* * *
Sevela, Cralle, and Elacien. Three kingdoms visited. Three refusals of aid. And not just aid against Kern. Maren’s injury was as bad as ever. Possibly worse from all the travel, all the sleeping on hard beds – if there was a bed at all – and long days of riding. No matter what she did or how slowly she moved, her shoulder hurt.
And she hadn’t found Philip. Not even a word. At first, she saw him everywhere – in the young man disappearing around a corner, in the back of a head in a tavern. She’d even chased after a few, calling Philip’s name, only to be met with confused glances of people who obviously thought she was crazy. Especially since her speech and clothing gave her away as being from Tredare – the kingdom threatened by Kern. The kingdom no one wanted to help.
The kingdoms used to be friendly. Goods flowed freely. Court visits were common.
Until Kern.
And dark magic.
She urged her horse forward over a slight rise in the road and then stopped as King Senred’s castle rose up before her. It was a castle of strength, with solid watchtowers and tall battlements, in a kingdom known for its military strength. Soldiers guarded the gate, standing in straight lines, ready to defend against anything.
She would have come here first – were it not for its king.
Senred was as guarded as his castle. And he had a long, complicated history with Tredare.
Maren headed for the castle, stopping only when a caravan came up behind her and she moved aside to let them pass.
A quick glance at the contents of the carts confirmed a number of suspicions she’d heard her father discuss with Daric. They’d long thought Senred and Lord Montagu, a Tredarean lord who held lands along Senred’s border, were illegally trading goods in order to avoid tariffs. And it wasn’t hard to understand why Montagu would go to such lengths. He’d questioned Daric’s ability as king from the very beginning. Not his right, his ability – and his age. It hadn’t gotten much attention because Daric effectively proved his ability when he trapped Kern in the tomb.
Montagu was also one of the only Lords who refused to come when Daric had ordered them all to Delorme.
She frowned. This may be even harder than she thought.
When she reached the castle, she gave her name, presented the letter from Daric, and was escorted to the main hall.
A few minutes later, King Senred bowed over her hand. “Lady Maren, I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure. Of course, I met your father on a number of occasions. I was so sorry to hear of his death.”
He didn’t sound sorry, but now wasn’t the time to be impolite. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“And to what do I owe this honor?” Senred asked.
“I came for two reasons. First, to beg your aid on behalf of Tredare. To help us find a way to defeat Kern.”
His expression didn’t change at all, gave no hint to his thoughts. “And second?” he asked.
“I came for aid personally.” She hesitated, wanting only to share what was absolutely necessary. “When Kern came to the castle…” She didn’t expand, didn’t say Kern had invaded the castle twice instead of the one time everyone knew about. “I got in his way, and he gave me this.” She pulled the sleeve of her dress down over her shoulder until his eyes widened in shock. “As you know, we don’t have mages of sufficient skill in Tredare to heal such an injury.”
“I always thought Daric’s decision to shun magic was…unwise.”
“So it would seem,” Maren said.
Senred didn’t say anything for a long time. He just stared at her, arms crossed over his chest, as if he were making a decision.
“Does it hurt?” he finally asked.
“Yes.”
“How badly?”
“All the time,” she said. “Like someone’s twisting a knife in my shoulder. It’s bearable if I don’t move, but since that’s not usually an option…”
The corner of his mouth twitched. Almost as if he were trying not to smile. “What can you offer me for my help?”
“With Kern or my injury?”
He shrugged. “Both.”
“King Daric has authorized me to promise whatever you want.”
“As I’m sure you know, the only thing Tredare has that I want are diamonds.” He paused. “And since I’m going to have those anyway, why should I risk fighting Kern.”
It took a minute for the full implications of his words to sink in. Daric would never just give diamonds to Senred.
But Montagu would.
She looked at Senred with barely veiled hate. “So you refuse to help Tredare against Kern?”
“Yes.”
“And what happens when Tredare is destroyed and you’re the next target?”
He laughed. “Oh, I won’t be the next target. In fact, I won’t be a target at all.”
The same thing the other kings had told her. They were all certain Kern wouldn’t attack them. But why? True, Kern wanted revenge on Daric, but men like Kern didn’t stop once they’d gotten a taste of power. Unless…
She almost gasped aloud. The other kingdoms had made a deal with Kern. He wouldn’t attack them if they didn’t aid Tredare.
Senred must have watched the emotions play across her face because he laughed again. “I see you understand.”
“Perfectly.” She swept him a low bow. “I’m sorry to have taken up your time.” Then she turned and stepped towards the door.
“And what about your injury?” he called.
She didn’t turn. “What about it?”
“What would you personally be willing to do for the use of my mages?”
Her hands clenched. “I have nothing you want.”
“I wouldn’t mind seeing you begging at my feet.”
Now she spun around. “I will beg if that’s what you want, although I have no idea why it matters to you. I am no one. Nothing but a young woman trying to help her kingdom.”
“You are your father’s daughter,” Senred said, voice full of hatred. “Lord Haven, always so condescending, always thinking he knew what was best. To have his daughter’s well-being in my hands, to see her beg at my feet…let’s just say it settles old scores.”
Her first instinct was to slap him. So was her second. Both of those had to wait because if he could help her, even if it meant begging, she’d do it.
She stepped forward. “I am begging. Please, help me. Let your mages at least try.”
“You’re still standing.”
She sank to her knees. “Please.”
He looked down at her, an exultant look on his face. “No,” he sneered. “Now get out of my kingdom before I have you thrown out.”
Rage engulfed her. She jumped to her feet and slapped him full across the face. After which, she found her arms pulled behind her back as Senred’s guards rushed to restrain her. They weren’t gentle, and she couldn’t help but cry out as her shoulder burned, paralyzing her with pain.
Senred only watched her with cold curiosity. “You weren’t exaggerating about the pain.”
“I’m not exaggerating either when I tell you how horrible you are. You made a deal with Kern to further your own selfish ends. You won’t help me even though it costs you nothing. It’s just spite. I hope Kern comes after you next. I hope he destroys everything you hold dear and leaves you to rot. Death would be too easy.”
His face went red. “How dare you! I am a king. You are nothing but a girl a weak monarch sent because he has no other options.” He turned to his guards. “Throw her out. And don’t do it gently.”
The grip on her arms tightened, dragging her from the room so quickly she could barely get her feet under her, causing her arms and shoulders to take most of her weight. She screamed in agony but her cries were ignored. Then she was dumped in a heap outside the gates, landing hard on her shoulder. She lay there until she could bear to stand and then stumbled towards her horse. But mounting was impos
sible – and no one offered to help her. She settled for grabbing the reins and leading the horse away from the castle.
And vowed to never come back.