Page 7 of Blood Arrow

“Do you usually search through the King’s rubbish?” That didn’t sound like a healthy occupation.

“Not usually, but sometimes,” he replied with yet another shrug.

“That sounds like a dangerous loophole…” I countered.

“No one will know if you don’t say anything,” he assured, rolling his eyes at me and making me want to smack him. That was dangerous... and yet, I was struggling to fight my curiosity.

“What does it say?” I whispered, knowing that I should not read it. Yet, asking someone who had, was plausible deniability.

“Go ahead, read it,” he encouraged, and like someone who just couldn’t help herself, I removed the letter, quickly glancing over it.

“Rusalko Causemont, King of Brural,

I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits. To end the fighting after ten years is something that has weighed heavily on me. Our correspondence has lifted me up in hope, accompanied by the knowledge that this will soon be behind us.

I am happy to report that your delegation has arrived safely. My own ladies have welcomed them, and I have high hopes that matches will be made for each of them, and dare I say, a couple of the guards as well. Our young men are intrigued by your ladies, a breath of fresh air, as it were.

Which brings me to something concerning we should discuss. In our past letters you’ve been very specific about the numbers you will send here. That number matches the contingent that arrived, but I’ve received reports saying that the correct amount that crossed our borders. Those numbers state a startling three times the original amount provided.

Did you send more men? If so, I can’t see a reason why.

I have given you my word as King that no one from Brural will be harmed while this truce is in place. My commanders have reported unease among our ranks and yours. Tensions continue to rise, and I urge you to adhere to our truce and our plan. This could end the bloodshed for each of our kingdoms. As a noble, and just King, I have faith that you’ll do what’s right for your people and mine.

Yours in faith and trust,

Graeme Mayweather, King of Thimmaria.”

I had to reread the letter three times before I felt I’d grasped the implications correctly. Why would the Bruralian King send more people than what he’d originally agreed upon? What possible purpose could there be, other than fear for his people’s safety? Was there something far more sinister? Had this whole truce been a ruse?

“You see now why I went to Captain Marcus?” Will asked, eyes imploring me. “He confided that he and his men have spotted Bruralian soldiers around the castle. With more prodding, he said the numbers are less than ten in total.”

“Then what happened to the others? This letter states that there are three times the number that arrived here. That’s a considerable amount…”

“Enough to lead an invasion,” Will agreed with a nod. “The only thing keeping them from invading before this, was our brutal winters and endless forests. Without a map you could get lost in our lands, wandering in circles, found by no one.”

“These extra people are going to map our lands.” A gasp escaped me as it all became clear.

They snuck more men across the border under the guise of the truce and split up to go to every corner of our lands—mapping, counting, gauging. In a couple of months, they’d know our countryside and our people. A sneaky invasion instead of an outright one.

Unable to sit any longer I climbed to my feet and began to pace the room, my mind buzzing with the new information. Forbidden information. I shouldn’t know any of it, but for maybe the first time, I was thankful for my cousin’s impetuous and curious nature. He’d come to the same conclusion, and by speaking to Captain Marcus, he’d made him aware without outright saying what was concerning.Smart.

“I’ll pen a letter to my father and carefully reveal what we’d discovered. I’ve been meaning to write to him, to tell him of my expectations as the King’s ward.” The last words came out as a growl. Father would surely take exception to the King offering me to an unknown kingdom’s man. It was not how things were done here.

“You think it wise to tell him?” Will’s eyebrows rose with the question.

There were many things I kept from my father. My letters were full of false happiness and how much I was enjoying being here, which couldn’t be further from the truth. I hadn’t seen my father in three years, only receiving the occasional letter, so I didn’t want to worry him when he was following orders given to him by the King himself.

“I’ll think on it,” was my only reply, knowing as well as my cousin did, how much my father loved his King.

Nodding, Will collected the letter and bid me goodnight. I let him go, but only after I wrestled a promise from him to be careful. He had dangerous information on him that a motivated person might just kill to have.

I continued to pace and worry long into the night, my musings ending with me pulling my father’s bow from my trunk and laying it on the bed beside me. It could never replace him, but it comforted me.

The sound of Brexley tiptoeing into my room to stoke the fire, woke me early the next morning. When she left, I crawled out of bed to dress in my forbidden clothing, grabbed my bow, quiver, and my warmest cloak, then made my way out of the castle—toward the meadow.

The cool, crisp morning air helped to clear my mind while I uncovered my handmade targets and began to position them. I tried to choose different, and more difficult angles to challenge myself. Usually, I’d have Will come out and set them up for me, but he got bored easily and didn’t have much imagination.

Once everything was set up, I walked to the middle of the meadow, sat cross legged in the grass and closed my eyes, taking a deep breath.

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