Page 45 of Sword of Rage
“What do you mean no one knows where King Owen is?” Gytha demanded.
The handful of men standing around all came to attention, facing her. “He left early this morning,” one of the men answered.
Gytha shoved the bowl at Harley before crossing her arms and glaring at the men, each now quivering in his boots. “When did he leave?”
“Just before sunrise,” one of them answered.
“How do you know?” Gytha asked, her voice hard as steel.
“I, uh, was on guard at the time. He told me to remain here.”
Gytha peered inside Owen’s tent. “Where’s Prince Ackley?”
The soldiers glanced between themselves, shrugging.
Gytha sighed, shaking her head. “I suggest you find out where King Owen and Prince Ackley are. When you do, let them know a spy has returned with information.”
Harley observed the man. She’d thought he was a regular person, not a soldier in the army. Looking closer, she saw about a week’s worth of stubble on his face, dirt smeared on his forehead, and the thick smell of horse radiated from him. She wondered where he’d been and what he’d learned.
“How do you know King Owen and Prince Ackley are together?” one of the soldiers asked.
Gytha’s eyes narrowed at the question, and one of the soldiers took a step back before mumbling, “We’ll go and look for them.” They hurried away.
Harley couldn’t believe the men had listened to Gytha so readily.
Gytha placed her hand on the spy’s shoulder, leading him to Owen’s tent.
Harley turned to go back to her own tent when Gytha barked, “With me, Lady Harley.”
She jumped and did as Gytha said.
Inside Owen’s tent, the warrior woman pointed to the corner where a small stool and table were. “Eat, Lady Harley.”
Sitting on a stool, she quietly ate her oatmeal. Owen’s bedroll, bag, and maps were neatly stacked near the entrance of the tent, indicating he hadn’t left on a whim.
Gytha folded her arms and stood in the corner opposite Harley, keeping a watchful eye on the spy the entire time.
Fifteen minutes later, Ackley and Owen entered the tent, not saying a word. Harley wanted to ask where they’d been, but she knew not to in front of the spy.
“Glad to see you’re back in one piece,” Owen said by way of greeting. “What news do you have?” Taking a seat next to the spy, he handed him a flask of water.
Shocked she hadn’t been asked to leave, Harley set her bowl aside. Her focus drifted over to Ackley, who faded into the shadows of the tent. If she hadn’t seen him enter, she wouldn’t know he was there.
“All villages along the border are burned. No survivors.”
“What else?” Owen asked.
“I rode my horse to Landania and met with my contacts there. Word is that after Russek invaded Melenia, they began mounting an attack against Emperion. As a result, Kricok, Fia, and Landania all joined with Emperion.”
“Willingly?” Owen asked.
“Yes. They signed a treaty and are part of Emperion now.”
Owen whistled. Emperion was already the largest kingdom on the mainland. Now with three additional kingdoms under their command, they were without a doubt the most powerful as well. No one would be able to stand against them.
“Have there been any battles between Russek and Emperion?” Owen asked.
“Not yet. Russek kidnapped Princess Allyssa of Emperion. There are rumors she’s been killed. Information is slow to come, but people are saying King Drenton of Russek is dead.” He took a long drink from the flask, gulping the water down.
