I spurred my patient mount toward them, spotting Lord Ewan with his command near the rear of the column. The proud golden falcon of his House fluttered in the breeze against a dark russet field. I considered approaching him but thought better of it. Given our last interaction, I doubted he’d be too pleased for my company, and I was certainly not eager for his. Instead, I fell in with a mounted unit near the front, catching a few curious glances as we pressed on into the trees. Many more eyed me with distaste.
One of the former called out to me in a friendly tone. “Are you in need of assistance, miss?”
I smiled and kneed my mare up alongside him. “Only an escort, thank you, soldier.”
“Better not let the captain see you,” he warned.
Eyes on the green canopy overhead, I breathed deep, feeling more at ease than I had in a long while. “I’ll leave if I’m asked.” I turned to him, extending one hand companionably. “I’m Elivya.”
He hesitated before clasping it. “Nolan.”
Finally in the company of allies, I was content to follow their ambling pace toward the rest of our hastily-assembled army. For my own part, I’d no idea in the slightest where they might be, and the Kingswood was vast. Lord Ewan’s men seemed to know where they were going, scouts relaying back and forth into the woods ahead. I chatted with the friendly young soldier for nearly an hour before orders echoed down the chain of command to break ranks and establish a camp.
My heart leapt as I realized we must be near, and I bid my companion a hasty farewell before digging my heels into my mare’s flanks. She spurred to life, picking her way quickly through the mass of men to make her way clear. There, scattered among the forest, lay our army, clusters of tents marked with the banners of their Houses, every sigil and color from Esens to the southern shores of Savern. Men in varying qualities of armor wandered the camp or sat around whetting blades and restringing bows.
I searched their faces, stopping occasionally to ask for directions to the general’s tent. That earned me a few lewd comments and some disapproving glares, but I gauged it more likely to get a useful answer than if I’d asked after a broad-shouldered lad with light brown hair or a blue-eyed Tuvrian with a pair of swords on his back. In this company, hundreds met those descriptions.
As I wandered the endless encampment, I gaped at the sheer number of men. There were thousands of them, hidden among the trees. Birds screeched overhead, the afternoon sun filtering through the dense canopy. I searched for hours. It was dumb luck that led me past him.
“Miss?” a familiar voice called out, and from the corner of my eye, I saw one man jump to his feet. I reined my mare, eyes finding his face in the crowd.
“Will,” I breathed, dropping from the saddle. He laughed with joy as he rushed me and wrapped me in a fond embrace.
“You’re alive!” he exclaimed, squeezing me hard and lifting me clear off the ground in his exuberance. I clutched him tightly, a tide of relief washing over me.
When he set me down, I pulled away and grabbed his face with both hands. “I saw them go after you.” My smile fell as I caught sight of the remnants of a nasty bruise on his jaw. “You got away?” I pressed with concern, now unsure in light of his obvious abuse.
He grinned, pulling my hands gently from his face and pressing them between his own. “I’m fine, miss. That was just Quintin.”
My brows knit in anger and surprise. “He hit you?” His gaze drifted past me, smile fading, and I turned. There, several yards away, Quintin stood, pale-faced and still as stone. “You hit him?” I repeated angrily. He didn’t flinch, didn’t move. Blue eyes just stared in disbelief. My temper abated, anger fading as he took one tentative step toward me, and then another.
The air felt thick and heavy as I heaved it in short, tense breaths. Every scar, every bruise, every brutal twist of my damaged soul, he had witnessed. We had tended each other’s wounds, survived, celebrated, and mourned together. He had fought for me, killed for me, pulled me out of the darkness time and again, setting me back on my feet and pushing me forward. My stubborn guardian, my blue-eyed shadow, who had followed me across the sea and back, he was my home. My feet carried me unbidden across the distance between us. Strong arms enveloped me as I flung my own around his neck. He shuddered against me, burying his face in my hair as I clung to him.
“Stupid, stubborn girl,” he exhaled, throat tight with emotion.
I gasped a laugh, tears streaming from my eyes. “You shouldn’t have hit him,” I scolded, my words muffled by my own sleeve.
He pulled away just far enough to fix me with his disapproving scowl. “He shouldn’t have left you.”
I shook my head emphatically. “I made him go. It was the only way. They would have caught us both.”
“Told you,” Will muttered somewhere behind me, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
Quintin released me and glanced at my bay mare. I thought he might ask about Valor, but his gaze returned to mine with intent.
“We should find Selice.”
I started at that, brow creasing in confusion as I wiped my damp face on my sleeve. The Queen was to be with the western forces amassing on the border of Aduline and Laezon. “She’s not with Reyus?” I asked, sobered. Whatever lay between us could wait. The solstice was nearly upon us.
Will and I followed as Quintin led the way through the loosely organized masses to the command encampment. A bored guard at the perimeter waved us on with a nod to my Tuvrian companion. In a tidy clearing, several fine, large tents had been erected in a neat ring. Dyed the colors of their Houses, the front of each was marked with a banner staked in the dirt. Will took my bay mare from me as we paused outside the largest of the structures. Striped black and tan, I couldn’t help but hesitate at the sight of the crossed arrows on the flag.
“Come on,” Quintin reassured me, holding the flap open as I stepped inside. A dozen pairs of eyes turned toward us. Clustered around a central table covered in maps and troop markers, our allies stood in conference. My escort pressed one fist to his chest in crisp salute. “Lady Elivya fen Lazerin for you, Majesty.”
Their faces told me in no uncertain terms that they had, to a one, believed me long dead. Will had delivered my message faithfully. The blood that had drained from my queen’s face at first sight of me slowly returned. Even with all of her decorous restraint, I could see the immense relief behind her eyes. As usual, I felt dull and plain in her presence, even more so with a week of the road’s dust on me. She looked radiant in a gown of fine white cotton, gold brocade matching her eyes as they watched me approach. Colin stood nearby, one hand resting on his sword hilt and disbelief writ plainly on his face. Reyus shook his head slowly, austere in dark breeches and doublet, his auburn hair caught back in a tidy club. Lord Tuvre watched me with a carefully guarded expression, his thick beard neatly trimmed. I bowed low, feeling wholly out of place.
“It appears your path is not yet at its end, Lady Lazerin,” her golden voice echoed into the tense silence.
Straightening, I offered her a rueful smile. “So it would seem.”
“I’m glad you’re here. Your man brought word that Daria has betrayed us.” Any warmth in her tone fled in the face of the monumental task ahead.
“Not all of Daria,” I corrected cautiously. “But enough not to trust them with any vital knowledge.”
“And the state of the southern coast?” she pressed diplomatically.
I thought of Natalia and her crew. “Lord Adrian and his fleet hold the White Sea, but it is a harrowing task, and they could do with some significant reinforcement.”
Her voice cooled. “The Van Dryns betrayed you to the enemy, if I’m not mistaken.”
“Only the Lady Vanessa, so far as I am aware, Majesty. It was Natalia Van Dryn who rescued me from certain death, and Lord Adrian’s own aid that saw me back to you without incident.”
She nodded, the glint of fury in her eyes fading somewhat. “I expect a full accounting after our deliberations are concluded thi
s evening.”
I bowed again. “As you wish, my lady.”
Satisfied, she returned her attention to the rest of the assembled nobles. “If you would, Lord Oristei, bring Lady Lazerin up to speed.”
He flashed me a discreet smile as he started in, gesturing at the map and its clusters of troop markers. “General Brenna and the western army hold position at the border here. When we give the signal, they will press into Aduline territory and draw the Persicans out.”
“What few remain, that is,” muttered Nicholas.
“What do you mean?” I queried.
Reyus fixed me with his pale green gaze. “They saw us coming a long ways off. Most of their army is already outside the walls and waiting.”
“How many?”
His eyelids flickered. “Twenty thousand, give or take.”
Mother, preserve us.
“They mean to crush us, once and for all,” Selice stated grimly.
“And our forces?” I glanced at the familiar faces around the table. The scions of Tuvre were less than thrilled at my presence, but none dared protest in front of our queen since I was clearly in her good favor.
“Ten thousand on the western front. Here, somewhere around twelve,” Reyus’ hand flicked over the map.
I heartened. “So we have the numbers.”
He tilted his head at me in caution as one of the Tuvrian lords scoffed. “If they feel outmatched, they will retreat behind the walls, and then our numbers will mean little.”
“Then we draw them out,” I insisted, pointing at the vast fields northeast of the city. “Make them give chase.”
“Easier said than done.”
A rustle behind me followed by boot steps announced the arrival of our final ally. “Lord Ewan ben Saviren, Your Majesty.” His captain announced him as the proud young lord strode up to the table. Catching sight of me, his mouth twisted in a predatory smirk.
“How was Daria?” he asked with a casual lilt.
“Illuminating,” I replied dryly.
“I’m sure.” He bowed low to Selice, who ignored our quips and saw to it that our final addition was equally informed.
When Reyus concluded his brief, our queen turned to Ewan. “You are known for your tactical mind, Lord Saviren. What do you suggest?” I’d been the recipient of that expectant stare before. I almost pitied him. Almost.
His calculating gaze swept the map, and I watched the gears turning in his mind. “We need to bait them out. They have amassed an intimidating force, but they are not stupid enough to put themselves at unnecessary risk.” His eyes flicked between our gathered company. “You need something they want badly enough to give chase. Make them feel comfortable in their victory, confident that there is no other possible outcome. Then, and only then, will they give chase.”
“And what kind of bait do you suggest?” she asked stiffly.
To his credit, he met her gaze unflinching. “You, Majesty.”
“Out of the question,” Reyus snapped.
I thought of Shera with a pang. “One of your ladies,” I suggested quietly. Golden eyes turned to me. “The fairest one.” My mind grasped for her name but came up empty.
“Elise,” the Queen supplied curtly.
“Dress her in your gown and set her among your command. They will think it is you.”
“I’ll not send my handmaids to die in my stead,” she refused in her cool tone.
“It wouldn’t work, anyway,” Ewan dismissed. “They won’t commit unless they are certain it’s her.”
“Then it will be,” Selice decided. We all voiced our protests in unison, but she held up her hand and we bit our collective tongues. Back straight, eyes gleaming, she was immovable in her certainty. “This is where it ends, gentlemen. I will not hide in the forest while my people die on the field.”
“It is too dangerous, Majesty,” Reyus protested carefully. “One arrow, one dagger, and everything we have fought for will be lost.”
She favored him with a quirk of her brow and a smile. “Surely, you can find me a reasonable set of armor and keep me safe through a single parley.” He and Colin exchanged a meaningful glance. Ewan seemed to be the only one happy with the idea, smiling smugly from his place at the table across from me.
“Once the parley is complete, pull her back as far as possible without exposing her to the flank.” I watched him gesture at the map, shifting troop markers deftly across the terrain. “You’ll have to make a good show of it before breaking ranks. At least a thousand, I should think. Two would be better.” He upended a pair of tokens near the battle site. I watched them topple, my blood boiling as his insouciance. He would disregard them as readily as he did me, as disposable pawns in the pursuit of his own glory.
“You’re talking about people,” I reminded him coolly. “Lives.”
“Two thousand is a small price to pay to put our queen back on the throne,” he retorted, annoyed at my interruption. Selice looked ill.
“They are not your playthings!” I snapped. My outburst startled him, and he deigned to look my way, holding my scathing gaze for a long moment.
“Is there any other way?” Selice asked, her voice cutting the air between us. With a frustrated shake of his head, Ewan turned back to the map and markers, righting the two he’d overturned and shifting them with the others.
“If you fall back in stages, you can minimize casualties while still appearing panicked and disorganized, but it’s hard to do without giving away the game. I’d suggest harrying their flank as much as possible. Distract them, make them move their feet and get them away from the walls.” Straightening, he gestured loosely to the Kingswood on the map and our mass of markers within it. “Once they’re far enough afield, we can drop the anvil behind them and crush them between us, but we must hold until the last possible moment. Timing will be crucial. As soon as they spot our approach, they will double back to close the gap. We must be able to reach the walls before them and cut off their retreat.”
It was Lord Nicholas’ turn to grumble in disapproval. “None of this will mean a damned thing if we can’t get through that gate. They’re not stupid enough to leave the city unguarded.”
“We have siege, and after the battle, we’ll still have the numbers.” It was another lord who spoke up, gray-haired and stout. I never learned his name.
“The gate will be open,” I assured, my weariness beginning to intrude on my decorum. Several pairs of eyes turned toward me. They’d held that bit of information close to the chest, then. I glanced at Selice, and she gave me a small nod. “Once your ‘anvil’ falls behind them, I will ensure the gate is open.”
Nicholas folded his arms across his chest. “And how exactly do you plan on accomplishing that?”
“Very quietly, my lord.” My sardonic reply drew a few chuckles. I didn’t flinch from his scowling gaze, and he didn’t dignify me by pressing further. I was tired of their dismissive tones, their disapproving glares. They might have the strength, and some, the experience, but I was not a child. I had trained and fought and died alongside men and women far braver than any of them. “My men and I will breach the city from the river the night before the attack. When the bulk of the force has been drawn away, we will take the gatehouse and towers.” I heard Quintin shift in silent protest nearby. My presence in the raiding party had never been part of the plan. I pressed on, ignoring him. “Once the field is won, we will open the city to a small contingent of our army.”
He balked at that. “A small contingent? Who the hells do you think-”
“I’ll not have your men raping and looting our own people!” I snarled at him, the last of my patience long since evaporated. Grasping for calm, I lowered my voice. “War makes beasts of us all, my lord, as I’m sure you are well aware.” I watched him swallow a retort. “Your most disciplined companies will retake the city, with the help of General Brenna and her Freyjans.”
“You do not command here, girl,” he reminded me curtly.
“The plan is m
ine and was established long before we called for your aid,” Reyus cut in, his tone dispassionate in an attempt to calm our rising tempers.
Nicholas seethed, ignoring him to stare me down. “I’ll not fight alongside those rabid bitches.”
My tolerance exhausted, I held my ground with cold determination. “Then declare yourself forsworn, my lord, and I’ll gladly give you the oathbreaker’s mark myself.”
No one moved. It took every ounce of steel in my spine not to wither before his dreadful fury. After a long, tense moment, he stalked from the tent.
Reyus moved to follow, murmuring an apology to Selice. “I’ll speak to him.”
That left the rest of us exchanging uncomfortable glances and our queen rubbing her temples in frustration. “Let’s reconvene in the morning, shall we? I think that’s enough for one day.”
Making our obeisance, my companions filed out of the tent and I remained to give my report. Quintin flashed me a glance and ducked out the flap last. I waited politely as she crossed to a decanter of wine and poured two glasses, depositing one into my hand with a quirk of her brow.
“You certainly know how to make men angry.”
I eyed the glass in my hand. “I’ve a special knack for Tuvrians.”
That made her laugh, which lightened my heart a bit. Sinking into a nearby chair, she regarded me gently. “I am relieved beyond words that you are alive. Will was fairly certain, poor boy.”
A sad smile quirked my mouth, both at my oath sworn armsman’s dedication, and the fact that she referred to him as ‘boy’ when he nearly of an age with her, if not a year or so older. I suppose age has no bearing on wisdom. I told her, then, of our escape, my fall from the bluffs, and subsequent rescue by Natalia and her crew. She gasped as I lifted the hem of my tunic to show her the remnants of the fading bruises on my abdomen. When she pressed, I told her briefly of the encounter with Adrian. Taking note of my reticence, she relented and did not plague me for details, for which I was grateful.
“He betrayed his promise,” she scowled into her glass. “You had a contract.”
A Crown of Lilies Page 59
