He pushes away from the pillar, grin edged with violence. “One day your mouth will place you in a fight you cannot talk your way out of.”
“One day your sword will fail to solve a problem and you’ll finally experience silence.”
Maelrik’s gaze drops briefly, the nearest he comes to amusement.
Veylan cuts across us before Xalith can decide whether to enjoy or resent himself. “Enough. If you fail, the cost extends beyond embarrassment.”
At last, the real conversation. He places a sealed insignia ring on the table between us. My seat marker in house council matters, removable by vote and bloodline precedent alike. House command was not symbolic among our people. Noble bloodlines maintained private military authority under the Crown’s larger structure, and losing rank within Drazharel meant losing legal command over its soldiers, territories, and operations.
“The mission succeeds,” he says, “or your claim weakens.”
Weakens. A careful word. Not removed, not yet, but near enough to carry intent. I let my eyes rest on the ring for one measured breath before looking back at him.
“You called this meeting to threaten me with consequences I already understand?”
“I called it to ensure you understand they will be enforced.”
Fair and unnecessary. Still, I appreciate clean language when it appears.
Drathis speaks from the rear. “The forest is not your only risk. Velkiron scouts have been sighted near the eastern ridges. If they suspect your objective, they may shadow you.”
“Let them,” I reply. “Following is easier than leading. Easier things create lazier decisions.”
Xalith’s attention shifts to Aeryn at last. “And if she runs?”
Before I answer, she does.
“Then you’ll know I was faster than your brother.”
Xalith barks a laugh so sudden, even he seems surprised by it.
“She has teeth.”
“She has ears,” I say. “Try not to confuse the two.”
Aeryn’s gaze brushes mine, bright with private satisfaction she quickly hides. She enjoys turning rooms off balance. Another shared trait.
Veylan exhales through his nose, patience thinning. “Bring back the means to win this war, Vaedros, or do not bother returning as though nothing has changed.”
I incline my head the exact degree respect requires and nothing more.
“Then prepare the hall for celebration.”
We leave before anyone can mistake final words for authority over my pace. The outer gates part in a thunder of chains and grinding mechanisms old enough to predate our father’s ambitions. Cold air rushes inward carrying wet earth, distant pine, smoke from lower settlements, and the faint copper scent of rain not yet fallen. Beyond the threshold waits the road descending through black stone terraces toward lands where our banners command less certainty.
Two pack beasts stand saddled. No escort. No witness line. No trumpets to announce departure.
Aeryn looks from the animals to me. “You truly brought no one else.”
“Disappointed?”
“Curious. Men like you usually prefer audiences.”
“Men like me prefer results.”
I take the lead rope and place the second into her hand, letting my fingers brush hers for the briefest instant. Skin contact, nothing more, yet awareness moves through the space between us with inconvenient clarity.
Ahead lies forest, uncertainty, and the only person on this road capable of finding what I need. Behind me remains a house certain I can control both mission and seer. This is going to be very interesting.