Page 102 of King's Warrior

The woman’s savage expression softened at the name. Interesting. Rufe said, “Bring them with us to the capital. Leave several of your best soldiers in the woods here to watch the place. I want to know if anyone approaches.”

“Yes, your….” Casseign bowed, arm over his chest as Cormiran soldiers did.

“Rufe will do.” He could’ve hit himself. Assuming control of the soldiers would only tip his hand as to who he really was. Better for most Delletinians to think of him as an ambassador, and not a commander of the Cormiran forces, come to spy and gain a tactical advantage. Rumors no doubt abounded, but he’d stick with his given role as much as possible.

He added, “Captain.” At least none of Cass’s subordinates were close enough to have heard the exchange. Only the prisoners. The less they knew of him, the better.

Rufe returned to Draylon and Niam, standing close enough to have heard everything. “We head for the capital. Niam, do you know safer, less traveled routes?”

Niam nodded. “Lady Exa, will you be joining us.?”

Exa inclined her head. “Yes, Your Majesty, for the time being. You need all your loyal soldiers with you. I’ll not take any for an escort and return to my home later with King Draylon if he’s amenable.”

“I am,” Draylon replied. “As soon as we’ve quelled the uprising.”

Exa grinned, showing even, white teeth. “I haven’t had this much excitement in ages.”

Rufe clapped his hands together. “It’s settled then. The sun will soon set. We’ll stay here, rest, eat, and leave at daybreak.” He shared a long look with his husband. “Stay with your sons. Comfort them. I need to speak with Draylon and Cass.” He caught Willem peering out from behind a soldier’s back. He’d heard everything. A tendril of dread slithered through Rufe’s insides.

Chapter Forty

“Captain Casseign. Coordinate guards for perimeter security, if you will.” Niam nodded to Rufe and Draylon. “These two men are the best the Cormiran military offers. I believe you can benefit from their counsel.”

Casseign saluted. “Yes, Your Majesty. I’ve benefitted from Lord Rufe’s counsel many times already.”

Niam returned to the house. Seasons might pass before he wanted to let his sons out of his sight again. He muttered, “How has life come to this? I’ve been a good king, haven’t I? Looked out for my people. Why, then, do so many oppose me?”

He hadn’t heard Lady Exa following until she answered, “It’s not good or bad, but the nobles want to be spoiled by riches taken from the poor. They believe the station they were born to should automatically increase their wealth and standing. You discourage their sense of entitlement, setting an example for people to see. The better you do, the worse they look in comparison.”

“Sometimes I wish I’d been born a commoner.”

Exa gave a deep laugh. “Rufe was born a commoner, as was I.” She stopped herself, then resumed. “Excuse me. King ConsortRufe. Draylon told me. I’m so used to Yarif calling him simply Rufe.”

“You know Yarif well?”

A shy smile flitted over Exa’s face, relaxing her usual serious mien. “We were children together, and we went to the same schools. His mother insisted he learn with commoner children so he wouldn’t get the grand ideas some nobles have. My father was a merchant.” While many Delletinians wouldn’t consider her beautiful—her strong features tended toward handsome—the more he came to know of her, the more he realized why Yarif loved her. Mother would love her as well.

“Where did you learn to fight?”

Her grin made her appear girlish. “My five older brothers were all soldiers. They taught me, hoping I’d join the military one day.”

Niam had known Yarif’s mother but wouldn’t share that she’d been his aunt. If Yarif hadn’t passed on the information to his friend, there might be reasons. After all, he’d recently been accused of treasonous acts with Delletina, and the general population hadn’t even been aware of his mother's kinship to Delletina’s former queen. All in good time, once the kingdom accepted her role in the empire.

Maybe.

“May I make a suggestion, Your Majesty?” Exa leaned in to murmur.

“Anything.”

She winked. “While a sword takes time to learn to use well, practice with daggers. You’ll never know when the skill might prove valuable.”

“My mother taught me some.”

“As my mother taught me. Is your mother Dragan like mine?”

Niam lost his train of thought when Uri and Quillan rushed toward him. He embraced his sons. “Can you bear to stay here one more night, boys?”

“Yes, Father,” they said in unison.

---