Page 130 of The King's Man
I explained both peoples to Diadre, adding to the historic knowledge she had of the Kingdoms, and their interactions with mine.
“…I assume Gall will visit both, but if he’s this far ahead already, we waste critical time following. We could gain several days by skipping one or the other—but then I have to wonder which to leave.”
Diadre frowned. “You’d just walk into Braventhall?”
Braventhall was the capital of Kyrion Vale, and the home of the Centaur’s society.
“The Centaurs will not attack until they see a threat,” I muttered. “They pride themselves on wisdom and peace. If anyone—male, female, Nephilim or otherwise—is willing to listen and speak, they will do the same. And they can’t lie.”
Diadre’s brows rose. “Can’t? Or won’t?”
“As far as I can tell, theycan’t.Melek said he’s seen them refuse to answer when tortured for information—” Diadre winced at that. “—but never tell a lie. He hoped to form some kind of alliance, or at least a truce with them. But if Gall has passed through there before us… who knows what will have been said or what they might expect?”
“And they’re far further south,” she pointed out.
I nodded. “Beyond the lakes, though. Water is the most precious resource in the plains here, and if we took that route, we’d be grateful for the abundance of the lakes.”
“So, you think we should see the Centaurs? Not the humans?”
I frowned, thinking. Oakstead was the capital of Meyrath, a city under the trees which made a natural shield for the eye and much harder for malignant Nephilim to find their quarry—but also reduced the visibility of the skies from the ground.
The humans there were afraid of us. They’d offer no resistance, and if Gall had already visited, would volunteer the information I needed. No need to dance with words or etiquette to squeeze information from them—and yet, their perspective would be skewed by their fear…
I sighed. “Visit the humans and hear the grandiose tales of the Nephilim, fueled by their fear, but get what we need quickly? Or visit the Centaurs and be forced to navigate and negotiate, but likely hear much more strategic and useful information…?”
“What about your friend?” Diadre added. “Where are you supposed to meet him?”
I huffed. “Never let Caelan hear you refer to her as a man, she’ll slice off your ear,” I chuckled. “But I have no worries about her finding us. Her instincts are impeccable, and her network of eyes and ears extensive. It’s why I’m desperate to speak with her. Her overview of the political factions in Ebonreach and the implications of them is second to none. If I had become King, I would have make her my primary advisor.”
Diadre looked at me warily. “Her?”
“Yes.”
“Your dear friend, trusted ally, loyal only to you… is awoman?”
I felt the pinch in her through the bond and tipped my head. “Why… is my mate…jealous?”I chuckled.
Diadre’s face was thunderous. “Less jealous, more wondering why you didn’t mention that she was aherbefore now?”
“I never refer to her in the feminine in anyone else’s company. Even my friend from Noctharrow doesn’t know she’s female. It’s the best cover for any spy, don’t you think?”
“How does she stay safe in Ebonreach if you’re gone?”
I was about to answer easily, when it occurred to me how Diadre might hear the words, and I swallowed them for a moment, frowning.
“What?” my mate asked. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, only… Well, she won’t be harmed because… she’smine.”
Diadre went very still. “Yourwhat?”
I swallowed and turned to look at her at my side, but she was staring blankly at the dirt in front of us.
“My… well, I suppose you’d call her my slave.”
46.Alpha Male Bullshit
SOUNDTRACK:Lamentby Tommee Proffit, Sam Tinnesz, Shaya Zamora
