Page 27 of An Archer's Redemption

I struggled with how to tell an eleven-year-old such a grim tale but decided he deserved the truth. I began with my runningaway with Danym and our harrowing escape through the Spires. To his credit, Kendall listened and maintained a firm grip on his emotions—until I reached the part about the deaths of our father and brother. It broke my barely mended heart as I watched my young brother’s grief bloom across his face. I held him and tried to calm his quaking shoulders. His tears were infectious, and we held each other and wept until my maid knocked.

“Hello? Majesty, are you in there?”

How do they always know where I am?I thought as I rose, smoothed my gown, and walked to the door.

“What is it, Sarah?” I called, suppressing the tremor in my voice.

“Cook says a meal is prepared in the family room. Will you and the Prince be dining?”

I stroked Kendall’s hair as he shook, then kissed his forehead.

“We will be right out. Thank you, Sarah.”

There was a brief pause, then, “Of course, Majesty. Whatever you . . . and the Prince need.”

The sympathy in my maid’s voice nearly broke my brittle resolve, and I realized how challenging the coming days would be—and not just for those who lost family. The Palace staff worshiped my father, and my brother, Justin, was more beloved than any of us. Beyond that, many fathers and brothers were lost in my mother’s foolish campaign. Did Sarah have men in the army? Did my guards or cook or . . .

The staff would hide behind the mask of propriety, but their hearts would bleed for our Kingdom’s losses, fortheirlosses, as deeply as mine.

As we settled into the private family dining room, I insisted Sarah join us. The idea of a maid sitting with the monarch at the family’s table frightened the poor woman to death; we were halfway through the second course before Sarah stopped shaking and began enjoying her meal.

Kendall refused to eat, claiming he wasn’t hungry, and begged to be left alone in his room.

For my part, I was glad for their company, such that it was. I could not bear to face the empty chairs around our family’s table alone.

Chapter 10

Atikus

Weeks had passed since I watched Keelan ride into the distance as he headed toward the cave. I longed to hear word of his journey, hoping that Jess would receive him well and the rift between our two nations could begin to heal. I knew it would take time, but the months following the Siege of Saltstone would be critical in ensuring people’s faith that peace was possible. Without positive action, fear and animosity would cement into irreparable hatred.

The new Arch Mage’s robe, emblazoned with a living, swirling image of the Phoenix on my chest, rustled as I strode toward the audience chamber. I paused to examine busts of prior members of the Triad and artwork depicting Melucia’s vast countryside. A thrill tingled up my spine as the weight of destiny settled onto my shoulders. I was now one of a small few who would shape the future of my country.

Since my ascension to Arch Mage, I had barely paused to ponder how my name and actions would be scrawled in history’stomes. Now though, the immensity of my new role consumed my thoughts.

The last statue before reaching the grand oak doors to the audience chamber was of Melucia’s first Arch Mage, Elena Greiga. Her majestic gaze scanned high and far, her slender neck leading to a sharp chin and square jaw. The artist somehow captured a depth of compassion and wisdom in her eyes. Surely, this was some work of magic. It stole my breath.

“Is it getting to you?” a deep voice rumbled from behind, snapping me from my daze.

I turned to find Captain-Commander Dev Albius a few feet away, quietly observing.

“And so it begins.” I smiled, then turned and strode into the audience chamber where the new Merchants’ Guildmaster and the Eye awaited our presence. Albius grunted and followed.

Hours later, the newly minted Triad adjourned our first session.

We barely scratched the surface of the impossible task of rebuilding the capital and repairing the damage to our nation. While Grove’s Pass and Saltstone endured the brunt of the Kingdom’s attacks, many port cities faced naval blockades. A few lost ports to bombardment. Much of our merchant fleet had also been destroyed, crippling a significant portion of our nation’s ability to move goods. The Melucian military, such that it was, had also been devastated, and the Rangers now numbered less than a tenth of their original force. The Captain-Commander replacing the traditional role of the Armsmen’s Guildmaster among the Triad was further testament to the sorry state of our armed forces.

Then there were simpler, yet somehow weightier matters—the people of Melucia who had suffered the incalculable loss of fathers, sons, mothers, and daughters. An entire generation of men had been wiped out by Irina’s flames and armies. The returning women, children, and elderly faced lonely gaps that could never be filled, but it felt good to begin to rebuild, even if it was a humble beginning.

I grasped forearms with Albius, and we smiled at our newly shared sense of purpose. Beatrice, our new Merchants’ Guildmaster, stepped between us, gripping each of our forearms and pulling them apart. Her next move shocked us further, as she pulled us forward and embraced us awkwardly.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do, but I’m glad to be doing it with you two. I’ll do my best to keep the petty politics of the Merchants at bay so we can move things forward.”

I noticed Albius’s wide eyes and winked at the Commander. “Dev, I believe she may match you on backbone. You might want to watch yourself.”

I chuckled and looked down at Beatrice with affection. She slapped me on the chest. “Don’t you get all comfortable, Atikus Dani. It’smypeople who make the food, and I’ve seen howyoulike to eat. You’d better behave if you know what’s good for you.”

A rough bark of a laugh slipped from Albius as I feigned offense. “My dear lady, I am shocked you would threaten an old man’s hunger.”

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