“No, you don’t.”
“Regardless, your mother wants a royal guard. That means I have to pick twelve men who will be responsible for your safety.”
“Twelve?” That seemed a bit excessive.
“You’ll have six with you at all times. They rotate since they have to eat and sleep.”
“Is there any way we can cut that in half?” And make it more tolerable? Less suffocating?
“I’m afraid that’s not possible. Not only does a royal guard consist of twelve soldiers, but the court also expects you to have an entourage at all times.”
While Savenek wanted to tell himself this was only a part, that it wouldn’t last forever, he knew otherwise. This was his new life now.
Marek chuckled. “You’re a lot like your sister. She also hated having a guard around her all the time.” He tossed one of the swords at Savenek, who deftly caught it.
“Is it necessary to be guarded while I’m inside the castle?” He could understand the need for a royal guard in public, but inside? Weren’t there already sentries everywhere?
Marek swung, and Savenek easily deflected the blow. “I can choose men who will keep a respectable distance and give you space.” He swung again.
Did that mean he could also choose men who would hover around Savenek and drive him crazy? He thought carefully before answering. “Only men?” Savenek smiled ruefully, imagining Mayra guarding him. That would be fun. Then he wouldn’t mind it so much.
Marek swung low, knocking Savenek’s legs out from under him. Bullocks. He’d been too distracted thinking about Mayra that he’d missed the attack.
“Keep your mind off my sister,” Marek said, his voice low and laced with fury. He stood over Savenek, trying to intimidate him.
Savenek couldn’t help but smile. Mayra had obviously told her brother about him. “How’s she doing?” Before Marek could answer, Savenek swung his legs, knocking Marek over. Then Savenek pinned him to the floor. “I don’t think the help is supposed to threaten royalty.”
“She’s my baby sister,” Marek snarled.
“And?”
“I don’t want you using her and leaving her brokenhearted. She’s not a distraction or a plaything.” His face was red with fury.
Ah. Marek was worried about Savenek’s intentions. That he could work with. He’d been afraid it had something to do with his upbringing and that he’d been raised as an assassin. “I care for Mayra. As a friend and possibly more. I would never use her or lead her on.”
“You’re the prince. You can have anyone you want.”
Savenek released him and stood. “That may be the case, but that’s not who I am.” He picked up the practice swords, then replaced them on the wall. “I was not raised a prince. I only know one thing—and that is protecting Emperion. I am here for my kingdom, not my own personal pleasure.”
Marek sat up, but he didn’t respond. He probably didn’t know what to think. Whether he should believe Savenek or not.
If Savenek wanted a chance of courting Mayra, he had to win over her brother. “Right now, my priority is adjusting to my position. I need someone I can trust who can show me around the castle and the town, who can also help me get up to speed with the inner workings of the army. Can you do that?”
Marek stood and rubbed his arm across his forehead. “Yes, I can. Just leave Mayra alone.”
It was hard to reconcile the independent and resilient woman Savenek traveled through Apethaga with to the one seemingly sheltered and protected by her father and brother. “Okay. But I think it’s a shame she isn’t being utilized by the Brotherhood. She’s intelligent and could be valuable as a spy.”
“She can’t be a part of the Brotherhood. She’s a woman, not a man. And just because you went on one mission with her doesn’t mean you really know her.”
“Fair enough. However, would you consider allowing her to work with my spies to help decipher correspondence from other kingdoms?”
Marek sighed. “I’ll think about it.”
That was good enough for Savenek. At least, good enough for now.
Savenek
Sitting at the desk in his office, Savenek read over the reports his spies had sent from Telmena and Apethaga. Telmena hadn’t acquired any more poison from Apethaga. They did, however, buy a large shipment of swords. In addition, Telmena was actively recruiting men for their army. There were numerous reports that the army was gathering in Lumar, the capital of Telmena. Drills were being conducted, but most of the soldiers were clumsy and untrained. Regardless, that didn’t bode well with Savenek.
Apethaga, on the other hand, was still mining the kepper flowers and producing the poison. None of the reports indicated any of the poison had left the kingdom. Savenek drummed his fingers on the table. This was problematic as well. It was time to intervene. The mine needed to be destroyed. But how to do so without risking the lives of those who worked there? The kepper flowers should be demolished as well. He wondered if he could burn the fields in which they grew.
“I figured I’d find you in here,” Rema said as she came into the office. She smiled at Marek—the only soldier Savenek had let inside—and he bowed. “You’re making the rest of your royal guard wait outside?”
“Technically, Marek isn’t a member of my royal guard. But yes, I made them stay in the hallway so I could think.” What a boring job it must be to follow him around all day and stand there doing nothing. Even though he’d been in Lakeside a few weeks now, he still hadn’t gotten used to being watched all the time.
Rema held out a piece of paper. “This is from your father. He sent it last week, but it only just arrived.”
Savenek took the letter and read it. “It says Jana is dead.”
“Yes.”
It also said Allyssa had killed Jana, that Kerdan aided in the planning and assassination, and that Neco and Nathenek were fine. Rema paced back and forth in front of the desk.
“What’s the matter?” Savenek asked. He slid the reports into the bin to be burned.
“Did you read what Darmik wrote?”
Savenek nodded.
“Allyssa killed Jana.”
“That’s why you’re upset?” She was distraught over the fact that her daughter had been involved in the assassination?
Rema balled her hands into fists. “Allyssa has been through hell. While I knew she’d read the letter and rush off to Russek, I assumed your father would have kept her at the Womek estate where it was safe.” She raised her arms in the air. “Not take her traipsing through Russek during a civil war trying to lure a deranged woman out of hiding so my daughter could murder her!” She sat abruptly on one of the chairs.
“I don’t know Allyssa,” Savenek said. “However, if I were in her position and had a chance to be involved, I would have taken it.”
“I know. I would have, too.”
“And it’s done now. We can’t change anything.”
“I know.”
“Then what’s the problem?” Savenek must be missing something.
Rema stood. “Your birthday celebration is tonight. I hope your father and sister make it home in time.” With that, she swept out of the room, closing the door behind her.
He glanced at Marek.
“Don’t ask me,” Marek said. “She’s your mother.”
Savenek rubbed his face, wanting to talk to someone about the spy reports. Usually, he did this sort of thing with Nathenek. But Nathenek wasn’t here. Pointing at the chair on the other side of his desk, he said, “Sit.”
Marek did so without question.
Savenek quickly wrote a letter. First, he told the Brotherhood to come up with a feasible way to destroy the Apethaga mine without killing everyone in it. Second, he instructed them to keep watching Telmena’s army and to track all its movements. After he folded the letter, he slid it into the box nailed to the top of his desk. A member of the Brotherhood came daily to deliver and pick up correspondence. Savenek had never seen who came.
“Did
you want to ask me something?” Marek said.
“No. I want to talk through what I’m thinking.”
Marek waved his hand, gesturing for Savenek to continue.
Pushing his chair back, he propped his feet on his desk and clasped his hands behind his head. “When I was in Apethaga with Mayra, we found a letter. Mayra was able to decipher it. That’s how we knew Apethaga was going to send poison to Russek.”
“The shipments that you and my sister destroyed?”
“Yes.” So Mayra had told her brother about her trip with Savenek. He tried not to smile like an idiot. “The letter also mentioned uniting the four kingdoms of Russek, Fren, Telmena, and Apethaga.”
“Uniting how?”
“Through marriage. Prince Kerdan is to marry Princess Conditto, Princess Lareissa is to marry Prince Jem, and Princess Shelene was supposed to marry Prince Odar.”
“Allyssa told me Fren severed the contract between Shelene and Odar.” Marek steepled his hands in front of his face. “Interesting that Prince Odar then came to Emperion seeking Allyssa’s hand in marriage.”
Savenek considered the implications. “Do you think Fren wants out of their arrangement with the other kingdoms?”
“I don’t know. Let’s assume the other marriages take place. That will unite Russek with Apethaga, Telmena with Apethaga, and Fren and Telmena already have a treaty through the marriage of Prince Kren and Princess Jestina.”
“Maybe now that Jana and Drenton are dead, the kingdoms will no longer want to unite,” Savenek suggested. He really hoped with Russek in its current state, that would thwart the other kingdoms’ plans.
“I don’t know.”
Most of the spy reports showed each kingdom was staying within its own borders. The issue with so many kingdoms uniting would be who ruled over them once they came together and went after Emperion. Although, maybe they would no longer try to overthrow Emperion. Maybe the four kingdoms would start fighting one another. That was an intriguing idea, and one he’d have to explore in more detail later. “Did you know Kerdan proposed to Allyssa?” As much as that bothered him, it did indicate Russek no longer wanted to align with those other kingdoms. Russek had always wanted Emperion. Savenek didn’t intend to let that happen.
“I heard.”
“Kerdan has just taken the throne. He has a lot to contend with.” Controlling the nobles, ending the civil war. “I think the real threat is going to come from Fren, Telmena, and Apethaga. Russek has too many problems right now to join with them. However, I do believe we will need to deal with Russek in the future.”
“I agree.” Marek crossed his legs. He was about to say something when someone banged on the door.
“Enter!” Savenek called out.
A sentry burst into the room, breathing heavily as if he’d just ran a mile as fast as he could. “Commander Darmik has arrived. And…Princess Allyssa is with him.” The sentry looked as if he’d seen a ghost. “Did you hear me? The princess is alive!”
Savenek presumed most people would react this way when they learned that the princess was back from the dead.
“Thank you. You may go.” When the door closed, Savenek took a deep breath. “Now that my sister is back, I presume you have other duties besides babysitting me?”
Marek grinned. “Mind if I leave?”
“Go right ahead.”
Savenek stood, wondering if he should go find this notorious sister of his. His body grew hot, sweat beading on his forehead. Why was he nervous? It wasn’t like he had anything to prove. She was just a woman. And his twin sister. He gripped the edge of the desk.
“Prince Savenek?” Madelin said, sticking her head into the room.
He straightened. “Yes?”
“I have someone who wants an audience with you.” She opened the door wider, and Nathenek strode in.
Savenek hadn’t expected to see him. He ran his hands through his hair, unsure if he was happy or upset with this man who had lied to him his entire life. Regardless, Nathenek had loved him as a son. Taken care of him as a son.
“I’ll leave the two of you alone,” Madelin said, closing the door.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” Nathenek said.
“I can’t believe you kept something that important from me.” Savenek wanted to say more. He wanted to yell and punch Nathenek for lying to him. However, he’d grown up respecting Nathenek and his authority. To question him now, to behave so childishly, would not only be impertinent, but it also wouldn’t accomplish anything. What was done was done.
“I was under strict orders.”
“I figured,” Savenek said. Nathenek would never have gone against a direct order from the empress. His loyalty to Emperion was one of the things Savenek loved most about him. “How are you doing?” It appeared as though Nathenek hadn’t bathed in days.
“I’m fine.”
“I assume you were involved with Jana’s assassination.” Otherwise, he wouldn’t have shown up at the same time as Darmik and Allyssa.
“I was. Although your sister is the one who killed her.”
Of course she was. It seemed she could do no wrong. Everyone claimed she was the perfect princess who loved her kingdom. She had even been kidnapped and tortured, yet she’d managed to escape and receive a proposal out of it. “What’s the situation? Is Kerdan a threat? Is Russek going to attack us again?”
Nathenek took a seat. “Do you have anything to drink?”
Savenek went over to the side table, hurriedly pouring Nathenek a cup of water. “Here.”
“The situation with Russek is under control.” He took several gulps. “But we’ll have plenty of time to talk about that later. For now, tell me how you’re doing.”
Savenek plopped onto the chair next to Nathenek. “I’m fine. Darmik has given me a lot of responsibility.” Unlike Nathenek. “I’m running the Brotherhood and getting familiar with the castle, army, and town.”
Nathenek nodded as if he already knew that. Perhaps he did. “How is your relationship with your parents?”
“Fine.” Savenek wasn’t prepared to have this conversation right now since he hadn’t figured out how he really felt about everything.
“You can talk to me.”
“Can I?” Savenek snapped. “Clearly your allegiance is to the empress, not me.” Otherwise, Nathenek would have told him the truth.
The older man took a sip of water, not bothering to respond.
“Sorry,” Savenek mumbled.
“I suppose I deserve some of that hostility. I did what I thought was best. Right or wrong.”
Nathenek hadn’t said anything about Allyssa other than the fact she’d killed Jana. Was he waiting for Savenek to ask about her? Because he didn’t want to have to ask. He wanted Nathenek to volunteer information. He couldn’t help but wonder what Nathenek thought of her. Some childish part of him wanted Nathenek not to like her. As irrational as that was, it was how he felt.
“What do you want to know?” Nathenek asked, setting the cup on the desk.
“About what?”
He chuckled. “Allyssa. I can tell you’re curious about her.”
Savenek shrugged. He didn’t know where to begin. She was the one his parents had chosen to raise, love, and be the heir to Emperion. Now that Allyssa was back, how did Savenek fit into this family? Was he even part of it?
Instead of asking about his sister, he said, “How long are you going to be in Lakeside?”
“I can stay as long as you’d like me to.”
For some reason, an overwhelming sense of relief filled him. “Do you want to stay? Or are you eager to return home?”
“I’d like to remain here. Even though I’m not your biological father, I raised you. I think of you as my son.”
Savenek hadn’t realized how much he’d missed Nathenek until now. “I could use an advisor I can trust.” He smiled, knowing it would be difficult for Nathenek to remember Savenek outranked him now.
“We can talk later about how I
can be of use to the crown. For now, we should get ready. I hear there’s a celebration tonight.”
Right. Savenek’s—and Allyssa’s—birthday party. She would be there, and he’d finally meet his twin.
Standing outside the Great Hall alongside Rema and Darmik, Savenek waited to be announced. It seemed silly that they couldn’t enter the party until some herald told everyone who they were. However, Rema insisted it was tradition.
“Relax,” Rema said, patting his arm.
“I am relaxed.” He tilted his head from side to side, stretching his neck. His black tunic and pants were a little snug, making him sweat. The royal family’s crest had been embroidered on the front of his tunic, signifying his position.
“Allyssa will be along shortly,” Darmik said. “We’ll go in without her.”
The sentry opened the doors, and the herald announced, “Prince Savenek, Emperor Darmik, and Empress Rema.”
“Let’s go,” Darmik said.
Rema stood between Darmik and Savenek, each holding one of her arms. They entered the Great Hall together. People parted, making an aisle to the center of the room for the royal family. As they passed by, everyone bowed. Savenek saw people tracking his movements. He was suddenly keenly aware of holding Rema’s arm and made sure he played the part of the doting, carefree prince. He knew people were curious as to how he would affect the dynamics at court. He had to tread carefully.
They stopped in the center of the room. “Thank you for coming to celebrate with us tonight,” Rema said. She gave a single nod, and everyone resumed talking.
Darmik took Rema’s hand, then pulled her in for a hug. The music began, and Savenek watched his parents dancing together. Several other people started dancing. Savenek scanned the room, searching for Mayra. She was nowhere to be seen.
When the song ended, Rema joined Savenek. “I’ll introduce you to anyone who comes over looking for an introduction. It is important you meet the dukes and members of the Legion. However, I don’t want to seek anyone out.”
Oath of Destruction Page 7
