Part 29 (1/2)
”Why, I want peace, of course,” Esek said.
Achan huffed. ”You want peace?”
”Who wants to rule a warring nation? Too much work.”
”You still plan to rule?” Achan's voice came out flat.
”Of course.”
”And how do you plan to do that peaceably?”
”By giving you what you want. Have Lady Averella and her inheritance. Rule Carmine-rule all of Carm, if you wish. Call yourself a king. I no longer care. But leave Armonguard and the south to me.”
Achan shook his head. ”You think that's what I want?”
”What is it you want, then?”
”I want a cottage in the woods. Vrell Sparrow as my wife. No throne under my control. Perhaps some goats.”
Esek s.h.i.+fted on his horse. ”Then you surrender?”
Achan's dry laugh sounded loud in the surrounding silence. ”Aye, that I did, but not to you. Arman is my master now. And He wants me to rule all Er'Rets. Not just Carm. So, I thank you for your... gift, was it? But I do not accept. We ride for Armonguard. Prince Oren holds the castle for us. If you stand in our way, you will become part of the road.”
Esek snorted. ”Prince Oren may reside within Castle Armonguard, but he does not hold anything. We will take the fortress before you ever have a chance to see its splendor.”
”Permission to speak, Your Majesty,” Sir Gavin said.
”Granted,” Achan and Esek said together.
Esek chuckled, clearly pleased with himself.
Sir Gavin's horse walked forward a few steps. ”Esek Nathak, do not be a fool. I counseled you on the subject of dark magic. I sense you've already aligned yourself with its power. There is still time to rebuke it. I can help you.”
”Why would I do that?” Esek said. ”My master gave me a new arm, Sir Gavin. He is one hundred times more powerful than this One G.o.d you serve. If you and your princeling insist on war, then you will have it, and you will lose. For my master communes with all the G.o.ds of Er'Rets.”
”There is no other G.o.d but Arman,” Sir Gavin said. ”Your G.o.ds are a trick of Gazar. Serving them will bring you nothing but death.”
”This meeting has been a waste of time.” Esek straightened in his saddle. ”Reconsider my offer before you reach Mahanaim, for you and your followers will not pa.s.s through the city alive.” Esek reined his horse around, and the horse took off at a gallop.
Three of Esek's men followed, leaving only Sir Kenton, Esek's s.h.i.+eld, behind. ”You would be wise to reconsider, Gavin,” Sir Kenton said. ”Never have I seen such power.”
”You speak of the Hadad,” Sir Gavin said.
”Aye. The Hadad will rule this nation.”
Sir Gavin answered, his voice soft but forceful. ”For years I wondered if your master was truly Lord Nathak, but now I see the truth. Killing King Axel and Queen Dara was the Hadad's plan. You both serve the same master.”
”As will you, if you live through the next few days.”
”Do not be a fool, Kenton,” Sir Eagan said. ”We taught you better than this.”
Sir Kenton tossed the white flag to the ground and turned his horse. ”No one taught me better than the Hadad. We shall see who is stronger.” He rode away.
Achan sat on Dove, watching the horses merge with the Darkness.
”It's war then.” Sir Gavin sighed. ”Figured as much.”
A chill coursed over Achan's arms. ”War.”
”Sparrow?” Achan entered his room and pulled off his helm. Sir Caleb, Shung, and Sir Eagan followed him inside.
Sir Caleb took Achan's helm from his hands. ”Your Highness, we must go to the meeting tent. Gavin is gathering the generals to share Esek's demands.”
”I must do something first.” Achan turned to the men. ”Sparrow is here. In this tent.”
Sir Eagan's gaze roamed the tent. ”Why did you not say something?”
”Sir Caleb said we had to leave for the-”
”Esek could have waited,” Sir Eagan said.
”Really, Eagan?” Sir Caleb said. ”Vrell and her problems are more important than all of Er'Rets?”
”We trained to the same code, Caleb. Always rescue the lady first.” Sir Eagan fumbled at the points of Achan's breastplate and quickly pulled it free.
”Yes, but Vrell is always in some sort of mischief.” Sir Caleb took the breastplate and set it on the armoire. ”Why is she our responsibility?”
”Because I love her,” Achan said.
”You love her.” Sir Caleb threw up his hands. ”Well that's just fine. What will d.u.c.h.ess Amal say to that?”
Sir Eagan shoved Achan's backplate into Sir Caleb's arms. ”Sit, sit, Your Highness. You must bring her back right away.”
Achan sat onto the end of his bed.
Shung sat beside him. ”Shung will be watching.”
Achan nodded. Feet on the floor, he fell onto his back and entered the Veil. Sparrow? He did not see her. He sought her mind and found it blocked.
No! Why had she left? Arman, why?
He sent a knock the proper way, but when she did not respond, he barged ahead with his message, knowing now that she could hear him. Sparrow, you've raised the s.h.i.+elds around your mind again. I can't help you this way. Let me in.
He opened his eyes and stared at the brown ceiling of the tent. Why did you leave? You said you would wait.
”Found her?” Shung asked.
”She's gone.” Achan held his hands in front of his face. They were trembling. He sat up and looked from Sir Eagan, who sat on the end of his bed, to Sir Caleb, who stood by the armoire. ”What can I do? Is there nothing I can do?”
”Can you guess where she went?” Sir Eagan asked.