Niam shot to his feet. “Her birthright? If her family ever sat on the throne, they did so when no one else was looking. Her great-grandfather was a minor noble. A monster who abused his family and servants. He was brought to court for trial and died before justice could be served. My grandfather allowed her family to keep their lands and money, both squandered by her kin. When she joined the Imperial Army, she forfeited her right to any title.” He stared out the window at gently falling snow.
Snow. Bah! Draylon would take sunshine and sand over snow any day.
Niam continued, “My family has ruled Delletina since we broke away from Craice centuries ago. Any claims she made were all in her head.”
Draylon took over the telling. “She claims my fath… Emperor Soland promised her a throne. Either Delletina’s or another, hinging on her providing the empire a reason to attack and take over this country.”
Yarif chimed in, “She whipped me. Never said why, just told her men, ‘Tie him up’ whipped me like it was a task she needed to accomplish, then we got back on our horses.” His hands clenched into fists at the telling. Only by truly listening did Draylon hear the wavering in his voice. “Said she wanted it to look like I’d been tortured over time.”
He spoke so matter-of-factly about such a horrible event. Even if a soldier under his command had committed crimes, Draylon never beat them with such casual disregard. He’d killed Illa too quickly, too painlessly. “They wanted to drive the people’s resolve to avenge their former prince due to his ill treatment.” Draylon maneuvered his shoulder ever so discreetly to rest against Yarif’s in a silent show of support.
Niam barked a laugh. “They had no idea Yarif is my own dear cousin. Of course, great pains were taken to keep that news private.”
Yarif turned toward Draylon, “I told you that commander Illa looked familiar. She held several meetings with Father and Baro. I couldn’t find out at the time who she was.”
Niam stared out at nothing for a few moments before speaking quietly. “I’ve delayed this conversation to consult with my sources. I knew of a woman speaking a Delletinian dialect who paid secret visits to king Lleval—a woman matching the description of your Commander Illa Trandores. I can assure you, she has no connection to me, and my spies believed her to have been Lleval’s lover.” Niam gave a self-deprecating laugh. “I wonder if I need better spies.”
Draylon would have to question those sources later. For himself.
Niam continued, “Rumors say that Delletina might have been in alliance with Lleval, but I ask you, what would we want with lands filled with sand and water? While I knew of the Trandores family, I didn’t know about Illa specifically, as her father and mother left the country years ago.” He focused his attention on Draylon. “In case I haven’t made myself clear, we are not warmongers. We have an army well trained in mountain combat to defend ourselves if necessary.
“We have no interest in any land beyond our boundaries, though certain villages along the border have raided some on the Renvallian side in the past. Tit for tat and mostly done as a bit of good-natured one-upmanship or sheer boredom. Afterward, I believe they settle their differences and have a celebration. I mean, how exciting could sheepherding be? Many in power try to deny facts, but marriage between Delletina and Renvallian citizens happens often.” Niam’s smile grew enigmatic. “Or marriages between our citizens and those of other kingdoms in the empire.
“A few nobles try to stir up the masses on occasion, telling them the empire will come and steal their lands, but none have ever gained much of a following.”
“Are you still opposed to joining the empire?” Draylon would much rather have Niam as an ally than an enemy. He wasn’t about to pass on an opportunity to build bridges.
Niam shook his head, lips thinning into a tight line. “As long as Soland is emperor, we will remain free. He wants only our gold and to take whatever he can for his own uses, not to create a mutually beneficial agreement.” His gaze strayed to Rufe, who ducked his head.
Rufe? Shy? Who was this man, and what had he done with the real Rufe? Also very out of character for Rufe to let a conversation go on around him without adding more input.
Draylon recalled past heated conversations with his father. “He’ll call it ‘for the greater good.’ I’ve become so tired of those words.” What Father meant when he uttered them wasformygood.“He also intends to unite the continent as his legacy.”
“They’ll never win over Craice by force. Or Delletina.” Niam turned a thoughtful frown directly to Draylon again. “You’ve seen the hazards of our mountains. It’s highly doubtful a flatlander force could make any headway against trained mountain warriors. Between avalanches, sudden rainstorms resulting in flash floods, blizzards, and vast wildernesses, the land herself protects us.” The corners of his mouth quirked upward. “Ah, did I mention sinkholes?”
“Sinkholes?” Rufe, Draylon, and Yarif all asked together.
“The mountains are riddled with underground caves. When the ceilings weaken, the ground above suddenly collapses, which is why the village you stayed in came to be deserted. Trust me, we won’t be conquered. Better to negotiate with us.”
“And you won’t negotiate with the current emperor.” Just to make certain, Draylon had to clarify.
The muscles in Niam’s jaw flexed. “We will not. Countless innocents have lost their lives because he’d rather wipe them from the earth than talk to them. You were a commander”—he nodded at Draylon— “and you a captain”—he shifted his attention to Rufe, where it lingered. “While I would be reluctant to kill your subordinates or even face the two of you in battle, we will not be defeated, have our riches pillaged and our citizens stripped of their rights. If we joined the empire, there would have to be protections and advantages for us. My people will not suffer under my rule.”
“I understand.” Draylon truly did. His father, however, never would. “But now I need to plan the next steps.”
“What next steps?”
“Yarif and I must return to Renvalle, take up our positions there, and expose the true villain behind Yarif’s kidnapping and torture. His Imperial Majesty Emperor Soland Aravaid.” Draylon let out a long breath, closing his eyes against the ache in his heart. “My father.”
Chapter Twenty-eight
EmperorSolandwouldn’tbepleased to find Yarif alive and Illa dead. A spark of pride filled Yarif’s chest. Simply by surviving, he might save many from needless suffering. Thwarting his father-in-law’s plans was a bonus.
Now, to keep himself alive. He kept his voice steady while addressing Draylon, though rage at the emperor burned hot within him. “No matter where we go, your father will still want me killed.” Draylon usually said “the emperor” instead of “my father,” but the fact of the matter remained: Draylon’s father wanted Yarif dead, and from what Yarif had learned over the years, Emperor Soland usually got what he wanted.
Not this time.
Weariness seemed to weigh on Draylon, hunching his shoulders. He let out a sigh. “We’ll have to make sure you’re seen, that the people know you’re alive.”
