Rhaif’s hands were tightened together atop the table. “Then it’s settled,” he said. “The prince will ride with his guard to the Bryn next week. We can be rid of this filth before it takes a whole town.”
“Are there any other matters to speak of?” Rhaif asked, his gaze darting around the room.
Draven grasped Aydra’s hand above the table and leaned back in his chair, gazing down his nose at the Promised King before him.
“I think you know,” Draven said in a low voice.
Aydra’s chest swelled, and she leaned forward. “Let’s not dance around it.”
Rhaif’s eyes cut at her. “There is nothing to dance around,” he hissed.
“Were you trying to keep it quiet?” came Nadir’s voice. “Did you think we wouldn’t bring it up?”
Aydra met Nadir’s amused gaze, and she almost laughed.
“Bring what up?” asked Hagen. “What’s going on?”
“It’s no longer a concern,” Rhaif said quickly.
“No longer a concern…” Nadir repeated the words and sank back into his chair. “So sixteen of my men dying. Eight of the Venari… their lives being lost to strangers invading our shores, that is not a concern to you?”
“Invasion?” the Nitesh repeated.
“It was my understanding,” Councilwoman Reid interjected loudly, “that this situation was taken care of.”
“The situation was taken care of,” Draven said. “Only because your own Queen rode out to help defend those not of her own and came up with a battle plan that saved our asses.”
“There will be more,” Nadir chimed in.
“When did they come?” Hagen asked. “Where?”
“They’ve landed west of our reef twice now,” Nadir said. “More and more ships are coming. It is only a matter of time before they start coming in from the west as well to Magnice.”
“Is that a threat?” asked one of the Bedrani.
Nadir stared at him. “How can it be a threat from my people? We are the ones fighting them.”
“These strangers were no more versed in combat than our queen in battle plans,” announced Ash.
Chairs slid and swords drew.
Ash suddenly found himself staring down the length of Draven’s blade with Lex’s knife at his throat. Balandria and Nadir’s hands clenched around their own as they also stood.
“So, what you’re saying is… these men were well skilled with their blades,” came Nyssa’s voice.
A flicker of a smile met Nyssa from Nadir, and he winked just noticeably at her. Aydra didn’t lose her stare with Rhaif’s annoyed face.
“Enough,” Aydra finally announced, her hand on Draven’s side.
Draven slowly placed his sword back in its hold, and Lex took a step back. When Draven sat again, he grasped Aydra’s hand above the table.
“Has anyone spoken with these strangers?” asked Hagen. “Found out what they want?”
“Since when should we speak with people coming in not of our own and setting up their own camps without asking?” asked Nadir.
“Since maybe they were run away from their own homes and are simply looking for refuge,” argued Hagan. “And you people have been slaughtering them when perhaps they need help.”
Draven’s hand tightened around Aydra’s. “Then perhaps they shouldn’t travel wearing armor and sporting crossbows on their ships,” he practically growled.
