Page 11 of Sword of Rage
“You missed the meeting,” Gytha said, gazing out at the bright sun gleaming over the water. “Owen is wondering if you should appoint someone else to be in charge of the Marsden soldiers.”
Even though she hadn’t asked it as a question, Ackley knew she was there seeking his decision. He rubbed his sunburnt face. He’d planned on leading the Marsden soldiers when they stepped foot on Melenia soil. However, in his current state, he didn’t know if he could. It may take him a day or two until he felt better. And then there was the part about him needing to regain his strength. He hadn’t been able to workout once since boarding this blasted vessel. Given that they had no idea what they’d face in Melenia, he hesitated, wondering if there be an immediate fight.
Ackley flexed his hand, his fingers shaking. He wouldn’t be useless in a scuffle, but he definitely wouldn’t be at his best. A full-blown battle was another matter entirely. “I’ll consider it.” There were several men who could do the job, but he didn’t want to cede control right away.
He glanced at Gytha’s face. Fierce determination shone in her eyes. It was one of the things he admired most about her. “Can I ask a favor of you?”
“Of course.”
Focusing on the ocean again, he said, “I want you to watch out for my sister.”
“It would be my honor.”
He’d come on this trip for two reasons—one being to protect his sister. Now, he didn’t trust his skills given his current state. Gytha was one of the most adept warriors he knew. When he’d first met her, he hadn’t expected her to wield a sword with such strength and precision. When he sparred with her, he didn’t have to rein himself in. It was one of the reasons she was a captain in the Marsden army and one of the king’s most trusted soldiers. The other reason Ackley had ventured on this journey, he hadn’t yet thought about. He’d deal withherlater. For now, ignoring the woman he left back in Marsden was easier than facing the fact that she’d just married another man. He blinked, attempting to banish all thoughts of her from his mind.
“Speaking of your sister, here she is now.” Gytha straightened. “I will leave the two of you alone.”
Idina came alongside Ackley, her bright red hair flowing wildly in the wind. “How are you, of all people, still sick?” She wrinkled her nose in disgust.
He shrugged. He excelled in everything he did. Except sailing, apparently.
She looked sidelong at him. “When we arrive tomorrow, I’ll need my brother in top shape.”
“I’ll be fine.” He had no idea how he’d make the journey home. The likelihood of him ever stepping foot on a ship again wasn’t promising.
Idina lowered her voice and mumbled, “Owen is concerned.”
That made the two of them. Since his sister liked to overthink and overanalyze everything, he said, “Last time I checked, there were less than a dozen Marsdens sick. That means there will be more than enough healthy soldiers to march with Melenia’s and take control of the kingdom.” The letter Owen had received from Melenia stated that Russek invaded during a birthday celebration and took over, killing the entire royal family. With so little information, they had no idea if any Melenia soldiers, besides the ones onboard, were left to fight. Owen assumed the worst—that most soldiers had been killed during the invasion.
“We hope.” She gripped the rail, digging her fingers in. “We have no idea what we’re walking into.”
At least they had the element of surprise on their side. “I assume we’ll be one of the last ships entering port?” He hoped there wasn’t a battle right away. Since the royal residence was located in the northeastern portion of the kingdom, he didn’t see a reason for the Russeks to have soldiers stationed along the coast. Especially since no one knew where Owen had been.
Owen’s mother, the late queen of Melenia, had sent him along with Commander Beck and five hundred Melenia soldiers to Marsden. Ackley rubbed his face. The entire thing had been a whole mess he didn’t want to rehash. At least Owen had prevented Commander Beck from taking control of Marsden. Instead, Owen decided to trust Ackley, siding with him and striking a deal with King Dexter of Marsden. Part of that deal was Owen’s engagement to Princess Idina, Dexter’s cousin. The two kings hoped to have peace and trade between their kingdoms. Another part of the deal was Marsden soldiers coming with Owen to support him in his quest to take back his kingdom. Ackley had volunteered to go.
Owen had turned out to be a good guy. Too bad that while he was in Marsden, Russek invaded his kingdom, slaughtered the royal family, and took over.
“Owen wants to disembark in a cove where there’s no port. Which means we’ll be taking those smaller boats to shore.” She nodded at the tiny boats attached to the ship.
Ackley rolled his eyes. This kept getting better and better.
Idina rubbed his back. “I’ve never seen you like this. I’m worried.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“You haven’t been to a single meeting.” She glanced at the soldiers on the top deck, not far away. “We need you.”
He couldn’t be below deck—not even to sleep. It only made him feel worse. So here he stayed, day and night. He hadn’t even changed his clothes. Every day for the past two weeks had been a struggle. The constant movement, the up and down…he leaned over the side, dry heaving.
“You’re utterly useless,” Idina muttered.
“Now’s not the time.” He couldn’t stand to hear her telling him how incompetent he was at the moment. He wasn’t used to this sort of feeling and didn’t care for it.
“At first I thought you were moping over Reid. Now I understand how sick you are.” She sighed. “Well, I hope you feel better. The last thing you need is to be run through with a sword when you step foot on land.” With that, she turned and strode away, her dress wrapping around her legs from the vicious wind.
Reid. Ackley pinched the bridge of his nose. He couldn’t think about her right now.
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