40
We meet Cole in the dining hall and he gives me a knowing look after bidding Maeve good morning. I just shrug at my commander and take a seat.
“Shall we start our negotiations?” King Castor asks as his servants dish him some food.
I grab my own helping and look over to him. “Absolutely.”
I look around and see that it’s only Castor’s sons and his servants present. No Lillian, as Maeve had pointed out last night. Castor notes me looking around and mentions casually that Lillian has more important matters to attend to.
“Of course.” I say, returning his casual demeanour with a wave of my hand, “let us continue then.”
“Is the present company included in our discussions?” He asks, looking at Maeve, I let her speak instead of answering him myself.
“I am included, as is the commander.” Maeve says with a slight smile as she looks at Cole who returns one himself.
“Then let us begin.” Castor says finally with a gesture of his hands. “So, you would like me to activate the artifact again.” Castor adds matter of factly, “but for what purpose?”
I lean forward on the table, interlacing my fingers.
“We want to make sure that the King of Hidale never gets the chance to rule over all of the lands, including my territory and your own.”
“And how is it that you are so certain of the King’s ambitions?”
A sneer forms at my lips. “Don’t play with me Castor, I know you have heard of the prophecy. I have correspondence from my ancestors that say exactly that.”
“Hm.” He murmurs, “and what is to say that me helping you and you planning to stop the King, isn’t the very thing that sets him on this path?”
“Because he’s already on this path.” Cole says with lethal calm but I can see in his eyes, he’s starting to lose his temper. King Castor stares at Cole, a question in his expression but it’s Raylin of course who pipes up.
“How do you know?” He asks bitterly.
My jaw clenches at his words and I stare down at him. I can sense Maeve’s eagerness beside me, so I stay quiet.
“Because he’s started killing hybrids and started this war to gain more land.” Maeve answers for me and Raylin shoots her a death glare that I’d love to murder him for, among other things.
“The start of this war wasn’t just for land.” Resson says sternly, deciding to join in.
Maeve knows about my parents death but she still doesn’t know what I did.
It seems like Raylin must have caught something in Maeve’s features that says this, as he looks at her questioningly.
“She knows.” I say suddenly, before Raylin can speak. I’m sure he’d love to ruin this for me and embarrass Maeve in the process.
“However what Maeve said is the reason for the continued battle and you could go as far as to say that it was the reason for what happened fifty six years ago.”
“Of course.” Castor says with a smile that doesn’t quite meet his eyes and now I’m certain he’s going to ask an almost impossible price to do this for us.
We may be allies and he has helped me previously but Castor is calculated. He doesn’t do anything without reason or benefit.
“Now having known the reason and what is at stake if we help you, I hope you’ll excuse us if we take some time to deliberate amongst ourselves to ensure what we get in return matches the cost.”
I nod sharply. “Of course but please also consider the cost if you do not help us, what could happen to your land and your people.”
Castor’s eyes share something sinister as he nods his head, a clear dismissal.
I don’t think he liked my insinuation that Hidale would take his land.
But I know he’s not stupid enough to think Hidale would leave him be and not attempt to take Faystra.
The resources here alone are enough of a reason for Hidale to want access to this land.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to take Faystra’s city sooner than Erador’s.
I get up and walk from the room with Maeve and Cole following me.
I don’t offer Castor anything more as I leave.
I can tell by his dismissal and the look in his eyes, he’s not going to make this easy.
He’s preparing to ask something impossible of me.