Page 9 of King's Warrior

A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. “Enter,” Niam called.

His secretary entered, frown a startling contrast to the usual jovial expression on Willem’s round face. “Your Majesty, I’vereceived an urgent message for you.” He hurried across the carpet and placed a sealed scroll in Niam’s hand.

“Thank you.”

Willem bowed his way out the door.

Niam broke the seal and raised the scroll close to his nose to read. Chills raced over his entire body.

“What does it say?” Mother demanded.

The scroll slipped from Niam’s numb fingers. He bent to retrieve the message. “How odd that we’ve been speaking of Yarif. I’ve just received word of him. Do you know the name Illa Trandores?”

Mother’s brow furrowed. “I remember a disgraced Trandores family who left the kingdom.”

“Illa Trandores has brought Yarif to Delletina against his will.”

“Why?”

Niam read over the message again. “My spy only says that she’s trying to implicate us in the plot against the emperor.”

Mother’s face went white. “Do you think she knows of Yarif’s kinship to us?”

“Doubtful. But what better excuse for Soland to invade than for Delletinians kidnapping his son’s consort?” Niam’s heart dropped as the implications occurred to him. Full-scale invasions had started over less.

“What better way to rid his son of an unwanted consort?” Mother growled, absentmindedly reaching for her dagger.

Niam’s heart ached for his young cousin. What use was kingship if he didn’t intend to use his power for good? “I believe we shouldspoil their plans. Even though Illa Trandores’ family is from this area, if she grew up in the empire, she might not know how treacherous Delletina can be at this time of year. We’ll use her ignorance to our advantage. I’ll send out my best men.” He opened the door to find Willem dutifully waiting.

“You wish to send a message, Your Majesty?”

“Bring me Captain Casseign.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Willem trotted down the hallway, all youthful enthusiasm.

“Why Casseign?” Mother asked.

“Because he’s here, and I trust him. He speaks passable Renvallian. He also doesn’t immediately hate all foreigners.” Niam poured brandy into two glasses, handing one to his mother. The cold in his bones had little to do with the weather, but brandy still might help.

A knock sounded on the door a few moments later. “Enter.”

Casseign ducked through the doorway, his six-foot height scarcely accommodated in the ancient keep. He bowed low, then stood at attention. “You sent for me, Your Majesty?”

“Yes. Would you care for brandy?”

“No, thank you, sire. I’m on duty.”

How like the man, sticking to duty even when his king invited him to partake. Part of the reason Niam chose Casseign. “There is a matter of utmost importance I need you to attend to.”

“I live to serve, Majesty.”

“Someone has kidnapped the king consort of Renvalle and crossed our borders. I believe the culprit intends to start aconflict between the empire and Delletina, warranting an invasion.” Which would put an end to any plans to join the empire peacefully.

Casseign cocked his head to the side. “Why the king consort? And how will that spark an invasion?”

“The emperor killed King Lleval DiRici and his heir for treason, then set his own son on the throne, making Lleval DiRici’s remaining son king consort.” Niam clenched his teeth to keep his outrage in check.

“Permission to speak freely?” Casseign’s golden eyes shone with intensity.

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