Page 192 of The Kingdom's Reckoning
Kallie nodded. She got up and washed her hands in a bucket of fresh water a teenager had fetched earlier. As she dried off her hands, she searched for anyone else who needed help. But the healers had taken care of most of the injured.
With nothing else to do, she aimlessly walked through the camp, stopping at some groups to chat. Since she had arrived, she had talked to many of the people in the camp. But her attention kept going to the children. There were so many of them, some with families, others without. A few of the younger children were playing in the woods, wielding branches as makeshift weapons. They jabbed at each other with wide grins, laughter spilling from their mouths when they tagged their friends. Some of the older girls were braiding the younger girls’ hair. An older couple was telling a tale to a small group, the man putting his heart into his performance. It was only after the man started running around the circle roaring that Kallie realized the story was about a dragon.
These were the people they were fighting for today.
"I told you to stay busy, didn’t I, little mouse?"
Kallie ripped her gaze from the performance and found Graeson leaning against a sequoia tree.
"I was, but then…" She shrugged.
There was only so much any of them could do while they waited for the orders to return to the battle. Wanting to get as much rest as they could to prepare for the coming battle, many had opted to sleep. Kallie had debated doing the same, but she knew it would be a lost cause. She had slept only as well as she did last night because Graeson was with her.
She leaned her back against the tree, and her shoulder brushed Graeson’s arm.
"It puts things into perspective, doesn’t it?" he asked, tipping his head toward the children.
A sad smile ticked at the corner of her mouth. "Back in Ardentol, I would often sneak away and wander into the village. It was one of my favorite pastimes. I would go into random stores and taverns just to experience the world through the eyes of the people. There was one house in particular that had five children who would constantly play outside until nightfall. It makes me wonder what they are doing now."
"The council should be stepping up in Domitius' absence," Graeson said.
"The council is full of a bunch of power-hungry lords who can barely see past their own noses. They’re probably champing at the bit to gain his seat."
"Domitius never named you heir?"
Kallie shook her head. "His plan was always for me to marry another king," she said, spotting the very man who she was supposed to marry several yards away talking to Laurince and Myra. "I suppose it makes sense that he didn’t, since I wasn’t actually his blood."
Graeson snorted. "Did he expect to live forever?"
"Knowing him? Probably. Perhaps that was why he had been searching for a way to recreate our powers. Maybe he was looking for a way to become immortal."
"Wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case," Graeson mused, folding his arms over his chest. His elbow brushed her shoulder. "Would you go back if you had the chance?"
She peeked up at him, trying to see if there was a particular answer he was looking for. But when she found only curiosity staring back at her, she shrugged. "I don’t know. I guess I haven’t given it that much thought. I care for the people, but I have no claim to the throne."
"Does anyone?"
"One of the lords will surely try."
"This is insane, isn’t it?"
At Kallie’s question, Graeson observed the people anxiously awaiting their orders. A look of scrutiny passed across his countenance.
Once they had realized that reinforcements would not arrive in time, preparations for the battle began.
Phaia had explained earlier that when the previous fight had started, many civilians had fled in terror. Some had helped guide the young and the elderly to safety before the city was ravaged. Others had carried the wounded out, refusing to abandon them. Now, the same people formed a makeshift army. People who had fled in fear now stood with courage. Retired soldiers, despite their families’ protests, volunteered to dust off their swords. Women, who had been barred from the Frenzian military yet fought for their loved ones’ escape, held their chins high.
Some of the more traditional Frenzians grumbled about the women joining, but a single glance from Rian silenced them. Kallie was surprised Rian didn’t listen to their complaints. Months ago, he had claimed that while he wished for change, the kingdom held onto its traditions with a white-knuckled grip. Perhaps the past few months made him realize that change was unstoppable.
Either way, Kallie was glad to see Rian supporting the women’s decisions to join the cause. Not only because they needed the people, but because they too deserved a chance to defend their homes if they wished.
After scavenging for supplies, everyone who had volunteered to fight was armed with something. Strangers handed weapons to those who were weaponless, and when there were still people without, they found whatever they could. People stuffed their pockets with rocks; others created makeshift javelins from broken branches, sharpened to a deadly point.
After inspecting the crowd, Graeson asked, "Do you want my honest opinion?"
"Always," Kallie said.
"If Dani were here, she would call us foolish for leading a troop of untrained people into battle. Menides, her father and the commander, would advise us against it."
