Page 30 of Sword of Desire
Ackley found all this fascinating. A woman ruling a kingdom; her husband a lethal warrior. It didn’t get any better than that. “How long has she been the empress?”
“About twenty years,” Audek responded. “Since she’s been in charge, we’ve never had to fight a war.”
“Does she avoid fighting?” he asked. Maybe she wasn’t as strong as he’d presumed.
“Not at all,” Brodek answered. “She isn’t afraid to fight, and she does what needs to be done, which makes her even more scary.” He adjusted his reins before continuing. “When she says something, she means it.”
“If she hasn’t fought since taking the throne,” Gytha said, “then how do you know she isn’t afraid to fight?”
Good question, and one Ackley had been wondering the answer to.
“She’s sent men to fight, she just hasn’t sent her army into war,” Brodek clarified. “Take right now, for example. She has her army lined up at Russek’s border. They are just standing there ready and waiting to be unleashed.”
“What’s the empress waiting for?” Ackley asked, mulling over the possibilities. “Didn’t Russek kidnap and kill her daughter, the princess?” If the empress was as commanding and lethal as they’d implied, it seemed reasonable to assume she would immediately send her army in to kill those responsible for taking her daughter. “Does Empress Rema not know who killed the princess?” Ackley doubted it was Kerdan, which left Jana. Perhaps the empress was waiting to see if Kerdan killed Jana for her, so she wouldn’t have to start a war. If that were the case, it was efficient but lacked the revenge the empress probably desired.
“Rema never does anything in haste,” Audek said. “Each decision is carefully thought out and calculated. It’s what’s best for the kingdom, not one person or just the royal family. She puts everyone before herself. That is why she’s the greatest leader we’ll ever have. She is selfless.”
Empress Rema seemed too good to be true for Ackley’s liking.
“But I’ve also known Rema for a long time,” Audek continued. “If Russek killed Allyssa, Rema will wipe them out. Which makes me wonder if that’s what really happened.”
“You don’t think the princess is dead?” Gytha asked.
Audek shrugged. “When they kidnapped Allyssa, Rema lined her soldiers up along the border threatening war if her daughter wasn’t returned safely. Her daughter wasn’t returned; yet, she hasn’t attacked. Which makes me wonder what else is going on.”
Ackley realized Audek was more astute than he’d first thought. “Since Kerdan and Jana are fighting for the throne, a lot could have happened that we don’t know about.” Ackley liked Kerdan and had a hard time believing the man would’ve allowed Allyssa to be killed. He seemed to want what was best for Russek, and killing Emperion’s crown princess was the fastest way to ensure its destruction.
* * *
Days passed. They traveled hard and fast, going straight through several towns and villages simply because it was the most direct route to take. The land reminded Ackley of Axian—the southern region of Marsden. Everywhere he went, he saw well-tended fields, well-kept homes, vibrant markets, and people dressed appropriately. The people seemed happy—smiling and greeting them as they passed through.
Where he’d grown up, the towns consisted of rickety wood structures, most falling apart. The people rarely had new clothes and instead, wore ones tattered with holes. Most homes were in shambles, and food was scarce. His father had overtaxed their people without sympathy, leaving most destitute. Ackley hadn’t even known there was another way, a better way, until he went south and met Dexter. Traveling through Emperion made one thing abundantly clear—their ruler cared for them.
A light rain had fallen for the better part of the day. They now traveled on a narrow dirt road, a dark, dense forest lining both sides of it. The four of them crested a low hill. At the top, Audek pulled his horse to a halt. He sat there scanning the area before them.
“What are you looking for?” Ackley asked, wondering why they’d stopped. The road descended on the other side of the hill, disappearing amongst the foliage. Treetops covered the landscape as far as he could see.
“I’m waiting for them to acknowledge we can enter.”
Ackley didn’t bother asking what it was they would be entering because as soon as Audek spoke, Ackley felt a presence nearby.
A single whistle rang out, and Audek nudged his horse forward, down the slope. Ackley followed him, more excited than nervous, and Gytha and Brodek rode close behind. About half-way down, Audek veered off the road and to the right, entering the forest. He continued to head downward at an angle.
Ackley noted small boulders every ten to fifteen feet and wondered if they were markers. At the bottom of the hill, they turned left, riding alongside a stream for about a mile until they came to a cliff. The water from the stream cascaded over the side, spilling into a lake about fifteen feet below. A stone castle stood in the middle of the water.
Audek dismounted. “We’ll leave the horses here.” He tied his to a tree, everyone else doing the same.
“Are we going to that castle?” Ackley asked. He didn’t see a bridge and had no idea how they’d reach it. The castle appeared to be about a mile from shore, too far to swim.
“Yes. And to answer your next question, we’ll get to it by boat.”
Gytha chuckled but didn’t say anything.
Ackley glared at her. A short boat ride on calm water wouldn’t cause him any issues. Only the turbulent sea made him become violently ill.
Audek led the way down the side of the cliff. At the bottom, an old, dilapidated boat had been stored in a shallow cave. Each of them grabbed hold, dragging it out and sliding it into the water. Ackley steadied the end while everyone else climbed in, then he shoved the boat forward, off the bank. He sprang into the boat and sat on one of the benches. Brodek and Audek each grabbed an oar and rowed the boat toward the castle.
During the journey there, Ackley studied the five-story structure and four turrets, searching for signs of life. All the windows appeared dark; no movement came from within. He didn’t spot anyone patrolling the roof. Two crows flew overhead, cawing. The wind whipped across the lake, dropping the temperature even further.
