Page 121 of Cages and Crowns
“What choice?” I ask, my voice clear for once.
“We can stay and fight, or we can begin evacuation protocols.” Silencespreads along the room as all eyes stay on me.
“How many men do we have in Rakushia ready to fight?” I ask no one in particular. It’s Nero that answers.
“We have less than a hundred at the palace. We had close to four hundred at the border, but we lost over one-hundred and fifty during the siege last night. In the neighboring towns, we have a total of a thousand men at our disposal.”
“What about our armies? Where are they?” I ask.
“The core of our army is in Labisa, they would not make it here in time.” My eyes water as I absorb the information, trying to figure out the right answer.
“How many civilians?”
“Ten thousand.” Davenport answers.Ten thousand.Oh gods. “What will it be, Your Majesty?” My heart stutters in my chest as I run through all the numbers, run through the very little battle strategy I have. As panic courses through my veins.
There is only one choice. We won’t survive an attack.
“Begin evacuation protocols. Get every civilian out of here.” Nithe exhales in relief, the only affirmation that I made the right call.
“Get every ship loaded and ready to depart. Everyone needs to be gone by this afternoon!” Davenport yells into the crowd as everyone starts bustling around. “General! Every single civilian needs to get on a ship. Have them depart for Labisa, have them go the long way. We don’t want Noterra to see the ships headed right towards them.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” Nero bows and runs out of the room, giving me a sidelong glance as he passes. The room empties aside from my friends and I. Davenport collapses into the chair before looking at me.
“You need to be on one of those ships.” He states dryly.
“I’m not leaving until everyone else has gone.”
“You don’t have a choice.”
“I will not get on that ship until everyone else is gone.” I repeat. “I willnot be responsible for leaving someone to die.”
“We can’t fight them, Elaenor. We can’t protect anyone, not without our armies.” Nithe says.
“I’m not saying we fight; I’m saying wewait, or at least I do. I am not leaving anyone behind.” I repeat.
“Don’t be a martyr.” Davenport scoffs as he looks at me with disgust.
“I don’t want to die, that’s not what I am saying.”
“No, but you will if they get to the palace.” He adds.
“They won’t kill me. He won’t let them.” I admit. It’s the truth. He won’t kill me.
“Elaenor, he’s right.” Enzo speaks up. My head whips in his direction. “You have to go.”
“No.”
“If they make it to the palace, none of us are surviving.”
“Hewon’tkill me.” I repeat, again.
“You can’t know that.” Enzo scoffs. But they don’t know him. Not like I do.
“I do. Trust me.”
“You are out of your depth.” Davenport states. I look around the room, doubt filling everyone’s eyes. I turn to Nithe.
“You are the one who keeps telling me I’m powerful.”
