The Broken Pieces(25)

Arthur and Kevin talked while Jerico ate, and trying to pull his mind out from his own childish grumblings, he listened in on their conversation.

“Sebastian’s put a call out for any able bodied man that remains loyal,” Kevin said, settling into one of the chairs brought in and set before the fire. “I’m sure you can imagine how much of a hurry such an order has inspired. Everyone expects you to win now. No matter what Sebastian’s done, he can’t seem to crush you. Defeated you in the field, put siege to your castle, yet still here you are, on your way to his very doorstep.”

“I’ve been blessed by good men who have fought and died for me,” Arthur said. “I am humbled knowing so many rally to my name.”

“And Kaide’s,” Jerico interjected.

Arthur glanced over, his look placating.

“And Kaide, of course,” he said. “We cannot forget the rebel.”

“We’re all rebels now,” Kevin said, crossing his arms over his chest. “What is Kaide like, anyway? I suppose I should meet the man who’s raised the peasant army. Is it true he is a cannibal?”

While Arthur had been placating, Kevin’s tone was purely dismissive. Jerico thought of all Kaide had suffered, all he’d lost, trying to help Arthur in overthrowing Sebastian. His underhanded tactics in particular had caused immense pain to Sebastian’s men, disrupting their supplies of food and clean drink. Jerico’s opinion of Kevin was forming rapidly, and it wasn’t a good one.

“It is,” Jerico said, his appetite souring. “He’s the most bloodthirsty vicious monster you’ll ever meet wearing the skin of a human. They say his blood-thirst is greatest when he’s slicing into the flesh of his victims, and that to enter his army you must cut a sliver of your own belly, cook it over a fire, and then set it on your tongue for five minutes. It’s how he builds the loyalty of his men, introducing them to his twisted fetishes. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind taking that dagger of his to your skin in particular, Kevin. So smooth, so pale, I bet he’d tell me it’d taste just like…”

“Like what, pray tell?” Kaide said, shoving open the tent flaps. His hair was tied behind his head in a ponytail, and his eyes simmered with fury. Beside him was a man dressed in armor, his hands bound behind his back. Jerico felt his neck flush. He knew Kaide hated the title, hated the stories, but the growing shock in Kevin’s eyes as he told his little tale had been too amusing.

“I’m sure what Jerico says is all in good humor,” Arthur said, trying to calm both Kevin and Kaide. “No one in my army feasts on human flesh, and I won’t permit talk that says otherwise. Forgive us, Kaide, and please have a seat, or pour yourself a drink if you desire.”

It was only then that Arthur seemed to realize another man was with Kaide. Arthur reached out his hand to offer greeting, then froze.

“Sir Gregane?”

Jerico knew that name well. Sir Gregane had led Sebastian’s armies in both the siege at the Castle of Caves as well as the first battle in the Green Gulch. Jerico dared entertain a moment of hope. Why would Sir Gregane be there other than to offer terms of peace?

“It is good to see you, Arthur,” Gregane said. “Twice now we’ve fought as enemies, though I pray today we leave as friends.”

“You were always a good man,” Arthur said, turning his attention to Kaide. “Untie his hands. He is no threat to us here.”

“He rode to the edge of my camp and asked to speak with you,” Kaide said as his dagger easily sliced through the rope. “He carries a message he swears is for your eyes only, but I’d appreciate knowing what it reads.”

“And you have every right to hear it, as do all those here.” Arthur gestured to Gregane. “Whatever your message is, deliver it now.”

Gregane handed over a rolled piece of parchment.

“I assume this is from Sebastian?” Kevin said. “There’s no seal.”

“The handwriting is his,” Arthur said as he began to read. His brow furrowed deeper with every word. After finishing, he started anew, this time reading aloud so all could hear.

“My brother, I write this now hoping that of all the errors of my life, delaying this letter is not one of them. Your army is the greater. Of this, I am no fool. Spare me, and I will cede to you our family holdings, and all control of the North granted to our protection by King Baedan. If you accept, I beg that you make haste, and arrive at my castle while the North is still mine to give. Save me from these priests that would kill me, brother. The Lion eyes a nation of his own.”