”
“You’re right,” Elma said, silently grateful for Maurice’s rationality. “No ambassador would survive the journey. But a queen would.”
Again, the advisors began talking all at once, their gestures wild and their brows drawn low.
“Elma,” Godwin muttered, taking her hand. “You cannot—”
She wrenched her hand from his grip. “Silence,” she hissed. And as she spoke the word, steel rang as Rune drew his sword.
The advisors ceased in their protests, glowering.
“You will address me asYour Majesty,” she said to Godwin, cold as a glacier. Then, turning to Lord Ferdinand, whose face had gone white, she said, “You will write to the courts of Navenie and Mekya to inform them of Rothen’s bid for peace with Slödava. Notify them also that Rothen’s new monarch, Elma I, will be brokering the terms. In person. Rune of Slödava will serve as her bodyguard and liaison. Make it clear in the letters that if any harm should befall the Queen of Rothen while she is away, Rothen will invade Slödava.” She eyed the men at the table. “If such a thing occurs, the monarchs of Navenie and Mekya are aware that they must assist us, or we will bar them from trade. I will be safe.”
Lord Ferdinand nodded, scratching notes onto a parchment with pursed lips and a deep frown.
“Slödavans do not care fortreatiesandtradenegotiations,” Bertram spat. “They are animals. Brainless and violent. There is no language they understand but the drums of war.”
Rune shifted in the shadows. Elma caught his eye and held it —don’t say a word,or you belittle me in front of them. The assassin glowered but kept his mouth obediently shut.
“The men of Slödava are no more brutal, no more violent,” Elma said, “than the men of Rothen. Our own people are starving, Bertram. Who knows what the people of Slödava have had to endure for generations? Would you ask me to condemn both kingdoms to a slow and miserable end? That is what war will bring. But with peace, the heavens willing, we might bring an end to the cycle of death.”
She straightened, knowing how tall she looked from that angle, how imposing she appeared at the head of the table. Her advisors watched with wary gazes, and she was satisfied.
“I will hear no more arguments on the matter,” Elma continued. “I will travel to Slödava as Rothen’s queen and her ambassador for peace. In the event that I die on the Frozen Sea,” she gave each of her advisors a long look, a dare to defy her, “then it is your war to lose. I want a traveling party outfitted and prepped immediately. I will depart tomorrow.”
