“Here we are.” Darmik stopped before a nondescript door. “Unlock it.”
It couldn’t be that simple.
Darmik smiled, as if sensing Savenek’s thoughts.
Savenek unlocked the door, then pushed it open it. There was a short hallway with another door at the end.
“This one requires some finesse.” Darmik demonstrated how to push the stone four over and three up from the floor before inserting the key and unlocking the second door. “The previous emperor was a little paranoid.”
For good reason, Savenek thought, seeing as how Darmik and Rema had killed Emperor Hamen.
Savenek stepped inside the large office. In the middle of the room stood a round table, papers strewn all over it.
“On that wall,” Darmik said, pointing to his right, “are maps of Emperion, where our soldiers are stationed, and places of importance. The maps on the wall behind you are of our neighboring kingdoms. Study the maps. Know them well. On the table, you will find several letters and correspondence with other kingdoms, reports from spies, and treaties we’ve signed. I tried to put anything you need to know or might find useful here.”
Savenek went over, scanning the table. He saw a letter signed by King Drenton, a hastily written letter with only a B for the signature, indicating it was from a member of the Brotherhood, and a list of weapons and supplies at a camp in the Romek mountains.
“With regards to the Brotherhood,” Darmik said, “Rema has been in charge of that organization since it began almost twenty years ago. She will explain the inner workings and what you will be doing in my place.”
Savenek couldn’t believe Darmik was giving him access to all of this. That he trusted Savenek enough to give him this responsibility.
“Rema feels guilty for Allyssa’s death. She sent two members of the Brotherhood after the princess. We don’t know what happened to them. It is rare for the Brotherhood to fail on a mission.” Darmik went over to the map of Russek and studied it. “Russek must be stopped. Rema is too distraught to effectively manage the Brotherhood alone. You will act in my place and aid her. And if I don’t make it back, it’s up to you to stop Drenton, Jana, and Kerdan.”
Savenek would gladly take up the reins and stop Russek and their machinations. The thought of killing the king, queen, and prince and seeking revenge on behalf of Emperion gave him direction and purpose.
“They killed your sister.” Darmik’s voice was tinged with disbelief.
Savenek came over and stood next to Darmik, staring at the map of Russek. “We’ll get our revenge.” One way or another, Savenek would make sure of it.
“If you need anything, ask your mother for help. She is the only one you can trust implicitly. Out there,” Darmik pointed out of the room, “you’re a carefree prince, calm, collected, and in control—no matter what you are thinking or feeling. In here,” he pointed at the floor, “you’re the one keeping this kingdom running. You will be lethal, unwavering, and steadfast in your commitment to Emperion and its success.”
“Understood.” It was just like being on a mission. Savenek was given a role to play, a job to do, and he would do it.
“Any questions before I leave?”
“Just one. Will I be able to see Nathenek?” He needed to talk to him about everything so he could understand why Nathenek hadn’t told him his identity.
“Eventually. For now, he is being utilized elsewhere.”
Before Savenek could ask what mission Nathenek had been sent on, Neco entered the room. “Everyone is saddled and ready to go.”
“Take care of your mother while I’m gone,” Darmik said. He patted Savenek on the back and started to leave. “Are you coming?” he asked Neco.
“I’ll be along in a second. I need to speak to Savenek alone.”
Savenek vaguely noted how informally Neco spoke and acted around Darmik. Almost as if they were brothers. And he didn’t fail to notice Neco was extending that same familiarity toward him—calling him by his first name and not using his title. Savenek wasn’t sure what that meant; however, he didn’t think it was a good thing like it was between Darmik and Neco.
After Darmik left, Neco closed the door. “I have something to discuss with you.”
Savenek moved to the other side of the table so there was a buffer between them. Neco’s eyes narrowed, the corners of his lips rising as he fought a smile. Blasted. Neco knew he intimidated Savenek. He wanted to kick himself for giving Neco the upper hand.
“I came here to ask you for a favor,” Neco said.
That surprised Savenek. “Of course.” Anything to help Ari’s father.
“If something happens to me, I want you to honor my wishes and leave my daughter alone.”
Savenek wasn’t sure what Neco meant. Professionally? Or personally? He decided to press Neco a bit. “I was just on my way to speak to Rema about bringing Mayra here to assist me. I want to surround myself with people who are intelligent and who I can trust. I could use someone with Mayra’s linguist abilities at my side.”
Neco remained standing still, watching Savenek.
Savenek tried not to smile as he forged on. “Now that Allyssa is dead, Mayra is no longer her lady-in-waiting. I’m assuming she needs a new job?”
Neco nodded. “She will be reassigned. But that isn’t what I’m referring to. I do not want you pursuing my daughter for the purpose of marriage.”
“Why is that?” Savenek folded his arms, challenging Neco to answer. Was Savenek not good enough for Mayra? How could that be now that he was the prince of Emperion? Did Neco have someone else in mind for his daughter? That thought nettled Savenek. He raised his eyebrows, waiting for Neco’s response.
“I want to make sure you marry for the benefit of Emperion. I don’t want my daughter getting in the way of that.”
It wasn’t the answer Savenek expected. It almost sounded as if Neco wasn’t sure Mayra was good enough for Savenek—which was insane. She was perfect. “What if Mayra is what’s best for the kingdom?”
“Right now, we’re on the brink of war. We need to keep our options open in case an alliance or truce is needed.”
“Understood.” This wasn’t about Savenek or Mayra. It was about Emperion. Like Rema, who’d given up her son for her kingdom, Neco was willing to sacrifice Mayra’s happiness for Emperion. “I will do what is best for my kingdom.” Because right now, that was all that mattered.
“Good.”
“And if that means utilizing your daughter as part of my intelligence team, so be it.”
Neco’s jaw twitched. He must not have expected such a response from Savenek. After an uncomfortable minute in which neither of them spoke, Neco gave a curt nod and left the room.
Savenek sat on one of the chairs before his legs gave out. He couldn’t believe he’d just spoken to Neco—one of the greatest military leaders of all time—like that. It was a bold move, and he hoped it paid off.
Savenek spent the following day going over the documents and letters Darmik had left for him. Most of the information he was aware of—like the fact Landania, Kricok, and Fia had willingly joined the empire in order to gain the protection of the Emperion army in case Russek invaded them. Some he hadn’t known—like Jana’s son, Soma, was skilled in the art of poison, and King Drenton’s previous wife Queen Elenk had died suddenly after Soma came to court. Once Queen Elenk died, King Drenton married Jana, Darmik’s half-sister, who was determined to overthrow Rema and Darmik so she could claim the Emperion throne. Savenek rubbed his forehead, realizing Jana had to be crazy, and he was related to her.
“Your Highness,” a sentry yelled from the other side of the door. “The empress wants you. Immediately.”
The urgency in the sentry’s voice spurred Savenek into action. He jumped up from his chair and exited the office, going directly to the Royal Chambers.
Rema was pacing in the sitting room. When she saw Savenek, she rushed over to him and grabbed his upper arms. “Russek attacked.” Her eyes were wide with shock.
“There’s no way Darmik and Neco have reached the frontlines yet. That means our men are fighting without their commander.”
Russek attacked? “Darmik has competent men in charge,” Savenek answered. At least, he assumed Darmik would only have the most proficient men leading the army.
“He does,” Rema agreed. “But he should be there.”
“You’re not relieved he’s missing the war?”
“If you were in Darmik’s position, would you be happy if you weren’t there to fight?”
“No.”
“Darmik is going to be furious. I know how important this is to him, and our chances for success are higher with him there.”
Sometimes, Rema surprised him. She wasn’t like a lot of the other women he’d met over the years. Even though she looked regal and elegant with her fancy dress and her hair all done up, there was a fierce determination to her that he understood.
“Come with me,” Rema said. “We must get to work. We can’t win this war sitting around. There is much to be done.”
Meandering down the hallway, Savenek forced his steps to be slow and casual. He smiled at those he passed by, acting as if he didn’t have a care in the world. At the fifth door on the right side, two sentries stood guard. Savenek nodded to them, and one opened the door. Stepping inside, Savenek straightened and hurried to his desk. After he sat, he started going through the correspondence that had been left for him.
For the past few days, most of his time had been spent in here. Originally, this room had been used for dancing and parties. Now, it had been dubbed the War Room, and the entire space was filled with long tables serving as desks. Rema and Savenek managed everything from here. It also allowed messengers and spies reporting in to easily find them. Rema and Savenek worked side by side, dispatching spies, monitoring the progress the army made, taking note of the casualties, and sending additional supplies as needed. At any one time, day or night, there were at least fifty people working in there.
Savenek read the most recent report. It stated the Emperion troops were steadily holding the line, and Russek hadn’t managed to advance any farther. Darmik and Neco had also arrived at the frontlines and were rallying the men.
Rema had written a letter to Fren requesting their immediate aid. So far, no Fren troops had responded to the request for help. Most of the fighting was taking place in Landania and Fia. Emperion casualties were high, the Russek soldiers unmercifully brutal.
Savenek leaned back in his chair, tossing the report on the table.
Rema joined him. Picking up the report, she began to read through it. “Excellent,” she murmured. “Having Darmik there should help.”
Savenek felt queasy knowing the emperor was there fighting. Russek would stop at nothing to capture or kill him. As strong as Rema appeared, he didn’t think she could handle another loss right now.
“Your Majesty,” a soldier yelled as he entered the War Room. He bent over, panting. “I have a message.”
“What is it?” Rema demanded, her face paling.
“The Russek army is retreating. I rode straight here to deliver the news.” Someone handed the soldier a cup of water, and he quickly gulped it down.
“Russek has ceased fighting?” Rema clarified.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Rema abruptly sat on the chair next to Savenek. “What do you make of this?”
“I’m leery. Are they retreating for a reason?” Savenek said. He considered various reasons Russek would withdraw. “What if they’re planning to attack with poison? They could be simply moving their soldiers out of harm’s way.”
Rema stood and began pacing. “What are our options?”
Several officers had gathered.
“We could go after the Russek army,” one suggested.
“We should stay where we are and monitor the situation,” another said.
“And what if Prince Savenek is right? What if Russek plans to attack tomorrow with poison?”
No one said a word.
Savenek leaned his elbows on the table, trying to decide the most effective way to administer large doses of the poison. What would he do in Russek’s situation? “The poison will be administered through the air.”
“How so?” Rema asked.
A feasible idea came to him. “They could have hidden containers with the poison in the ground. Maybe the Russek army retreated in order to get our army to follow. When our men step on the hidden containers, the poison will be released into the air, killing anyone who breathes it in.”
The room fell silent as everyone stopped to stare at him, imagining the horrific implications of such a catastrophe.
“We need to prevent that from happening,” Savenek added.
“You.” Rema pointed at the soldier who’d delivered the message. “Make haste back to the frontlines. Tell the commander not to go after the Russek army. Tell him of the potential for a lethal attack like the prince suggested.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” He turned and ran from the room. Savenek hoped the soldier at least took a fresh mount.
“Everyone else, dispatch messages throughout the army. Let them know of this new danger.” Rema turned to Savenek. “What sort of quantities are we looking at?”
“A small amount will do a lot of damage.”
“That’s what I was afraid of.” She sat down again. “What can we do?”
“I’ve sent spies into Apethaga. I know of one location where the kepper flowers are taken and turned into poison. The Brotherhood is searching for more mines.”
“I hope you told them to destroy these locations.”
He’d wanted to. “We can’t. We need to know where the poison is going. If we destroy the mines, Apethaga will know we’re aware of what they’re doing and hide all traces of sales and what they’ve done. If we leave the mines alone, we can follow the poison and see who is getting it and what they’re doing with it.”
Rema clasped her hands together, staring at Savenek with her bright blue eyes. “Once we have that information, I want each and every mine destroyed.”
“With pleasure.”
A few hours later, a letter arrived via another messenger.
Rema—
King Drenton is dead. Murdered by his own son who wants the throne for himself. Jana is refusing to relinquish it to him. She has declared herself the queen of Russek and Kerdan a traitor. Russek is now in a brutal civil war as the two battle for the throne.
I’m tempted to return home. However, I must consider that this could be a ruse. I will remain here with my men another week. At that time, I’ll reassess the situation.
Yours,
Darmik
“What do you think?” Rema asked after she read the letter.
“I’d like to believe that’s why the army retreated.” Savenek wondered whose orders the army was following—Jana’s or Kerdan’s? “But…”
“What is your intuition telling you?”
“That it couldn’t be that simple. It seems too easy, too convenient.”
“I agree.”
A week later, the reports all said the same thing: Russek was indeed in the middle of a nasty civil war. Jana had the backing of several rich, powerful nobles, while Kerdan had the support of a substantial portion of the army and the poorer citizens of the kingdom.
Darmik wrote to tell them he’d decided to keep a unit of the Emperion army along the Russek border to monitor the situation. He sent the rest of the army home.
Savenek plopped on the sofa in the Royal Chambers. He was glad to be out of the War Room. He’d spent the better part of last week disassembling it and moving his stuff back to Darmik’s office. There, he’d finally received word from a member of the Brotherhood stating there was only the one active mine in Apethaga producing the kepper poison. The Brotherhood was tracking shipments that had recently left the facility.
Rema entered, gliding across the room to peer out the window. “I’ve received word your father and Neco have returned.”
> At first, Savenek thought Rema was referring to Nathenek, but then he realized she’d meant Darmik. Savenek still didn’t consider Darmik his father. He didn’t know if he ever would.
A few moments later, the door swung open and Darmik entered. He still wore his commander uniform, his face was unshaven, and he had mud covering his boots. He stormed across the room, grabbed Rema, and slammed his lips against hers. Savenek had to turn away.
“I missed you,” Rema murmured.
“You two done?” Savenek asked.
Darmik chuckled. “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.” He stepped away from Rema. “I’m going to bathe. When I’m done, we’ll talk.”
“Before you leave,” Rema said, “did Fren truly not come to our aid?”
Darmik’s eyes darkened. “No. And I sent multiple messengers.”
Now that Allyssa and Odar were both dead, any hope of aligning the two kingdoms must be over. Savenek thought it a bold move on Fren’s part not to send help because if Russek attacked Fren, Emperion would not step in.
Darmik moved toward the hallway.
“Are you certain Odar is dead?” Rema asked.
Savenek reconsidered what he’d learned about the kidnapping. Allyssa’s guard, Marek, reported he’d seen the assassin shoot and kill Odar. “Why are you questioning it?” Did Rema know something he didn’t?
Darmik rubbed his jaw. “When Odar came to Lakeside to court Allyssa, he switched places with his squire Jarvik. Marek did not know of the deception. I think Jarvik was killed, not Odar. Somehow, the assassin knew who the prince really was. Which means the assassin took Odar and Allyssa to Russek.”
“And you didn’t bother to tell Fren their prince was still alive?” Savenek guessed. The more he was around Darmik, the more he liked him. If the king and queen of Fren believed their son was dead, Russek couldn’t use Odar as a bargaining piece like they’d done with Allyssa.
Oath of Destruction Page 4
