Page 113 of Pretense

“I know. And I would have proceeded with negotiating the new treaty first, if I thought Escarland had time to wait. But, thanks to those Mongavarian spies and my brother’s current actions, I don’t think we do.” Averett faced Rharreth, just as calm and professional as Rharreth. “Consider this a goodwill gesture to open our treaty negotiations.”

Rharreth’s arms remained crossed, his blue eyes icy. “If I aid you in this, I will bring Kostaria into this little feud that Mongavaria has started with Escarland and Tarenhiel. My kingdom has finally come out of the grips of one war. I don’t want to do anything that would drag it into another, especially one not of Kostaria’s making.”

Farrendel shifted, studying both the stone and the two kings. If Rharreth refused to help, would Farrendel be able to find those stones by himself? If the border ran in a straight line, it should be doable. Maybe. Though it would be a lot easier with Rharreth’s magic to guide his and perhaps even help anchor his magic to the stone buried far beneath.

Weylind remained silent, watching the back and forth and not adding his opinion. Yet.

Melantha, too, stayed quiet at Rharreth’s side. Though judging by the way she avoided glancing at Farrendel and Weylind, she likely knew what Rharreth was getting at and did not want to give it away with her expression.

Averett met Rharreth’s stare without a hint of backing down. “I understand this is a lot to ask of you and your kingdom. But, if we sign the mutual defense treaty as we had previously discussed, your kingdom will be involved. It is my belief, however, that the combined strength of Tarenhiel, Escarland, and Kostaria will be enough to make Mongavaria back down without starting a war.”

“You can’t guarantee that.”

“No, I can’t.” Averett’s hard expression broke, giving a glimpse of the simmering worry and determination beneath. “But I must protect my kingdom and my brother-in-law Farrendel.”

Farrendel started. What was Averett getting at?

“With the addition of Kostaria’s warriors, our three kingdoms would be a match for Mongavaria even without Farrendel. It would eliminate Mongavaria’s reason to target him specifically. It is my hope that Mongavaria will realize the futility of killing him and will leave him and Essie to live their lives in peace.” Averett didn’t turn his gaze away from Rharreth, his jaw firm.

But Farrendel shifted underneath the focus of the conversation anyway. Averett was using the might of kingdom politics to keep Farrendel and Essie safe. It was humbling, to see his Escarlish brothers stepping up to protect him like this.

Rharreth’s jaw worked, his eyes softer than they had been before. As if the sentimental part of him wanted to agree, but the king in him could not just yet. “This is still a great commitment to ask of me and of Kostaria even before the treaty has been signed.”

“I understand.” For the first time, Averett glanced away from Rharreth. He shared a look with Julien, and Julien gave a single, solemn nod. Averett faced Rharreth again. “For that reason, I am prepared to offer my brother Julien in a marriage of alliance with Kostaria.”

“What? No.” Farrendel glanced between Averett and Julien. “No. Not for me.”

Essie would never forgive Farrendel if the price of their safety was her brother’s happiness. As much as Farrendel wanted peace and safety for Essie and their child, this price was too high. If anyone paid the cost, it should be him.

After all, that was why they were standing at the border right now. So that he could secure Escarland’s safety with his magic. There was no need for a treaty or anything else.

Weylind huffed, his gaze swiveling to the sky as if searching for patience there. “Shashon, you are the last person who should argue against a marriage of alliance. Do you truly wish to argue that such a marriage is a bad idea and can never work?”

Farrendel opened his mouth, but Weylind had him there. His and Essie’s arranged marriage had turned out just fine. As had Rharreth’s and Melantha’s.

But surely, after two successes, they were due for one to go horribly wrong. “But…”

“I have no intention of rushing things this time around.” Averett’s smile turned wry as he faced Farrendel. “I learned from last time. I’m not about to force Julien into a marriage with only a few days warning. Rharreth and I have the luxury of time to be more deliberate and thoughtful.”

Farrendel could not argue with that either, much as he wanted to.

Weylind crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows. “Are you saying we made a mistake in how we handled Elspetha and Farrendel’s marriage?”

Averett waved at him. “You were the one to argue for the wedding to occur in a mere two days, not me. But even you must admit, we were so desperate to avoid war and so distrustful of each other’s motives, that we rushed things. We just lucked out that Essie and Farrendel are, well, Essie and Farrendel. Otherwise we could have had a disaster on our hands.”

What did Averett mean? Farrendel shifted, not sure what to make of it.

Weylind gave a slight nod and shrug, as if to acknowledge Averett had a point.

Julien met Farrendel’s gaze with those steady, brown eyes of his. “Avie and I have been discussing this option for a few months now. The proposed bridge over the Hydalla is just one example of what troll magic can offer Escarland. Right now, we have marriages linking Escarland to Tarenhiel, and Tarenhiel to Kostaria. But there is nothing directly linking Escarland and Kostaria. That needs to happen for the alliance between our three kingdoms to be complete and make us strong enough to stand up to kingdoms like Mongavaria in the future.”

All good reasons, but not what Farrendel wanted to hear. “But are you sure?”

Julien’s gaze did not waver. “Yes. I volunteered for this. Just like Essie did. Just like you did. If this is what it takes to keep you and Essie safe, then I’m willing to do it. Besides, I saw a glimpse into Kostaria’s culture and kingdom when I fought in that Dulraith beside you and King Rharreth. I believe I can learn to respect their ways and love a wife from there.”

Of Essie’s three brothers, Julien had always been the most interested in hand-to-hand fighting techniques. And ever since that Dulraith, he had grown even more proficient in fighting with swords while practicing with Captain Merrick, Iyrinder, and Farrendel. Of anyone in Escarland, Julien was the most prepared to fit in with the trolls’ warrior-oriented culture.

“All right.” Farrendel sighed. Who was he to argue? Julien had clearly put more thought into this than Farrendel had when he had agreed to marry Essie. There was nothing Farrendel could do now but hope he knew what he was doing. “But the two of you have to tell Essie.”

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