Page 64 of Glass and Bone
I have been given a page to serve me and assist with any need I have. His name is Donovan, and he spends most of the time looking at his feet. He’s quite young, possibly the same age as I. His father serves on the council, who I assume is one of the men standing near me in the hallway right now. He’s been quite helpful in acquiring any knowledge I seek pertaining to the crown. Tobias’s schedule has been quietly monitored and it seems he spends most of his time in his study or out riding. I have to say, I am happy to hear he is taking his kingly duties seriously, but I do wish he would have a conversation with me. Especially one that isn’t just basic formalities and niceties that one normally has with those they dislike.
My hands are clasped in front of me, my nails digging into my palms, as I await Tobias’s arrival. The sun is filtering through the windows, making the marble walls sparkle in response. Footsteps approach from my left and I turn to see Tobias headed this way, guards following closely behind. His eyes are tired and bloodshot, his face pale. I don’t imagine he has been getting much sleep as of late. At least, I rarely recall him being there when I awake in the middle of the night. I know it is my duty to care for him, but I don’t want to step in unless he truly wants me to. The council members bow and engage in formalities while Tobias walks over to me.
“My queen.” I offer him a small smile as he leans down and kisses my cheek.
“You are looking tired, husband. You need rest.” I whisper so the others do not hear, but he shakes his head.
“I am fine,wife.” I nod in defeat, my eyes drifting to the floor, and follow him into the council room. The three other men take their places in seats I presume they have always inhabited, and Tobias walks over to the head of the table. I place my hands on the back of a chair and look around. The room is large, rectangular. The walls aren’t all marble here, as some dark gray sheetrock line the walls, much like our bed chambers. The table in the center is covered in papers and a map with small figurines placed around. The wood of the table is dark and tinted red with black veins running through. A fire is ablaze in the corner, making the room uncomfortably warm, even with the early autumn air. The men are all watching me, waiting, so I quickly pull out the chair and take a seat.
“Let’s call this meeting to order.” Tobias’s voice is clear and commanding. He takes his seat and leans back, his elbow propped against his knee. “Jeremiah?” He questions as he looks around with a raised eyebrow.
“He had some duties to attend to, Your Grace.” The man next to me responds. I haven’t seen Jeremiah at all since the coronation, but Tobias also hasn’t mentioned whether or not he has found proof of his treason.
“Very well, Cyrus, you may begin.” Cyrus briefly glances in my direction before he nods and clears his throat.
“We have sent as many men as we can spare to secure the borders, but our militia is growing weak. Labisa can reach us from all angles, but if we send more men, we may risk our safety here, Your Grace.” Tobias frowns and his eyes momentarily flit to me before returning to Cyrus.
“Labisa has set up the majority of their army in Rakushia. I don’t fear our safety from Chatis so our troops can evacuate from their borders and join Theo and the kingsguard at the Rakushian border. Tatus is also under our banner, so their borders are secure as well. Send a rider to King Pax of Tatus and ask him to supply men to our cause. They don’t need to leave Tatus but should be stationed on their eastern border that they share with Labisa. Tatus controls most of their trade, so I don’t believe they are at risk of infiltrating their walls, however I want to be prepared.” His voice is powerful, and I find myself in awe as he speaks to his men.
His tone is even, commanding. He listens to their thoughts and concerns and builds off of them instead of discrediting their beliefs. It’s completely different from how my father rules, or how I’ve seen him rule. His word is law, he doesn’t care about the opinions of others, but Tobias does. I can almost feel the iron chains I’ve been keeping around my heart loosen slightly.
He isn’t my father. He isn'thisfather. He’s his own version of a king, and I shouldn’t judge him against the others.
“Yes, Your Grace. What of the beach towns that line the Great Sanaya Sea?” Cyrus pauses his writing to glance back up at his king.
“Close the smaller ports down and evacuate those who reside there to any of the larger towns inland. All trade will need to come through Port Tobeo for the time being. If we station our men there, it’ll reduce the need to spread our army thin, and concentrating our population to areas we can manage will reduce the likelihood of any of our cities being seized.” Cyrus nods. “You’ll send word?”
Our cities being seized? Is he really discussing an actual war? I knew things with Labisa were strained, but I always thought it would pass or lessen in severity. Butthis, this is actual war. I can feel my palms dampening and I wipe them on the skirt of my gown. I take a quiet, deep breath, and try to focus.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Does anyone else have anything to add?” He looks around, but the men shake their heads. “Welan, where are we on the situation with Rakushia?” Tobias turns towards the man to his right who boasts the pin of the hand.
“The reports have come back, Your Grace. He was beheaded in the town square of the capital a week ago.” Tobias growls and stands, throwing his chair back behind him. I flinch, but everyone else remains unphased, as if this behavior is a normal occurrence. He places his hands on the table and peers down at the map. Small, carved stone figurines line the map marking the capital cities and locations of our armies. I focus on the border between Rakushia and Noterra and see a small, white rose figurine. Does that symbolize our armies? Or is it Theo’s mark? The Noterra capital has a red crown and a silver crown. Is that supposed to be Tobias and I?
“Labisa has gained control over Rakushia.” His voice is stern as his eyes fixate in front of him. I knew Labisa had infiltrated Rakushia, but I wasn’t aware it was this bad, thisdeadly. His eyes find mine and he shakes his head in frustration. “If the king has been beheaded, Labisa nowownsthat territory according to the laws of succession.” Tears well up in my eyes and I blink them away. I had met the Rakushian King many times as a child, he was a kind man with a daughter the same age as me. She was one of the only friends I was permitted to have. We were distant relatives, and I wish I had the chance to get to know them.
“What about Princess Emery, and the queen?” I ask, afraid his answer is that they joined the king in his journey to the other side. Everyone’s eyes look up at me and I sink in my chair slightly. Was I not allowed to speak?
“Queen Arya died the first day they infiltrated, but Princess Emery is missing. They have not found her yet, at least as far as our intel knows. Our hope is that she somehow escaped. She has allies here in Noterra, as well as Chatis. She is surrounded by those who will help, she just needs to make it out of Rakushia to reach them.” His voice is even, diplomatic.
“Will we look for her? If she’s hurt or alone,” My voice cracks as I fight against the lump in my throat. “It is not safe for her; we need to find her and bring her to court.” I plead, hoping that he agrees.
“We can’t cross the border right now, Your Grace. It will be seen as a sign of retaliation. Noterra is strong, but we don’t want to engage in a war if it’s not necessary.” Cyrus responds gently, but I ignore him.
“But it is necessary. Tobias, they already declared war. They already stated they were going to fight Noterra as soon as they reached the borders of Rakushia, and probably have plans for Chatis as well. We have to be prepared. We have to help my father.”
“Chatis has not been mentioned in any of our intel. Your father is feared, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he leaves Chatis out of this.” Welan responds this time.
“But why now? Why have they done thisnow? We have lived without wars for nearly twenty years. What has caused this sudden urge to enter a war?” The men around us mutter and I can hear them snicker in response to my questions.
“Because of you, Elaenor.” Tobias says matter-of-factly. As if it is the most obvious answer. Quiet spreads, but Cyrus smiles smugly at Tobias’s admission. I want to shove the pen he’s writing with down his throat. I stand slowly, anger fueling my voice as I narrow my eyes at him and plant my hands flat on the table, copying his stance.
“How is thispossiblymy fault?”
“You exist, Elaenor. A princess that was presumed dead for ten years. You have aided Noterra in acquiring yetanothercountry to control. It is no secret that my father wanted to be the one true king, and I am close. Out of 11 countries, Noterra controls 5 of them. Labisa knew Rakushia was next, we share a border, it only makes sense. With the help of Chatisian armies, we wouldn’t have to lift a finger to gain access to another land.” He runs his hands through his hair as he looks at me with irritation, as if my presence is an inconvenience to him.
“I had no choice in this marriage, Tobias. Neither did you. We were a political match.” I say slowly, attempting to control my anger. The room is silent, everyone looking away from our exchange.
