Chapter 4 #2
Sabine returned to her room and found she’d already received a handful of invitations. Anyone of importance either invited her to supper or was throwing a small party in her honor to celebrate her coronation. Sabine immediately responded and accepted each invitation.
When Otto and Markis joined her that evening, they told her they’d discovered the location of the Bakley children in the palace.
The two of them had spent the day talking with them, trying to find out the truth of who’d taken them and what really happened.
Otto said he was fairly certain he knew the culprit but wanted to refrain from saying who until he had solid proof.
He asked Sabine how well she knew the commander and if he would be willing to speak to her on the matter.
She wasn’t sure, so she sent a letter to Felix, summoning him to a meeting.
The following days were filled with Sabine attending gathering after gathering.
She always made sure to dress in appropriate Lynk attire, she wore her crown, and she tried to get to know each of her subjects on a personal level.
Her goal was simple: to win each and every one of them over.
While she knew it couldn’t be accomplished with a single event, it was at least a start.
Sabine and Otto were seated in the royal family’s dining room enjoying breakfast, Axel and Anton nowhere in sight, when Markis announced Commander Felix’s arrival.
“Come in and join us,” Sabine said, motioning for him to take a seat at the table.
He did so while Markis remained next to the doorway.
“What can I do for you, Your Majesty?” Felix asked.
Sabine set her fork down and observed the older man. He’d probably been a soldier in the king’s army for at least three decades. As the commander of the army, he should be aware of the king’s plans.
“Now that I’m the queen of Lynk,” she began, “I am trying to get up to speed on the state of affairs. I’d like a detailed report of all orders the king has given to the military over the past year.”
He nodded. “I can put that together for you. However, it’ll take me some time to gather everything.”
“The sooner the better,” she replied.
“Is there anything specific you’re looking for?”
“Like I mentioned, I want to be brought up to speed on the kingdom’s affairs.” She took a sip of tea. When she set the cup down, she said, “I am curious if there’s anything in there with regards to Bakley. Specifically, the children that were taken, then subsequently found.”
“I spoke with some of the children,” Otto said. “They claim they were used to make arrow tips.”
Felix didn’t respond.
“Commander,” Sabine said, “is that true?”
“Yes.” One word. Nothing more. He kept his focus on her, as if waiting for a follow-up question.
“Did Lynk steal the children from Bakley?” Sabine held her breath, afraid of the answer.
“Yes.”
Otto cursed, shoving his chair back from the table. Sabine reached over, placing her hand on his arm, letting him know he needed to be quiet so she could get more information from Felix.
“Why did Rainer tell me he found them on a boat?” Sabine had lost her appetite, so she shoved her plate away.
“After the children were used to make the necessary weapons, they were put on a boat and brought here to the palace.”
“When I spoke to them,” Otto said, “they seemed confused as to who had taken them.”
Sabine knew Felix wouldn’t answer unless she forced him to with a direct order. “What were the children told about those who had taken them?”
The corners of Felix’s mouth turned up, and Sabine knew she’d asked the right question.
“They were told the men who stole them from their homes were from Avoni. They were told they needed to make weapons because Avoni had none. Then, when the job was done, Lynk soldiers miraculously found them, put them on a boat, and brought them here.”
Rainer had lied. He’d sent word to her father that he’d found the children on ships manned by Avoni soldiers.
But Avoni had nothing to do with this. Relief filled her—Evander hadn’t been a part of it at all.
Back when she’d first heard about Avoni’s possible involvement, Evander had been furious that she’d even questioned him.
Regardless of what had happened, at least the children had been found and were safe. Her priority was getting those children home to their families before anything else happened to them. “Prince Otto will be escorting the children home,” she said.
“I’ll make sure Prince Otto has everything necessary for the journey.”
Sabine took another sip of her tea.
“Is there anything else I can do for you this morning?” Felix asked.
“What does Rainer plan to do with the army? Does he plan to invade Carlon and Nisk? Is he going to declare war?”
Felix took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he sat back in his chair, watching her. After a moment, he rubbed his eyes. “Yes,” he replied.
Although Sabine had guessed this was what Rainer intended to do, hearing it confirmed by the commander of the army turned Sabine’s blood cold.
“Do you know why the king wishes to invade the kingdoms to the south of us?”
“We’re told we need food,” he answered. “But I’ve heard the king mention wanting to get rid of the League. Beyond that, your guess is as good as mine.”
“Can I ask you a personal question?” Sabine inquired.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
She rubbed her temple. “Do you agree with what King Rainer plans to do?”
He sat there staring at her for a long minute before answering.
“My wife likes you. She believes you’re what this kingdom needs.
I’m a commander, my son a captain. Neither of us wants to see a war.
We’d both be at the front lines. And, well, there are other, more personal reasons.
I’ve been around for a long time. I’m in my fifties.
I’d like to live the rest of my days on my land.
I’d like my family—my entire family—to be with me.
I believe the League was put in place for a reason and wish our king would follow and respect the rules set forth by the League. ”
Unease filled Sabine. While she’d known Rainer was breaking the League’s rules, she hadn’t fully realized he’d wanted to dismantle the League entirely.
The other kingdoms would ban together against Lynk.
But Lynk had the strongest army of all. “I’m told we have ships off the coast of Carlon and tent cities with men ready to storm into Carlon and Nisk? ”
“We do.”
Sabine gripped her hands together. “Do I have the authority to give you orders?”
He smiled. “You are my queen.”
Hope filled her. “I want the ships called back to Lynk, I want the tent cities torn down, and I want the soldiers to go back to wherever it is they’re normally stationed.”
Felix leaned forward, his forearms on the table. “You must understand what you’re doing. If the other kingdoms decide to come against us, we’ll be defenseless.”
“But I don’t want to go to war.”
“Understandable. What about defending ourselves?”
She hadn’t considered that.
“And what of the king?” Felix asked. “When he finds out what you’ve done, he’ll not only be furious, but he’ll undo your orders.”
In other words, she needed to give different instructions. “What do you suggest?”
“No one has ever asked me that before.”
“Are you not the commander? Wouldn’t your advice be the most valuable of all?”
He leaned back, considering her. “Personally, I’d move the ships north so they’re still in play but off Lynk’s shoreline, close to the border.
I’d leave the tent cities right where they are—but I’d give them different orders.
Perhaps focus on training, running drills, protecting our border—not preparing to attack.
Then, hopefully, no one will discover their orders have changed. Does that make sense?”
She nodded. “That is a good idea.” She chewed on her bottom lip, thinking it through.
“Prince Otto, if I may be so bold to offer a recommendation,” Felix mumbled.
“If I were you, I’d leave as soon as possible.
When King Rainer returns, Queen Sabine is going to have a fight on her hands.
You don’t want to be used as leverage against the queen.
The less people here who love or care about her, the better. ”
“How can you serve a king you think so little of?” she asked.
“You forget he is a new king. A young king. I served under another man for many years. A good man. When the old king died, the commander retired. King Rainer appointed me as the new commander. I thought it was a great opportunity. Now that I know the king better, now that I know his plans and what he’s capable of.
” He shrugged. “However, I swore allegiance to him and the throne.”
“Luckily for you, I am now on the throne and can help you.”
He nodded. “More importantly, you can help all of Lynk.”
Just then, a messenger ran into the room. “Your Majesty,” a young man said as he bowed. “A letter from the king of Bakley.”
Sabine took the letter, examining the seal. It was, indeed, from her father.
“I’ll take my leave,” Felix said as he stood. “I’ll get that full report to you as soon as possible.” He left the room.
Sabine tore the letter open and read it.
“What does it say?” Otto asked, leaning over her shoulder.
She read the words but they didn’t register. “I don’t understand.”
“Our brother, Viktor, is getting married?” Otto said.
Sabine couldn’t imagine her brother married. At least not Viktor. He wasn’t even next in line to marry—Otto was.
“He is to marry Princess Carin, Evander’s sister,” Otto said. “She’s the youngest of the three Avoni princesses, correct?”
“Yes,” Sabine answered. During her stay in Avoni, she’d only spoken with Carin a couple of times. Sabine had been closer to Gemma since Gemma showed up to help when Evander had been injured.
“What do you know about her?” Otto asked.
“Carin is beautiful, but I don’t know if her personality will match Viktor’s since I don’t know her that well.” She couldn’t imagine Viktor married to an assassin. “This is…” Surprising. Shocking. Unexpected.
“Viktor is probably upset I wasn’t home to enter into negotiations instead of him.” He chuckled. “Pity.”
“Why the necessary union between Bakley and Avoni?” she mused.
“Read the letter again. Father has a coded message in there.” Otto stood and began pacing the room. “It’s genius really. Avoni and Bakley are aligned, just like Lynk and Bakley. Lynk can’t make a move against Avoni now. The marriage ensures Avoni is safe from an attack.”
“I thought that was the purpose of Prince Evander marrying Princess Lottie?”
Otto chuckled. “She can’t marry him if she’s in the dungeon or dead.”
After she’d met and talked with King Kai from Avoni, she couldn’t imagine him aligning his kingdom with Bakley’s.
And, to be honest, a small part of her felt as if a knife had pierced her heart.
If she’d been home, maybe she could have married Evander.
Cursing her fate, she shoved back from the table and stood, needing to do something.
“Where are you going?” Otto asked.
She peered over at him. “Up for a little mischief?”