Page 58 of Bloodguard

“What reports have we received, Lord Regent?” I ask, peering down at the large map of the regions surrounding Arrow.

He points to the middle of our southern border but speaks to Pua, who is more than happy to sneer my way. “Mudslides, all through here, here, and there.”

“How bad?” I ask, since Pua doesn’t. “The area has received nearly twice its annual rainfall already.”

Vitor purses his lips. “At least a quarter of the riverfront flooded, and a quarter more was destroyed when the mud and debris swept down the mountain bordering the River Tre.”

“That’s a densely populated area,” I say. “And the floods will impact their harvest.”

Lord Ugeen places his hand on Vitor’s shoulder. “It’s true, my lord,” he says, posturing as if he were the one who spoke. “They will be severely impacted.”

Ugeen is not a general. He has no post or position. He is the head of House Olgden. He’s wealthy and owns mills and controls the mountain shipping routes to the west, but he’s never taken an interest in policy like this.

Vitor gestures to a segment of our northwestern border. “Here, fires burned through large swathes of farmland on both sides of the border, though the Liburi settlements fared far worse than our own.”

The thought of a raging fire sends a wallop of anxiety through my chest. I idly run my fingers over the scars on my jaw, but instead of recalling the pain, I recall how Leith caressed my face as if no more than a freckle marred my skin.

Tut taps the map. “It’s as Lord Kaysoon said. Libur lost a great portion of its crops.”

I recall the dwarf lord and the hardships he conveyed at the Summer Ball. We sold him rice and legumes at a profit. If Libur is beset by fires now, too, they’ll be in dire shape.

The fires are along Arrow’s borders.

I clear my throat. “How did the fire start?” I ask.

Soro surprises me by answering and jolts me back to the moment. “Don’t you meanwhostarted it?” He huffs yet again. “All this ‘help’ you insisted on sending—water, food, those stupid children’s schoolbooks?—didn’t solidify alliances. This Liburi scum wants what we have. They’re tired of the handouts and want to be the ones handing out.”

“How do weknowthis is what’s happening?” I ask, one eyebrow raised.

Soro seethes. “Because I just fucking told you.”

My grandmother’s words whisper through my mind.Do not ever let them see weakness or anger. You will be queen one day.“Forgive me,GeneralSoro. I meant to ask whatevidenceyou have,” I say, the diplomatic composure trained into me fully in place. “Present it so I may confront Eliana and Pralin. I’ve known both ambassadors for years.”

Vitor waits for an answer. The rest of us do, too.

“It’s a hunch,” Soro finally says. “A strong one that this was an intentional crime.”

“But who committed the crime?” I ask, pointing to the map. “Whospecifically? Say thiswasan attack from the outside—does it not seem a greater threat to Libur than to Arrow?” I cock my head to the side as if asking out of genuine curiosity, then shrug when he remains silent. “Regardless, if the firewasset intentionally, as you suggest, we must discover by whom and for what purpose this act of terror was undertaken so we can take measures to prevent it going forward.”

I glance up. “Uncle Vitor, ought General Pua take ten of his officers in plain clothing and see what they may find in Libur? If this was an attack on Arrow, those involved will surely brag about their actions or perhaps use our comparatively minimal damage—though life-shattering for the affected citizens—as fuel for propaganda to bring more rebels to their cause. Also, kindly send response teams at General Tut’s command to the areas affected by the landslides and fires and let us determine the resources they’ll need so that, if your High Lord wishes, General Tut’s designees may take as many supplies as you recommend.” I am speaking with an authority most in this room do not believe I possess. I can only hope my uncle feels differently.

Vitor appears bored. But then he nods and smiles. “You heard the princess,” he says. “Set the plan in motion.” He doesn’t say setherplan in motion. It’s purposeful. I know it is. At least, given how he’s treated me, I know it is now. But I don’t care. Not if it means we extend our help.

Tut nods at me respectfully right before he bows regally to Vitor. I get it now. He wanted action, not assumptions. So did Vitor.

Did Soro really think we’d declare war on a neighbor because of his hunch? For three years,hehas been the one to beat into me the importance of “evidence” in order to set my father free.

“That will be all. We adjourn until noon,” Vitor says.

The room starts to clear. But the council and foreign delegates are scarcely out the door before Vitor whirls on his son. “You call a meeting to say we’re under attack, ready to go avenge Arrow when you don’t even know the culprit!” He slaps his hand on the war table. “You know better, Soro. When will you stop acting the fool and think through your next steps?”

Soro clenches his hands, hatred for his father reddening his face. “I would have found out,” Soro hisses. “All I needed was your word to get there.”

Vitor shakes his head. “And then you bring that jester Ugeen into the meeting. Forwhat?Fool,” he says again.

Soro glares at his father, then turns and steps into the hall, slamming the door behind him.

I’m the last person who would defend Soro, but I can’t help but wonder if this is the best way to go about curbing him.

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