The Courier’s Collection

Chapter 10

10

JAK TURNED BACK TO listen, but didn’t join Rasha. She hurried closer, anxiety and anticipation making her stomach clench. She willed herself not to look at Jak.

Both of the messengers seemed out of breath and tired from riding hard.

“Bring them water, now,” she told the guard.

“I’m sorry Your Highness, we bring you bad news,” the Karmirian messenger said. The other had light green skin and small ears, which suggested he was something other than Tero-Joro. “We waited for days and tried everything we could think of to get an audience. They refused to even see us.”

Rasha nodded and patted his shoulder. “It’s all right. I suspected they might not listen to us. You’ve done well.” The water arrived a moment later, and they drank thirstily.

The other messenger turned to Jak.

“Your Grace,” he said. “We also bring news of your mother. She is unwell. She’s begging your speedy return.”

Jak grabbed the messenger, demanding, “What ails her?”

“They don’t know, but it seems her recovery is unlikely.”

“Thank you,” Jak said, releasing the man’s shoulders.

Jak turned to Rasha, his eyes pleading.

“You should go,” she said gently.

“I can’t leave you here to face the beasts alone.”

Rasha shook her head and tried to give him a reassuring smile. “I won’t be alone. She’s your mother. She needs you.”

“I wish—” he began, but Rasha held up a hand, then laid it gently on his arm.

“Don’t. Just go. I’ll be here when you return.”

Jak nodded “Perhaps you can spare Ebere?”

“Of course. He may be of help to you. The knowledge of healing among the Tero-Joro is legendary.”

Rasha was reeling at the news. Why now? Why him? Rasha needed and wanted him, but she wouldn’t even consider letting him stay. He couldn’t know she was lost without him. It wouldn’t help him to take care of his mother, and she needed him more. She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Something in his face changed. He came back, and, without a word, kissed her senseless.

Did she moan, or was that him? She couldn’t be sure. She could feel the warmth of his chest on her palms as his arms were wrapped around her. His mouth was hungry and hot, demanding a response from hers, and she gave with the same desperation. Jak pulled back, gasping for breath. Not ready to let go, he rested his forehead against hers. When he released her, she felt the cold his absence brought.

“I hate this,” he whispered.

“Me too.”

And with that, he was gone. Rasha was left staring at the door.

The Karmirian messenger cleared his throat. Rasha was startled to find she’d forgotten the messengers were still in the room.

“Can we be of more help to you, Your Highness?”

“No, you can go.” She waved a hand at them. “Wait! His mother, what’s she like?”

They looked at each other and both shrugged. “Strong,” they said in unison.

When the fighters from the south arrived shortly after, the council gathered again and sent for Rasha. She felt like she spent more time in council meetings than she did fighting the beasts.

“How many?” she asked.

The guard cleared his throat.

“Out with it,” she said with a hint of impatience.

“Fifty.”

“Fifty in total?”

“Yes,” he said.

Rasha wanted to scream. How was she supposed to win a war for them when none of the kingdoms would send enough fighters? She said as much to the council, but they had no good answers.

“We can send for more,” Tobi, the Chilalian councilman offered.

“No, begging for more hasn’t worked. I’m quite sure they’d see the need if the battle was on their borders instead of on ours,” Rasha said.

Mindful that there was a traitor among them, Rasha watched all of their faces carefully, looking for any reactions that seemed suspect.

“The mermen are sending us more fighters,” Keabasi said.

“When?” Rasha asked.

“They’ll arrive within the week.”

“How many?”

“At least two hundred.”

“That’s better. I just hope it’s enough. We have no idea how much time we have before the next attack.”

“Well, if the past is an indication, we can expect the next attack to come within the next few days. And there are more of them every time,” Gungbe from Karmir said. “I don’t want to be an alarmist, but they will outnumber us very soon. Our borders could be lost. We must consider moving the prince and the princess.”

“I already have a plan for that. Let me worry about it,” Rasha changed the subject quickly. She wasn’t going to tell her plans to a corrupted council. There was an almost imperceptible nod from Xeku. He approved of her cautious answer.

“One thing we must do is the organize the chain of command. There’s been debate about how to allocate our men and women in battle. The fighters are reluctant to take orders from an officer that isn’t theirs. If they fall, the soldiers lose confidence or don’t understand any of the other leaders well enough to be effective,” Tobi said.

“I’ll work on that with the captains and leaders myself. Schedule a meeting with them in the morning to discuss it further. Tell them to meet me at the east field.”

“Would you like me to represent the council at your meeting, Your Highness?” Keabasi asked. That was strange; she’d never showed any interest in tactics and strategy before. She noted it, and Keabasi went higher on her mental list of potential suspects.

“No, I will represent both the royalty and the council in this matter,” Rasha said firmly, meeting everyone’s eyes. She waited for someone to object. They remained silent. With a nod, she dismissed the council and left the room.

“Is Jak unwell?” Gunge asked.

Rasha caught Xeku’s eye as she said, “Jak is on his way to the Wilds. His mother is ill.”

It was as Rasha suspected. Xeku didn’t know. His shock was genuine, she was sure.

“Oh dear. I didn’t know. If you’ll excuse me, Your Highness. I must speak with him before he goes.”

Rasha nodded, then headed for the palace herself. The idea of getting a glimpse of Jak before he left filled her stomach with agitated, sharp-beaked pikos. His kiss had left her bewildered. She’d had no time to process it before the council had gathered. These feelings she had about him were too new and not wholly welcome.