Chapter 49
As lovely as Starfall had been, Ro was happy to be home. She’d already explained to JT and Violet what had gone on at Starfall.
Now, she had more work to do, a few final things to wrap up, and then a decision to make. But that decision would hinge on Anyka’s answer.
To that end, she had called a meeting of the professors in the great hall of the palace. Every single one she’d invited had shown up.
They listened attentively as she, Uldamar, Gabriel, and Spencer sat before them, reporting everything that had happened with Beatryce.
“There will be no leniency, no deals, no compromises,” she said in conclusion. “I am tired of the assassination attempts. Tired of the lies and the deceit. Tired of all of it.”
A few professors nodded.
“We are done playing games with Malveaux. I have been nice for too long.”
That got more nods.
“If they do not put someone on the throne who will agree to peace, I am prepared to launch serious attacks against them. No more threats, no more letters after the ones I will send today, no more attempts at a treaty. It either happens or every trace of bad blood will be removed from that kingdom.”
Eyes widened.
She went on. “One of Beatryce’s party, the young woman pretending to be a lady’s maid, Merylynn, has asked for asylum here in Summerton.
In exchange, she has given us a wealth of information about Beatryce’s plans and the true state of Anyka’s health.
Additionally, she has told us about a storehouse of dark magic that Beatryce had access to, something that will need to be addressed soon.
Finally, she informed us that Beatryce and the troll prince secretly married before they came to Starfall. ”
A few snorts and one short laugh came from the professors.
“In return for this information, she additionally asked that we get her family out of Malveaux. I told her I wasn’t sure I could make that happen but that I would at least get a warning to them. With Uldamar’s help, that was sent earlier from Starfall.”
She looked around the room. “If any of you has a problem with this, please speak up. I’m more than willing to discuss this plan.”
Martin Denwood, First Professor of Defense, stood up.
“Your highness, this is long overdue, in both my personal and professional opinion. Malveaux has for too long gotten away with too much. They have attacked you numerous times and we all know that if given the right opportunity, Anyka would take your crown. Being ruled by that woman would be disastrous. For the sake of Summerton’s future, Malveaux must be brought to heel. ”
Ro nodded. “I concur. Thank you, Professor Denwood.”
Mina Featherlight, First Professor of Labor, stood up as he sat down. “I agree with Professor Denwood. As a people, we are tired of living in a constant state of fear when it comes to Malveaux. I support your decision, your highness.”
“I appreciate that, Professor Featherlight.” She looked around. “Anyone opposed?”
If there were, they stayed silent.
“Thank you for coming and for listening. If you’ll excuse me, I have letters to write.”
With Gabriel at her side, and Uldamar and Spencer following, she headed to her office. Posey had been sent for, so it was no surprise that she was waiting by the office door when they arrived.
Ro unlocked it and they all went in, finding their places around the desk. As Ro sat, Posey made herself ready.
She sat poised with quill in hand, several pages of heavy parchment on her traveling desk. Gabriel stood near the door like a silent sentinel, arms crossed, while Uldamar occupied one of the chairs, fingers steepled in thought. Spencer sat next to him. He now bore a bruise next to his injured lip.
Ro exhaled slowly. “All right, Posey. I’ve been thinking about this the entire ride back from Starfall. I’m ready if you are.”
Posey nodded. “Yes, my lady.”
Ro began. “To Queen Anyka Blackbryar of Malveaux. I write to you not as an enemy, but as a queen who has had enough. I am done trying to find peace with Malveaux so long as you or your daughter wear the crown.”
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed and he gave her a slight nod.
“Your daughter, Beatryce, accompanied by her Minister of Magic, Elyra Evenshade, her councilor, Merylynn, and her husband, Prince Dren, came to Starfall under the pretense of negotiations. It’s my understanding from Merylynn that you were kept in the dark about this meeting, so let me tell you what happened.
“Beatryce had her Minister of Magic attack us. In the chaos that followed, several of my people were injured, but my Professor of Magic’s power was greater. My forces secured the scene.
“As a result of this foolish attack, Queen Beatryce and Elyra have been imprisoned at Tenebrae. There was no need for a trial, as their attempts to kill me and my party were witnessed by all in attendance. They will remain there for the rest of their lives.
“Prince Dren and Merylynn are being held at Castle Clarion. Merylynn has requested and been granted asylum in exchange for full testimony regarding Princess Beatryce’s actions, including her role in the attempt on my life at Starfall as well as the larger schemes against the Radiant throne.
She has already provided invaluable information.
If her family is harmed in any way, I will consider that an attack against Summerton. ”
Spencer lifted his hand. “How will you enforce that, your highness?”
She looked at Gabriel. He straightened. “We’ve sent some guards into Malveaux already, those with Grym blood who can go undetected. Two are being sent to Merylynn’s parents’ house. The rest are being dispersed throughout Dearth to gauge how things are going.”
“Excellent,” Spencer said, smiling cautiously so as not to stretch his lip. “I should have known you’d have a plan.”
Ro nodded at Posey that she was ready to continue. “There is more you should know before you decide your next move. I am aware that Princess Beatryce and Prince Dren were secretly married. I will be informing the trolls of this union when I apprise King Drath of his son’s situation.”
Ro took a breath, pausing to let Posey catch up. Then she started again. “Here are my terms, offered this time only. A moderate successor must take the Grym crown. Someone willing to set aside centuries of hatred to broker a genuine, lasting peace between our kingdoms.”
Posey nodded as she wrote.
Ro went on. “The divide between us must end. Our people deserve to live without fear of the next dagger or devastating spell or army at their borders. If such a ruler steps forward and swears to these terms, I will release Dren and work with that new ruler toward open borders and shared prosperity.”
Uldamar’s eyes were closed, his fingers steepled in front of his chest. He’d yet to say anything, but Ro took that to mean he had nothing to add.
“Refuse, or stall with tricks and delays, and the consequences will come swiftly.
Malveaux will be leveled with every means at my disposal.
I will take control of the Grym throne myself and install governance that honors both bloodlines in the most peaceful way possible.
The choice is yours, but the suffering of your people will rest on your shoulders alone.
“You still have time to choose mercy over madness, Anyka. For the sake of every citizen who did not ask for this war.”
Ro took a moment to think, then finished with, “I await your response within twenty-four hours or I will consider your silence to be your refusal. Queen Sparrow Meadowcroft.”
Posey’s quill scratched across the final line. She looked up expectantly. “Shall I read it back?”
“Yes, please.”
As Posey did that, Ro closed her eyes to listen carefully. When Posey finished, Ro looked at the rest of them. “Any changes?”
The three men shook their heads.
Posey spoke up. “Shall I make a clean copy for the seal, Your Majesty?”
“Please,” Ro said, rubbing the back of her neck. She was so ready for this to be over.
Gabriel stepped closer, his voice low and steady. “Telling her about Starfall first was wise, my lady. It puts the truth before her eyes without embellishment.”
“I’m not sure it will matter. Anyka’s only reaction will probably be disappointment that Beatryce wasn’t successful.”
“I don’t know,” Uldamar said. “Anyka will not like that Beatryce is imprisoned at Tenebrae. That will get some kind of reaction out of her.”
Ro leaned back in her chair. “I hope so. Anyka’s been playing games for too long. Time she tasted her own medicine.” She managed a tired half-smile. “And Beatryce is lucky none of you were killed. Because then Anyka would be receiving her daughter’s body, not a letter.”
Gabriel’s eyes warmed with quiet affection. “I promise the same result had she harmed you.”
Posey finished the final copy with a flourish and handed it over to Ro to sign, which she did, then sealed the letter with wax. She handed it off to Gabriel. “All right, the letter to the trolls next.”
It was shorter and contained much of the same information as the letter to Anyka. When that was done, she handed it to Gabriel as well.
“Send them immediately,” Ro instructed. “I want this done.”
“We all do,” Gabriel assured her.
“Posey, thank you. That will be all for today.”
Posey rose, folding up her traveling desk and tucking it under her arm. “Happy to be of assistance.”
As the secretary left, Ro let out a long breath and met the looks on the men’s faces with understanding.
“Let’s hope she chooses peace,” Ro murmured. “Because I’m ready to end this—one way or the other. But I would prefer to do it without bloodshed. I plan to do everything in my power to keep our people out of war.”
“Something we all appreciate very much,” Uldamar said.
“But if it comes to that,” Spencer asked. “Then what?”
She looked at Gabriel. “Then the first blood to be spilled will be Anyka’s.”
Gabriel nodded. “And she won’t even see it coming.”