Page 39 of Sword of Rage
That night, once camp had been erected, Ackley joined Owen in his tent.
“I know,” Owen said by way of greeting. “You don’t need to complain to me.” Owen was stretched out on a bedroll in the corner of his tent, maps strewn about next to him. A single candle lit the space.
“Maybe there’s something we can do to quicken the pace.” Ackley sat on the ground, contemplating their options.
“Unfortunately, there isn’t. But there is something you can do.”
He had Ackley’s attention. “Do tell.”
Owen sat up on his bedroll and reached into his bag. Pulling out a flask, he uncorked it and took a swig. He held it out to Ackley.
Ackley shook his head. He never drank.
After putting the cork back in, Owen tapped his finger against the flask. “You, of all people, must suspect what’s at play here.”
One of the problems with coming to another kingdom like this was that Ackley didn’t know the politics or the players and felt half blind. Instead of saying any of that, he settled with, “Enlighten me.”
“You know the saying keep your friends close and your enemies closer?”
Ackley had never been one for friends.
“You’re one of the Knights of the Realm,” Owen said, a slight tilt to his words most likely caused by the alcohol. “You have to know what I’m up against.”
Ackley still wasn’t following.
“My cousin,” Owen prompted.
Ah, Harley. The sole survivor. Even though Ackley had questioned her about the takeover, he still wondered how she’d managed to survive when her brother, husband, and family hadn’t. “You don’t trust her?”
“I trust her. It’s everyone else I don’t trust.”
“Are you referring to the minor detail about her being married to Commander Beck’s son?”
A smile slid across Owen’s face. “That would be the one.” He pointed the flask at Ackley. “I knew you’d get it.”
“We know Commander Beck was a traitor, but what about his son?” He’d tried coaxing information about the man out of Harley. However, she hadn’t wanted to talk about him at all. There was definitely something amiss there.
“I don’t know. Lyle didn’t live at the castle, and I barely knew him.” Owen put the flask away. “But that wasn’t who I was referring to.”
“Who else don’t you trust?”
He rubbed his tired face. “I don’t know if Harley’s parents…arranged anything with Commander Beck.”
“Harley’s mother is the queen’s sister?”
Owen nodded.
Then getting rid of the royal family did nothing for Harley since she was not in line for the throne. That simple fact cast doubt on Harley’s parents being involved. On the other hand, Commander Beck was a power-hungry man who thrived on violence. Even though he hadn’t been present during the takeover, it didn’t mean he wasn’t involved in it.
“I need to discover my aunt and uncle’s loyalties. If I send one of my men, they’ll learn nothing. I need to send Harley.”
“You need to send Harley to test her parents?”
“Exactly. But Harley can’t know what you’re doing.”
“I’m doing?” If he wanted Ackley to accompany Harley to Penlar, this would work out exceptionally well. It felt as if he were being handed a gift.
“Yes. You will go with her to assess them.”
