Page 8 of The Queens and the Kings
“There won’t be many soldats loyal to His Glory after the Unseen Island,” Einar said without a hint of arrogance. Six soldats and Oliver died there after Oliver sprung an attack on Malcolm, Henrik, and Britt.
“I mourn them as well,” Arvid said. Henrik detected no falsity in the tone. “My plan is to remove the problem: His Glory.”
Henrik blinked. “Say that again?”
Without a hint of wavering, Arvid repeated, “My plan is to remove His Glory.”
Deep inside, Henrik expected this result. What other consideration would drive Arvid to such actions? Yet hearing it stated sent him into mild shock. Their training didn’t allow soldats to disapprove of leadership, or speak against His Glory.
He shoved through the discomfort.
“While here,” Arvid continued with the same steely tone, “General Helsing and I discussed government structure across The Isles. She has an interesting view on diplomacy between the islands, as well as ways to improve Stenberg’s reputation and relationship with other islands. The last week or so with her has been illuminating while I waited for your arrival.”
“To what end?”
“Replacing the government on Stenberg with a new one. We’ll take what is good from all the islands and make a new system work for us. The power structure will be more spread out. Instead of one central authority, it maps wider.”
“That has its own problems,” Einar countered.
Arvid’s immediate reply eased Henrik. “I agree. Perfection is an unreal standard. There will also be competition. With Oliver dead, and me presumed dead for now, there are two other Captains from the navy to contend against. What we cannot allow is a power vacuum. The replacement of a new leadership must immediately follow His Glory’s death.”
Einar scowled. “Navy Captains. Bastids.” Agnes patted his arm.
Arvid nodded sagely. “We must assume all Captains will be hostile to change. They are wholly in His Glory’s loyalty.”
“What about Ingemar?”
“Ingemar walks a delicate line.” Arvid left it there. His stare turned piercing, a remnant of the soldat Henrik understood better.
“You’re the new leader?”
Arvid shrugged. “I am one option. There are others we’re speaking with. It’s about who can lead the best, not who wants it the most.”
Henrik leaned his elbows onto his knees. “Do you want it?”
“Not necessarily.”
“Will you take it?”
“If it’s best for Stenberg.”
Henrik filed that away for later. Oliver would have said the same.
“While myself and others decide on the final government structure to implement when His Glory is dethroned, we’re alerting the Stenberg citizens. They are the other defining factor of success. First, we plan to reveal the truth of what happenedat the Unseen Island. We awaited your story. I have it, and will share it. Old Man and others plan to copy it and distribute it amongst Stenbergs residents. Secretly, if we must. Overtly, if we can.”
Einar nodded his approval.
Henrik, too.
“It’ll be dangerous when the population finds out,” Agnes said. She held her coffee mug with both hands, elbows tucked into her sides. “What if they tell His Glory?”
“They will.” He softly added, “Such is their right.”
“His followers won’t believe it,” Einar said, an arm slung around Agnes’s shoulders. “They’ll resist.”
Arvid held up his two index fingers, pressed together. “But some will believe it, and that’s what we want to know. Who believes the facts about His Glory’s villainous nature? Who is loyal, and who isn’t? It’ll be our first informative campaign. A definite blow against His Glory either way.”
“The rise of any rebellion would bring some willing bodies out of hiding,” Henrik said, “and the rise of soldats will bring far more. But that doesn’t make it enough.”
