The Shadow Throne (Ascendance 3)

“And where is your army headed? To Falstan Lake?”

“I have nothing to say to a boy king,” Fish Breath sneered.

“As you wish.”

I nodded at Mott to drag him away, but he squirmed within Mott’s grasp and shouted back, “You will not kill me!”

“Are you sure of that? Because I was just thinking that I might.”

“Let me live, and I will give you information.”

I made a show of thinking it over. “Well, if it’s interesting, then I’ll keep you alive. But if you waste my time, or tell me any lies, then you have no promise.”

His eyes darted from left to right before he spoke, and when he did it was quieter than before, possibly so that wherever he was, King Vargan wouldn’t hear the betrayal of secrets.

“Vargan is heading directly for the capital. Mendenwal is already there, on orders to destroy Drylliad and everyone within its walls. The victors will join those already encamped at Falstan Lake to end the war there.”

Amarinda drew in a breath and reached for Tobias’s hand. I looked from them over to Mott, debating whether this information was true.

“Has fighting begun in Drylliad?” I asked.

“If it hasn’t, it will soon. I’m told the captain of your guard has formed a line near the city, and reinforced it with the armies of Bymar. They won’t last long, though. Once we figure out how to breach their lines, it’s an easy march into Drylliad.”

My eyes narrowed as I studied him. “I think you’re lying.”

“I’m not! I heard this straight from a man named Kippenger, one of Vargan’s top commanders.”

Kippenger. I remembered that name like vinegar on my tongue.

I picked up a rock. “Which is your sword hand?”

Fish Breath trembled beneath my implied threat, but raised his left hand. “Please don’t do that. You said you wouldn’t kill me.”

“And you said you wouldn’t lie to me. You held your knife with your right hand before.” I raised the rock higher now.

“That’s all I know!” His panicked voice jumped nearly an octave. “Listen, you will find Mendenwal there, and my own king’s armies with them in battle. He intends to destroy Drylliad.”

I frowned at him and rubbed my chin, mostly because it seemed to make him nervous. “All right,” I finally said. “I’ll let you live, but you’d better hope there are others in your army willing to come look for you.” Then I nodded at Mott. “Tie them up.”

While Mott tied the men to the trees around our camp, Tobias and Amarinda came down to help him, and I collected our horses. We had to leave at once. When I last saw him, Roden hadn’t yet figured out his role as captain. If he was no better, those lines outside Drylliad wouldn’t last long.

After we left, Mott asked me, “Do you intend to go to Drylliad?”

“Of course. Drylliad must stand.”

“That battle will be dangerous,” Amarinda said. “Are you sure you’re ready?”

With a grin, I told her, “I’ll have more than ten minutes’ notice that this battle is coming. In that way, this might be the most prepared I’ve ever been.”

We rode as quickly as possible toward Drylliad, but once we came upon the Roving River, I turned to Tobias. “Can you and Amarinda get yourselves up to the camp at Falstan Lake?”

“Yes. But if you’re headed toward Drylliad, I ought to go with you. We’ll have injured men there, and I can care for them.”

“What about Amarinda?” I asked.

“I can help Tobias,” she answered. “Let me be of use in this war.”

Her eyes met mine, and I said, “The terms of our betrothal may have changed, but not the terms of the throne. If something happens to me before this is over, I need you to take the reins as queen. You are already needed, and you must stay safe.”