Stormcaster (Shattered Realms #3)(82)

Queen Marina studied him, as if she suspected there was more to the story than he was letting on. “Even if what you say is true—which I’m not conceding—why shouldn’t we bide our time and build our strength while she is busy in the north?”

“But we aren’t building our strength, we’re spending men and treasure on a civil war.”

“Have you spoken to the thanes about this?”

Matelon tried that, and failed, Destin thought, and he’s a much more appealing spokesperson than I am.

“If I walked into White Oaks, I’d never walk out again,” he said. “I’m not the best person to reach out to the rebels.”

“What is it you want, then?” Marina said, going for the meat of the matter. “What are you hoping will happen?”

“I would like to see both sides come to the table and end the civil war. Then we can send our armies into the north and help them drive off the empress.”

“We’ve been sending our armies into the north for twenty-five years,” Marina said, laughing. “They have not been well received.”

“One step at a time,” Destin said. “First, we end the civil war.”

“Done!” Marina said, slapping her hand on the arm of the bench.

Destin released a long breath. “Jarat thinks the thanes won’t attack as long as he holds hostages. He’s wrong. Arschel Matelon will be marching on the capital any day now.”

“And you know this how?”

“No sources, remember,” Destin said. “If the rebels reach the city walls, Jarat will begin killing hostages. If he does, there’s no way any of us will survive this war.”

“You’re that sure the thanes will win?”

Destin rocked his hand. “I give them sixty-forty odds—maybe seventy-thirty. Matelon is a seasoned military commander—the best in the empire other than the general. Heresford’s no slouch, either. Tourant’s an asshole, but he has lots of bannermen to call upon.” Destin paused, tilting his head toward the musicians.

Marina gestured, and they retreated a short distance, then resumed playing at full volume.

“I have it on good authority that Matelon’s son Halston has returned from the dead to fight alongside them. Everyone who’s served under him sings his praises. They say he’s a soldier’s soldier. He has a huge following in the imperial army.”

“He lost two big battles this year,” Marina said.

“Yes,” Destin said, looking her straight in the eye, “he did. As the general intended.”

He waited while Marina connected the dots. She never needed an extended explanation.

“So. The king’s soldiers might desert en masse if they find out that young Captain Matelon is on the other side?” she said.

“It’s possible. It doesn’t help that Jarat has been slow about paying the troops. At least Gerard was smart enough to keep his armies happy.” It was time for the ask. “If we can remove the hostages from the equation, Jarat might see reason and negotiate with the thanes.”

Marina considered this. “Is there any way they would accept a truce that would allow him to keep his throne and his head?”

“I don’t know,” Destin said honestly. “It’s early yet, and he hasn’t committed any unforgivable sin. There’s still time for him to show that he’s more reasonable than his father. The thanes really don’t want another civil war. They want an end to the war they’ve been fighting for a quarter century. They want to keep some of their money, for a change.”

“So they can fight another war against the empress?” Marina raised an eyebrow.

“Nobody wants that one, either,” Destin said. “But in this case we may have no choice. Who knows? A show of strength from us might send the empress back across the Indio, and that would be the best outcome of all.”

“But you don’t believe that will happen,” Marina said.

Destin shook his head. “No, I don’t.”

“So you want me to help you free the hostages,” the queen said.

“Yes,” Destin said, meeting her gaze straight on.

“We’re talking about women and children,” Marina said. “They’re being kept in the most secure part of the dungeon. I’ve been trying to talk Jarat into moving them into better quarters for months. This is not how you treat people you may need on your side later on. If you try to break them out of the pits, there will be casualties, and that will defeat the purpose.”

“That’s why we have to get them out of the dungeons first. That’s where you come in.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve wielded a sword,” Marina said, flexing her hand. “We Tomlins are better with stilettos and poison.”

Is that how you did for the king?

“I have a plan that will not require swordplay.” I hope. “Next week, you’ll be welcoming nobles and emissaries from all over the empire to celebrate His Majesty’s coronation.”

Jarat’s coronation had been a hurried, secretive affair after the attack on the city and Gerard’s death. Now, four months in, he’d decided to host his first major social and diplomatic event, to demonstrate the power and stability of the empire despite the fractious lords. As regent and queen mother, Marina was King Jarat’s official hostess, since the king had not yet married.