Chapter Fifteen #3
Tor nodded. “Well, in a few more hours when most of the castle will hopefully be sleeping. If they went into full alert only yesterday…” He hesitated for a moment, marshaling his thoughts.
“I could keep a shield up that long, probably, depending on what’s being thrown at it.
My brother is stronger than I am.” Ada was probably a bit weaker, but Tor wasn’t going to think about that.
“But I couldn’t do it indefinitely. I don’t think there’s time to wait for more help, not with the opportunity presented by the secret entrance. ”
Stronex considered him for a long moment and then nodded.
Which was good, because he was a king, but this was Tor’s family, and he’d been intending to go no matter what.
They agreed that several of the guards would stay behind, one Lotaran and Denil—and if they were both keeping an eye on the other, just in case, neither of them said that.
Clearly, they all recognized the precariousness of this situation.
If Tor also wanted the man with a baby and wife at home to stay in the hopefully safer environment, he didn’t say that out loud, either. One look at Pel told him that the man with a baby in him wasn’t about to be left behind.
“I’m good at what I do,” Pel told him, like he could still see what Tor was thinking.
“You’re the best at what you do,” Tor agreed, leaning in to give him a quick kiss. “Envisioning you up here picking people off with your bow and arrow just makes me happier than thinking of you in the thick of things actually having to fight people who might touch you.”
Pel rolled his eyes. “Don’t even start with me.”
Tor sighed. “I know. But I still have feelings, you know? And they’re pretty much impossible to turn off. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“I don’t want anything to happen to you, either,” Pel pointed out. “And if we look at who’s been injured recently, I think we can agree that I have a lot more to worry about than you do.”
Tor opened his mouth, but there wasn’t really anything to say to that.
Pel continued. “But I’ve accepted that you need to do what you need to do, and I need you to do the same for me.”
“I’m accepting it,” Tor protested. “I just don’t like it.”
Pel laughed. “I don’t like it, either. But I’m not wasting time complaining about something I can’t change.”
Tor pouted, and Pel laughed again. Tor couldn’t help but grin and reach out to wrap his arms around the other man, which he allowed.
Near Pel’s ear, Tor mumbled, “I’m afraid they’re already dead.”
Whatever had happened, it hadn’t resulted in Var bringing the castle down around their ears. They’d fled somewhere they thought they’d be safe, and Tor had to assume that whatever had happened had taken them by surprise. He was dreaming of shields, but he was terrified of dead bodies.
Pel argued, “But the castle is still in lockdown. Don’t you think if they were dead, King Nostex would be doing something?”
“But would he?” Tor asked. “He’s been planning this for years.”
It was King Stronex who proposed, “I think Prince Pelun is right, and he intends to make his move once the royal family is dead.” He eyed Tor.
“Of course, you will likely cause chaos to his schemes. But he is otherwise perfectly poised after the attack at Nexa to stage an attack here. He has the perfect scapegoat.”
“Who was supposed to be me,” Tor said roughly.
Stronex inclined his head. “Who was supposed to be you but will probably be shifted now to your advisor and the mercenaries from the attack in Nexa. Or perhaps the exiles.”
Whom Nostex was trying to entice onto his land. Yes, he’d definitely been planning this for ages.
Stronex continued. “It has now been established that someone is after the high royal family, so while them all being killed is suspicious, as long as someone can be blamed for it, it can still play into Nostex’s hands.
It gives him an excuse to enact more sweeping reforms—or point the finger at other rulers.
” He grimaced. “And then I suspect that he would reshape the world, likely starting with me, Forex, and Terila’s parents.
Those of you who are younger never fought in the war. ”
Tor made a face. “Forex was closely embroiled in what was happening with the exiles and the attempt to discredit me. The exiles confirmed that Nostex offered them amnesty.”
Stronex’s eyebrows rose. “That seems unlike him.”
“There were rumors that Forex was forcing people to pledge their Fealty. People were disappearing, the raids got out of hand, and everyone knew that Forex was extremely angry. What better foil for amnesty in Filon? It seems likely that he got in over his head, because he’s now missing and presumed dead. ”
“Prince Bavil inherited the Fealty,” Stronex said, and it wasn’t a question. “You think he’s coming with Gornexi.”
Tor nodded. “I certainly hope so. He went to warn Gornexi of what’s coming given that their lands border Nostex’s, and Bavil has sent his army to guard the border, just in case.”
Stronex was eyeing Tor. “As I have sent mine to guard the border between Filon and Lotar.”
Terila interjected. “And my parents are marshaling the forces in Vayrin as well.”
Tor huffed a breath. If only they had the time to wait, it seemed like they had almost the entirety of the United Realms… united?