King George
Aderian.
“Your Majesty. Dothia’s army will be on us before nightfall. Our legions are still at the coast.”
I rose from my throne slowly.
I had known the letters would become an army someday. I had known the day they stopped coming that the next delivery would arrive on horseback. I had still hoped I would be wrong.
“Aderian is undefended.” I spoke plainly. My captains needed plain words. “A kingdom can be rebuilt. Its people cannot be replaced. Gather every soul in the castle and the village. Lead them through the hidden passage under the east tower. Get them out. Now.”
“Sire. You mean to abandon Aderian.”
“There is no Aderian without its people.”
My captain bowed.
“Send riders to the coast. Tell my legions to hold and await further word. Send another rider to Specter.
