Page 32 of Ties of Dust

“With respect, Father, there would be no rush. We have discussed and considered this alliance for many months. If we do not believe that Siqual had any hand in the attacks, then nothing has changed. In fact, I feel that there is all the more reason for haste.”

“All the more reason?” the king repeated, frowning.

“If, as you seem to imply, Torrens is behind the attack, the most likely reason is a desire to stop an alliance between Carrack and Siqual. Would you give the attackers what they seek?”

“Your Majesty, I believe Prince Cassius speaks wisely,” said Lord Armand. “I also was outraged at Siqual’s failure to prevent violence during our arranged meeting. But with reflection, I have come to acknowledge that it is most unlikely that the attack on Princess Miriam was at their behest.”

“So you believe that we should proceed with the marriage alliance?” King Aelius asked Lord Armand.

“I do, Your Majesty,” said the nobleman. “And I agree with the prince that we should act expeditiously.”

The king considered him, and Cassius felt a trickle of optimism. The king had long been in the habit of listening to Lord Armand’s advice.

But he’d reckoned without the king’s new favorite advisor.

“You are wise, Your Highness.” Sir Keavling’s bow in Cassius’s direction did not endear him. “But I believe there is an aspect of the matter you have not considered.”

“And what is that?” Cassius asked, resenting the inclusion of this man in their discussion.

“Lord Armand has acknowledged that he was outraged at the incident. I must assume that the two delegations parted ways under tense circumstances.”

“Of course we did,” said Cassius impatiently. “How could it have been anything else?”

“Perfectly natural,” Sir Keavling agreed. “But that was now some days ago, since which time an attack has occurred against you. If Torrens seeks to prevent an alliance between Carrack and Siqual, and failed to do so using violence, who knows what other means they may have employed since then? You say nothing has changed since your earlier deliberations regarding an alliance, but how can we be sure Siqual continues to be a safe ally?”

Cassius frowned. “You imply that Torrens has convinced Siqual to side with them against us? Why would Siqual cooperate with the kingdom that supposedly just tried to assassinate their princess?”

“You assume too much,” said the king, with a derisive laugh. “Siqual’s king is blind—his position at the furthest reaches of the Peninsula shelters him from understanding what’s really going on in our region. I doubt he has anyconcept of the subtle campaign of aggression the Torrenese crown has been perpetrating for months past.”

“And if the Torrenese are truly behind the attack,” Sir Keavling cut in, “they will be smart enough to try to convince the Siqualians that it was orchestrated by Carrack.”

Much like you’re trying to convince us that Torrens is the aggressor, Cassius thought angrily. But accusing the advisor aloud would end badly. His father was too much in the man’s thrall. He cursed his own ineffectiveness. Leaving had been a mistake. If he’d returned with a solidified alliance, it would have been worth it. But he hadn’t—all he’d achieved was to give the advisor space to increase his influence with the king. It was already clear to Cassius that he’d made excellent use of the opportunity.

“All of this is a great deal of assumption,” Cassius said, directing the words to his father alone. “We don’t know Torrens was behind the attack. We have no reason to think they’re working with Siqual now.”

“Which is why we must delay any further action on the alliance until we do know,” the king said. His tone was one Cassius knew well. The discussion was closed for the moment.

Cassius knew his father’s position made sense. Of course it was wise to have all the information. And in ordinary circumstances, the delay wouldn’t matter. But these weren’t ordinary circumstances. Returning to Crandell had only heightened his sense that Carrack was balanced on a precipice, and what they did next would have far-reaching consequences for the whole Peninsula. His father wasn’t proposing the delay for the sensible reasons he was saying. He was proposing it because he was being influenced by someone whom Cassius didn’ttrust, and whose motivations for being there were unclear to him.

He didn’t like it. He wanted to solidify ties within the Peninsula as a matter of urgency, and the marriage alliance with Siqual was their most concrete way of doing so.

Not to mention, pointed out an uncomfortable voice in his mind,you have a personal stake in formalizing the alliance that your father doesn’t know about.

Cassius pushed back the unease he felt. Concealing the tether didn’t change anything. Its existence was an unfortunate result of Lord Armand’s meddling. It had nothing to do with the alliance itself, and it didn’t change the excellent reasons Cassius already had for wanting to finalize that alliance.

“I will look forward to discussing the matter with you further in the days to come, Father,” he said firmly. “But for now, I will retire to make myself presentable after my journey.”

“An excellent notion,” the king said. His face softened the tiniest amount. “I’m glad your injuries are not serious, Cassius. I know I need not assure you that those who dared to orchestrate an attack against you will be found and brought swiftly to justice.”

Cassius tapped a fist against his chest, his heart not really in the gesture. “May Carrack live forever.”

“May Carrack live forever,” the king repeated, copying the gesture.

Lord Armand and Sir Keavling did the same, but as Cassius turned to leave, the advisor cleared his throat.

“You do not express loyalty to Carrack?” Sir Keavling’s voice had a hint of sweetness that sent a prickle up the back of Cassius’s neck. He followed the other man’s gaze to see that the question had been directed at Flora.

“My new guard doesn’t know our ways,” Cassius said curtly. “I am confident no offense was intended.”

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