Not a question. A demand. To prove it.
I hold my arms out, the calm gesture of a benevolent king. “Surely we can come to an agreement. I want no battle from you, King Ravinger.”
“That’s unfortunate, since my army is already poised and at the ready, and as you said,you’rethe acting ruler here.” The unnatural lines on his face remind me of war paint, marks of aggression created from his malignant magic. “The fact is, Fifth’s army attacked my border, and I do not let such offenses go unpunished.”
My rising worry is sharp. I feel it like rigid corners that dig beneath my skin, threatening to pierce through.
I’m close. So close to securing my hold here. I can’t afford this battle, because we wouldlose.
“Some would point out that there have been reports indicating you have been encroaching upon territories that are not your own. Perhaps that’s why Fulke attacked. He was protecting his borders,” I put in carefully.
Ravinger grins, but it’s not a smile, not even close. It’s a baring of teeth, and all that’s missing is the snarl.
He leans forward. “Prove it.”
I can tell his four soldiers are watching me, though I can’t see their eyes through the slits in their helmets. I look at the thorned one, my eyes flicking over the sharp points on his armor. He looms, as dark and heavy as the rest, his presence meant to remind me of the army outside.
My eyes drag back to the king. “As I said, I want no battle with you.”
“Then it seems we are at an impasse,” Ravinger replies with a shrug, as if deciding to wage a battle is of little consequence.
But really...itisof little consequence to him. I’ve observed Fifth’s soldiers. Ravinger’s army will obliterate this kingdom. He wouldn’t even have to use his power to do it.
“Surely we can think of something else, in order to spare innocent lives,” I offer with a placating smile. “Reparation for the attack on your border, for instance.”
Ravinger steeples his fingers together, watching me over the top. “I’m listening.”
Finally.
I pretend to contemplate for a moment and then say, “Move your army back to your kingdom without attack, and I’ll pay your reparation in gold.”
Nothing.
I get nothing in return. No reaction, no excited glint in his eye. It doesn’t even seem as if he’s heard me.
Desperation crawls down my back. “Name the weight, Ravinger, and then we can be done with this business of war and you can return to your kingdom.”
Still, he looks. Says nothing. Letting me sweat.
He is toying with me, intimidating me. Flaunting. Has been ever since he arrived.
He flaunted his army by bringing its might to Fifth Kingdom’s doorstep. They don’t even appear to be disgruntled or weakened, and they just marched across the Divine-damned Barrens.
And they went thelongway. Came right up to the palace and bypassed the mountain pass where I’d had a contingent to head them off. Not to mention the fact that the soldiers I sent to infiltrate their camp and grab Auren never returned. I have a feeling they won’t.
Ravinger didn’t stop there. He then flaunted his magic in front of the city, letting rot spread through the ground as a warning, a threat to intimidate.
And again, since the moment he walked in the throne room and stepped up on the dais, and then chose the seat at the head of this table.
Flaunting. Because he can. Because he’s an arrogant bastard.
My impatience plucks at my tongue. “Well? How much, Ravinger?”
“None.”
I lean back against the chair in shock. “What do you mean,none?”
Surely, I misheard him. Gold is what everyone wants. It’s theonlything that everyone wants.
