Chapter 23 #3
Rhyn pursed his lips, his pale eyebrows meeting briefly as he mulled over my request, and then his expression softened.
“You will need seed of course, and tools to form the fields, as well as tend to the crops. I have this in plentiful supply. But grains and vegetables, while they can sustain a hungry population in a time of war, might not be enough to keep your people content and supportive of you, or keep your soldiers strong.”
“What do you propose?” I had thought grains would be enough. Perhaps some root vegetables. Crops to make bread and hearty stews.
“Continue to supply me with steel, and I shall alter what I supply you in exchange to the necessary implements for establishing new farms for grains and vegetables, along with something else.” He swigged his drink and then lowered it to the arm of his chair again.
“I can spare at least two herds of dairy cattle to get you started, and the labour to build a dairy capable of turning their milk into cheeses, together with men to teach your own the art of cheesemaking. The meadows near Falkyr would be more than suitable for the cattle.”
“That would be of tremendous help, Rhyn.” I had not even considered it a possibility, but now that he was offering it, I would be a fool to turn it down.
Cheese would keep my soldiers strong, and could be used in many ways to keep my people from going hungry, and it was something my court did not produce at the moment.
The Shadow Court imported all its cheese from other courts and was reliant upon them for it. “I am most grateful for your offer.”
He waved me away. “You would do the same if I was in need. Our little courts are so removed from the others that it makes sense for us to take care of one another.”
“True.” I saluted him with my glass. “But thank you, anyway.”
For the first time since deciding on this path, I felt hope that I could do this without risking my court going hungry or coming to despise me for leading them into poverty and starvation.
I felt hope that my court would remain strong, able to face whatever awaited it in the future, and that the changes I would make to it with Rhyn’s help, establishing new permanent farmland and dairy production, would reduce our dependency upon trade with other courts.
The storm raging outside hammered the windows with great flakes of snow. It swirled and danced, clearing at times to reveal the court and the turbulent ocean. I stood and went to the window, peering through the wind-whipped snow to the sea and then my gaze drifted west.
I was close to the Summer Court.
It was a mere boat ride away from Rhyn’s borders.
Just beyond the mountains.
I could see her again.
I could move through that court like shadows unseen.
I shook my head. No. I could not risk my court by entering unknown to the Summer Court.
But there was nothing in the law that said I could not enter it known, nothing that said I would endanger my court if I surrendered myself to guards on a vessel bound for that kingdom.
A king could enter a court as a prisoner.
“I would not.” Rhyn’s voice coming from right beside me sent a jolt through me. “Your little wolven would not forgive you if you followed through with that reckless plan I can see building in your eyes. She would likely stab you again.”
He loosed a long sigh.
I regretted telling him that she had stabbed me upon discovering I was sworn to another should my vengeance be completed. The Winter King had found it most amusing, even when I had told him time and again that it had been an accident.
“I do hope you are not regressing to your old habits.” He pressed his palm to the windowpane and the storm eased, the vista clearing as the wind abated and snow gently swirled down to settle on the roofs and streets of the town far below us.
“It had crossed my mind,” I admitted with a sober smile. “Jenavyr had rather cross words to say about it, and I can well imagine you do too, so spare me the lecture.”
I shook off my desire to leave right that moment for the Summer Court, drawing on my courage and strength, pulling it up and wrapping it around me to ward off the chill of not knowing how Saphira was.
I would see her in time. I needed to be patient.
I needed to do a great many things before we were to meet again.
“My seer has witnessed my arrival in the Summer Court, and it is not in the hands of guards, and it is not yet.” I let my shadows climb the white walls and branch around the window frame. “I am just tired… and I… I ache to see her.”
Rhyn placed his hand on my left shoulder, gripping it gently. “You will see her again soon.”
I hoped I would.
I could feel that invisible clock ticking down every minute of every day, and it was getting harder and harder to hold myself back.
I blew out my breath and summoned my strength, and that infinite well of patience that I had delved into many times before when planning something.
Biding my time. Waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
This was not the only court I needed to visit.
Not the only preparation I had to make before I could go to the Summer Court and take Saphira back.
But I had my first and most important ally.