The silence is anything but uncomfortable when Turalyon’s footsteps return to join us. The young Enduar bows before the throne, and I extend my arm, gesturing for him to approach.
“My King,” Turalyon says again, this time bowing further.
“Thank you for coming, Turalyon. I realize that there hasn’t been much time to do a full debriefing after your return from the elves…”
I trail off. When he arrived mere days ago, with the elf King Arion, we spoke of nothing more than the festival. Of my wedding.
Pain slashes across my body. I keep it locked away under the need to know. To learn more about what we are up against.
Turalyon clears his throat. “Yes. There was much to report, and Lord Lothar was hoping to organize everything into a presentation for the whole council.” He scans those around me, then straightens his back. “I assure you, I will be able to answer any questions you might have had for him while he is healing.”
I nod once, pleased with the man’s honor. “How would you classify the health of the elvish court?”
“Excellent. Their capital is entirely rebuilt, and there appears to be enough citizens to maintain the general population. It is a beautiful place, as far as forest cities go. A pleasing waterfall is located in the center of the?—”
I frown. “They are doing well? Then why stir up a war between us?”
Turalyon pauses. “Your Majesty, I don’t know. Half a dozen archers escorted us from the gate to the palace, but we were never verbally threatened. After our initial meeting, King Arion showed us their woodworkers, gave us gifts of cloth, and let us listen to their musical instruments. The trees, it seems, do sing back as our stones do. We dined on their breads and leafy foods.”
The only time I’d ever gone to Shvathemar was when I was still a child. The memories are fuzzy, and mostly incomplete. “What were their military forces like?”
Turalyon’s eyebrows draw together. “There are more archers than I could’ve anticipated. Very few women though, it seems they restrict them to their homes.” At this, Turalyon frowns. “Come to think of it, there were whispers about a group of women living in the woods.”
I sit up. Just what I was hoping for. Those who place their misogynistic ideals over the happiness of all their citizens deserve a gods-damned female-led rebellion.
“What? Where?”
He shrugs. “I’m sure Lothar would know more about it. His hearing is better than mine.”
“Lothar is two inches from death right now. I suggest you think harder,” Svanna pipes up. Her sharp words pierce, but I can’t fault her.
Turalyon frowns and thinks for a moment. The silence is electric. “I think there had been skirmishes or something of the sort. They are in the northern forest, closer to the border between the giants and the elves.”
“Excellent. Then we will go there.” I nod once, pleased to have a lead.
Those around me agree, and Vann starts for the door just as Turalyon shakes his head.
“No, we shouldn’t try to go there. They don’t use archers and diplomacy; they are assassins skulking through hidden shadows. They’ll kill us on sight, and we might not even see them coming.”
I raise an eyebrow. “They’d kill us, or the elves?”
Turalyon sputters. “The elves said?—”
“Exactly. They spoke their misguided words into existencewithout anything to support it. An enemy of our enemy can only be our friend—we just need to introduce ourselves.”
Ulla steps forward. “Not until you sleep.”
Turalyon looks helpless, but I am not about to let a good idea go to waste. Surely, we can handle something as perilous as this without coming home in a box. Turalyon is a little younger than Velen, the singer, but he remembers the old days.
Turalyon has voiced his hope for a family like the rest of the hunters. If he wants it so badly, he should understand these are the risks and sacrifices we take to forge a better future.
I wave Ulla off. “I feel much better now. In fact, Ulla, why don’t you come with us?” My gaze filters around the room. “Ra’Salore, the stone bender, Ulla the healer, and Turalyon the budding diplomat. We’ll make an excellent team.”
Ulla shakes her head. “You need more hunters.”
I raise my hands. “So, I’ll bring Niht, too!”
Vann steps forward, mouth open, but he’s interrupted by the wise woman.
