“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Who commands this force?” the prince asked.
“General Hugo de Lanace, Your Highness.”
“I know him. Spare these people their lives until I have spoken with him, will you do that? They have been nothing but kind to me.” The prince glanced at me from the side of his eye with a faint look which said:mostly. The fact that that look had come my way meant he was still a little upset I’d accidentally paralyzed him. That was fair.
I tried not to get too tense as more and more soldiers landed on the beach, forming up into a small army. The one Alvere had spoken to went to organize some men and seemed to send a messenger back to one of the ships.
Needless to say, Amber drew a lot of attention. She couldn’t go out dressed in anything less than something spectacular. Today’s choice was skin-tight, bright-red, silken pants, the sides of which were made of loose lace, which showed off her tanned skin beneath. On top was a white blouse, which I’d first thought was mostly unbuttoned but came to realize didn’t have buttons at all past half way up, the collar pulling away after that, designed to show lots of skin.
She smiled and winked at the men on the beach.
I’d never once in my life been as confident and cool as she was in that moment, and I doubted I ever would. I was in a simple dress with long skirt and sleeves and no exposed mid-section. I didn’t want people to see my bandages. And the point of this meeting wasn’t to fight, so I wasn’t worried about not having my spider-silk available.
Maverick was in tight buckskin pants and a green shirt, which brought out a little bit of green in his hazel-brown eyes.
Fin was… well big and imposing, but he was otherwise a jovial fellow and at ease. He wore a loose long shirt and grey pants. I could see a few wary glances in his direction, but the soldiers needn’t have worried. He wasn’t much of a warrior.
A man in a darker, navy-blue uniform — which stood out from the bright sapphire of the other soldiers — came ashore and went to Philipe, and was then brought to the prince.
“Your Highness, we feared the worst for you. I am glad to see you well.” He eyed the rest of us. “Are these allies? Here to help us seize the lands of the traitorous Elistans?”
“There will be no seizing of lands, general.”
The general was tall, with a rigid stance and significant grey at his temples and through most of his beard. This was a man who’d lived a long life and seen a lot of military action. He smiled a bit condescendingly at the prince. “Your Highness—”
“Majesty,” Alvere said sharply.
The general blinked. “Sire?”
“My parents are dead, are they not? I have not been crowned, but I am king-to-be.”
“Yes, of course Your High— Your Majesty. Now, as to matters of war—”
“You will do as I direct,” Alvere finished. “And there will be no war in thesouthof Elista”
The general bristled a little but nodded. “As Your… Majesty commands. Shall we run home like whipped pups with no spoils then? After these Elistans murdered your mother and father in cold blood?”
“What we shall do, General, is sail north and re-enforce our troops massing for battle there. That is where the fight shall be. We shall take back our lands and nothing more. And—” Alvere said, seeing another comment coming from the general. “As for the horrible atrocities done at the palace, the person responsible for that is dead.” He then motioned to us. “These others believe in our cause, even though they are Elistans. They saved me from the murderess that night. They were trying to stop the woman. They will also be following up inquiries here, so that we can find out who was behind the attack and ensure they are punished.” He then put on a bit of a just-between-you-an-me tone and leaned in toward the general. “These Elistans are divided and uncertain. They will be easy to defeat in the North, on our own land, but if we seized lands here in the south, they would be hard to keep. Our supply lines over water would be open to attacks, and their capital is only two days’ march from here. We’d be overrun quick enough. We are not brutes and barbarians. We will take back what is ours and see that the right people are punished for the attacks on our soil, but nothing more. We are Vauphani, and we will stand proud on our morals.”
The general nodded, chastised and yet somehow also emboldened. “You are right, of course, Your Majesty. I mistook your youth for inexperience, but I see now I was wrong. Forgive me.”
“You’re forgiven, general. Now please, get these men back on the ships. Myself and one of the Elistans will require passage back to the capital. These others—” again with a motion to us, “—are our allies and will be helping us in our crusade against the traitor in their own government. We will need to keep in contact with them. I may be returning here frequently and for long periods to coordinate with them directly.”
“I would send some men with you, for your safety.”
“I assure you I will be safe, but will allow a small guard, yes.” He looked at Maverick who shrugged and nodded.
“Then it is settled. Let’s board the ships and be on our way.”
“Back to the ships, men!” the general called to the men, who began heading back to the boats.
“I’ll return once I’m set at home,” Alvere said to us. He took a step toward Maverick and whispered. “And I’ll make sure your man is returned to you, if we have him.”
Maverick gave a terse nod.
Instantly I felt like I’d been punched in the gut; like a hollow pit had been dug out of my stomach.
