Page 35 of Stars May Fall

Callum lifted an eyebrow and sagged, defeated, back into his chair. “It sounds to me like you have a plan forming. I always thought Kasten was the bad influence on my life. Now I suspect you’re worse.”

KASTEN

Islammed my palm down on the table to emphasize my words. “Absolutely not. I will not take my soldiers down the left wing unless I am joined by at least the fourth regiment. Especially considering the number of men who will be new recruits since I’ve taken on Lord Hans’s old regiment too.”

Prince Stirling sighed as if I were being unnecessarily stubborn. “Your soldiers have the highest kill per head of all the regiments. We all know you train them well. You have two thousand soldiers under your command. I doubt you need support from another regiment. The fourth should be supporting our weakest troops in the middle.”

I shook my head. I would not back down this time. “We’re too exposed. If you have to order a retreat, we would be easily cut off from the rest of the army. We would be overrun.”

Stirling frowned, steepling his fingers. “That’s very pessimistic of you, General. It’s unlikely we would need to retreat.” Next to him, his close friend, Sir Dejong, the commander of the fourth regiment, nodded in support of the prince. His expression however was slightly panicked and desperate.

I folded my arms, leaning back in my chair. “It happened before in the battle of Ztar just over a year ago. You abandoned me and the entire right flank—all the soldiers commanded by me. I was left with no back up, surrounded by Kollenstar soldiers.”

Stirling looked uneasy at my bluntness and glanced at his father. They had never seen me so adamantly against their plans before.

The king leaned forward, annoyance on his face. His tone was dangerously calm. “And you survived, did you not, Kasten? Along with most of your troops. As Prince Stirling said, your regiment is always the most resilient and effective part of our army. You command the battlefield well. It makes sense for you to take the position at our weakest, most vulnerable area. I’m confident in your ability to clear the threats to our west flank, including K’kak Fort.”

I had given in time and time again in these war councils when my eventual death had felt inevitable. But I was no longer going to be pushed around. I would fight for my life and that of my troops with every breath. “If you want me to attack and take this fort while the main army plows through the middle, I want the fourth regiment too. You need us to guard your flanks effectively. If Kollenstar troops attack the main army's left flank while marching, it would be a disaster. Give me the fourth regiment.”

Sir Dejong was a young, weak commander, easy for me to control. If I had him with me, there was no way the king or Stirling would deliberately pull back just to make us vulnerable and hope for my death. He would be my human shield.

The king looked down at the map with an expression of long-suffering patience. “If you have the fourth regiment, our center will become too weak.”

I stood and moved the pieces on the table. “Only in our current formation. Turn it into a spearhead and place archers in the second segment of the column. Move Prince Stirling and his men back to a stronger defensive position. Put the second regiment at the lead, taking the impact. Their formation will channel the enemy to the side if attacked from the front, spreading them out and making them easy targets. If I can protect your left flank, and the sixth, seventh and eighth regiments can protect your right, you will dispatch the enemy easily and make a quick headway.”

The king tapped his fingers on the table. “We could still make those changes and keep the fourth regiment next to Stirling.”

I didn’t hide my frustration as I glared at him. The men in the room shifted. “Sir Dejong is inexperienced. I can advise him. His troops should come with me. I will not be abandoned again.”

Sir Dejong shrunk back from the table, his arms folded across his chest as if in defense. Though nineteen, his shoulders still hadn't broadened, making him appear like a child in this room of battle-hardened men. “Surely, I…”

The king interrupted him, his posture becoming angry as he faced me fully. “How dare you suggest we have ever abandoned you. The battlefield is never about one man or one regiment.”

I didn’t retreat under his anger but kept my hard gaze on the king. “Then why are you so concerned about Sir Dejong joining me? He will make little difference if you keep him safe and cozy in the middle. I thought he said he was eager for real battle experience.”

Next to Prince Stirling, Sir Dejong was growing pale. “I…I…”

The king’s gaze was still fixed on me. His annoyance at me was more visible than ever. “I’d expected better from you, Kasten. I forgave your earlier transgression of hiding your discovery of considerable kryalcomal power and then using itwithout permission, but I am concerned you're abusing your power as general.”

I tilted my head to one side, working my jaw as I dared him to demote me. It would make my life easier if I wasn’t the general. If he tried to take Kasomere from me, however, outrage would be seen in the streets. Kasomere was loyal to me, not the king. He knew this.

But he wanted to know about my weapon. And he wanted me removed as a threat. These things would be easier if he kept me close.

The longer these discussions continued without either of us conceding, the more civil war seemed inevitable sooner rather than later. And the more likely it was to be messy with us only being half prepared and without a successor to rally behind. How was I to resist the king’s reckless plans without seeming rebellious? And that was even without us taking a stance against the halfsouls.

Lieutenant Baftly cleared his throat. “May I make a suggestion?” He commanded the sixth regiment and was the oldest man in the room, well-respected with greying hair and glasses. He was also one of the few people I could stand.

All eyes turned to him. “Sir Dejong may not quite be ready for all the excitement of taking K’kak Fort. We have a lot of commanders joining this campaign for the first time.” He nodded toward Prince Stirling. “It is very exciting to have new blood and ideas. But perhaps I could join the general on the left wing. I would follow his orders, of course. I could come with half my regiment, leaving the rest with my second commander on the right wing. Then both sides would have two and a half regiments. That has a nice fairness to it.”

I nodded in agreement and appreciation of his smooth diplomacy. He would be a welcome addition to my side, and the king would never make any moves that deliberately put the olderman in danger. He had been the king’s swordmaster and mentor forty years ago.

The king looked displeased but nodded. “Fine, that’s settled.”

Sir Dejong slouched in relief, and Prince Stirling looked less confident than before. A few people met my eyes with cool, wary hatred, and others with fear. Lord Lyrason gave me a small smile from his quiet corner as if he were enjoying the entertainment of the king and I fighting. I wished Lord Hans was still alive so I’d have an ally in this room. Though everyone had hated him too.

An awkward silence stretched before the king stood, his chair rocking as he pushed it back with some force. Everyone hurried to stand. “We shall break there. General Kasten, since the new troop positioning was your idea, I wish you to write up the plan and individual orders for the leaders of the regiments. I will also leave you and Lieutenant Baftly to come up with your own plans to take K’kak Fort. This afternoon, we’ll have a formal lunch in the throne room followed by drinks and mingling with the rest of the court. I know many of you from outside of Adenburg have private business to discuss. Tomorrow we will discuss the following three weeks of the campaign and the logistics of the supply wagons.”

He strode out of the room without acknowledging anyone’s bows. I was getting to him. Sometimes I regretted my abrasive nature, but the only way I knew to get what I wanted was through blunt battering. It would be nice to have some of Lord Lyrason’s smoother negotiation skills. He had always been good at appearing mild instead of manipulative. Though he never bothered to hide his nature with me. I wished Sophie was here with her smiles and charm.

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