There was a thud as if someone had been thrown against a wall. “That is none of your concern,” Jarvik said, his voice low and dangerous. “Remember, this is a business deal, nothing more.”
“I thought it was more about getting revenge for what Shelene did than business,” Prince Odar replied. “Besides, I think things have changed.”
“This situation is already dangerous and complicated enough. I don’t need you adding to the fray.”
“Fine,” he said. “Anything else?”
“No,” Jarvik snapped.
“For the record,” the prince said, “I think you should tell her. I know you’ve become distrustful, but I think this one is worthy. Don’t ruin it by being deceitful.”
Allyssa heard footsteps approaching so she hurried down the hall away from the men.
Inside the meeting room, large maps hung on the walls. One was covered with red marks, showing where enemy soldiers had been spotted. Another indicated where the Emperion base camps were hidden. The evidence of imminent war sent a chill through Allyssa as she took her seat next to her mother, waiting for the meeting to start.
“There’s been a change in plans,” Darmik said, standing. “We’ve just received a letter from Russek.”
The room went silent. Every single duke and all the members of the Legion sat staring at the empress and emperor. Rema lifted a piece of paper, handing it to Darmik.
He cleared his throat and read:
Empress Rema and Emperor Darmik,
I won’t waste time with pleasantries. As you know, I desire your kingdom, and Emperion will be mine. Out of kindness, as you have shown in the past, I will give you an option. If the two of you step down from the throne, along with your daughter, I will allow you to leave the kingdom and live in exile on Greenwood Island.
However, if you should mistakenly feel you can actually win against my mighty army and remain in power, I will have no choice but to forcibly remove your entire family, which will result in your untimely deaths.
I expect your answer within a fortnight. If you don’t agree to leave, we will march into your kingdom, destroy your farms and villages, and murder every Emperion we come into contact with.
King Drenton of Russek
The room remained silent. Allyssa went over the letter in her head. It was rather oddly worded, especially the part about showing kindness in the past and being offered exile instead of being slaughtered outright.
Darmik paced back and forth behind Rema and Allyssa, the letter still clutched in his hand. “I want all the dukes to return to their residences. Prepare your land for war. Protect the children and elderly. All able-bodied men must be ready to fight.”
The five dukes nodded and left the room.
“We will continue to finalize the marriage treaty between Princess Allyssa and Prince Odar. I believe our armies united will be enough to stop Russek.”
“As for the members of the Legion, do any of you object to us going to war to protect our land?” Rema asked.
“I, for one,” said an elderly man, “am honored to serve in the Legion. If we need to go to war to protect our kingdom, so be it.”
A chorus of, “Here, here,” rippled around the room.
“Thank you for your trust and support,” Rema said as she stood. She began walking around the table. “You all should know, I have a contingency plan in place.”
The door flew opened and Audek, Madelin’s father and one of her parents’ closest friends, entered the room. “Your Majesty,” he said.
“Thank you for coming, Audek. As I was saying, the emperor and I have taken precautions should Emperion ever be threatened. I want each and every one of you to know that no matter what happens, the royal line will be preserved. That is all I can say on the matter right now.”
She went and stood next to Darmik, the two of them holding hands. “We will meet tomorrow to continue to strategically plan our attacks, but for now, the meeting is over.”
Rema firmly placed her hand on her daughter’s shoulder, keeping her in place while all the Legion members left the room. Once everyone was gone, Audek shut the door.
Audek rarely came to court. He lived on the outskirts of town in a modest home with his wife, Vesha. He was one of her parents’ most trusted friends since he came from Greenwood Island and was instrumental in restoring Rema to the throne. Allyssa always enjoyed his company because he liked to make jokes and play pranks—he wasn’t stuffy like most of the nobles she knew. Madelin had a dash of her father’s wit about her.
“Allyssa,” Rema said, sitting once again next to her daughter, “there is something we must tell you.”