Jon Sprunk - Shadow's master

Iola ducked inside with a smile. “They say one shouldn't do that, Majesty. Or you're likely to go mad.”

“I feel like I'm already there. Come sit with me.”

They sat on the cot that served as Josey's bed. Heavens, I miss that big feather mattress back in the palace. But she didn't want to think about creature comforts. She had a big decision to make. “How is your father?”

Colonel Klovus had been injured in the battle and had lost an arm.

“Well, Majesty. He is resting. The doctor believes he will recover his full health, except for his…”

Josey put a hand over the girl's trembling fingers. “He'll live, and that's the important thing. Iola, have you ever been in love?”

The girl blushed and looked down at the comforter beneath them. “Majesty, I'm just a maid. I haven't any suitors…yet.”

“You don't need suitors to be in love. Now tell me true, have you ever loved?”

Iola nodded, and her face grew solemn. “I think so, Majesty.”

“Josey. You must call me by my name when we're alone. Or else, how can we be friends? And I want to be your friend very much.”

“As you say. Josey.” Iola's smile returned. “I am in love. I think maybe.”

Josey leaned closer. “It's Captain Drathan, isn't it?”

“Yes, Your Majes-Josey. He's so…everything!”

Josey thought back to all the things she and Drathan had been through. She agreed. She couldn't think of a better match. “Then you must tell him.”

“I couldn't!” Iola slapped a hand over her mouth as the cry escaped.

They both giggled, and Josey felt the tears she'd spared Caim begin to appear. It was so nice to laugh.

“I cannot, Josey. He doesn't even see me. I'm just Your Majesty's servant.”

“No, you are much more than that. You are my confidante and lady-in-waiting.”

Iola's eyes grew wide in the dim light. “I am?”

“Yes. And as an honored member of my court, you deserve the respect of your rank. Do you think your father would look favorably on a man like Captain Drathan?”

“I think so. Both my sisters wed soldiers, and he gave them his blessing.”

“Then we shall see to it.” Josey noticed the interior of the tent had lightened. Dawn was approaching. She fought back a yawn. “As soon as we return to Othir.”

Once the words were said, Josey realized she had made up her mind. She'd done the right thing, for her people, for Caim, and for herself and her baby. Yes, Caim was the father, and perhaps the day would come when she would tell him, but he had his own destiny. Hers was to serve her nation and raise the heir to the throne.

“Majesty. I mean, Josey. May I ask? Are you in love?”

Iola couldn't hide a brief glimpse down, toward Josey's growing middle. Josey clasped her hand tighter. “Perhaps.”

“Is that why you were talking to yourself before I entered?”

Josey looked to the corner where Caim had vanished. It was empty now, its shadows fleeing as daylight grew stronger.

The tent flap rustled, and a voice called from outside. “Majesty, a message has arrived. From the capital.”

Josey stood up, adjusting her gown, which seemed tighter and less concealing than it had before. “Enter.”

Iola curtsied as Brian ducked under the low doorway. “I'll go see if the cooks have made Your Majesty's breakfast.”

Brian made room for the girl to scurry out, and Josey took the moment to run her hands through her hair. Good gods, why didn't I make him wait until I had at least cleaned my teeth?

Brian stood there, looking at her. Just like he had looked at her at the creek. Then, as now, they had been alone. Then, as now, her heart had beat in her throat. He was so…everything.

Brian seemed to suddenly remember the message in his hand. He stepped forward and extended it, but his eyes never broke contact with hers. “Majesty.”

Josey took the letter, stained with mud on one side, but didn't open it. She should say something, but no words came to mind. What about “I love you”? He'd probably think I was a fool, or worse. But you won't ever know if you don't take a chance.

He saved her by speaking first. “I'll be going back to Othir with your party, Majesty. If it pleases you.”

Pleases me? What did he mean by that? Calm down, Josey. He's just trying to be courtly. “Your father's idea, Sir Brian?”

“Not likely. He'll birth a calf when he finds out, but I'm going anyway. I want to see those southern lands you told me about. And if I'm to be lord of Aquos someday, I'll need to know how things are done at court. I don't want to be a poor country boy all my life.”

That made her laugh. Twice in one morning. It must be a good day. “Well, I'll be glad for the company. I've decided we'll be leaving today. For the south, that is.”

“Calling an end to your northern excursion so soon?”

His smirk was insolent, and made her heart beat harder. She decided right then to release the hold she'd kept over her feelings since the day Caim left her standing in the cemetery. “Yes. I think I've found what I was searching for.”

Josey opened the message. Brian said something else, but she didn't hear him as she read. “Brian, could you assemble my commanders here? Right away, please.”

“That sounds serious.” Major Walthom entered with a horseman's rolling gait. “Bad news, Majesty?”

Josey tamped down her irritation. The major had accounted himself with valor. Between that and her dearth of good officers, there was the possibility she would have to promote him again before they reached Othir, as much as it galled her.

Josey didn't want to explain the contents of the message twice, but seeing how Brian was glaring at Walthom, she gave in. “Yes. The lord regent writes that the governors of Mecantia have voted to join the kingdom of Arnos in a new crusade against Akeshia. And they have severed all trade and diplomatic agreements with the empire because of our failure to”-she looked down at the letter-“‘eradicate the threat of the godless heathens of the east.’”

Major Walthom sat down on her undergarment trunk. “That's prickly.”

“And decidedly poor timing,” Captain Drathan said as he walked in. His left leg was bandaged from his thigh to the top of his boot, but he refused to walk with a crutch despite the army physicians' advice. “This smells of diplomatic sabotage.”

Josey had been toying with the same thought. “Philomena.”

Drathan nodded, but Brian asked, “An enemy of the throne?”

“Yes,” Josey answered. “Well, not exactly.” But before she could launch into an explanation, another man entered her tent.

“Empress, I thought you'd like to know…” High Captain Keegan took a look around and stopped. “Oh, sorry. Your Highn-er, Majesty. I didn't know you were having a meet. I could come back-”

“It's quite all right, my lord.” Josey forced herself to smile. After all, if I'm going to keep my promise and grant Eregoth permanent autonomy, we must remain on friendly terms. “You were saying?”

Keegan cleared his throat. “Ah, the Uthenorian survivors are fleeing north in good order. My band is going to follow after them, if that's all right. To make sure they don't get into any mischief.”

Josey rolled up the message. “That's excellent, my lord. I have decided we shall start back south today, but before we left I wanted to speak with you about what assistance the empire can lend your country to rebuild.”

Two more of her officers had arrived, and a quartermaster with the list of their remaining supplies, which were depressingly scarce. Brian talked with Keegan about the Eregoths' return trip home while Captain Drathan grilled the junior officers about their preparations for departure, and Major Walthom looked around for a drink. But there was one face missing. Josey's eyes misted as she imagined Hirsch standing at the table, scratching his beard as he listened to the others. She'd only known him for a couple months, but he had become such an important figure in her life since she took the throne. I would be dead if not for him.