Page 65 of Cage of Destiny
Both men turned their attention toDarmik, waiting for him to answer. Darmik had a blank expression onhis face, giving nothing away.
“I’ll do it,” Allyssa said.Pretending to be a commoner and sneaking around town was nothingnew to her.
“What do you think?” Darmikasked Nathenek. A sense of thrill filled Allyssa that her fatherwas even considering it.
Nathenek grinned. “She’s more thancapable.”
She wanted to kiss him on the cheekfor his vote of confidence.
“I know you can do it,”Darmik said to her. “But do you want to?”
“Yes,” she said withouthesitating. The excitement of pretending to be someone else gaveher a sense of freedom. Besides, she wasn’t allowed to participatewith the actual assassination attempt, so this would be hercontribution.
“Am I the only one whothinks this is a bad idea?” Odar asked, pinching the bridge of hisnose. “You want to send the heir of the Emperion throne to avillage that could be infested with enemy soldiers.”
She was no longer engaged to Odar. Hehad no say in what she could or could not do. “How is this anydifferent from what we did in Lakeside? You snuck me out of thecastle to meet with an assassin.” She looked pointedly at him,awaiting his response. Allyssa had been in danger then with onlyOdar for protection. Surely Kerdan was equally capable ofprotecting her.
“You weren’t in enemyterritory.” Odar leaned forward, into her personal space. While hisface was red with anger, his eyes were wide, pleading with her tolisten to him. She took a step back.
They’d set up camp just outside thevillage. The sun had already set, and the sky was turning dark. Thefrigid wind gusted, making her shiver.
“Allyssa is not in enemyterritory,” Kerdan said. “She is in my kingdom. I know thesepeople. They are good, hard-working citizens. She’ll be fine.” Hesounded irritated that he had to explain himself. He must be usedto people agreeing with him and following his orders withoutquestion.
Odar glared at him. “How can you besure no one will recognize you?”
“Since this is a smallvillage, no one will even consider the possibility that the princeis walking among them.”
Kerdan had sent Hurit and Larek aheadto scout out the village. They’d been gone for a couple of hoursand should be returning any minute. If they found nothing amiss,then Kerdan planned to go—with or without Allyssa. Personally, sheliked the idea of going into the village alone with Kerdan to talkto the local people to try and ascertain if Jana was at the duke’shouse.
“There’s no need for her togo,” Odar insisted. “If your men are as capable as you claim, theyshould be able to gather all the information we need.” Odarwouldn’t even look at her as he argued with Kerdan.
“I understand what you’resaying,” Kerdan replied. “However, I do have an ulteriormotive.”
“Ha!” Odar shouted. “I knewit.”
She shook her head, wanting to smackhim for being such a prick.
“Allyssa has agreed toenter into marriage negotiations with me,” Kerdan said.
All color drained from Odar’s face. Heopened his mouth several times to speak, but nothing cameout.
“I want her to see mypeople so she can start to understand the Russek culture,” Kerdancontinued.
“She can do that… after,”Odar whispered.
“She could,” Kerdanconceded. “However, after I am crowned, the chances of the two ofus having time to slip away for such an excursion are slim to none.It’s not like I’m asking to take her into hostile territory. She’llonly go if my men deem the village safe.”
Odar turned to Darmik. “How can youallow her to do something so stupid?”
Darmik cocked his head, observingOdar. “If anyone’s behavior is stupid, it is not mydaughter’s.”
“When something goes wrong,don’t count on me to help,” Odar said before turning and stormingaway.
Darmik nodded to Nathenek, whosilently followed Odar out of the camp and into thewoods.
“Am I allowed to go withKerdan?” Allyssa couldn’t contain the huge smile on herface.
“You can go so long asyou’re armed, you remain with Kerdan at all times, and you don’t doanything foolish.”
