There were no alternatives. He was doomed to die at sea, for no one would come across his ship out in the middle of the vast expanses of water and sky. Even if they did, whom would he trust? Even Valoretta had betrayed him. Yes, he had wanted her to keep her part in his escape secret, but she had chosen not to stand up for him at all. Considering her disloyalty, he knew, as he had come to realize these last few months, there was not a soul on whom he could rely.
“My lady,” Sara called from down the corridor. “A rider will be here in another moment.”
Quickly hiding the rough wooden key in her sleeve, Valoretta met her nurse before the older woman could reach the little alcove where the princess had been sitting.
“I told the gatekeepers to send him to the great hall when he arrives,” Sara continued.
The princess shook her head. “I’ll meet him in the outer ward.” Lifting her skirts, the princess raced toward the outside, wishing to catch the messenger as soon as he rode in. She heard the weary footfalls of her nurse, simply plodding behind with no word of dissent.
Valoretta caught up with the messenger just as he was turning up the keep’s stairs. “What word?” she gasped, even as the flushed messenger began talking.
He dropped to one knee. “My lady… I’m sorry. Miro was struck down. His remaining troops sent me back while they still drew breath to warn you, but they didn’t expect to live. Those that stood remained to hold the savages back for as long as they could. This morning, I noticed a false sunrise toward Fortress Corguman while I rode.”
“Our last fortress,” Valoretta breathed, her skin icy, the perspiration from her mad dash suspended in little droplets down her back. With a flash of pain, she thought of all those senseless deaths. There was no turning back now though. Looking up at the walls, the princess, now ruler of Mira, calmly ordered, “Go into the city and make it known that it’s time to evacuate Mira. Tell the ship captains they must allow our evacuees.”
Wearily, the messenger bowed and left to do as bidden. “Sara,” the princess sighed without turning around, her gaze returning to the retreating messenger. “Make sure the people know they are to take only what they most need. I will start with the nobility. I doubt we have much time.”
“Is that your decision? Have you not thought of another solution?” Sara’s tone was beaten, but unsurprised.
Turning to her nurse, Valoretta admitted, “My waking hours have been consumed with little else. This end has been likely for a long time.”
“But there is nowhere to go, my lady. No kingdom will aid us, and there is no unclaimed land we can sail to.”
“I know… Yet we must go as individuals and integrate into other kingdoms. I see no other way to hope for life.”
Sara’s gaze flicked to the ground, but she stubbornly asked, “Do you intend to win Mira back someday, once her people are safe?”
“Never, Sara. It should have been evacuated long ago. Mira has proven greedy, unjust and immoral. If and when we find safety, we must start anew.”
“My Queen,” Sara intoned with a gracious curtsy far deeper than Valoretta had ever seen from the older lady. Then Sara hurried off, and Valoretta shook aside her feeling of complete dread and immense loss. Only resolution could pull them through.
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Acknowledgments
THIS BOOK WOULD NOT BE possible without my parents, who let me dream, and my siblings, without whom I would never be the person I am today.
Thanks also to my Sherman critique group, past and present, and the Realm Makers tribe for how they have sharpened my craft and opened doors to the writing world.
And to the people who have had endless patience with me and Arnacin: Tara Alemany and Stephanie Warner. I’m more grateful than I can say.
About the Author
ESTHER WALLACE IS A WRITER and a freelance illustrator, who holds an associate’s degree in graphic design and animation.
Her flash fiction piece, Princess Herona and the Dragon, won the Georgia Peach Award (third place).
Coming from a large family, Esther began writing fiction to entertain her younger siblings and share her creativity with them. Likewise, she shared all the most stirring books she read.
Her favorite stories are those that ask the most difficult of questions. She likes it even better when she can encourage other people to discuss those things with her or at least to ponder on their own.
Esther enjoys hearing from her readers. If you'd like to contact her or invite her to your next book club meeting, visit emeraldlakebooks.com/wallace.
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The Savage War Page 40
