Oath of Destruction: Reign of Secrets, Book 5

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  “Mayra told me what she saw this morning.”

  Son of a harlot! Allyssa wanted to strangle her friend. “It was nothing.”

  “It is definitely something,” he said. “We need to speak somewhere private.”

  Savenek joined them. “I just heard,” he said.

  Maybe they weren’t talking about the same thing.

  Savenek

  Savenek entered his office, running his hands through his hair.

  “Will someone please explain to me what’s going on?” Allyssa asked, looking from Savenek to Marek and back again.

  Savenek hadn’t wanted to tell her before and worry her unnecessarily. However, she deserved to know the truth. “Mayra went to the barracks early this morning.”

  “What was she doing there?” she asked.

  “Translating for Nathenek,” Marek said. “He was having a prisoner questioned.”

  The thought sickened Savenek. Mayra shouldn’t have to see someone being questioned like that. However, if he wanted to her do work for the Brotherhood, this was what it entailed. And it wasn’t like it was being forced on her—Mayra had not only volunteered to translate, but also seemed eager to do the job.

  Savenek sat on the edge of his desk, facing his sister. “When Mayra was finished, she left the barracks and proceeded to cross the castle grounds. She saw something near the wall so Mayra being Mayra, she hid alongside a tree and watched. It ended up being a person carrying a box of what seemed to be bread. Mayra didn’t recognize him, so she followed him inside the castle. The guy delivered the box to the kitchen.” Savenek stood and went around the desk, sitting on the chair and propping his feet on the desk.

  “Mayra hid and watched the man. He shoved the bread aside and pulled out a small container. After which, he then proceeded to uncork the container, pouring its contents into various jugs throughout the kitchen. When he finished, he corked the container, slid it in his pocket, and left.”

  Allyssa’s face paled. She sat on one of the chairs across from Savenek. “Is Mayra okay?”

  “She is,” Marek answered.

  “After the man left, Mayra ordered a guard to stand at the entrance to the kitchen. She told him not to let anyone enter. Then she ran straight to Darmik and told him everything.” Savenek was still shaken up over the incident. If the guy had caught Mayra, he could have hurt or killed her.

  “What did my father do?”

  “He got me,” Savenek said, lowering his feet off the table. “I went to the kitchen with him where I examined the substance the intruder had left behind. I was able to confirm it’s the kepper poison from Apethaga.” He rubbed his face. He’d just received word from the Brotherhood on a workable plan for destroying the mines with minimal loss of life. After perusing the plan and running it by Rema, he’d given it the go ahead. Four members of the Brotherhood were going into Apethaga. Two would create a fire in the forest not far from the mountain where the mines were located, prompting an evacuation. Once everyone was out of the mines, the other two members of the Brotherhood would set a handful of explosions, destroying the mines. They’d planned to do it when it looked like rain was coming so the fires wouldn’t rage out of control.

  Savenek rubbed his face. Even when the mines were destroyed, the poison that had already been produced and shipped to other kingdoms would still exist. And so would those blasted kepper flowers.

  “I don’t think it was an assassination attempt,” Marek said, sitting on the chair next to Allyssa. “I think it was supposed to poison most of the people in the castle, thus creating widespread panic.”

  “I agree,” Savenek said. This guy was probably part of the third pair of men they’d been searching for. The other two pairs were locked up in the dungeon below the barracks. This third pair must have been sent to target the castle. What Savenek found even more concerning was the man he’d previously spoken to had said to wait for the signal from the king and queen from Telmena before they were to do anything. Had the signal been given? Or did this man have different instructions? There were too many questions and not enough answers.

  “What measures have been taken for security?” Allyssa asked. She was always the practical one. Thinking ahead.

  “Guards and patrols have been doubled,” Marek answered.

  It would be difficult to monitor everyone with so many people coming for the wedding. No doubt part of their enemy’s plan.

  “What does the poison look like?” Allyssa asked.

  Savenek recalled seeing the flower back in Apethaga. A very small plant that produced deadly results. “It’s a red substance.” He didn’t know what it entailed to make the poison, but he knew the flower was red and so was the poison.

  The door opened, and Kerdan and Darmik entered the room.

  “I assume everyone has been apprised of the situation?” Darmik asked.

  “They have,” Savenek answered. Kerdan moved to the corner of the room and leaned against the wall, watching everything.

  “Good. The kitchen has been cleaned and is poison free,” Darmik said. “The suspect managed to escape without further notice. All sentries are on alert and have been given his description.”

  “Excellent,” Allyssa said. When she stood to leave, Darmik put his hand on her shoulder, pushing her back onto her chair.

  “There is more we must discuss. The Apethaga royal family is due to arrive in two days. Savenek, share what you and Mayra discovered while you were there.”

  Savenek sat up a little straighter. “We found correspondence between Princess Conditto of Apethaga and Jana. Before Jana died, the two of them managed to negotiate marriage contracts between Prince Jem of Telmena and Princess Lareissa of Apethaga.”

  “Does Princess Conditto have authority to authorize such contracts?” Allyssa asked, sounding very much like Rema.

  “I do not know,” Darmik answered. “Apethaga is very different from Emperion.”

  “There is one more contract.” Savenek looked at his sister as he said, “Kerdan and Princess Conditto.”

  “Of which I was unaware until Savenek told me last night,” Kerdan stated.

  “Is the contract valid?” Allyssa asked.

  “No,” Kerdan answered. “Jana had no authority to negotiate such a contract.”

  “Then what’s the issue?” Allyssa asked.

  “Jana could have forged my father’s name and seal,” Kerdan said. “I don’t know since I haven’t seen the contract.”

  “If she forged the contract, it’s not enforceable, is it?” Allyssa asked.

  “No,” Kerdan said, leaving no room for argument.

  Darmik turned to Savenek and asked, “What’s your take on the Apethaga royal family? What do they have to gain from this union?”

  Savenek had spent enough time in Apethaga to have an opinion of the royal family. Everything they did made sense. They sold weapons and poison to other kingdoms for money. Conditto had brokered the contracts in order to tie the various kingdoms together. They valued wealth and power. “I believe that since Jana is dead, they aren’t as eager to move forward with the plan to overthrow Emperion as they had been before. I’m sure they’ll be looking for an out.”

  “What should we do about the contracts?” Allyssa asked. She pulled a section of her hair over her shoulder and started braiding it.

  “Has Prince Jem acknowledged his contract with Princess Lareissa?” Savenek asked.

  “Not that I know of,” Darmik said. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I think we wait and see on the contracts. Agreed?”

  Kerdan nodded.

  “Also, I need for Allyssa and Savenek to give the weekly address to the people today,” Darmik said.

  “Why can’t Mother do it?” Allyssa asked.

  “Your mother is with the Brotherhood right now. She is putting contingency plans in place.”

  Savenek hadn’t been involved with any of the weekly speeches here at Lakeside. Hopefully Allyssa would do the talking and all he’d have to do was stand th
ere and smile, wooing the crowd.

  “Make sure you tell the people about your engagement so everyone is talking about it,” Darmik said. “However, keep it vague.”

  “Got it,” Allyssa responded.

  “Anything else?” Darmik asked Savenek.

  “Not that I’m aware of.” He didn’t think they could handle anything else at the moment.

  “I need to meet with Neco and Nathenek.” Darmik left the room.

  “I need to go and write my speech,” Allyssa said. She smiled at Kerdan before exiting the room, Marek following her.

  “Come,” Kerdan commanded.

  Savenek raised his eyebrows. “Where to?”

  “The training room.” He turned and left, not waiting for Savenek to join him.

  Was everyone in Russek so rude? Or was that trait unique to Kerdan? Savenek reluctantly followed him to the training room. He found Kerdan standing in the middle of the floor, his hands on his hips.

  Savenek remembered seeing Kerdan burst through the window and tackle Odar. That had been fun to watch. While the broken glass had been removed from the window, the window hadn’t been repaired yet.

  “Thanks for letting me come with you last night,” Savenek said. Spending time with the three Russeks had given him a good idea of who Kerdan was as a man, soldier, and friend. It also allowed Savenek to understand the Russeks a little better. Granted, he still thought of them as bloodthirsty, vicious soldiers. However, when they were on the right side, they could be valuable allies. Savenek had been relieved the men listened to orders and worked so well together. They also proved to be apt in stealth, which he appreciated. And, begrudgingly, they were funny, and he’d enjoyed his time with them.

  “I must say, you’ve surprised me,” Kerdan said.

  “How so?”

  “You seem to have taken to your new position. You seem to care for your sister. You seem to put Emperion first.”

  Savenek noticed the use of the word seem over and over. As if it only seemed that way but it wasn’t so. He kept his mouth shut and let Kerdan speak.

  “The court thinks you’re a princely man. You wear the right clothes, look the part, smile at the ladies.” He tilted his head to the side, cracking his neck. “But that is only the perception. Raised in the Brotherhood, by Nathenek specifically, makes you something other than what you seem.”

  Well, Darmik had told Savenek to act the part so no one would suspect him of anything.

  “At first, I didn’t know what to think of you. After last night, I get what you are doing, and you make sense to me.”

  “Same here. I can see why my sister cares for you.” Kerdan and Allyssa were both passionate about their kingdoms, dedicated, and they both had an inner side they kept hidden from others but shared with those close to them.

  “Your sister is a remarkable woman.”

  Savenek had never heard Kerdan speak so much. “I care for my sister and want her to be happy. Yet, I haven’t known her that long. It is not for me to decide what’s best for her. She seems to know her own mind and can decide for herself.”

  “Now I officially like you,” Kerdan said. “I have seen far too many people treat Allyssa like a child incapable of taking care of herself. It bothers me. She is smart, strong, and she doesn’t need someone watching over her. As much as I want to protect her, treating her as a submissive woman who is not my equal would be grievous to her.”

  Savenek hadn’t expected him to say that. “Do you think Darmik treats her poorly?”

  “No. He is her father, so his overprotectiveness is understandable and warranted.”

  “And if you were Allyssa’s husband, you would not assume that role?”

  “In Russek, men and women are equal. We do not have Emperion’s backward ways. Women can fight, work in a trade, or farm the land.”

  Women could do those things in Emperion as well. However, there was a difference between what was expected of women verses what was expected of men. Savenek ran his hands through his hair. “What is the point of this conversation?” Hadn’t they spent enough time together last night?

  “I understand you do not like Russeks. We are different from Emperions. We have also treated Emperion badly in the past. I am not my father. I plan to rule justly. I want you to know that.”

  “I am glad to hear it.”

  Kerdan took a step closer to Savenek, and the air shifted. “However,” Kerdan said, his voice low, “if anyone threatens Allyssa or myself, I will retaliate. In Russek, we act first, talk later. I won’t let my enemies see me being weak.”

  “Good to know.” Savenek wasn’t sure what to make of Kerdan’s threat.

  “Now that we have that out of the way,” Kerdan said, taking a step away from him, “we fight.” He threw a punch, and Savenek ducked, narrowly missing it. Savenek countered with a blow of his own, hitting Kerdan’s side.

  “Are you certain that doesn’t hurt?” Allyssa asked for the tenth time as she headed toward the balcony with Savenek. They were about to give the weekly address to the town.

  “No,” he said. “I’m fine.” Sore, but fine. Kerdan and him had spent over an hour sparring against one another. It had been a while since Savenek had been challenged like that. Even though Kerdan had gotten a few jabs in, Savenek didn’t mind. The aches and pains reminded him that he could always improve. Plus, he knew Kerdan would be sporting a few bruises himself.

  “When we’re on the balcony, make sure you don’t go all the way to the railing. Keep a two-foot buffer. There are marksmen on the rooftops and a few behind windows.”

  Allyssa didn’t need to tell him where the marksmen would be; he’d be able to tell the second he stepped on the balcony. He was trained to know where the best places to hide were.

  “Neco and Nathenek will also be scanning the crowd for threats. There are soldiers dressed as civilians among the crowd. The City Guard is also spread throughout.”

  “Is this normal?” If it was so dangerous, why did they bother speaking to the people? Or, as he suspected, was Allyssa simply nervous and jabbering uncontrollably?

  “Normally, security is tight. Today, it’s a little heavier than usual because of the recent threat with the poison.”

  They entered a small room where four heavily armored guards stood. Mayra came up behind Allyssa, draping a cape over her shoulders. Once it was fastened, Mayra grabbed another cape and attached it to Savenek. The weight of it surprised him. Then Mayra handed each of them a crown. Reluctantly taking it, he set it atop his head.

  Savenek was about to thank Mayra when Allyssa grabbed his arm and said, “Let’s go.” They stood before a set of double doors. “Remember to smile, wave, and look regal.”

  “In other words, act normal,” he said, teasing her and trying to lighten the mood.

  She whacked his arm. “Sometimes you’re impossible.”

  “Sometimes?” He laughed.

  She finally smiled. “You’re right. All the time.”

  When the doors swung open, he and his twin stepped onto the balcony. The crowd roared from the courtyard below. Savenek did as instructed, keeping a smile on his face and waving at everyone. He scanned the people, not seeing anyone who stood out. Of course, an assassin would be doing his best to blend in. Regardless, he didn’t notice anything of concern.

  Cool air blew. The afternoon sun was behind them. Savenek glanced at his sister, hoping she would be the one to speak.

  “People of Emperion,” Allyssa said, her voice booming throughout the courtyard. The crowd went silent, everyone straining to hear what the princess had to say. “Thank you for coming. As you know, the war with Russek is over. King Kerdan has withdrawn the Russek troops out of Emperion. He has sent his apologies for those killed in the tragic war. He also apologizes for his father, the late King Drenton’s actions. He promises there will be peace with Emperion.”

  The crowd cheered and clapped, showing their approval. Savenek side-eyed Allyssa. Darmik hadn’t said anything about her mentioning Kerda
n during this speech. However, Savenek was glad she did. She was setting up her future union with Kerdan in a way the people would welcome and accept.

  “As many of you may have heard, there will be a wedding here at the castle. Royal families from all over the mainland are traveling to Lakeside to witness the event. While the leaders of other kingdoms are here, our great empress will be discussing a path to peace with them. She plans to ensure there is peace and open trade on the mainland. We all live here and should be able to coexist for the betterment of one another.”

  Again, the crowd cheered their approval. Allyssa held up her hands. “Before I leave to attend to my duties, I want you all to welcome my dear brother, Prince Savenek.” She turned to face him. “He will be studying under our father, Emperor Darmik, commander of our great army. One day, I hope Prince Savenek will lead our army as our father does.”

  People stomped and clapped, expressing their approval of the news. Allyssa bowed her head and then glided off the balcony. Savenek waved one last time, scanned the crowd, and exited.

  Back inside the small room, Savenek removed his heavy cape, instantly feeling lighter. “You’re very good,” he said to his sister. “I can tell you’ve been groomed to be the next empress.” He had to admit, he was thankful the task no longer fell to him since he was nowhere near as qualified as Allyssa.

  “Do you want to go for a ride?” He wouldn’t mind taking one of the stallions on a short jaunt to the lake.

  “I need to get ready for the ball tonight.”

  “Ball?” He thought it was just supper followed by dancing.

  “Yes. I’m sure Mother is going all out.”

  They started walking along the hallway, their guards trailing behind them. “I thought she’d be more concerned with security and keeping you safe than hosting a party for a small kingdom nobody cares about.”

  “Security isn’t the issue,” Allyssa said. “The poison is concerning. It will be problematic no matter what we do.”

  A few female courtiers stood up ahead talking. When they noticed the royal siblings, they immediately moved off to the side, bowing. Savenek smiled at them under hooded eyes. Most didn’t even give Allyssa the time of day. When they were far enough away, he asked, “Are you friends with many of the women at court?”