Ever the Hunted (Clash of Kingdoms #1)(71)

“Lirra, meet my granddaughter.” Enat points in my direction. “Speak freely around her and her friend, Cohen. They can be trusted.”

I try not to flush at the compliment. How silly I was for worrying that Enat wouldn’t want others to know of our connection. Hearing her say I’m her granddaughter fills me with a warmth of a completely non-Spiriter kind.

“Hello.” Lirra waves at me. Her eyes linger on my face long enough that I know she’s studying me, perhaps comparing me to Enat. Her attention makes me acutely aware of my knobbiness and dirty hair. Before we leave for Malam, perhaps there’ll be time for another bath.

“I didn’t know you had a granddaughter,” Lirra says. “I thought you said your daughter died years ago.”

“She did,” Enat answers, her tone turning abruptly cold. I spare her a glance.

“It’s nice to meet you, Britta.” Lirra extends her hand, and I reach out and take it.

“Lirra,” Millner interrupts, “did you see anything?”

She retreats. “Yes, Papa. The men dressed as soldiers for Shaerdan left today, and a rider on the road was carrying a black flag.”

For the first time since he entered this house, Millner’s expression takes a grave turn.

“What does the black flag mean?” Cohen asks.

“It means there must’ve been another skirmish at the front,” Millner explains. “The black flag is raised when men have died. Lirra, go on, what’ve you heard?”

“Thirty men from Shaerdan were killed. One troop left two days ago, but today the council decided one from Celize isn’t enough. They’re calling all able men to fight. I also heard that the chief judge is traveling to the front with members of the inner court. They’re asking for a meeting of our countries.”

“Interesting.” Millner taps a finger to his lips. “Still, the meeting won’t put an end to the war unless Shaerdan submits to King Aodren.”

“It could prolong the start of the war,” I say.

Everyone turns to me. Well, except for Lirra, whose eyes must be broken because they’re stuck on Cohen.

“Maybe once our countries have met,” I continue, and the bind is broken, “the king will see it’s better for both sides to withdraw.”

“Retreat?” Millner’s mouth pulls into a grim pinch. “Malam will never retreat, not until she has control of Shaerdan. Your king’s advisers are greedy bastards. They want our seaports, and they’re ruthless enough to murder a hundred thousand men to get what they want.”

Lirra puts a hand on her father’s arm, and his shoulders drop in acquiescence.

“So you don’t think a meeting between our two countries will matter.” I rub my temples. “Then what should we do?”

“Cut your losses and remain in Shaerdan.” Millner relaxes back into his chair and folds his arms over his belly. “It’d be a fool’s errand to return and try to prove your innocence. You’re up against the captain of the guard, who has witnesses and evidence. Who do you think the high lord will believe?”

Cohen, who’s been mostly silent this entire time, leans forward. “I cannot stay here. My brother will die if I don’t get to him before the war starts. Regardless of Captain Omar, I’ll be returning to Malam.”

“And what do you think will happen when you get to him? Didn’t you used to be the bounty hunter’s apprentice?” Millner’s words are sharp. “You should know if you take the boy away from his company, he’ll be charged with treason. A bounty will be put on his head.”

Cohen pushes out of his seat and strides away from the table. “So you’re suggesting I let him die? Leave my family behind?”

“You’re only outside of the boundaries now because you’ve been on the run.” Millner fixes on him with a hard stare. “But you haven’t been free, have you? You had the king’s guard chasing you clear across Shaerdan. I can assure you that won’t change once you have your brother in tow. I’ve been hiding and running for nearly twenty years. I know what it’s like to have the king out for my blood. Is that what you want?”

“I know the risks.” Cohen glares at Millner. “Doesn’t change my decision.”

Millner shakes his head and sighs. He turns to me. “What about you? Think you’ll be free to return to your grandmother’s house after you accuse the captain of the guard? The closest you’ll come is hanging from a noose at the border. You won’t be coming back here ever again, I can promise you that.”

I hadn’t given much thought to returning.

“I have to try. My father’s death won’t be in vain.” My gaze flicks to Enat, who is watching me carefully. The idea of losing her sends me into a panic. There are risks I hadn’t considered. The day I was brought to the dungeon, a woman was there. The dungeon master called her a Channeler. She was dying. I imagine Enat in that woman’s place, and my body chills as if the ague is coming on.

Millner’s point hits the heart of my fears. What if we return to Malam and the guard catches Enat and accuses her of being a Channeler?

I’ve made a grave mistake. Enat cannot go to Malam.





Chapter

32


ENAT IS BENT OVER THE SMALL WOODEN TRUNK in her room, withdrawing a cloak from the box as I lean against the door frame. Since Millner and his daughter left an hour ago, I’ve done little more than think about Enat and the dangers awaiting us.