Page 35 of Sword of Rage
“I want you to stay,” Owen insisted. “I’m sure you have vital information to share.”
She looked at her cousin as if he had two heads.
“Princess Idina has shown me there are other ways to do things,” he added.
Idina smiled, pride radiating from her. Ackley couldn’t help but think how lucky his sister was to have someone who not only loved her but valued her opinion. Owen came from a society that didn’t have women in positions of authority. However, after meeting Idina, he had no qualms about listening to and trusting her. She was a shrewd planner, and he’d be a fool not to take advantage of her knowledge.
Once everyone was standing around the table, Owen began. “We’ve learned a lot over the course of the past few days.” He placed the map of the kingdom on top of the other papers strewn on the table. “My spies have returned with information. The most important of which is Russek has withdrawn from Melenia.”
“Withdrawn?” Ackley said. If the war was already over and he’d suffered those two weeks on that blasted ship needlessly, he’d punch something.
“That is the word from the few citizens my spies managed to come across. There is vast destruction across the kingdom. Most towns and villages are burned, and there aren’t many survivors. But from those they spoke to, they all said Russek suddenly up and left.”
“If Russek has withdrawn, then is there no war to be fought?” Ackley asked. “You are king, and your throne is secure?”
“Not even close,” Idina said. “You didn’t hear the second part yet.” She folded her arms and looked at Owen.
“It seems someone is sitting on my throne.” Owen drummed his knuckles on the table. “Someone other than me.”
“Is it someone from Russek?” one of the generals asked.
“According to my spies, it is a Melenia soldier. One of my own has betrayed my family.”
Silence filled the tent.
“Are you sure?” Ledger asked. “I was there, and I don’t recall seeing a Melenia soldier aiding Russek.”
“Maybe the soldier took the throne out of necessity?” one of the generals suggested. “If he thought the entire royal family murdered and Russek withdrew, then he saw the need for a ruler?”
Owen shook his head. “I wish that was the case, but it’s not. We have a traitor to kill.”
“How do you know?” Gytha asked.
One of the generals shifted on his feet, appearing uneasy with Gytha questioning the king so directly. Thankfully, he didn’t ask why Owen allowed women to be present during this meeting. Where Ackley came from in northern Marsden, it was just as backward. However, in southern Marsden, where he met Gytha, women were treated equally. Owen seemed to be readily embracing that ideology.
“Lady Harley, didn’t you say you overheard the traitor?” Ackley inquired. She was there during the takeover and had a lot of vital information to share. She just needed to be bolder and speak freely.
“Yes,” she replied, not looking at any of the generals as she spoke. “I overheard one of our own plotting against the royal family.”
“Do you have any idea who it is?” Owen asked.
“No. He spoke softly, and I did not get a look at his face.”
“Your spies haven’t been able to discover who it is?” Idina asked.
“Not yet. All we know is that a Melenia soldier declared himself king while Russek was still occupying the land. He worked with the Russek soldiers until they up and left, saying Prince Kerdan demanded all troops return home immediately.”
“Prince Kerdan withdrew the troops?” Harley blurted out, surprise showing on her face.
Given what she’d revealed to him, Ackley wondered whose side Kerdan was really on. It seemed this information warranted a visit to the Russek prince. Unfortunately, Owen wouldn’t condone Ackley traipsing off for a couple of weeks simply to gather information. He’d have to think on the matter more. Maybe he could send a few of his men to set up a meeting. Owen wouldn’t have to know about it.
“That’s what my spies reported.” Owen scratched the back of his neck.
“What’s our plan?” Ackley glanced at the map, noticing three lines marked from their camp to the royal castle, each line taking a different route. “With Russek gone, I assume your objective has changed?” Technically, Owen didn’t need Marsden’s soldiers any longer.
“I must still reclaim my throne.” Owen straightened. “The traitorous king has taken up residence in my castle. I need to know if he has Melenia soldiers with him. If so, are they loyal to him? Regardless, we should have the numbers to take the castle back and dethrone the traitor.” He flexed his hand.
So now instead of fighting a neighboring kingdom’s army, Melenia was fighting against its own—or what was left of it. Ackley didn’t think it would be as easy as Owen made it seem. However, Ackley would remain here with his Marsden soldiers until his sister’s position in Melenia was secure.
