Page 9 of The Queens and the Kings
“Exactly,” Arvid said, snapping two fingers. “After we distribute information about the Unseen Island and Captain Oliver, Old Man will assess if there are enough residents to save, or if we should pull the few who want out and find somewhere else to live. It gives us a broad picture of whether an overthrow is required, or just a soldat rebellion. We’ll decide whether we take this rebellion to all of Stenberg, or remove those who want out.”
Henrik ardently hoped for the latter.
“It’s a good plan,” he said.
The slowing rainfall drew Henrik’s attention higher. He thought of Britt. Did her aunt berate her? He itched to find her again.
Arvid followed his gaze. “The lack of rain is my sign.” He stretched his arms. “I need to leave. The ship Captain to Narpurra said he’d clear out when the storm thinned, and I don’t trust them not to leave me. After a week in Kapurnick, I risk overstaying my welcome.” A quick smile graced his lips. “General Helsing told me to leave before midnight, and she’s not a leader to perturb.”
“She’s a welcoming woman,” Henrik muttered.
Arvid laughed outright. While Einar and Arvid exchanged pleasant farewells, and Agnes received another embrace, Henrik stood. Arvid extended a hand. “Do I have your support, Henrik?”
Henrik accepted the handshake.
“I’ll let you know.”
Arvid replied with a blithe nod. “Einar tells me that you’re looking for Selma.”
Henrik’s eyes snapped up.
“What?”
“Your mother.”
“Yes . . . I am. How did you know her name?”
“Did you find her?”
“We found her name. My father’s name, too, but not what happened to either of them.” Something in Arvid’s eyes compelled him to ask, “Did you know them?”
Arvid sighed, his expression inscrutable. “He sent Selma to the mainland.”
“Oliver said that.”
“Klipporno.”
A rock crashed into Henrik’s stomach. “Klipporno?” he whispered.
“It’s a bustling port town set into cliffs. A lot of imports arrive there from The Isles. The Lordlady tends to visit there frequently this time of year. When they banished Selma from Stenberg for making a scene, a merchant ship took her to Klipporno.”
“How do you know?”
“I asked.”
“Why?”
Arvid drew in a deep breath, then let it out. “I don’t know. Curiosity, perhaps. Horror. Even then, I knew the way His Glory treated Stenberg islanders and the soldats wasn’t right, but . . .” He swallowed hard. “I lacked the courage to do anything about it until now. I didn’t know her,” he added. “I’m sorry I can’t tell you more, and I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to act against the tyrant. I wish I had chosen differently all these years.”
Henrik could barely speak when he said, “Thank you, Ca—Arvid. That helps. A lot. I didn’t know where to start.”
Arvid clapped him on the shoulder.
“With me or not, Henrik, I want the best for you.”
Chapter Four
BRITT
