Stormcaster (Shattered Realms #3)(78)

Now Karn finally looked up. “Can they do it?” he repeated, an edge to his voice. “I want to know what you think, Captain.”

“I suppose it depends on how many more soldiers she can bring to the fight.”

“Let’s assume that her resources are . . . limitless,” Karn said, with a sour smile.

“Then she will almost certainly win, if we remain fractured as we are. For twenty-five years, my father did everything in his power to prevent another civil war. He always said that was a war where everyone loses. Now we’re looking at another civil war in Arden, and we’re still at war with the Fells. Our coffers are empty and we have sacrificed an entire generation of young men that we sorely need now. We should have spent this time consolidating our hold on the down-realms, building roads and demonstrating to them the advantages of being part of the empire. Instead, we’ve been pouring treasure into this useless war. The down-realms have been on their own for so long that many of them have forgotten that they answer to us. Who could blame them if they decided to cast their lots with Celestine?”

Hal caught a flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye—Robert shifting from foot to foot, reacting to the longest speech he’d likely ever hear his brother make.

“My opinion?” Hal went on. “If we cannot end this war with the north and join together against the empress, she will come for us, she will win, and we will deserve it.”

Karn nodded, and Hal got the impression that the spymaster agreed with his assessment.

“I know you are interrogating me,” Hal said, “but I have a question for you.”

“You’re wondering if King Jarat would be open to making peace with the thanes for the common good.” Karn raised an eyebrow. “Right?”

“Right,” Hal said.

Karn studied him, as if deciding whether he should give back a measure of information in return for Hal’s. “Our new king is moody and unpredictable, but I think I’m safe in saying that the only way Jarat will make peace with the thanes is on his terms. He believes that his hostages will keep him safe—that they are the argument no one can answer.”

And, now, thanks to Hal and Robert, the king had two more hostages than he did before.

“He doesn’t know my father very well,” Hal growled.

“No. He doesn’t. And unfortunately, when Jarat hears about Chalk Cliffs, that will reinforce his decision to take a hard line.”

“Perhaps if I spoke to King Jarat, I could convince him that—”

“That’s not a good idea,” Karn said.

“I realize that it’s a risk, but—”

“The king doesn’t know that you and your brother are here. So. That could be awkward.”

Hal glanced at Robert, then back at Karn. “He doesn’t know we’re here?”

Karn shook his head. “I thought it best not to bother the king with this matter. He has been very busy trying to form a decent council out of the few thanes who have remained loyal.” He straightened his sleeves, wrinkling his nose. “The social season has been a disaster. It’s a good thing that the marching season isn’t far off.”

“But, if we’re here in custody, doesn’t—?”

“This is my prison, and the guards are my people. They have learned not to be curious. Besides, as I said, you’re dead. That’s an advantage, as you’ll find.”

While they’d been talking, Robert had grown more and more restless, shifting in his chair, clearing his throat, and so on. Now, apparently, he could not remain silent any longer.

“What if the hostages were freed?” he blurted. “Do you think that would influence King Jarat’s willingness to compromise?”

“Possibly,” Karn said, his cool gaze brushing over Hal’s brother. “Or it might inspire the thanes to attack.”

“They are going to attack anyway,” Hal said. “Trust me on that.”

“I do trust you on that, Captain, which is very odd,” Karn said. “Unfortunately, it’s highly unlikely that His Majesty will give up what he sees as a winning hand.”

“I’m not suggesting that he’ll free them,” Robert said. “I’m saying that we should free them.”

“Won’t that be difficult, locked up in a cell as you are?”

Robert’s enthusiasm withered. “Oh. Well. I thought perhaps you could—”

“Free you? Or join with you in freeing the hostages? Are you suggesting that I commit treason, Corporal?” Karn shook his head. “I’m careful about who I partner with. Given your performance so far, I’d be going to the block in no time at all. Have a little patience. In the meantime, are you comfortable? Are you getting enough to eat?”

“Yes,” Hal said. “The food is much better than in the prisons in the north.”

“That’s what everyone says.” Karn stood. “Gentlemen. You’ll hear from me soon.”

After the door closed behind him, Hal heard the bolt sliding shut.

“Do you think he’s going to help us?” Robert said, glaring at the closed door.

“I wish I knew,” Hal said. Time was passing, and both the empress and the thane armies would soon be on the march. There was no way to know who would arrive in the city first.