Barrett raised his shackles.
“That means nothing,” I asserted. “You were injured. You needed our help.”
“If I was here for nefarious purposes, don’t you think I’d be a little more creative than arriving at the main entrance to your palace in the middle of the day?”
Yes, I did. It hadn’t settled right with me when Tolek reported the arrival, but I neither confirmed nor denied that to the prince. The lift of one corner of his lips told me he knew anyway.
I looked over my shoulder at Cyph. He stood with one hand braced on the sword at his hip. With a nod, he scooted around me to stand beside Barrett’s cot, curling his hand through the chains like a leash. The prince watched with a curious tilt of his head.
“If I am to believe your claim”—I strode toward him as much as I could in the small space, commanding it—“you need to tell us more.”
Cyph drew a dagger, and the Engrossian’s eyes widened at the pristine blade.
Barrett swallowed. “Your threats are unnecessary. I’ve said I’ll talk.”
I bent down before him, looking directly into those dark green eyes. “Start.”
“My mother is moving troops.”
My stomach flipped. “Why?”
“I believe she intends to reignite the war.”
That made no sense. Kakias lost Lucidius, she lost her cover, she lost her prisoner. Starting another war would only ensure everyone saw her as a conqueror. She could never place her son on the Revered’s seat now, despite who his true father was.
What was it she was after?
My mind raced through the reasons why this didn’t make sense, but Barrett’s voice was sharp enough to slice through them all.
“She’s been traveling often. I don’t know where she goes—she won’t tell me. But she only brings a small guard with her. I think it’sa diversion, while the real threat is the armies she’s rebuilding. Do not forget, we didn’t suffer as your people did in the war. Many survived. Many who still need work, despite the gruesome state of it. My mother knows this and has called on them. They’ve already started marching eastward.”
Not northeast toward the mountains, but east. What lay in the east?
“Do they not march for Damenal?” I asked, crossing my arms to keep my hands from shaking. Tolek and Jezebel pressed closer to me.
“I don’t know.” Barrett shook his head.
I flicked my gaze to Cypherion. He tugged the prince’s chains until they dug into his wrists.
“Ouch! Bant’s golden cock, what was that for?”
“Your answers are unsatisfying.” I turned away, pacing.
Barrett huffed. “I’m telling you what I know.” I stiffened but said nothing, so Barrett barreled on, “The only logical plan was that the army would march to Damenal, yet the last report I intercepted said east.”
“When was the report?” Cyph gripped his knife tighter.
The prince watched his fingers curl around the handle, words rushing out. “Two weeks ago. I traveled here immediately. It said—” He cut himself off.
“What did it say, Prince?”
“I truly am horrendous at these matters, aren’t I?” He groaned, and I wasn’t certain what he meant by that. “There’s a small camp of Engrossian Warriors in your Southern Pass.”
The Southern Pass, the wide stretch that led directly from Damenal to Bodymelder and Mindshaper Territories—potential allies.
Internally, my spirit was screaming, but I slammed that mask against it.Gather information. Build a strategy. Demonstrate my capability and protect my people.
“How many?”
