Without further disruption, Shadi and the rest of the matriarchs explained how they came to be in this situation. The now-dead king of Perean caused a major disruption in their supply chain in an effort to buy the hand of one of Shadi’s daughters. Because Eslodel continued to utilize a portion of Perean’s navy to fend off pirates, they weren’t motivated to renew their previous trade agreement.
The few voices calling for a war against Perean were quickly dashed. They could go to war against an innocent population and its new king, yes, but that wouldn’t save their people in the meantime. It would only prolong it.
“First and foremost,” Shadi said from her seat, “we must restore trade routes. White Spirit will dispatch emissaries in the coming days. While we await their return, we will conserve.
“Steel Arrow will be tasked with intensifying their efforts to secure food. They will coordinate with Rising Moon to expand the storage of supplies, ensuring that even in the harshest conditions, we will not starve.”
This did not settle the discomfort within the hall, but it was the plan everyone needed to hear. And it was shared without the dire tone Usti had spread—and would continue to propagate in the coming days, Kai was sure—a problem for later.
“The world beyond these mountains has always been wary of our strength,” Shadi went on, “but if they learn of our vulnerabilities, they will seek to exploit them. Kai Silver Wolf,” she said to Kai directly, “you and yournew Stormguard will prepare to defend this mountain. War is not upon us yet, but we must remain vigilant.”
Kai lowered her head in supplication.
Shadi stood and faced the eight matriarchs to her right and left. “Our ancestors built this mountain with their blood. They gave us this home, trusting that we would protect it, not only with our strength but with our wisdom. I trust each of you as I trust the strength of our people. Together, we will endure. Together, we will rise.”
Kai slid her attention to Atsadi, one particular word her mother had said beating within her like a second heartbeat.
Trust.
Only an hour ago, outside this very hall, he’d been standing with Usti as friends. And when she’d gone for her sword, Atsadi had tried staying her hand.
He’d almost had her fooled.
It wouldn’t happen again.
Chapter
Fourteen
Two days of nothing but stifling palace air led Dimitrios to the stables. He might have found solace in the musk of leather tack, manure, hay, and horse, but Nikolas had tagged along and had much to say.
“Are you listening?” Nikolas asked.
Dimitrios, arms folded across the stall’s wooden railing, fought the weight of his head and the sigh building in his lungs. He just wanted to watch the boy Caius play with the puppies for a while in silence. He wanted to forget how dozens of his people had been murdered by pirates and that Augustus had slain a man right before his very eyes.
Inside the pen, Caius’s brown hair flopped across his forehead as he tried to control the pups climbing in and out of his lap.
The old stablemaster, Haris, smirked at the scene as he sauntered by. “Have to admit, they’re not terrible-looking mutts.”
Nikolas sighed at the interruption. “We have to discuss Triarius’s execution.”
“This isn’t the time or place to speak of such matters,” Dimitrios said to him, then to Haris, “Do you think we could train the mutts to live inside the palace?”
Caius’s head shot up, eyes and smile wide. “Please!”
The boy had been here every day to visit the hounds, and Dimitriosneeded to please at least one person in his life. Besides, he liked the idea of having dogs around. They were loyal, at least, and no one would questionthem.
“It’s been a while since the palace had pets running around,” Haris said, but shrugged. “I don’t see why not.”
Caius jumped to his feet and pumped a fist in the air. “Yes! And I can still visit them?”
Dimitrios chuckled. “You’ll have to name them first.”
“Name who?” Milonia Dardana swept in from behind, her chiton the color of a mint leaf but her scent more like a field of lilacs. A ring of keys jingled from a sash embroidered with laurel leaves.
Caius ran out of the pen. “Momma, he said I can name the puppies!”
The ground shifted beneath his feet. The earth lost its shape, and he stood at the edge of a precipice that had appeared from thin air.
