Page 26 of Court of Treachery

“You will help us, König?”

Korrin pursed his lips and turned away to pace the hall, his hands clasped behind his back. “No. We can offer no assistance in this.”

Aedon’s eyes widened. “König, he is your kin. Surely?—”

Korrin turned and glared at Aedon for his insubordination. “The goblins are a nuisance at present, as your own journey has shown you. Our interests do not lie in delving into their midst to rescue one dwarf. There are unfortunate casualties. Our priorities are in the defence of our strongholds and roads.”

Aedon’s face reddened. Harper could tell he longed to snap back, but to her surprise, he swallowed his anger and pride. “Our friend is Ragnar,” Aedon said delicately. “Ragnar Dúrnir.”

Korrin stiffened. His head whipped around to fix Aedon in an eagle-like stare. “Him?”

Something cold slithered in Harper’s gut. There was something more here at play than what she knew—and Ragnar’s past was not as uncomplicated as she had thought.

“Yes, König.”

“What makes you think that would change my mind?” Korrin’s voice was ice cold as he turned away once more.

Aedon swallowed. “I had hoped the plight of your own kin might move you, König.”

Korrin gritted his teeth. “There is more at stake than you are privy to, master elf. Even my own kin does not come before the safety of my people.”

At that moment, Brand entered through the great doors, shadowed by Jarl Halvar. Harper’s heart leapt to see him well but stuttered at his grim expression and the dark look he cast towards Aedon that promised of things which needed to be said in private.

“Show the guests to comfortable quarters,” Korrin commanded. Halvar beckoned to the three of them, who bowed to the king once more and hastened to Brand.

“Well met, friend,” Aedon said in hushed tones.

“This way,” said Halvar.

Brand gave Aedon a meaningful glance before switching his attention back to Halvar. “Any word from Afnirheim yet, Jarl?” he asked.

The jarl’s shoulders hunched. “Not that I’ve heard.” His tone was clipped.

“Dark tidings.”

“Indeed.”

“The king will send you to investigate?”

Halvar narrowed his eyes. “That is none of your business, Aerian.”

Aedon raised his eyes to Brand, who nodded subtly to him—Harper understood. He had something to say, and it was not for the dwarf king’s ears. Harper looked between them, nonplussed. Surely, they had failed and Ragnar was doomed. What else could they do?

Brand watched the door to their rooms close before he turned to them all. For a change, he stood tall inside, his wings unscathed by the ceiling, which towered over even him. Harper brushed her arms briskly. It was not overly cold to say they were encased in stone, but she could not shake the pervasive chill creeping under her skin. The faelights bobbing high above them bathed them in warm light, illuminating a dwelling built into the mountain. Solid walls were their only reminder that they were deep in the mountain.

“What have you found?” Aedon asked.

“It’s worse than we fear. Afnirheim has fallen silent. No news from there in over a week. All those who set forth have not returned. It would seem Korrin is fearful, for he musters the dwarves in secret, yet he will not openly see fit to send a full company to investigate.”

“It’s impossible,” said Erika as she scouted each room off the corridor with her blade out, just in case, before nodding at them. “Those disorganised savages don’t have the brainpower to conquer a bucket, let alone a dwarven city filled with trained jarls and their commands.”

“Naturally,” said Brand. “And yet, there have been some unsavoury reports, by the sounds of it. I believe this has something to do with the goblins, but I doubt they have taken the stronghold. Thatispreposterous. However, it’s entirely possible they have taken the ways, which is no good for the reputation of safe travelling through Valtivar. You can bet that Korrin worries on it.”

“Then why does he dally?” asked Erika with a sneer. “I thought these dwarves were supposed to be strong and decisive.”

“Because to muster any response at all means he acknowledges the threat,” said Harper. The others looked at her, surprised. “I’ve seen it before. When I was young, pirates raided our coast. The lord would not intervene because he did not want to admit he had any weakness in the first place.”

Brand narrowed his eyes. “Precisely, Harper. And even his own kin’s peril may not sway that.”

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