Page 35 of King's Warrior

Niam spoke first. “I wanted you to rest and heal, but Captain Casseign has assured me it’s better to have you with us when we enter Renvalle territory, as you can convince any sentries we’re not a threat.”

“I can certainly try.” Actually, Rufe had little doubt he’d succeed, being known for his powers of persuasion. Some Renvallians, however, still saw him as a Cormiran barbarian.

Niam lowered his voice to a quiet murmur. “I’m glad you’re here. I regretted my decision to leave you behind almost immediately.”

Now, more warmth blossomed inside Rufe than came from the fire. “I’m glad to be here.”

“I just hate leaving Mother alone.”

Rufe fought a laugh. If anyone could take care of themselves, it was Nera. He’d have loved to have met Yarif’s mother, though her kindness and fortitude lived on in her son for all to see. “So, what’s the plan?”

“We're going to Renvalle to support King Draylon and Consort Yarif. We’re only bringing around two hundred soldiers, but I’m given to understand that’s more than Renvalle has after Soland invaded.. And would they even turn against Yarif? I'm counting on any Cormiran soldiers to listen to Draylon.”

Rufe wondered about that, too. “Doubtful. But we’ll see.”

They finished their evening meal and then settled on bedrolls, side by side. During the night, Niam slipped his hand into Rufe’s.

Rufe smiled and dreamed pleasantdreams.

The route directly south let them bypass the Telaga Pass, though the avoidance cost them three extra days on the road and required a slight detour into Draige. Rufe hated any reminders of being taken captive in Draige, but wouldn’t voice his reservations to the present company. Not his helplessness, his humiliation, or the horrors he’d witnessed.That’s behind me now. The past can’t hurt me.

But it did. Every time he saw his damnable tattoo.

They rode as stealthily as possible, hoping no Dragan forces caught them trespassing, as they hadn’t yet taken sides in this latest conflict of Draylon and Yarif against the emperor. He breathed a sigh of relief once they crossed into Renvalle.

Even with the delay, they shouldn’t be far behind Draylon if he stopped to consult with Commander Vihaan of Glendor and gain more forces.

Though Rufe’s injuries still caused him pain, he rode to Casseign and volunteered his services. “We’re ten miles from Renvalle Castle. I want to go ahead and see what waits for us.”

Cass nodded. “I’m riding out with a party of ten scouts. You may join us.”

Rufe cast Cass a suspicious glance. “You’re not going to fight me?”

“I know a good fighting man when I see one. I believe, even injured, you’d outmatch any Renvallian.”

“Except for one.” The memory of the first meeting with Yarif crossed Rufe’s mind.

“Really?”

“You’ve never seen Yarif fight. He held off five of my men the day Cormira invaded.”

A half smile tugged at Cass’s lips. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

The scouting party had not ridden far when Rufe spotted banners for Herix and Draige in the distance. So maybe Draige had taken sides. Was that…? Rufe stopped his mule beside Cass’s. “No wonder we haven’t met up with Draylon. He’s been recruiting. Send for our men. I’ll make our presence known.”

Rufe spurred his mule toward Glendor’s banner, where a woman wearing the insignia of a Dragan commander stood next to a Glendoran captain. A commander? Here?

Cass rejoined him as Rufe dismounted and saluted.

“Greetings, Captain Rufe. King Draylon said you wouldn’t be here, but placed a wager that you would appear.” The Dragan commander’s eyes widened at the sight of Casseign. “A Delletinian captain. Do we need to watch our rear? Of course, you don’t seem to be his prisoner…” She trailed off, allowing Rufe to elaborate.

“This is indeed Captain Casseign of the Delletinian forces. He’s brought two hundred men to back King Draylon.” Rufe surveyed the surrounding land, trying to count the troops.

The woman smiled. “We have over two thousand soldiers from five kingdoms, six counting Delletina. I don’t think Emperor Soland stands a chance.” Her smile held no pity for the emperor.

She’d so openly discuss defying Soland? “What is happening?”

“Decoys of King Draylon and Commander Vihaan approached the gates while the actual king and commander snuck in,” the Glendoran captain explained.

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