Page 9 of A Wrecking of Salt and Fire

“Yes, well—he is a very particular man as you know. He made excellent time on the seas and the servants brought him that drug he likes so much, but can rarely get from Anatole with the blockade, so he should be in a better mood than usual.” Yet another lie. “Let’s go in. I’m sure he is already waiting. Better we not keep him waiting any longer.”

Turquoise banners with the Alentian crest were now dispersed with the orange banner of Morentius, the red viper down the center. The two colors overpowered the delicate white stone walls and marble flooring, looking out of place in such a bright and airy castle. Displays of food littered a long table in front of the dais. Unsurprisingly, Khalid was already seated, popping grapes into his mouth and sipping on a golden chalice. A small dribble of burgundy wine dripped from the corner of his mouth before his tongue shot out and wiped it away.

Katrin stepped forward, curtseying toward the king. “Your Highness, a pleasure to have you at court. I apologize for missing your arrival this morning, if I had known you were expected so early I would have been at the docks with Kohl.”

Not raising his eyes to meet Katrin’s, Kohl’s father grumbled, “Yes, it was quite disappointing that you did not accompany my son, though he informed me of your recent ailment himself.”

Narrowing her eyes, Katrin took a seat across from Khalid, keeping her trembling hands out of sight. “My ailment? I’m not sure I know what you mean.”

Gods-dammit. First mistake—telling his father about the nightmares. Second mistake—not telling Katrin he knew. Her eyes were wide in disbelief, though that and the stiff kick to his shin under the table were the only signs Katrin was affected by his words. The throbbing started, though it was not in his leg, but behind his temples. Another headache to add to his many problems of the day.

Pupils widening, his father looked up to stare at Katrin. “Your nightmares, of course. Kohl says they have started once more. I have a tonic I can give you. It is rather unbecoming of a future ruler to have such debilitating tribulations, especially as a woman.” He reached across the table, grabbing the pitcher of wine from in front of Kohl.

White flecks sparked in Katrin’s eyes, a faint glow coming from beneath the table where her hands were fisted. “It is not a debilitating tribulation, rather just an inconvenience that does not impact my judgment as the heir to Alentus, nor my mental state as a woman.”

Khalid smiled, though Kohl knew it to be disingenuous. His father did not take kindly to being told off. “You may think that, Princess, but ruling an isle takes a kind of mental clarity you do not appear to possess at the moment. I’m sure you agree, Kohl?”

Why did his father need to bring him into this? The throbbing in his head worsened, he almost couldn’t think straight. “Katrin understands there will be certain duties she will rely on me for, but she is extremely capable of leading on her own.” Gods, maybe he would need that tonic his father mentioned, the pain only increased with every word that was spoken.

Picking a piece of food from his shaven teeth, his father glared at him. “I guess we will see.”

“Yes, we shall,” Katrin sneered back.

Usually he did not indulge in spirits this early in the day, but with the continued back and forth between Katrin and his father, Kohl began to pour his favorite amber liquor and drink.

Sweat glistened on his darkened skin from the summer’s unbearable heat. During this time of year the gardens were always quiet, it was why Kohl went there to think. Most of the court opted for spending time along the shores, where light breezes swept a much needed reprieve off the Mykandrian Sea. But in the corner of the garden, under the shade of one of the large oak trees, sat a small bench. The breeze whispering to him under that tree, spirits bristling their bits of wisdom and history from the leaves.

It was written that the mighty oak tree was a symbol of the ruler of the Olympi. That a bit of his power still remained in its roots as a reminder of the all encompassing control and fortitude he once had. Quite truthfully, Kohl believed it was the voices of those who passed through the gates of Aidesian, long forgotten after their death, yearning to be amongst the living again. When he first told this to Katrin she smiled and shook her head, explaining that she sat on that very bench hundreds of times and not once heard voices of the dead.

Yet, as Kohl sat there, he could hear them swirling about. Whispers of doomed fate and wars lost. Whispers of long ago.

There were too many things for Kohl to think through as he laid back against the worn bronze of the bench. His father, who never did anything without a clearly defined reason, seemed to be asking too many questions and answering too few. Arriving early, wanting to know about the dreams, prying him for knowledge about Nexos. Maybe she will not be a threat at all. The words repeated again and again in his mind. If his father was planning something, Kohl needed to find out what it was and fast.

A snap of a tree branch shook him out of an almost meditative state. His eyes flickered open, readjusting to the light, analyzing what figure stood before him.

“Prince Kohl, apologies if I startled you.” Ajax bowed before him. “I must have a word before the isles gather for the Acknowledgement.”

Post-treaty, anytime a ruler was set to inherit the throne, representatives from each isle would gather to decide—officially—that they accepted the succession moving forward. If there was not a unanimous vote, royalty from any of the isles could claim succession. Could enact the Wrecking, a fight to first blood drawn. So far since the treaty, the Wrecking never occurred and Kohl planned to keep it that way.

“Is it expected there will be an issue with succession, Commander?” he finally managed to get out.

“Not exactly.” Ajax’s normally stoic face loosened into one of dread. “It is Nexos, Your Highness, my spies think they are set to attack—” he inhaled an uneasy breath, “they are set to attack next week.”

Kohl looked up in disbelief. Had there been rumblings of Nexos raising an army—yes—but did he expect it this soon—absolutely not. Maybe this is why his father arrived early, with two ships filled with soldiers. He could have lied, he could already know this about Nexos.

“So they are set to bring an army to battle when the rest of the isles are gathered at a stronghold? How reckless can they be? We will sink their ships before they even enter port.” Kohl tried to sound confident as he spewed the words, but there was still a sinking feeling no army could defeat Nexos. Not with King Nikolaos leading the charge. Not if the old male was gaining his power back. Not if he was helped by his wretched first-born son.

“That’s the thing, Your Highness, there are no signs they are bringing an army. Meaning they are either already here, or they don’t seek to kill everyone.”

Chapter Seven

Ember

Thorns and leaves scratched Ember’s skin, the bush she decided to hide behind turning out to be a bad idea. But as she strolled by the garden earlier, Kohl sat sitting beneath a tree muttering to himself about war and fear and sorcery, speaking to the shadows like people surrounded him on the bench. Several times Ember covered her mouth, for fear that her laughter would alert the prince to her spying. It was rare she ever saw Kohl drunk or under some sort of influence, he always preferred to keep his wits about him. This was a story she would have to share with her sister, not that Katrin would believe her.

Crunching of boots over the rocky path in the garden startled her, but Ember was glad she stayed hidden when Ajax’s stupidly handsome face strutted right past her and over to a seemingly high Kohl.

The commander was not honest with her earlier, and now she would learn the truth. At first she did not believe the words he mumbled under his breath. Barely loud enough to hear if Ember was not an expert at reading lips. The attack was imminent. And it was not to be waged on the people. No, it was pointed. It was for Katrin.

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