Would he have to use his military against the free nations to prove he was the emperor they all wanted to see?
“I have no right to ask, Your Imperial Majesty,” Saxu said. “Still, I must know. Did you find your brother? Were you able to make peace with the Shadow King?”
“We found Prince Hallu,” Tallu said. “And we saved him from the mountain kingdom.”
“We also blew it up, but that was accidental.” I pulled my lips into a smile when Commander Rede looked at me sharply. “Mostlyaccidental.”
“We saw the smoke as we traveled and… feared the worst. We feared that the Shadow King had attacked and burned the Lakeshore Palace.” General Saxu looked at me, and even though there was amusement on his face, I was struck with how much older he looked than when we had left him only two months prior. “I’m glad to hear it was the opposite. Did you find the empress?”
Tallu inclined his head. “We were grateful to find her safe.”
Saxu frowned, the worry lines deepening those already on his face. “Your Imperial Majesty, given my failure and my lack of insight against enemies that I should have had easily in hand, I worry over trusting the empress. Are you sure that she had nothing to do with your father’s death?”
“We trust Dowager Empress Koque,” Tallu said.
It didn’t answer General Saxu’s question, and he clearly knew it as well. But, he didn’t press the issue.
“Will you travel with us to the Lakeshore Palace?” Saxu asked.
“No. I am sure you are taking your time for the safety of your men. They’re exhausted and injured, and deserve all the grace I can offer, given the sacrifice they have already made to the Imperium,” Tallu said.
General Saxu shook his head. “We are not enough to defend the Lakeshore Palace, not if either Kacha or Bemishu turn their attention to it. But I feel uneasy leaving Your Imperial Majesty undefended.”
“The servants at the Lakeshore Palace are trained as warriors,” I said. “If the generations of them that have defended it from Krustavian warriors have not proved their capability, then the fact that I cannot steal a single meat bun from the kitchen without being firmly beaten in combat by the cook proves that the years of peace between the Imperium and the dwarven kingdom has not been spent in idleness.”
Saxu smiled, but it was brief, his expression turning back to worry. “I understand you must return quickly, but I beg you to take Commander Rede and some of his best men with you. You left the Mountainside Palace with ten Dogs, and yet I notice only four here, including the Kennelmaster.”
I glanced at Tallu to see his reaction, and he nodded his head just once. After Centipede and General Maki, the fifth remaining Dog had succumbed to his injuries, leaving us with only Gotuye, Asahi, Sagam, and the Kennelmaster. Compared to the protection an emperor should have, it was wanting.
Saxu released a breath, his shoulders slumping.
“If Your Imperial Majesty wishes to see the camp, I am more than happy to give you a tour of it and show you what is left of your army.” General Saxu started to rise, but Tallu raised a hand.
“I fear that we put your forces in danger with our presence.” Tallu stood. “As you have pointed out, I am a target neither general is likely to ignore. We will return at once to the Lakeshore Palace and await you.”
General Saxu nodded, then pushed himself up, turning toCommander Rede. His shoulders squared, and for a moment, he was no longer the broken man who had watched the capital city fall. Instead, he was the experienced warrior that I had first met.
“Ready five of your best men,” General Saxu ordered.
To his credit, Commander Rede didn’t hesitate before he bowed and left the tent, his voice carrying through the tarp sides as he ordered men and horses to readiness.
“I understand that my sacrifice might weaken your position with the remaining men,” Saxu said quietly. “I do not mind making it seem an accident in the night, no matter how much such an act would tarnish my honor.”
“I would not ask that of you. You have loyally served me, my father, and my grandfather,” Tallu said. “I need your insight more than I need your sacrifice.”
“Accepting an alliance with Bemishu or Kacha would be accepting the bite of a poisonous snake and acting as though it was medicine,” I said. “And either general is going to kill far more civilians than any serpent.”
General Saxu nodded. “Your Imperial Majesty’s foresight is as astute as always.”
He bowed again, fingers triangled, his form steadier now, as though Tallu’s face had breathed fresh life into him.
Tallu accepted the bow with a nod of his head, then left the tent. Rede and his men were already ready, the horses packed. The Kennelmaster and Gotuye were next to them, describing the route we would take back through the forest to where we had left our own horses.
“Prince Airón,” a voice called through the soldiers, and I turned, searching until I saw Nohe. Her dress was torn and stained, but she looked uninjured. She pushed through the crowd, stopping a few feet in front of me and bowing with her fingers forming a triangle. “You are alive.”
I nodded, then took a few steps closer. “I am glad to see you are as well.”
I tried not to let my voice break, tried to pretend that I was not struck by her presence. She straightened, pressing a finger underneath one eye and pulling it away. “I look forward to serving you again, if you have not filled my position.”
