Chapter 40: Chapter 39

Ruairi

It’s hard to say what went wrong, but something clearly has. Unlike Yeolan, which is thriving, this place is dying and I sure as hell didn’t leave it that way. Yes, there was a war going on but the civilians weren’t hurt and they weren’t starving.

Silas has a lot to answer to and I can’t for the life of me understand how this could happen. This land is ripe with forests, farms and trade routes from the coastal regions, a shortage shouldn’t be possible and if they’re hit with it, it’s only a matter of time before we are.

The few locals we were able to help on the way were tight-lipped, grateful for the food but unable to speak about what happened. That worries me as that means either it’s something so bad they’re not wanting to bring it up, or they’re scared, which seems more likely. After all, if one of my countries is in need I should have been notified long before I could stumble upon it myself.

Nobody talks as we ride through the open gates, it’s hard to not recall the initial victory of when we first broke through them, as they’re tall, iron and twisted into swirls and lines. Truly one of a kind, a feature I loved from the start but I’m feeling anything but joyful right now.

I’m trying my best to give Silas the benefit of the doubt, he was one of my most successful generals and this was an honour I gave him to act as a reward. If this has gone to hell because of him, then half of the blame should go to me, and rightly so. That fact is probably why I’ve been eaten alive with guilt from the second we saw the first town.

This is not what I wanted for the new kingdom, I am nothing like those royal families that destroyed Eradeo.

“Ruairi, Welcome!” Silas shouts down at us as I disengage myself from my horse.

His blond hair is combed to perfection, his face glowing with health and his eyes crinkling up in a smile. Little does he know that this show of good health is the last thing he wants to do if he were to protect his image.

Tedric mutters something to Avery as they follow behind me but I don’t listen, only focusing on the man ahead who has some explaining to do if he wants to keep his.

“The hall.” Is all I say in reply, a chilling greeting if I do say so myself, but it’s deserved. If he proves me wrong in my assumptions I can apologise later, and by apologise I mean let him remain in his position.

I walk past him without stopping, as I know my way around this place fine from the weeks spent here recovering after battle. The fact that my shoulder slams into his is just a happy accident that I hope sets his expectations for the meeting to come.

“I want my people fed and watered, we’ll dine in here, nobody is to disturb us,” I order the line of servants waiting in the halls for my arrival.

They flee in fear in the direction of the kitchens and there’s a part of me that won’t deny how good it feels to rip the authority from Silas’s hands as fast as I gave it. I’ve still got it, even if I have grown softer since meeting a certain someone.

But now is not the time to think of her, I have responsibilities to meet and a kingdom to protect.

“What’s this all about, Ruairi?” Silas scurries to keep up with our pace, trying to beat us to the hall where I have every intention of taking my place at the head of the table. He, on the other hand, can stand until I’m satisfied.

“Your Highness.” Avery corrects him in a low, threatening voice and I’m reminded of the warrior inside him, the one I’ve not seen these past few weeks and have missed much like my own.

This right here is the role I know, the act I can comfortably perform with confidence, only I wish it didn’t have to come to this.

I take my time to find and place myself in my seat, any position would do but I want Silas to practise a little patience. Something I’ve needed more of than ever on the ride over here while watching my people suffer. Because they are my people now, all of them.

“Sit.” I order the room but hold a hand to Silas, “You can stand.”

Narrowing my eyes I dare him to say something, dare him to give me an excuse to rip him a new one in front of his court, but he holds it in. He’s dealt with me before and clearly remembers that shutting up and taking it is the best way to survive this next little chat.

“Tedric, did you notice anything strange on our journey here?” I use my pocket knife to dig the dirt from my nails that’s built up from riding horseback. It’s disgusting but works well in situations like this.

“Yes, your majesty, I did.” He uses my title to emphasise where Silas went wrong earlier, only with a bit more tact than Avery.

“Fascinating, and Avery, did you?”

“Unfortunately so, your majesty.”

I put the knife gently down on the table, the blade pointing towards my target, and take a second before looking up. “If you have anything to say about the sights we saw, Silas, now is the time.”

He scrunches a brow, “What did you see?”

I have to close my eyes to contain my frustration. I don’t even know what’s worse; if he’s not aware of what it’s like out there in the country he is meant to care for, or that he is and won’t own up to it.

“We saw bones in place of your people, rags in place of clothes and huts in place of homes… care to explain why this country isn’t how I left it?” The words squeeze out through my clenched teeth.

“What do you mean? Our people are fine,” He hesitates for a second before convincing himself of what he says, smiling slightly before turning to a member of his court halfway down the large table. “Gregor, stand so the Red King can see your gut… there are no bones here!” He forces a laugh and a few of his inner circle half attempt to join him.

Cowards and fools.

“What of the public I saw with my own eyes, are you calling me a liar Silas?” My voice drops slightly in volume, letting him know that I’m reaching the end of my tether. Not that I had much to begin with.

“I can’t speak for what you saw, but our people are thriving, Your Majesty.” He looks at Avery when saying it, careful not to offend a second time, “The traitors on the other hand are left to themselves”

The temperature in the room drops several degrees and I have to look at Tedric to make sure that I just heard him right. If I could turn back time and stop Silas from speaking I would, but then again what use would it be? The damage is done and he sealed his fate with his actions long before his words.

“Define traitors.”

I pick up my knife and slam it into the wood of the table. It sticks without much effort while shaking the surface for everyone else sitting around, letting them feel my rage as well as see it.

“I don’t understand Rhu-Your Majesty… we’re Eradeon, we look after our own and take what is ours, isn’t that what you always said?” His brow is filled with sweat and he struggles to remain standing straight in wait of my answer.

“Define traitors.”

I know what I said because I said it. I also know that the second we crossed these damn gates I made it clear that these were now our people, were worth our protection. His selective memory isn’t my problem, but the task of correcting his wrong will be.

“Those who stood by and did nothing while our country burned!” He spits on the floor, and for a man showing every sign of fear, you’d think he’d have more respect for the person who can end his life with a word.

“Just so that we’re clear Silas, by traitors you mean the people you swore to protect when I lent you this throne?”

“I do protect my people!” He yells at me now and even his men won’t look at him, in fear of catching the insanity that leeks from every pour of his skin.

So I raise my voice for the first time since arriving and I can feel it echoing back off the stone walls in the air around us. “They’re all our people, this whole continent is our people… THE WAR IS OVER!”

“The war will never be over Rhu, never and you kno-” Before he can finish his rant, Avery has slipped a blade up against his throat, already drawing blood from the pressure applied.

I’ll never fail to appreciate how he can read my mind before I even think it.

“That’ll be all, take him away please Avery.”

I run my fingers through my hair, closing my eyes as I try to process my thoughts and ignore the sounds of footsteps hurriedly leaving and Silas’ distant shouts. Tedric has gotten the rest of the table to evacuate to give me space but it’s not enough.

I need air, I need movement, something to take away all of this burning rage that’s building up, and before I know it I’m out of the seat and bolting for the stables.