Chapter 18

The evening loomed dark and cold outside. Trystan stepped onto his private balcony, the cold air biting through his clothes and his breath lingering in front of his face.

He shivered as he took in the brooding clouds moving off to the south, allowing the stars behind them to come alive. The storm was finally moving out. About time. Not that they hadn’t needed the rains, but he was glad it had finally passed on. The only bright spot in the last few days had been the quick flash of the old Davi. Even knowing he’d almost died, it had been worth it to see the return of his brother. He smiled into the growing dusk, the memory of Davi’s behavior causing the laughter to build up in his chest. It felt good to laugh. It felt good to not be in constant worry. He’d forgotten the pressure of being king, if only for a moment.

He walked to the edge of the balcony and spread his hands wide on the stone wall, taking in a deep gulp of night air. He had always enjoyed the view from the king’s chambers. His chambers now. From up here he could see the open valley south of the castle that lead to the dense forest stretching farther into Aldorwood. His lands. His kingdom. He’d do everything in his power to protect it and its people.

Commotion from below caught his attention, breaking his moment of peace. He was too far up to hear what was being said, but shouting and raised voices lifted from the courtyard below, along with the sounds of the portcullis clanging as it rose. It didn’t worry him too much. He knew Ramsey was planning on taking Davi out to the copse of trees beyond the gateway. They wouldn’t go far, not with night almost upon them.

The banging of the opened gate faded away only to be followed by more yelling. Trystan felt a tingle of unease nipping at the back of his neck. There were no alarms being raised, yet something did not feel right. He returned to his room and strapped on his sword and sheath just as a rapid knocking started on his door. In quick strides, he crossed the room and yanked it open to find Alixa standing there, her brow furrowed, and her golden eyes shadowed in worry.

“What is it?” He asked immediately.

“A messenger has arrived, Trystan. A young man from one of the border patrols. He says Eisner and a Dreach-Dhoun army march toward the castle as we speak.”

Trystan’s heart dropped into his stomach, even though he had been expecting some move on Eisner’s part. He didn’t show Alixa his fear at her words. A king never showed his fear. His father didn’t even though he had admitted to Trystan many times of being afraid. Instead, Trystan pulled his shoulders back and stood taller.

“Where is this messenger?”

“In the council chambers, along with Lonara and Ramsey and the others. They all await you, Trystan.”

Trystan swallowed his dread. “Then let’s not make them wait any longer.” He stepped into the hall, but Alixa laid a hand on his shoulder, stopping his stride. He glanced at her in surprise as she flashed him a tight smile.

“You’ve got this,” she said, squeezing his shoulder in reassurance. “I believe in your ability to keep us all safe.”

He dropped his eyes, not wanting her to see the wetness gathering there at her unwavering faith in him. Instead he laughed. A laugh devoid of any humor. “I hope you’re right, Alixa. I guess we shall see.”

* * *

It was as Alixa said. The council chamber held everyone Trystan needed to see. Ramsey and Lonara sat at one end of the long table. Rissa, Davi, and Avery sat at the other, replacing the faces that had once sat there. His father, Lord Coille, Lady Sona, and so many others. What he wouldn’t give to have them all there now, making the decisions that he would soon have to make.

Captains Brown and Fields stood off to the side, in deep conversation with a travel weary young man who looked as if he hadn’t slept in a week. The two guards standing at the doors bowed their heads at the king’s entrance and one announced to the rest of the room, “King Trystan.”

They all stood at his approach, but Trystan waved their formality aside. His eyes stopped on Brown and the man at his side.

“So, is it true? Eisner and an army are on their way here?”

The young soldier gave a nod of deference. “Yes, your Majesty. I saw them with my own eyes. They are coming. An army of thousands, looting and burning farms and crops as they advance.” He shook his head, and it was only then Trystan noticed the shadows in his eyes.

He softened his voice. “Where is the rest of your unit?”

He seemed to shrink into himself, and the horror was written plainly on his face. Trystan would have sworn every person in that room was holding their breath.

The man peered down at the torn and dirty uniform that hung off his thin frame, a shiver raced through him. When he spoke, his voice sent a chill through Trystan. “We were tasked with evacuating the villages along the border of Aldorwood and Isenore.”

Trystan nodded. He’d sent many men to aid in the relocation of his people, hoping to get them out of harm’s way. “Go on.”

“The village emptied rather quickly. By the time we arrived, the people had received your messengers and were prepared to make for Whitecap. So we loaded every wagon we could find. Every animal that could carry children or elderly did. It was only a few days ride to Whitecap from this particular village, even with the train of people.”

He sucked in a heavy breath. “Night came on the first day and the men we’d sent on to scout ahead returned. They’d found another one of your patrols. Dead.”

Trystan closed his eyes, imagining what was coming.

The man wiped a hand across his haunted eyes and sighed. “We sent our night sentries out to the perimeter of our camp. By the time they were meant to switch with the next shift, we knew something was wrong.” He met the king’s eyes. “They didn’t return. Half the camp was still asleep when the enemy soldiers came barreling out of the woods like the devil himself.”

Someone gasped, but Trystan’s mind raced. His people. Slaughtered as they fled for safety.

“Oh, my earth.” Rissa covered her mouth with her hand.

Trystan didn’t have the luxury of shock, only action. “And you are the only survivor?”

The soldier nodded. “We had a plan in place. If we were ever attacked, because we knew what it was we were looking for—not just outlaws or miscreants, but armies—the first one to get to a horse was to abandon their duties and ride hard to the king.”

Avery set her shoulders, showing no emotion, as ever. “A day’s ride from Whitecap. Sire—”

“I know.” He rubbed his eyes. The closest village to Whitecap was the one where Mira’s family lived. He turned to the soldier once more. “How far behind you are they?”

“Hours.” His eyes bore into the king. “My horse threw a shoe a day back and I lost all advantage I had. They’re coming, your Majesty. And they’re coming before dawn. I’m sure of it.”

So they had but mere hours to prepare? Then they didn’t have a moment to lose.

“You’ve been through a great ordeal, soldier, and we are in your debt.” He turned to one of the guards at the door. “Take this young man to the kitchen and see he has a decent meal and a bit of rest. It will be a long night.”

The soldier nodded and escorted the man from the room. Trystan didn’t even allow the heavy oak door to close before he turned to his advisors.

“Seems Eisner is bringing the war to us. Captain Brown, update please.”

“The orders have already been given, your Majesty. Every garrison will be in place. The archers and crossbowmen will take a position on the ramparts. Our gunners are in place to operate the catapults and the ballista. Men will be placed underneath the castle and all around the foundations in case they send in miners, we’ll be ready for them.”

“Miners?” Rissa asked and Trystan looked at his sister in surprise. Rissa had become so adept and powerful since this had begun that he almost forgot she was not as well versed in war preparations as he was.

“Soldiers that tunnel underneath the castle walls and place tar-soaked beams to burn through the foundations so the wall collapses, allowing them entry.”

Rissa lips thinned into a grim line, but she asked no more questions.

“The boy said thousands. We have over a thousand troops stationed within the castle walls, yes Avery?”

The sword master ducked her head in agreement.

“It will make for a strong defense force. But it won’t be enough.”

“I agree, Trystan.” Ramsey spoke for the first time. “That is why I believe we should send a messenger straight away to Whitecap for reinforcements. We can’t rely on the outlying vassals and landowners to help us anymore since we’ve emptied the villages and sent the abled off to Whitecap or Cullenspire for training. Whitecap is our closest pocket of allies.”

“Even if the messenger rides day and night,” Rissa interjected, “Whitecap is still a four- or five-day ride there and the same back. We will need to withstand this attack for eight to ten days. Are we prepared to do that, Trystan?”

Trystan wasn’t the one to answer his sister’s question. Davi did that for him. “Since it is Eisner attacking and not Calis, I assume that force will not be the main agenda. Most sieges are not about battle, but a waiting game. My guess is Eisner is aware we are overstocked with extra mouths and understocked in supplies. He will attack our stores first. Use catapults with fire bolts, no doubt, to burn down our supplies. He can cripple us without even one attempt on our walls.”

“Then we cover the store’s roofs with as many hides as we can find to prevent the fire from taking hold. Protect them the best we can. Fields, see that is done and send a messenger to Whitecap with the greatest of urgency.”

“Yes, your Majesty.” Fields bowed and left the room to do Trystan’s bidding.

“Lonara, split those who’ve been trained in magic into two crews. Yours on the stores, spread out enough to protect our supplies day and night. Ramsey, you and the other wielders on the ramparts. Eisner will surely try to use magic to get in as well as to damage us. We must have some sort of barrier in place at all times.”

“It will be done, your Majesty. I will oversee it.”

“Good. If it’s a waiting game Eisner will bring us, then we will play it better than he. We will keep ourselves protected while we wait for reinforcements and then we battle if we must.” His eyes flicked back to his sister. “Rissa, check with the armory and ensure we have enough armor and weapons to equip everyone. Most of our soldiers are still untrained in their own magic and will resort to fighting any way they can. Inform the blacksmiths and fletchers to work in continuous shifts to keep the supplies of arrows and bolts up. Remember, they will need to see the strength and courage of Dreach-Sciene’s princess right now to bolster them.”

Rissa gave a curt nod.

“Alixa.” His gaze fell on the face that had become so important to him. “I’ll need you to help move the old folk and the children who’ve arrived from the nearby villages inside the keep for their own safety. Do so without inciting panic. Ensure they have plenty of food and water and blankets. If the outer walls of the castle do fall, at least the children will be safer in there.”

“Of course, your Majesty.” Her words were said in agreement, but Trystan understood her look. She would do what he asked, but she wasn’t planning on staying in the keep with them. He knew when it came time, she’d be by his side.

“Sire,” Brown said. “There’s one last thing.”

Trystan gestured for him to continue.

“If you should fall…” He paused. “Your Majesty, you are no longer the Toha where a second-in-command is an asset but not a necessity. You’re the king. If the worst should happen and you are killed in this battle, the men need to know who to look to. What orders to take as they fight for their lives. Your own father was forced to take command when his father died during a fight. Earth forbid, you should follow your grandfather, but…”

“But if I do the men would have no one leading the army and Dreach-Sciene would be lost.” Trystan knew he needed a second for the army, but he’d been delaying naming one. Now it was time.

Who could lead the army? Who did he trust with his kingdom? There was only one person he wanted.

Rissa stood and crossed the room to speak so others wouldn’t hear. “Avery,” she said. “She’s the only one you could possibly consider.”

His eyes drifted to the sword master. She was a woman who would jump into the fight no matter the cost. She was skilled. She was loyal.

He shook his head. Avery had never wanted to be a leader. She’d never agree because it would mean possibly leaving his side to command a second unit.

Rissa could do it, but she didn’t have the training to lead in combat.

He eyed her carefully. The people would follow her, no doubt. Maybe she didn’t need the training. Rissa gave orders as well as anyone else. Her mind was possibly one of the best in the kingdom—as was her aim with the bow.

She met his eye with a shake of her head. “No, Trystan. I will follow you into anything and do what I have to do, but you and I both know I’m the wrong choice.” Her hard eyes scanned the room. “The men would follow Brown.”

Brown would have been an excellent choice. For his father.

Trystan’s second was supposed to be his partner. As those still in the room waited, Trystan’s eye caught Davi inching toward the door.

“No.” Trystan’s voice was dangerous.

Davi froze, his shoulders tensing. “What?”

Trystan saw no other face but his brother’s before him. Not evil Davi. Not the orphan kid who’d first come to the palace. He saw the boy who taught him how to evade the palace guards. The man who agreed to accompany him on a quest they didn’t seem to have any hope of finishing.

“You don’t get to decide where my trust lies.” Trystan pinned him with dark eyes. “That’s not how this works, Davion Bearne.” He’d never spoken his full name before, acknowledging his true parentage. But if he wanted Davi back, he had to accept all of him, every dark part.

Davi ran a hand through his night-black hair and breathed heavily. “I can’t—”

“You can.” Trystan advanced until he stood only feet away. “You have always been my second, Davi. I won’t allow you to give the title back.”

Davi shook his head.

“I trust you.” Trystan reached out and grasped his shoulder. Davi’s muscles clenched under his hand.

He released a shaky breath, his eyes glassing over. “You don’t understand.” He clutched at his shirt right over his chest. “I don’t trust me.”

Trystan brought his other hand up to grip the opposite shoulder, holding Davi in place. “That’s okay. I have enough trust for both of us.” Trystan dipped his head to make Davi meet his gaze. “Truwa Brathair.”

Davi sucked air through his teeth, his next words leaving on a breath. “Trust.” He nodded. “Brother.”

Trystan grinned, a weight lifting from his shoulders despite the impending siege. He stared at Davi for a moment longer before patting him on the side of the head. “Davion Bearne is the king’s second.” He stepped away, his eyes finding Rissa. She nodded in approval.

“Come.” Trystan made haste for the door. “We must be ready when dawn arrives.”