Page 105 of Ruling the Green

My gaze toured the room, looking into the faces of the women, seeing the hardness in their eyes, the scars on their skin.

“Where did you find all these women?”

“Freed them from the work camps, mostly. Though, I, um, liberated a few from abusive domestic situations. Brought them here. Trained them. Honed them.”

“Into weapons.”

“Into women who would never have to know the hand of a violent man again,” Mendalyn corrected. “Including those employed by your father.”

“I plan to close those camps.”

“And what would you do with all the prisoners?”

“Reevaluate their crimes, if crimes even exist, and punish accordingly.”

“And those punishments…”

“Would never include the brutalities and indignities I know are happening to the women there now.”

“And the children. And some of the men,” another woman called.

“Children have no place in camps to begin with,” I said, gut twisting at the very idea.

“And what about the military?” Mendalyn asked.

“What about them?”

“How would you handle them, knowing they are guilty of crimes against innocent citizens as well?”

“If that is the case, they will each be questioned and punished as well.”

“You’ll lose a lot of men.”

“Not good men.”

“You will need more protection,” Mendalyn said, chin lifting.

I glanced around the room.

“Seems like your crew might be up for the job.”

“If you prove yourself worthy of us, we would be glad to serve a more just king.”

“If I have any kingdom left after that,” I said, waving a hand back toward the direction of the palace.

“We have some scouts out there,” Mendalyn said. “They will let us know when it’s safe to make our way back.”

“You plan to come with me?” I asked.

“Not all of us, no. Just me and some scouts. Not until your father has been removed from power.”

“Yeah. I think that plan needs to move forward immediately.”

“Maybe you can have your wife help.”

“My wife?”

“Give him the Grimwood treatment,” one of the women said, smirking.