Then, instead of asking for rooms or rest, she asked a question he would have only expected from his mother. “How can I help?” The woman didn’t want sleep. She had to be reminded to eat. Any hint of gossip earned a look that sent the busybodies scurrying.
Dimitrios immediately wrote Pandora with his observations and assured his mother that her little sister had him well in hand.
Today, Rena had all of Court in a tight fist. She wasfearless, and these men hung on her every word. When she recounted the situation between Leonidas and Titos, they appeared to believe her.
For the most part.
Even with proof in hand, Dimitrios’s very presence called everything into doubt.
“Why should we believe you?” one of the lords barked at Dimitrios. He shoved to his feet and waved a crumpled letter with Titos’s seal overhead. “You could have forged these to protect your name.”
“Leonidas was a good, loyal Perean man,” another shouted. “You’re nothing but a foreigner?—”
“Enough.” Rena sliced a look over these men that would draw blood if they weren’t careful with their next words. “Protect Leonidas’s name and loyalty to your dying breath, but the ink on these letters has long been dry.”
The room hushed.
Rena stood at the center, turning, the full weight of her stare on every single member.
“Panilis’s financial records do not lie,” she said, lifting a thick volume bound in deep red leather. “I’ve reviewed every line. Underreported profits. Bribes from merchant guilds. Entire sectors gutted by smuggling, all under Leonidas’s protection. Shall I read the entry detailing payment for the spies stationed in the Soterran court? Personally, I found the withdrawals for personal use quite interesting—that’s it, that’s the line: personal use. I understand that we funded military actions without clear orders as well. Our coffers aredry, My Lords.”
“Leonidas lowered our taxes,” someone shouted from the back.
The dead man’s defense reinvigorated the cheers in support.
Rena laughed. “But you believe those letters from Titos Demakis to be a lie, My Lord, do you not? In saying as much, then you also believed Leonidas when he told you he was acting on my nephew’s request. Shouldn’t you then credit Dimitrios for those lowered taxes?”
The men grumbled.
“If the letters are real,” she continued, “then Leonidas was ordered to placate you while Soterran men robbed your trade routes. In that case, My Lord, you would be correct. Leonidas lowered your taxes of his own volition, only he did it at Titos’s command.”
The arguments resumed, this time with half the room quarreling with the other half.
Dimitrios slipped out of the chaos.
On the outskirts, General Pateras stood waiting, eyes sharp, mouthgrim. He gave a pointed nod to Rena. “In a different life, your aunt would have made an excellent general.”
Dimitrios’s mouth turned up in a way that felt unfamiliar and raw, but real. “I’m lucky to have her.”
“While she establishes your good name here, we should talk. Privately.”
They left the shouts behind in favor of the quiet corridor outside.
“I found our missing unit,” Pateras began.
Dimitrios’s heart gave a mightythunk. “Where?”
“Communication meant for Leonidas eventually made it to my desk, and it appears that they were ordered to sail to Yiria. Commander Demas reported their arrival and preparations for attack.” The general exhaled a sharp breath through his nose. “There’s more.”
Dimitrios’s heart slammed into his ribs. Once. Twice. “What happened?”
“Communications are slow between here and Yiria—whatever their orders, they’ve likely already been carried out. I’m actively working on answers, but…I can’t imagine it went well. Forus.This was a foolish?—”
“We attacked theYirians? What could Leonidas have possibly been think—?” The answer hit like a struck bell. “Our coffers are empty. Our navy has been weakened. Attacking an ally with a renowned military force would be an exceedingly stupid decision for a new king to make, and might turn the local population against him.”
Pateras straightened. “You think Titos ordered this?”
“He could overturn us with little to no effort if this were to get out.” Dimitrios motioned to the main hall. “It’s already starting.”
