Page 32 of War Bound

She, Farrendel, Jalissa, and all of Essie’s brothers had assembled in one of the private council rooms around a large oak table.

Jalissa set down her fork and motioned. The Escarlish soldier at the door opened it. The elf guard stepped inside, holding a canvas-wrapped bundle.

Essie sighed and set down her own fork. She couldn’t put this off any longer.

Jalissa stood and took the canvas-wrapped gun from her guard. “King Averett, would you care to explain this?” She placed the gun on the table and whipped off the canvas.

Averett pointed at the gun. “This is one of the Escarlish guns found after that ambush?”

Essie had wired her brother a short version of the story when she’d let him know she, Farrendel, and Jalissa would be coming, along with the purpose behind their visit. Though, she had downplayed just how much danger she had been in.

“The trolls that ambushed the royal family less than a week ago were using these guns as well as one of your advanced repeater guns.” Jalissa’s gaze was sharp, her voice hard, as she stared at Averett.

“It was not my doing, if that is what you are asking. Surely you’ve observed our family interactions enough even in the few hours since you have arrived to see I love my sister very much. I would never aid an ambush that would place her life in danger.” Averett gestured to the gun. “This is the work of a traitor, and we have already started an investigation into the matter. Edmund, do you have anything you can add?”

Edmund stared at the gun, his face taut. “It’s worrisome that I haven’t heard anything about guns being traded to the trolls. Whoever these traitors are, they are very smart, very cautious, and well respected enough to be above scrutiny. I have, however, heard rumors about groups who aren’t happy with our new treaty with Tarenhiel. Many still hold grudges from the war. I haven’t heard anything to make me think any of the grumblers were organized enough to pull off something like this.”

Julien picked up the gun, turning it over in his hands with the ease of someone used to handling weapons. “To get a hold of these guns, the traitors must be high in the army or work at the factory that makes them.”

Averett nodded, as if this was exactly the comment he had been waiting to hear. “That is why I have invited General Freilan, the top general in Escarland’s army, here today to answer our questions. I have also asked Charles Hadley, the owner of the largest manufacturer of weapons for the Escarlish army, here as well once we have finished our discussion with the general.”

Essie settled into a more comfortable position in her chair. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed watching her brothers tag-team a meeting.

Averett motioned, and the guard opened a different door, this time admitting General Freilan. He wore his dress uniform with rows of medals and gold braid dripping down each shoulder. He saluted Averett. “Your Majesty.”

“Please inform the crown and the ambassador from Tarenhiel on the progress of your investigation into how Escarlish army weapons came to be in the hands of Kostarians attacking the Tarenhieli royal family.”

Essie tried not to shift. She had gotten used to hearing the elves referring to kingdom to the north simply as the trolls. But here in this diplomatic meeting, Averett would use their kingdom name to refer to them to keep the tone of this meeting as official and detached as possible.

The general’s gaze flicked only briefly to Jalissa and Farrendel before he focused on Averett, as he should when reporting to his king. “We have only just begun our investigation. An inventory of all outposts, forts, bases, and warehouses is being conducted as we speak, though it may take several weeks to be completed. I have stressed to everyone the seriousness of this inventory. If there is a traitor in our ranks, I will endeavor to find him with utmost speed.”

“Thank you, General. I expect to see reports of your progress on my desk every morning.” Averett’s gaze didn’t waver, his tone firm. Not afraid to push hard when necessary. Essie imagined their father must have sounded a lot like Averett.

General Freilan saluted again and backed away a few steps before he spun smartly and left the room.

“Please send in Charles Hadley,” Averett ordered, his posture regal and straight.

A man in his fifties strode into the room. His graying hair was cropped short and thinning while his rotund stomach bulged against his red linen shirt. Beside him, a young man in his early to mid-twenties strode next to him. The young man had brown, sandy hair long across his forehead. His jaw was chiseled, his eyes a clear blue.

“Your Majesty.” Mr. Hadley bowed to Averett. When his gaze flicked to Jalissa, then Farrendel, his jaw knotted, his eyes going hard. He pointed at the young man next to him. “This is my son, Mark. He is the head of our day-to-day operations.”

Averett gestured to the gun on the table. “Is this one of yours?”

Charles Hadley picked it up, turned it over in his hands, before focusing on a part of the metal stock. Essie had briefly seen the serial number stamped into that metal when she had handled the gun in Tarenhiel. After a second’s consideration, Mr. Hadley returned the gun to the table. “Yes, this was manufactured in my factory.”

“Can you explain how this gun came to be in the hands of the Kostarians?” Averett’s voice remained steady, hard.

Jalissa’s gaze was knife-sharp on Mr. Hadley. Beside Essie, Farrendel was still. Poised. Essie half-expected to feel the crackle of magic at any moment.

“I don’t know.” Mr. Hadley crossed his arms. “Check with the army. This gun was their responsibility.”

“Did this gun ever reach the army?” Julien crossed his arms and stared right back. “That’s why you’re here.”

“I am a loyal citizen of Escarland. I would never knowingly hand over one of my weapons into the hands of a potential enemy.” Mr. Hadley looked about ready to pound the table. Beside him, his son shifted, as if he was worried he would have to restrain his father.

“Even if you knew the gun would be used against the elves?” Averett’s voice was even icier.

“My firstborn son died fighting those pointy-eared monsters.” Mr. Hadley jabbed a finger at Farrendel. Both Farrendel and Jalissa stiffened. Mr. Hadley’s jaw worked. “Yes, I am more than happy when the trolls kill a few of them. But I would never betray my own kingdom to do it.”

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