Page 16 of Path of the Dark
5
We Want the Same Thing
The Royal City
The Kingdom of Rithmar
RYANA WATCHED ELIAS smile and lean back in his carven mahogany chair. He looked pleased with himself, too pleased.
“So, Reoul is willing to tear down the border fortifications andeveryleaguefort?” Nathan’s voice rumbled across the Council Chamber. The king’s tone was controlled, although his face told a different story. His eyes blazed, and his jaw clenched. He’d agreed to these peace negotiations, yet Ryana could see it was costing him.
“Aye,” Elias replied smoothly, “the leagueforts are a Thûn legacy after all.”
In contrast, the Anthor prince seemed to be enjoying himself. His body relaxed in his chair, and he drummed his fingers on the polished tabletop before him.
Silence fell in the Council Chamber.
Ryana glanced over at Asher. Like her, the High Enchanter was observing Elias, his gaze narrowed. Around the table, no one was smiling. Wray, an older man with a careworn face, who had recently taken the position as Head of the Light, was scowling, as were members of the King’s Guard who flanked Nathan.
“The leagueforts were abandoned and falling to pieces before you invaded Thûn,” Asher pointed out, his tone accusatory. “But you’ve repaired them and posted garrisons.”
“And as a gesture of peace, we’re willing to tear them down,” Elias replied, meeting Asher’s eye.
“I want the leagueforts destroyed.” Nathan’s voice was rough. “They have no part in the relationship between our kingdoms now.”
“Of course.” Elias inclined his head. “Does this mean that you recognize my father as the rightful ruler of Thûn?”
King Nathan bent forward, absently twisting the signet ring he wore upon his right hand. Despite the warm morning, he had donned fighting leathers and his thick fur mantle. He was dressed for combat. A muscle in his strong jaw clenched as he met Elias’s eye. “I might eventually consider doing so. However, that depends on many things. The destruction of the leagueforts is only a start. If we are to have peace, there are a number of matters I wish to address.”
Across the table Elias nodded. “Very well.” He picked up his goblet of wine and took a measured sip. “Name them.”
“I hear the people of Veldoras aren’t happy with their new king,” Nathan said. “Word has reached me that he rules them with an iron fist.”
Elias smiled once more. “A heavy hand is always required at first … but my father will ensure that the people of Thûn thrive under his rule in the long term.”
Silence fell. Nathan twisted the signet ring once more, hard. Even under his fur mantle, Ryana could see his broad shoulders were rigid. “You seem very eager to compromise,” he growled.
“Indeed,” Asher spoke up. “I was about to make the same observation myself, Your Highness.”
Elias huffed a laugh. “I haven’t made any compromises as yet. I’ve agreed to the destruction of the leagueforts because it’s in our best interests. As for the rest … we shall see.” He continued to drum his fingers on the table. “My father has given me instructions on what he is willing to negotiate on.”
Another silence stretched out. Ryana shifted in her chair. They’d been here since shortly after breakfast; her backside was getting numb and her spine ached. She longed to stretch her legs and get out of this tension-filled chamber. This morning’s discussion had been exhausting.
Elias and Nathan might not have been facing each other on the battlefield, but this was combat of another kind. The two men had been dueling with words all morning. She’d hoped to find time for some training with Ninia, but these negotiations seemed endless.
Nathan pushed back his chair and rose to his feet, towering above the table. His brows knitted together as he fixed Elias with a baleful look. “I think that’s all for this morning.”
The prince nodded, his expression giving nothing away.
Nathan shifted his attention from Elias, his gaze sweeping across the tense faces of the others present. “Those of you of my personal council will meet me again here after the noon meal,” he announced, his tone brusque. “The rest of you may go.”
Ryana walked into the courtyard garden, entering the small space between beds of tulips, hyacinths, and crocuses. She inhaled their scent and slowed her step. Gleaming white walls rose up around them, and a fountain tinkled in the heart of the space: the statue of a water nymph standing beneath a waterfall. This was the prettiest of the palace’s many courtyard gardens and the one the queen favored.
Eldia wasn’t here this morning though.
Ryana shouldn’t really have been either—for these gardens were for the royal family’s enjoyment only—yet she wanted a few moments of solitude, before she returned to the House of Light and Darkness. The noon meal approached, and after that an afternoon in the Hall of Charms. An audience of folk from all over the kingdom awaited with problems to be remedied.
Letting out a gusting sigh, Ryana walked into the heart of the garden. After spending the morning in negotiations, she felt drained. She longed to take the rest of the day off. Ryana had spoken little during the morning; she was there mainly as an observer.
