Page 16 of Crown of Hearts
“Well, they definitely weren’t trying to buy bread or go for a beer.”
The idea that Argonian spies had not only come onto Norrandish shores but were inside our city was concerning to say the least. Were they the only ones? Were they rebels? Why did Aries send them here?
“Have they said anything?”
Jack shook his head. “They refuse to speak.” I glanced down at Jack’s knuckles and noticed a bruise, but the soldiers didn’t look worse for wear, which meant they hadn’t been beaten for information.
“Keep them here for now.” I was unsure of what to do. King Aries could have multiple intentions with sending spies into my kingdom. After the war, Norrandale and Argon had signed a peace treaty and there had been no talk of conflict between our kingdoms since. The thought that Aries could be planning to violate that agreement left a bitter taste in my mouth. It was the last thing I needed.
“Do we have any proof against them that would hold up in a trial?”
Jack shook his head. “Not exactly.”
“They stay here for the night. See if they’re willing to share something.” My fists clenched at my sides while I stared at the three men. They weren’t built like ordinary citizens. Their physique could only be attributed to years of training and fighting. I’d spent months in battle against such men. It elicited one triggering memory after another, and while I knewthey hadn’t specifically done anything to me, I was filled with unwanted rage. Rage for what they put me and my soldiers through. Rage for everything King Aries stood for. Rage for the things that would haunt me for the rest of my life.
“Yes, Your Majesty?” Jack seemed uncertain.
“If we don’t have any proof they’re Aries’ spies, then they might just as well be Argonian rebels or refugees of some kind.”
“Then they would have said so,” he argued.
I nodded. “You and Iknow that, but we’d be breaking the peace treaty if we torture Argonian men or keep them imprisoned without any proof and Aries knows that.”
“There’s nothing in the treaty that says we can’t bargain with Argonians,” Alastor said, walking into the prison. He was second in charge after Jack and had accompanied us to Everness as one of my guards and the keeper of our weapons. Despite the fact that we did not share similar titles or upbringings, I considered both Jack and Alastor friends. Alastor tilted his head left to right, stretching the muscles in his neck. He was out of breath. I hadn’t spoken to him a lot recently. Not that Alastor ever talked much, but with all my new duties, I hadn’t been able to spend as much time with my guards as I used to. Jack was just about the only one I saw on a daily basis.
“Where have you been?” Jack asked.
“In the training ring,” Alastor replied, tying his dark hair out of his face.
“It’s dark outside.”
“Exactly.” He grinned. Something which did not often occur. Alastor was the sort of man you could trust with your life, but never expect to understand him or his methods.
“We can’t make them talk.” He turned towards the prisoners and crossed his arms. “But we can offer them immunity and a safe life here in Norrandale. As long as they never go back to Argon.”
“Just so the Argonians can slowly invade us by pretending to be citizens of the kingdom? That’s a terrible plan.” Jack frowned.
“I didn’t say it was a plan. It was a suggestion.” Alastor put his hands up in defence before leaning back against the prison wall.
“What if they were to die of ‘natural causes’?”
The three men didn’t so much as flinch or look up at the thought of their possible demise. These men were more than willing to die for their king. It had been drilled into them from the moment they became Aries’ soldiers. Argon before everything else. It made them ruthless and relentless on the battlefield and the reason not many kingdoms risked standing up to Aries, despite him being a young king.
“We can’t just kill men because they’re loyal to the kingdom they were born in,” Alastor countered.
“Then what do you call war?” Jack cried.
“We are not at war with Argon. We cannot risk the peace treaty,” I cut in. “Until we are certain what Aries’ plans are, there is too much at stake. For all we know, they could have gone rogue.”
“So, what do you suggest, Your Majesty?”
“Keep them here for questioning. Maybe they will eventually be willing to talk. One of you keep watch for the night.”
“I believe I’ve got this.” Alastor rubbed his hands together and stalked towards the soldiers.
* * *
The wind pressed against my back. I stumbled forwards in the tall, wet grass. My armour constricted my body. It was difficult to breathe. I stumbled on. There was a terrible smell in the air. The scent of death.
