Page 32 of Sword of Desire
The fact that Rema addressed Owen as the king was a promising sign. However, Ackley was slightly thrown off by her question. As the empress for the largest kingdom on the mainland, she had to be concerned about any upcoming wars or conflicts. Somehow, he felt his answer would determine Emperion’s next move. After considering different options, he decided to go with the truth—at least a limited version of it. He cleared his throat. “I secretly met with Prince Kerdan a couple of weeks ago. I believe he will soon be King Kerdan.”
“You met with him?” the young man asked, a hint of disbelief coloring his voice.
“Savenek,” Rema said, touching the young man’s forearm. She gestured for Ackley to continue.
“Yes, I met with him.” Ackley folded his arms. “I’d been told Kerdan did not intend for Melenia’s royal family to be executed. I wanted to ask him about the takeover and find out what really happened. My sister is now married to King Owen, and I want to make sure her throne is secure and there won’t be another event like this again.” He made sure to maintain eye contact so the empress would know he spoke the truth and intended to follow through with what he said.
“What did you discover?” Savenek asked.
“That Kerdan is a good man.” Ackley feared the empress wouldn’t agree with him since Russek had kidnapped the Emperion princess. However, he knew Kerdan had nothing to do with it.
The corners of Rema’s lips pulled into a tight smile. “How can you be so sure?”
He couldn’t tell if she was being patronizing, condescending, or knew something he didn’t. “Kerdan is a formidable man to be sure. Yet, the way he treated me when I went to Russek, and what he said to me, revealed his integrity. I also witnessed how his men respect and follow him. To me, that speaks to his character.”
An uncomfortable minute passed without anyone speaking. Finally, Rema said, “I happen to agree with you.”
Savenek glared at the low ceiling, as if he couldn’t believe his mother had said that. When he focused on Ackley again, he asked, “So neither you nor King Owen intend to seek retribution against Russek?”
“No,” Ackley answered without hesitation. When he’d met with Kerdan, one of the things he insisted upon was that those responsible for the invasion be brought to justice. “Kerdan and I have an agreement.”
“I know,” Rema revealed. “Kerdan informed my husband that he’d met with and trusted you. I wanted to see for myself—which is the only reason I’m here today.”
Shock rolled through Ackley along with a deep respect and understanding. Rema was the empress not only because of her bloodline but because she was an intelligent, shrewd woman. However, this meant she wasn’t there to bargain with him; she was there to determine Ackley’s character. It also meant she’d been in contact with Kerdan. “When he’s successful in taking control of Russek, you don’t intend to invade the kingdom either, do you?”
“I do not.”
“Why?” He had to be missing something. “Russek tried waging a war against Emperion. And they killed your daughter. Don’t you want revenge?”
“Kerdan is not Russek,” she replied. “And we’re in the process of striking a treaty of sorts with Kerdan.”
“Do you seek a treaty with Melenia?” Ackley asked.
“I don’t think you’re in a position to negotiate on Melenia’s behalf.” Rema pulled her shawl around her arms and took a step closer to Ackley. “You want Owen established on the throne so your sister’s reign is secure. You want peace so you don’t have to worry about conflict. Am I missing anything?” She tilted her head to the side, carefully watching him.
“Yes. I want my men to stay in Landania until Owen needs them. Then they’ll join with his forces to retake the throne.”
Rema rolled her shoulders back, considering what he’d said. “In order for your men to remain here,wemust strike a deal. You are in effect trying to force me to choose sides. If I allow your men to stay in my kingdom, then I am siding with Owen, not Lyle.”
So, she knew who sat on the throne. Ackley suddenly felt ill-prepared for this meeting. Rema clearly had the upper hand, and he couldn’t let it rattle him.
“Lyle claims to have a legitimate right to be king,” she added.
“As you so kindly pointed out, I am not in a position to make deals on Owen’s behalf, even if he is my brother-in-law.” Ackley had to figure out what Rema wanted. “The claim Lyle holds to the throne is through his wife.” Calling Harley Lyle’s wife tasted like ash. “Lady Harley is the old king’s illegitimate daughter, so she is in line for the throne after Owen. Lyle thought he killed Owen thus allowing Harley to ascend to the throne. However, Owen is alive and is next in line.”
“So, when you kill Lyle and Harley, there will be no other heir to the throne except for Owen.” She said it as a statement of fact and not a question.
The temperature in the room dropped. The thought of Harley being killed felt like a knife across his abdomen.
“What are you proposing?” she asked, her voice all business, revealing no emotion. “Surely you didn’t come all this way simply to ask for me to graciously allow foreign soldiers in my kingdom. If word got out, I’d be seen as weak.”
“Of course not,” he said, taking a slow, measured step toward the empress of Emperion. Every single person in the room tensed, preparing to strike him down if necessary. He smiled, trying to appear disarming. “Let my men camp on Landania’s soil. When Owen needs them in Melenia, they’ll go. Once the false king is overthrown and Owen and Idina are crowned, I will return to Marsden with my soldiers. I will also ensure Owen has no intention of seeking retribution against Russek for the damage done to his kingdom and people—which, by the way, is quite extensive. Then, I will ensure Owen meets with you and establishes an open relationship.” He considered if he should leave it at that. “The previous king was a bit of a…what’s the right word?” He pretended to think for a minute. “He was a weak ruler. He didn’t do what was best for his subjects. I suspect that this is how Russek was able to strike a deal with Lyle so easily.”
“Your point?” Rema asked.
“Owen is not weak. He will do what is best for his kingdom. I suspect you understand that better than anyone.” He hoped he’d hit on all the necessary points. It was hard to tell since her face remained impassive, giving no hint as to what she was thinking. He found it disconcerting not being able to read her.
She folded her hands together, ready to deliver her decision. “The problem is that I must give something with thehopeof getting something in return.” She looked at Savenek. “What do you think?”
