Page 101 of Crown of Hearts
Alastor spoke up. “But we cannot simply wait for them to attack us.”
I crossed my arms, glancing at the group of men as we stood in the map room.
“It’s clear Aries knows you’re both here in Levernia.” Rhen referred to me and Cai. “Or he wouldn’t have pulled that stunt in the woods the other day.”
“If he’s just planning to assassinate us, then why would he prepare such a large army?” I asked.
“Killing us would be a lot quicker and less effort. He might even get away with blaming someone else,” Cai answered. “But we haven’t exactly been that easy to get rid of and he knows it could most likely come down to marching onto a battlefield, a battle he wants to be certain he’s going to win.”
The words made me shudder. Was Aries out of his mind? Even risking the peace treaty to get rid of Cai. I understood that Cai had killed his younger brother, but still, was it worth getting thousands of others killed? Unless Aries knew something we’d rather he didn’t.
I made eye contact with Cai. If Lance had found out by accident, what was preventing Aries from finding out too? He could have been after much more than just me and Cai.
“Are you suggesting it’s safer to go back to Norrandale?”
“Not necessarily. Levernia is further away and better guarded. As long as we stay out of the forests,” he added.
“But Norrandale is closer to Argon. How are we supposed to defend Norrandale should they decide to attack us?” Jack questioned.
“What if they find out you’ve gone to Norrandale and attack Levernia instead?” Rhen crossed his arms.
“They would still have to make it past the Evernean border or sail much further north to make it to the coast,” Jack replied. The territory along the western coast of Everness didn’t allow for many places where you could dock a ship. The tides and rocks were more likely to sink your entire fleet.
“They’ve already made it inside the kingdom,” Rhen said.
“Well, the longer we wait, the more villages will get in the way as collateral damage, and I’m not having that,” Cai spoke up.
“It’s not like you can just waltz into King Aries’ palace and change his mind,” Jack commented.
“What if we could?” I said suddenly, and all heads turned in my direction. “Aries hasn’t sent out an army yet. The attacks have been in small, calculated groups. Now that we know Eloisa is with him, we can go to Myrador Stronghold with the excuse of getting my sister and renewing the alliance agreements.”
“With all due respect,” Jack cut in. “This isn’t exactly very safe. Especially considering the man has already made several attempts on your life.”
“True, but they were all here or in Norrandale,” Cai responded. “He can hardly kill all of us in his own court. There are too many diplomats and representatives present from other kingdoms. It’s too risky for him. Aries is a bastard, but he’s not that stupid.”
“The only way we’re going to beat him is if we play the game the same way he does. And that doesn’t mean playing fairly.”
“So what do you plan to do when you get there, Your Majesty?” Rhen asked. “Slit his throat?”
“I haven’t thought that far,” I admitted. “But I think it’s better to be on the offence rather than the defence. It’s the only way we might get the upper hand.”
“Do you think there is any part of Aries that would be willing to negotiate?” Alastor said, after minutes of silence from his side.
“Considering how many times he’s already violated the peace treaty, I would hardly hold my breath.” Cai inspected the map again. “Showing up at Aries’ court uninvited might throw him off guard just enough for us to come up with a more solid plan.”
* * *
We spent a few days preparing for the sea voyage that would take us across the ocean to Argon. Gwen and Thatcher remained in Everness for the time being. I was going to miss Gwen’s company but every person who came along to Argon was at risk.
With every hour bringing us closer to the borders of our enemy, I wrestled with the nerves inside me.
“Have you ever been on a ship before?” Cai asked when we reached the docks. We’d decided to sail straight from Everness rather than waste time travelling through Norrandale, even if its border was closer to Argon. But Levernia was far away from the sea and we had to travel all the way to Woodsbrook, one of the few places that actually had a harbour.
“What makes you think I’ve never been on a ship before?” I asked, watching as the sailors loaded our luggage.
“You’re very pale.”
I clenched my jaw. “I’ll be fine.”
