Page 14 of Ceridor

"Ulbrecht says you can join us if you want," said Kristoff, his wild red hair framing his face. "Come with us and we can find a job for your sister in the capital if she wants."

Why were they being so nice to me? Ulbrecht had still challenged my father to a duel and destroyed him just a few minutes ago, though he'd been provoked and dishonored into doing so.

Igor brought another cup of water and kind of awkwardly patted my shoulder before returning to sit next to Kristoff.

Kristoff seemed the more vocal of the two. "We heard what your sister said yesterday. Your father sounds like he was terrible to you, but it must have still been hard to watch him die. I'm sorry this day has been so violent."

"Thank you," I managed to mumble.

I eyed the two as they horsed around. "Could I really join Ulbrecht's fighting troop?"

"He offered, didn't he?" Kristoff fired back.

He sure did. Did I dare hope?

"What about my kingship?" I asked. "I will fight under the High King to prove my loyalty, but I can't abandon my people."

Igor opened the flap to the tent and called someone over, asking him to run and confirm this.

After restating my loyalty to Ulbrecht, Kristoff and I chatted while we waited for the answer to come back.

"Ulbrecht says he's putting Harold in as a temporary regent," said the messenger. "His offer to the prince still stands."

"Harold is a skilled statesman," Kristoff interpreted for me. "He's already rehabilitated a couple of border regions for Ulbrecht. Come fight for us in the campaigns. Give Harold a year or two to stabilize things, then ask Ulbrecht for your kingdom again."

At length, I nodded. I could handle that.

An old man stepped into the tent, and with a gasp I recognized him. Every year for the last decade or more, this old man had swung by our court for a few days and sung for Father, entertaining us in the evenings and doting on Effie and me. And yet it was Ceridor—I could see him so clearly now. This was the disguise he'd mentioned because he couldn't risk being recognized, and yet he'd wanted to check in on us and carry news of us back to Magnus.

Igor and Kristoff turned to him in question.

The white-haired old man pointed to me. "That is my nephew. I am his great uncle on his mother's side. He hasn't seen me since the queen passed, but I heard there was trouble and came to get my niece and nephew. Alodia is already headed south to my holdings."

Then Kristoff and Igor as one turned to see my reaction, and I scrambled to act the part, exclaiming "Uncle!"

"Ulbrecht didn't say what to do if he doesn't want to come with us," Igor muttered. "He's not one to take prisoners."

A chill ran down my spine.

"You want to go with your uncle?" asked Kristoff.

"I need to make sure my sister is safe, then I want to join you," I answered honestly.

"She can get a job in the capital," replied Igor.

Kristoff nodded agreement. "Ulbrecht's staff can find work for her somewhere if nothing else. Take some time to let things settle down, then come and join us."

"Danke," I thanked them.

Kristoff stood and towered over me. "Prince Johannes."

I craned my neck to look up at him. "Yes?"

He commanded, "Swear on your honor that you will never rise up against the Danubian King. I cannot let you go if you will one day return the favor with insurrection."

I didn't have to act this time. I reiterated what they had witnessed yesterday. "I swear it. Yesterday, when my sister and I visited your camp, I told Ulbrecht that if I were already king, I would form an alliance with him."

For now, I would lose my kingship. I would lose the future I'd worked so hard for, but I could work to gain it back.

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