Page 79 of Sword of Rage
Gytha’s shoulders rose and fell. “Fine.” She took another deep breath. “Please don’t kill me. I’m only the messenger.”
Harley reached over and clutched Ackley’s hand. The simple gesture helped him remain sitting there by the fire, across from Gytha, and not jumping up and strangling Ledger. Not that any of this was Ledger’s fault. He just didn’t care for him.
Gytha’s attention went to Ackley and Harley’s clasped hands. Her brows drew together slightly, then she shook her head. “As I was saying. I’m only doing my job. Owen ordered all Melenia soldiers to proceed to the castle without him. They are to swear loyalty to the new king and get their loved ones back.”
Ackley refrained from saying anything. He waved his hand, gesturing for her to continue. Because there had to be more to it than that.
“He ordered all Marsden soldiers to head south. You are to join with your men as soon as possible. Once you reach Kricok, you’re to ask for an audience with Empress Rema. Owen wants you to let her know you seek temporary asylum. Then, once Owen is ready, he’ll contact you.”
Once Owen was organized and the soldiers had their loved ones somewhere safe, Ackley assumed he would rejoin Owen to help him retake the throne. “I’ll leave first thing tomorrow morning to meet up with my sister and the Marsden soldiers. I assume you’ll be going with me, Gytha?”
“Yes. But…”
“But what?” he said.
Harley squeezed his hand harder.
“Your sister didn’t go south with the Marsden soldiers.”
“I’m not sure remaining with Owen is a wise move,” he replied. “Why didn’t you stay with her? I gave you explicit instructions.”
“That’s the other part I need to tell you.” Gytha continued fidgeting with the hilt of her dagger. “I am not protecting Princess Idina any longer.”
Everything suddenly went silent around Ackley as he processed the information. “Why?” The word sounded loud, demanding.
“Owen and Idina married,” Ledger said.
Ackley blinked. Once. Twice.
“Idina thought it best for them to marry,” Gytha explained. “That way she could stay with Owen and help him.”
That was something his sister would do. But he’d missed her wedding. And she’d married a man with a target on his head, thus putting her in even more danger. If word got out, she would be the perfect person to kidnap to get to Owen. He rubbed his forehead with his free hand. “Where are they going to go? And who is with them?”
“They are going to Kreng. He took six of his most proficient men.”
Only six men to protect Owen and Idina. Ackley’s headache worsened.
“There are soldiers in Kreng,” Harley said. “He is probably going there to try and rally them.”
Ackley tried to look at the situation objectively. He tilted his head to the right, cracking his neck. He wanted to immediately rush out of there and seek Idina. He knew he could ensure her safety. The problem was, as a Marsden prince, he was responsible for the Marsden soldiers. But his sister was his family. He couldn’t choose between duty and family.
“What about me?” Harley asked. “Am I going to meet up with Owen?”
His first reaction was to say no, that Harley would remain with him. However, it wasn’t his place.
“Yes,” Ledger answered. “I’ll escort you to Penlar,” Ledger said. “Owen and Idina will meet you there. Then you’ll travel to Kreng together.”
“Owen doesn’t even know if Penlar is still standing,” Ackley pointed out.
“He said it didn’t matter. He just needed a spot for us to meet.”
Ackley wasn’t keen on the idea, especially since his run-in with those soldiers there.
“I’ll ensure she makes it safely to her cousin,” Ledger insisted.
The idea of Harley traveling alone with Ledger grated on Ackley’s nerves. But he knew he shouldn’t object.
Harley released his hand. “I’m tired,” she announced, eyeing the barn wearily.
