A few minutes later the other kings and queens began to arrive. With only a few minutes until the hour was up, only King Victis had not yet arrived.
“It will be a blow to lose the Tarvansia Peninsula,” remarked Loniel.
“Being that it has the most direct route to Baltria, it will make thing’s far more difficult,” agreed Lousis.
Just then, the door opened and King Victis entered, looking very unhappy. “I am loathed to use force against King Halmara. But as the will of the council is against me…”
Queen Illirial spoke. “King Lousis. As you know, none of our kingdoms possess the wealth of Althetas, and this shall cut off our trade with Baltria. What can you do to ensure our people don't starve?”
“If I must, I will empty my treasury,” Lousis replied, allowing his gaze to meet each of them. “There are already lords and ladies in my city that are struggling against this growing threat. We will enlist their help as well. Once we deal with Halmara, we will address Baltria.”
“So you will expand this war to include Baltria?” asked Victis, scowling.
“I will try other means first,” said Lousis. “But we cannot allow a port of that size to be under Angraal’s control. But these are things to be discussed once we have settled with Halmara. In the meantime, we must discover what is happening in Skalhalis. I will ask Ertik to send elf scouts to see if they have armed for war.”
“I will do so at once,” said Ertik. “And I would suggest you send more men to Valshara. One hundred can hold off a siege for a long time, but not indefinitely.”
“I agree,” said Lousis. “I intend to make Valshara our staging point.” He got to his feet. “I know that some of you do not have many soldiers to offer. So all cities south of Althetas should keep what you must in your land to keep order, and send the rest to Tarvansia. If Angraalsends forces from Baltria, that is where they will strike first. The rest will join my forces in Valshara. Agreed?”
Gradually, all nodded in agreement.
For the next several hours, they mapped out plans for troops and supplies. It was late in the afternoon before they decided to adjourn for the day. Lousis asked Victis to remain in his chambers once the others had left.
“Thank you, my friend,” said Lousis. “I know how difficult it was for you to make this decision.”
“King Halmara is my cousin,” Victis replied. “But in the end, there is no denying that you are right. He is not fit to rule. I have worried about the future of my land for some time, and I am not blind to what Angraalhas done. I can see what will become of us. But I still do not think we can prevail.”
“Then why did you join us?” asked Lousis.
Victis held his head high. “Because I am King of Tarvansia. My people will remain free for as long as I draw breath.” He moved to the door. “But I am tired, and I believe we have several more days of planning ahead of us.” He pulled open the door. Just as he left he paused. “I thank you for excluding me in the campaign against my cousin.”
Lousis smiled as the door closed. He changed into his robe and slipped into bed. His body ached and his head was swimming. The battle of Valshara entered his thoughts. The sights and sounds of the dead and dying were still fresh in his memory. This would get worse. Much worse. He looked up at the picture of his father, King Hersal, which hung on the wall. Hersal had ruled for fifty-two years. In all that time, there had been only one border dispute, and a few bands of marauding raiders had been run out of the kingdom.
“What I would give to trade places,” he muttered, then let himself drift off to sleep.
Chapter 27
For six days, Lee had been chained, hands above his head, to a cold stone wall. At least, that’s how long he thought it had been. No food or water had been offered, and even with the strength of Saraf running through his veins, he was beginning to weaken. He occasionally heard someone enter the small cell where he had been taken, but a blindfold had been kept tight over his eyes, and he could not tell who it was. He did his best to concentrate and hear what was going on nearby, but there was only the sound of various rodents scurrying about, and the stomping of hard boots on stone floors.
His mind wandered to thoughts of Jacob. He refused to believe that he had been betrayed, though his captors had clearly wanted him to believe so. He would not fall prey to doubt and despair. In all probability, his life would end soon, and he would need more than innuendo for his last moments to be filled with anger.
The door opened. The footfalls were light and graceful, not the clumsy, plodding of a soldier. The scent of lilacs filled the air.
“So they have sent a woman to attend me,” said Lee. His mouth was so dry, each word was an effort. “You can tell your master his efforts to break me will fail. It is just as well that he kill me and be done with it.”
He felt a cup touch his dry cracked lips. The water poured down his throat. He moaned with relief in spite of himself.
“So what is it you intend to do?” he asked, contemptuously. “Keep me alive so you can watch me suffer?” There was no response. “You fear to speak? It's just as well. Your words would be lies.”
“I don't know what to say.” The voice was a soft whisper.
“Then say nothing,” he shot back. “Better next time they send a mute fool.”
There was a long silence, then he felt a cool rag gently cleaning the grime from his face.
He shook his head violently. “Do not touch me, unless it is a blade you carry.”
“Are you so anxious to die?” she asked.
The voice was familiar. “Another trick,” he thought.
“Yes, my love.” She spoke as if she knew his thoughts. “It is me.” She lifted the cup to his lips again, but Lee turned his head.
“Then remove my blindfold,” he commanded.
“I am forbidden,” she replied. “It was the only way they would allow me to see you.”
“I know you are lying. Penelope would not act with such cruelty.”
“I will remove your blindfold,” she offered. “But know that if I do I will be taken from here at once and not be allowed to return. You will learn I speak truth, but we will not speak again…ever.”
Lee's heart ached. “Then leave me blind. But know that I will tell you nothing the Dark Knight may want to know.”
“That is best,” she said. “There is much that has happened of which you are unaware.”
“And Jacob,” he asked. “What has happened to him?”
“He has escaped,” she replied. “He did not betray you, Lee. He was recognized by a recruit from Hazrah.”
“That is good to hear,” he replied. This lifted a great weight from his heart. “But if the Dark Knight intends to break me, why tell me this.”
She continued to clean his face. “The Reborn King does not need to leave you in despair to break you, my love. You will understand once you are in his presence.”
“He may find it more difficult than he imagines.”
“He is aware of your strength,” she said. “It is why he has waited. He wishes you intact. Should he force his will upon you, your spirit could shatter.”
“And how is it you know this,” asked Lee.
“I have been in the presence of the Reborn King,” she replied, sadly. “I have witnessed his power. No one can resist him. Not even you, my love.”
“Did you come here to warn me, or prepare me,” he asked, angrily. “Penelope would never say these things.”
“I only tell you the truth,” she replied. “I wish things were different. I am Penelope Nal'Thain, but no longer the woman you knew. The king has changed me.”
“Then help me,” said Lee. “I will undo what he has done.”
“If only that were possible,” Her voice was filled with sorrow and longing. “But I am lost. Even if I helped you escape, I would betray you. I wouldn't be able to help myself. You can't know what it means to be under the king’s power.”
He could hear her weeping softly. “Please. I can help you. I swear it. I can break the hold he has over
