Page 110 of An Archer's Reckoning

Bril leaned back. “I’ll admit, she’s acted differently since . . . well . . . everything that happened, but who among us wouldn’t change in the face of what she endured? Think about it. Her daughter ran away, then her husband and son were killed, then her daughter returned and was kidnapped. That’d be enough to break anyone. Give her a little room to grieve, Danai.”

I was stunned by the burly man’s defense. He had never born much love for Isabel. Now that she was near rabid, he showed even less affinity for her rule. His sympathy was rare—and oddly placed.

“That is precisely the point, Stephan. She isnotgrieving—and has not shed a tear since Alfred died. You and I both know better than to believe some Melucian broke into the King’s room and poisoned him. That story is ridiculous.”

“What are you saying, Danai? We don’t have time to relive the past. There’s a war starting, in case you missed all the swords and arrows outside.” Bril shuffled in his seat, ready to be done with this conversation.

“I will skip the magical implications. You would not believe me anyway. What I fear—what I know—is that she wants vengeance. She is not talking about ruling anymore or uniting the nations. She wants tokill, Stephan,allof them.

“She talks about burning cities and towns, and seems almost gleeful at the prospect of hearing the people’s screams. I helped her obtain immense magical power when I thought she wanted to unite the continent under the Kingdom’s banner. I still believe we should conquer this land, but she now plans to use her power to destroy everyone in her path. Think Grove’s Pass but on acontinentalscale.”

I wiped a bead of sweat away before it could attack my eye.

“I have helped her more than you will ever know, supported her against impossible odds, but I refuse to be party to the death of millions of innocents. What is to say she will not turn towardourpeople after she finishes with Melucia? We have to stop her, Stephan, or at least get word to the Triad to evacuate their civilians.”

Bril shot to his feet. “You’re insane. That’streason. She’ll boil us both if she even thinks we talked like this.”

“I know. Believe me, I know.” I rose and locked eyes with Bril. “But wouldyouhave a million people’s deaths on your conscience? Probably more when this is done? You have always lived by a code, a belief in fighting honorably, in standing upfor people who could not stand for themselves. Would you truly accept killingchildrenby the thousands?”

Fire plumed in Bril’s glare.

It quelled as he fell back into his chair.

His voice was resigned. “No. Of course not.”

“We cannot stop the siege—or the massacre to come. Their magical advantage will not be enough to defeat Isabel, not with her new powers. Anyone still in that city when we attackwilldie, be they man, woman, or child.”

“I know you, Thorn. You’d never approach me without a plan. What are you thinking?”

I sat opposite Bril and leaned forward. “You order our men on the eastern front away from the perimeter to search for some ‘incoming supply trains we gained knowledge of.’ That will allow civilians through. There is only a small force over there, and I am sure you can come up with a plausible reason to reposition them.”

Bril shook his head. “Even if I could get those men to stand aside, we’ll never convince the Triad to go along. They’ll assume this is a trap, a trick to capture or kill their people.”

I grinned. “That’s where you are wrong. Think about it. In a siege, what is the most important thing to those inside the wall? Food, medicine, water? They would have a much harder time outlasting our siege with a half million mouths to feed. Any rational leader would welcome the opportunity to save their people and reduce the burden on their army. I have known Quin a very long time. I have a robust network to ensure our message reaches him. He will listen.”

Bril glared.

This was open rebellion.

It was treason.

It wasinsanity.

And it was the right thing to do.

“All right, but we have little time. Marks and I’ve been counseling the Regent that this siege may take weeks or longer, but she’s not the most patient person. I’m afraid she’ll only wait a few days before she grows tired of failed siege tactics and decides to do something rash.”

“I can have a message delivered tonight. Can your men in the east be ready to move by tomorrow?”

“I think so, but we best make it late to give them cover of darkness. They’ll need every advantage we can give them to avoid her. I don’t know how far her eyes extend.” Bril scratched the bald spot on the crown of his head, then stood and extended a hand. “I’ve never liked you, Danai. I need intelligence as much as the next officer, but I don’t care for magic, and I like your methods even less.”

“But?” I said, clasping the Minister’s hand.

“You’re risking everything to save innocents.” He paused and held my eye. “You might be a weasel, but you’re a good weasel.”

I barked a laugh. How many times had I been called a weasel in the past month?

“I’m not sure what to say. Thank you, I think.”

---