Chapter 22 #2
In the darkness, Sabine had no way to keep track of time.
She ate when she was hungry and slept when she was tired.
When not doing either of those things, she had nothing to do but think.
The blackness surrounding her seemed to breed doubt and negative thoughts.
If Evander was involved in the assassinations, was she okay with that?
She honestly didn’t know. He’d told her countless times that his father had a plan in place.
It made sense that Avoni’s plan involved killing people since it seemed that was all they were capable of doing.
The issue she had was the number of people they’d killed all in the name of stopping a war.
Truth be told, it was the same reasoning she’d used when she had Lottie arrested knowing her siblings would face the same fate.
Sabine had told herself that a few deaths to save many justified those deaths.
It felt like days passed. Just as her mind and body had reached the limit for what she could take on this journey, a faint light came from up ahead.
The lava tube expanded, and the water opened onto a small beach before narrowing and exiting through a large opening off to the side.
The boat hit the sandy bottom and Drew jumped out, pulling the boat farther onto the shore.
Sabine and Cutler climbed out. No one spoke as the three of them lifted the boat, carrying it over to the side where dozens of boats had been stacked.
They grabbed their sacks of supplies and headed to the exit.
It was too bright for them, so they remained where they were, letting their eyes slowly adjust. Once they were able to handle the light, they exited.
Clouds covered the sky making it difficult to tell the time of day.
Cutler led the way, taking them south and eastward.
They didn’t talk as they traversed over rocky terrain which eventually leveled out.
They continued until nightfall, then made camp.
The next morning, they traveled until just after midday when the land opened to a large field covered with tents and soldiers. To the south, the wall separating Lynk from the southern kingdoms loomed tall and imposing.
“I didn’t expect so many soldiers,” Sabine whispered. There had to be thousands of them in the valley. Way more than she’d ever seen in the cavern.
“Lieutenant Aaren is most likely in charge,” Cutler said. “We’ll go straight to the command station to speak with him.”
A tent larger than the others stood in the middle of the camp with a blue flag at its peak.
“Just remember you are not only the commander but the queen,” Drew said. “You bow to no one. Cutler and I have your back.”
She turned to face him. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.” Sometimes he reminded her of Otto the way he offered advice. Since she was young and inexperienced, it was nice to know others cared for her well-being and success.
They made their way through the camp, passing tents and soldiers—some eating, others training, and a few standing on guard. At the large tent, Cutler went in first to make sure the area was secure. Once he deemed it was, he held the flap open for her.
“Lieutenant Aaren,” Cutler said. “May I present Queen Sabine Manfred.”
She stepped into the room, Drew behind her.
“Her Majesty has been appointed as our commander,” Cutler added.
A man in his late twenties with dark hair and eyes stood. “My queen and commander.” He bowed. “Welcome. We weren’t expecting the king or officers until tomorrow.”
Thankfully they’d maintained a one day advantage. She stepped farther into the room. A large table took up most of the space. Maps were strewn over it along with a few knives and daggers.
“There have been a handful of assassinations at the palace,” she said. “Have there been any incidents here at camp?”
“Not in the past week,” Aaren answered. “However, before that, there were several.”
Dogs barked, reminding Sabine of Harta and the other dogs from the kennels. She would have to seek them out when she was done here.
She went around to Aaren’s side of the table, observing the map stretched out before him. “What instructions did the king give you?”
“We were told to prepare to invade Carlon and Nisk.”
She loosed a breath.
“In three days.”
She peered up at him. “So soon?”
He nodded.
“Well,” she said, tapping her finger on the map.
“There has been a change of plans. Please gather the lieutenants. I wish to speak with them so that I can explain everything.” She would tell them to pack up and go home.
There was no need to have an army sitting here, especially with the wall guarding Lynk.
And she would have to find a way to inform the other kingdoms that Lynk would not be attacking.
The League also needed to know that Lynk would continue to abide by the laws they’d set forth.
“Consider it done.” Aaren bowed then left.
Alone with Drew and Cutler, Sabine let her shoulders droop. “We have to assume Rainer will be here tomorrow,” she said, still looking at the map as if it held all the answers. “That means we need to get this army packed up and on the move today.”
Cutler clasped his hands behind his back, shifting his weight from foot to foot. “May I speak freely?”
“Don’t you always?”
He came forward and looked at the map. “Even if we get this camp packed and on the move today, as we head north, we can only move so fast. The king will find us.”
“I agree,” Drew said. “We have to figure out how to deal with opposition.”
“Can the king strip me of my title as commander?” She assumed he could.
Cutler nodded. “We could start destroying weapons,” he offered. “Ruin supplies. Make it difficult for the king to continue with his plans.”
“I like that idea,” Sabine said. “We can send the soldiers home. Scatter them. Make it hard for the army to be gathered.” The more she thought about it, the more she liked this plan.
Aaren ducked inside the test. “Queen Commander Sabine, are you ready for everyone?”
“I am.” She tried not to laugh at her mouthful of a title.
Aaren held the tent flap open, and about two dozen soldiers strolled in. They stood shoulder to shoulder taking up most of the space in the tent. Sabine glanced at their faces. Three were women and the rest were men. Most looked to be in their late twenties or early thirties.
Holding her head high, she said, “Thank you all for coming to speak with me. I assume Lieutenant Aaren has told you I am not only your queen but your commander. We’ve had some unexpected events and there has been a change of plans.”
One of the men raised his hand.
Sabine gestured for him to speak.
“Excuse me, Your Majesty, but what happened to Commander Felix?”
“He died in his sleep.”
A collective murmur rippled through the tent as everyone expressed their shock.
“Before the commander died, we spoke. He told me he didn’t want to go to war with our neighboring kingdoms. I agreed with him.”
“So we’re not going to attack the south?” another soldier asked.
“No,” Sabine replied. “We are not going to war.” Now she had to get them to destroy their weapons, pack up, and head home. Peacefully.
The tent flap opened and someone strode through.
“That’s not entirely true,” Rainer’s voice cut through the tent as he strolled toward Sabine who still stood at the table.
“Now that I’m here, I will take over command of the army.
And we will be going to war.” He slid his arm around Sabine’s waist, pulling her to his side.
“Hello, wife. Nice to see you here.” He kissed her forehead.
Sabine froze in shock.