Page 33 of Sword of Desire
Ackley knew she had already made up her mind. However, she consulted her son for a reason, as if she was training him in negotiations and diplomacy.
“Why did Melenia try to take over Marsden?” Savenek asked. “To gain more land? Money? What was the end goal?”
“The commander of the Melenia army invaded us because he sought power.” Ackley didn’t want to reveal Marsden had mines filled with stones worth a fortune. It was best to keep that a secret; they didn’t need anyone else invading.
Savenek tapped the hilt of his sword while considering what Ackley had said. “If Commander Beck sought power, and his son is carrying out his father’s plans, then I must conclude that Lyle also seeks power. What’s to prevent him from invading another kingdom again?”
Rema nodded. “A good observation. What else can you deduce?”
“Lyle hasn’t attempted to communicate with Kerdan, has he?” Savenek asked.
“No.”
The two of them knew far more than Ackley had suspected.
“But he is in communication with Jana?” Savenek said.
“He is.”
“And Darmik is still on track with that plan?”
Rema nodded. “He is working with Kerdan.”
Ackley knew she’d thrown him that boon of information.
“If something happens and they are not successful, we need a backup plan,” Savenek said.
“And you think our backup plan should be to forge a treaty with Owen?” Rema asked.
“Yes. We don’t need another situation like we have with Russek looming over our heads. I’d rather be proactive.”
“I agree,” Rema said.
“Do we have a deal?” Ackley asked.
A man rushed into the room, breathing heavily. “Did anyone else come with the four of you?” he asked Audek.
“Uh, no. Just the four of us. And the horses.”
“What’s the problem?” Rema demanded.
“We have visitors. And they don’t appear to be friendly.”
Harley
Lyle stood with the potato sack in hand, staring at the man kneeling before him. Harley blinked in utter shock. She’d expected to see Ackley; instead, she saw a man she didn’t recognize. The man’s body shape and build had an uncanny resemblance to Ackley.
“I demand you release me at once,” the prisoner insisted. “You, a false king, have no right to stand there accusing me of being a traitor.” The man even spoke with the same accent and intonation as Ackley.
“I believe you know my wife, Lady Harley,” Lyle said, waving her over.
She approached cautiously.
The man looked at her and sneered. “I should have known you weren’t loyal to Owen.”
Lyle slid his arm around her waist. “Love, verify this is Prince Ackley of Marsden—the man who brought foreign soldiers onto my land to kill me.”
Harley froze, understanding that this man had been captured in Ackley’s place. She wanted to speak to him privately to find out if that had been intentional or not. However, she couldn’t let Lyle see her expressing any interest in Ackley—even if this man wasn’t him—because it would only make matters worse.
