Alliance (12 page)

“Your breakfast, Sire,” Kalis whispered when Ryneq motioned for her to be quiet. She held a large tray with several covered plates on it, and the delicious smells coming from beneath the covers made Ryneq’s stomach growl.

“Thank you, Kalis.” He reached and took the tray from her. “I’ll be in the war room for the next few hours. I want you to check on Nykin while I’m gone and bring him something to eat when he wakes up.”

“Of course, Sire.” She smiled up at him and turned to go.

“Oh, and Kalis?” He waited for her to turn and face him. “Send for me immediately if you think something’s wrong.” She nodded once and then hurried off down the passageway. Ryneq closed the door quietly behind her and carried the food over to the dining table. He ate quickly, looking out the window at the beautiful day outside—a far cry from the harsh winds of the night before last.

Nykin hadn’t woken by the time Ryneq was ready to leave. Ryneq paused by the side of their bed and leaned down to brush his lips over Nykin’s forehead. Nykin’s skin still had a sickly sheen to it, despite gaining a bit of color back, and it went against all of Ryneq’s instincts to leave. But the others would be waiting for him.

He met Nysad in the passageway outside. Nysad looked exhausted, as though he hadn’t slept much at all in the past couple of days. “Gods, it’s good to have you back behind palace walls.” Ryneq clapped him on the shoulder and gripped his arm. “How was it?”

“Thankfully uneventful after the initial trouble with the witch. The villagers are settling in down in the lower town. Eldin and Nykin?”

“Both made it back. Nykin took a hit to the leg, and both dragons were injured, but none of them badly.”

A flash of relief passed over Nysad’s face before his expression turned grim. “The scouts just arrived back, Sire. There’s movement all along the border. The men are breaking camp. Seran is preparing to move his army.”

Ryneq cursed under his breath. He’d hoped they’d have more time to prepare. “Have you been to the war room yet?”

“Yes, Sire. Glaevahl, Lerran, Faelon, and Avelor are already there waiting for us,” Nysad replied as they marched down the passageway.

When they arrived, the elves inside were already seated around the table, poring over the map spread out permanently now. Glaevahl looked up when they entered and met Ryneq’s gaze.

“The witch has been feeling out the barrier with her magic, but she hasn’t attempted to break through yet,” Glaevahl began, not bothering with any pleasantries, which Ryneq greatly appreciated. He had neither the desire nor the time to bother with social niceties.

Ryneq took his seat at the head of the table, and Nysad pulled out the one to his right. “How can you tell?”

“I stationed the remaining elven guard who traveled with us along the wall. They’re watching for any visible changes in the magic.” He gestured to the silver cuff on his wrist, and Ryneq immediately recognized it. Nykin still had the one he’d been given in Alel. “They have been in constant contact, and we can also feel it.”

“What if she attacks?” Ryneq asked, remembering how it had taken both elven elders to knit the barrier back together again in Alel.

A look of pride crossed Glaevahl’s face. “All of them studied the old scrolls with me in Alel, and their magic is strong. They can hold the barrier together until we get there to help. But as I said before, we estimate it will only withstand three attacks before the damage becomes irreparable.”

Ryneq sighed. Having a magical barrier at all was far more than he thought would be possible, but he also couldn’t help but wish they had the elves’ full protection. “We need as much information about what Seran and that witch of his are capable of. We know a little from our encounter in Alel, but it’s not enough.”

A look of understanding crossed Nysad’s face. “You want to question Danek?”

“Yes.” Ryneq noticed the elves looking confused and quickly explained about the spy in his guard. “I’m not sure how cooperative he will be, but it’s all we’ve got at the moment.”

Faelon nodded, casting a furtive glance at Glaevahl. “I think it wise of you to question him further. He may indeed have information that could make all the difference.” He raised an eyebrow at Glaevahl, and the elven elder frowned, but Faelon obviously saw something Ryneq didn’t because he sat back in his chair looking far happier than before.

“If you would let us sit in on your interrogation, Your Highness, I believe we may be able to provide encouragement for Danek to speak the truth.”

They were desperate for information, but the thought of torturing one of his own guard, regardless of his treasonous actions, didn’t sit well with Ryneq at all. “What did you have in mind?” he asked, sharing a look with Nysad.

“Nothing painful, I assure you,” Glaevahl added quickly, apparently sensing their concern. “There is a spell we came across in the old books. I wouldn’t usually condone such magic, but….”

But they had no other choice. He looked over at Nysad, who was already half out of his seat.

“I’ll send for him now, Sire.” Nysad left the room and pulled the door closed behind him.

“Well,” Ryneq said, looking around at those remaining. “At least Seran is aware that Torsere has magical protection for now. That should buy us some time at least.”

“Your Highness.” Lerran showed no signs of tiredness, even though he couldn’t have had any more rest than Nysad. His dark eyes were alert and intense as he met Ryneq’s gaze. “If I may suggest something?” Ryneq gestured for Lerran to continue. “The dragons can protect themselves in the mountains. Can they not do so in the sky as well? They would keep Seran and the witch busy, would they not?”

Ryneq hummed. A dragon flying alone would be at risk from the witch’s magic, which was why Ryneq had grounded all riders. But a coordinated attack, with all of the dragons shielded? Maybe that could work in their favor. “Yes. If that were possible, and I could use the dragon riders to attack, then I believe that would gain us even more time. It would leave their lair unprotected, but if all the dragons are together, then the witch will have no use for it. We can discuss with El
—
”

Eldin pushed open the door, stopping Ryneq midsentence. “Sorry I’m late, Sire.” He hurried across the room and sat down.

“Perfect timing, though,” Ryneq replied, turning to face him. “Can the dragons shield themselves against the witch’s magic up in the sky, like they can on the mountain?” He quickly explained their thoughts on engaging both Seran’s army and the witch to keep them away from the barrier.

Eldin sighed. He still looked exhausted, almost as bad as Nysad, and Ryneq wondered if his lead dragon rider had managed to get any sleep. “It’s my understanding that the dragons need to be still to work magic like that. It takes concentration on their part, and I don’t think they can keep up a wall of protective magic and fly at the same time.”

“But out at sea?”

“Out at sea they were as stationary as they could manage without falling out of the sky, but also the spell itself was concentrated on one specific area. The witch’s spells will be random, hard to lock on to whilst maneuvering about the sky. I will ask, though.”

Ryneq fought the urge to drum his fingers on the table as he waited for Eldin to connect with Vashek. They needed to do something. Seran would be camped on their doorstep soon enough, and Ryneq wanted to be out there engaging him in battle, not sitting around talking and waiting for him to make his move. It was all beyond frustrating.

“Well?” Ryneq asked as soon as it was evident Eldin had finished.

Eldin looked conflicted, and Ryneq prepared for bad news. “Vashek says it would be almost impossible to hold a magical shield and attack Seran’s army at the same time.” Ryneq slumped a little in his chair. “But,” Eldin continued, “he says they could hold the shield until the last possible moment, then attack, and possibly raise the shield as they retreat to the air.”

Faelon sat forward in his chair, resting his arms on the heavy wooden table. “But you would be vulnerable while the attack is taking place, would you not?” It looked as though the thought of the dragons and riders being in danger actually pained him, and Ryneq had to agree with him there. But they were quickly running out of options.

“Yes, but the dragons are prepared to take the risk, Sire. They find the thought of either Seran or the witch getting inside the castle particularly unappealing.”

“And the riders?” Ryneq asked, meeting Eldin’s gaze again.

“Are at your command, Sire.”

Ryneq smiled, a fierce pride filling his chest at Eldin’s eagerness to defend their kingdom no matter what the risk.

The room was silent for a moment, and Ryneq took the opportunity to stretch his legs. He walked over to the big picture window, overlooking the courtyard. The whole space was full of life—people from the surrounding villages still being shown to their temporary homes. More than half had already been sent down to the coast, to the villages and the barracks there, but it still left a significant number to accommodate. They were safe, for now. Ryneq prayed their efforts wouldn’t be in vain. “Any more news on the witch?” He turned around, heading back to the table and saw the cuff on Glaevahl’s wrist flare purple for the barest of moments.

“There’s been nothing for over an hour,” Glaevahl replied softly. “I will let you know immediately if that changes, Your Highness.”

“Thank you, Gl—”

“Sire!” Nysad burst through the door, his hands covered in blood and a gash on his right shoulder. Ryneq was out of his chair and across the floor in an instant.

“What happened?” He tugged the leather of Nysad’s jacket out of the way to check the wound, relieved to see it wasn’t deep. He looked down at Nysad’s blood-covered hands before meeting Nysad’s gaze again.

“It’s not mine,” Nysad said, quickly wiping some of it off on his pants. “Danek, he….” He paused and shook his head. “The stupid boy managed to grab one of the guard’s swords and tried to escape.”

From the look on Nysad’s face, Ryneq could easily guess the outcome. “He’s dead?”

“Yes, Sire. I tried to stop the bleeding, but….”

“
Gods!
” Ryneq wanted to hit something. He’d been counting on getting at least some information from Danek, and now… now they had nothing. He rubbed the back of his neck, frustrated and angry at the turn of events, and turned back to the elves still seated at the table. “Seems we no longer have an interrogation to perform.”

“In that case, Sire,” Glaevahl said, rising to his feet and gesturing for the others to do the same, “I believe you said you have books on the dragons and their magic. Might we be permitted access? There may be something we can learn to help fight the witch, or find out why she is so keen to help Seran.”

Ryneq only hesitated for a moment, his first instinct always to keep their secrets safe from outsiders. But the elves were Torsere’s allies now, no longer strangers from across the river. “Of course.”

“I’ll show you where they are,” Eldin offered, after a nod from Ryneq, and proceeded to lead them out of the room.

That left Ryneq alone with Nysad, and Ryneq pinned his second-in-command with a hard look. “Explain to me how a restrained man managed to get hold of a sword?” He hadn’t wanted to do this in front of the elves, but now they were alone, Ryneq let his anger show. “
By the Gods
, Nysad, he was our only link to Seran. Our only chance to possibly find out their plans.” He paced in front of the fire, trying not to let his temper get away from him, but it was difficult.

Nysad looked down at his hands for a moment, absently rubbing the bloodstains. “I’m not quite sure how it happened, Sire. Danek’s hands were bound this morning, in preparation for moving him, but when we opened the prison door, he charged at us, and his hands were free.”

Ryneq stopped his pacing abruptly. “Did someone come in and untie him? Have we got another spy in our midst?” He ran a hand through his hair, pulling at the thick locks in an effort to get himself to focus. “Find out who’s been bringing him food, anything, in fact I want a list of every single person who’s been to visit him.”

“Yes, Sire.”

“I’m going to check on Nykin; inform me as soon as you have that list.” Ryneq marched out of the room, not waiting for a reply. He clenched and unclenched his fists all the way back to his quarters. It had hurt him deeply to find one traitor among his men, but two? How many more people did Seran have spying for him? Ryneq cast a suspicious look at everyone he passed, causing more than one of them to stumble under his glare.

By the time he reached the door to his quarters, his anger was almost palpable, and he opened the door with such force it banged loudly against the wall.

“Ryneq?” Nykin’s worried voice stopped Ryneq in his tracks. He sat propped up in bed against a mountain of pillows and stared at Ryneq expectantly. “What’s wrong?”

“Danek’s dead,” Ryneq spat out. His voice echoed off the stone walls, making Nykin wince.

A quiet gasp followed by a loud crash sounded from over by the window. Ryneq’s gaze snapped over to see that Nykin hadn’t been alone, and Kalis was now on her hands and knees picking up broken crockery and spilled food.

Ryneq took a deep breath, trying to dispel some of his anger. “Forgive me, Kalis. I didn’t mean to startle you.” He walked over and crouched down beside her, then carefully helped to put everything back on the tray. He lifted it up and put it onto the cart next to the table.

“Thank you, Sire,” she said, smoothing her dress down over her belly. She still sounded upset, and Ryneq gave her shoulder a quick squeeze. He hadn’t expected her to be this affected—she’d seen him lose his temper no end of times over the years, and there had been other deaths in the palace. But then again, with Seran and his army looming, everyone was understandably a little on edge. She bowed her head and pushed the cart past him toward the door.

“Sorry,” Ryneq said, walking back over to sit on the bed beside Nykin. “I hope that wasn’t your lunch I just ruined?”

“No.” Nykin sat up a little more, only wincing a little when he pulled his leg. “I’d just finished.” He shook his head when Ryneq moved to help him. “I’m fine. Tell me what happened.”