“He is your uncle,” Sedrak continued. “And Egan speaks wisely; he has been ruthless in his raids. He was humiliated by our soldiers, and he believes that we have stolen his niece. How might we approach Ryken, so that he does not begin a costly battle?”
Leola thought, looking at her hands. She thought so long that some of the warriors sniffed disdainfully.
Leola looked up. “My lord,” she said. “I can think of but one plan.”
* * *
“Only if I am swallowed by the underworld and all the gods!” Sedrak bellowed again.
“My lord,” the warrior called Egan said, clearing his throat.
“Egan, you have spoken thrice today as displeases me, and once more shall be the death of you, friend or no.”
“Lord Sedrak,” Egan said plainly. “You see with your heart and not with your mind in this matter.”
“And your cock,” someone said jovially under his breath.
Sedrak glared. “This is no laughing matter.”
“Se—Master,” Leola said quietly. “I am…” Leola cleared her throat and straightened up. She was going to have to be stronger, braver, if she was to live as Sedrak’s queen among these men. She realized that now.
“My lord!” she almost yelled, and all voices fell silent. The men stared at her.
“I know my uncle. He is not an evil man, nor a kind man, but a calculating man, and I am his only blood. He shall not slaughter me before I am able to speak, and then I shall convince him, as I convinced your uncle, of the wisdom of this union of our lands.” She set her jaw firmly. “He shall see reason.”
The warriors gathered around the table let their mouths fall open for a moment, and then looked at Sedrak.
Sedrak growled. “I do not like it,” he said. “If he should harm you, in any way, I shall kill him by—”
Leola held her hand up. “I shall tell him,” she said, “what I need to, to make him see reason. We haven’t much time: by now the peasants have sent word to the castle, and their scouts shall be coming soon. We must depart, a small party that will not strike fear in his heart.” She inhaled, her chest cool with fear. “I shall go out front.”
* * *
In the end, it was Egan who convinced Sedrak of the wisdom of Leola’s ways. As they trotted toward the castle, and the incoming warriors, a white flag above their heads, he said, quietly enough so that Sedrak would not hear:
“I believe my lord has been bewitched, still.” He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. “But I see now he shall not be disenchanted. I believe your plan shows promise, Leola Grace.”
Leola looked at him with suspicion.
“Of course,” he said with a laugh, “if your plan fails, then you shall have solved the problem, either way!” He laughed, and Leola forced a smile, still unsure if she could trust him or not.
Sedrak trotted up to her and touched her arm. He was smiling. “You can trust him,” he said. Then his face became serious. “I do not like your plan.”
Leola put on a brave face. It was what she must do, if she wanted to have Sedrak, and if she wanted all to be well. She wanted to be his queen, and she wanted peace, so she would have to be brave.
She sat up straight. “My plan will work,” she said.
Ryken’s men were over the very next ridge, their horses stomping, the riders’ unease evident in their pacing.
Two riders moved toward them. Leola sided up to Egan’s huge mount; she was riding a horse, because she didn’t dare to try to manage one of their great beasts. She inhaled sharply, then said, with as much conviction as she could muster, “We approach now.”
Sedrak growled. She looked back at him. “All will be well, my lord,” she told him. Her heart dropped through her body, and she felt hollow as she faced the approaching riders. She hoped she was right.
They began to trot toward the envoys.
* * *
Ryken was seated in the great hall, and he rose when Leola entered. He looked older, more feeble, than Leola remembered him.
