Page 393 of Of Empires and Dust

“My brother lies within the walls of Achyron’s Keep. I have not always given him the love he deserves. I was bitter, and weak, and stubborn. And it took me far too long to see the man he is. He is the firstborn child of Arkin and Ilya Ateres, the rightful heir to Redstone. When he returned, by right the head of House Ateres was his. He did not take it. He did not even ask for it. When Turik Baleer offered him the chance to take my place, he struck the man down, placed the crown on my head, and stood at my side. Dayne Ateres is not only Valtara’s greatest champion, he is mine.”

Mera stared into Alina’s eyes, smiling softly.

“I ask you all gathered here. Will you let our champion die alone? In the hands of the man who betrays our very home with every breath he takes?”

“No.” Joros hammered his hand against his chest, and in the corner of her eye, Alina saw Savrin Vander do the same, fire in his eyes.

“Will you lie down and let the Lorians place that collar around your neck once more?”

“No!” The chants grew louder now, cups slamming off the table, feet stamping, fists smashing into chests.

“By blade and by blood!”

When cups had been emptiedand bellies filled and the others had returned to their tents for a last night of good sleep, Alina strolled through the camp. Evrian, Glaukos, Olivian, and Baris marched in a square around her, orange cloaks drifting just above the dirt. Savrin and Mera walked alongside her.

“Has there been any further word from Aeson Virandr?” Mera asked.

Alina shook her head. “Not in some time. With the Lorian fleets patrolling the coast, there is no telling how long it might take him to reach Valtara.” She looked up at the crimson moon that bled in the sky. “I had given him till the turning of the moon. But we cannot wait. Everything hangs on what happens tomorrow. If I feel Dayne’s life is under threat, we will march on the keep, whether Belina has opened the gates or not. The Wyndarii will rain blood on the walls, and our warriors will mount ladders and smash the gates. We will take the keep, one way or another.”

Savrin’s face grew grim. “I will go wherever you send me, my queen. I will climb the walls alone if you will it. But to send our army crashing against Achyron’s Keep, outnumbered against an entrenched foe… it is to welcome defeat.”

“And what would you have me do, Savrin? Leave Dayne to die? Sue for peace, and live a life in chains?” Alina could donothing to take the irritation from her voice, and yet she truly did wish to hear Savrin’s counsel. He had kept his opinions close to his chest in the tent, and there were none in her court who knew war like Savrin Vander. He had been the champion of House Ateres in a time when all the Houses had been in constant quarrels. He had been the greatest of the Andurii – even greater than her father. He was not the same man now. His body not as quick or strong, and yet she would still favour him against any foe but her brother.

“I would have you wait, Your Grace. I would have you scrape every last moment you can in the hopes that Aeson Virandr reaches our shores in time.”

“My parents waited on Aeson Virandr.”

“That they did. May I speak plain?”

Alina inclined her head.

“You have never met the man. You base your opinions on the bleeding of your heart and little more. But I have met him. He is hard as steel, cold as ice, and in a world of souls that call themselves honourable, he stands above most else. I fought that night in Redstone. The night the Lorians attacked. The night Loren betrayed us and your parents – along with thousands of others – were slaughtered. We were caught off guard. We had no idea of Loren’s betrayal. How could Aeson have known any better? We weren’t expecting him for days. As much as I would love to lay the cause of that night at someone’s feet, those feet are not Aeson’s.”

“Hmmm.”

“If I may, Your Grace?”

Alina waved for Savrin to continue.

“Dayne gave me back my purpose. There are few in this camp that want him returned safely more than I.”

Both Alina and Mera glanced at him with raised eyebrows.

“Present company being members of that few.” The man raised his open palms, then continued. “When the Andurios left, he instructed patience, did he not? Belina Louna said to wait on her signal.”

Savrin stopped in his tracks.

“What is it?” Alina asked, stopping with the man, Mera and the guards doing the same.

“If we march on that keep tomorrow with the numbers we have, if we throw ourselves against those grey walls and Lorian Battlemages, we will all die. You have fought enough battles to know this. And if you ask me to charge at those walls regardless, I will. I do not take the vows I swore to you lightly, so please do not take my words as disrespect.”

Alina drew in a sharp breath and gave an even sharper nod. “I will take your words into consideration, Savrin.”

The look on Savrin’s face was one of relief. “Your Grace.”

“Where are the Andurii camped?” Alina asked after a few paces.

“They are not at their tents, Your Grace,” Savrin answered.

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