Bastial Frenzy (The Rhythm of Rivalry: Book 4) (32 page)

“Knowing Tegry, it would take him ten days just to get here. It’ll be quicker and more likely to work if we let him stay where he’s comfortable.”

“Then may I suggest you at least offer to meet him in the Academy?” Rayvender said. “Then he’ll counter with Corin Forest, just outside the Fjallejon Pathway.”

Welson smiled. “Yes. That’s what we’ll do. But make it clear there’ll be no psychics. Otherwise our meeting might go in a different direction.”

Cleve didn’t know what the King was referring to, but the others at the table nodded silently.

“One small issue with that,” Kerr said, “is that your recordkeeper is a psychic. So is Tegry’s. We’ll want this meeting recorded, won’t we?”

“Yes. Wilfre, select someone who would serve as a good recordkeeper for the meeting. That person just needs to be trustworthy and able to write quickly. But wait until the meeting is confirmed before telling whoever you choose.”

“Yes, sire.”

“That’s all for now.” Welson straightened his back. Everyone stood and bowed his head before leaving.

“You can leave Polken with me,” Welson told the guards. “And please shut the door behind you.”

They obeyed.

“You’re lucky you’re so useful.” Welson spoke with urgency, gathering a stack of papers. “Otherwise we would’ve had our last conversation long ago.” He walked toward Cleve, his speed implying he wasn’t stopping until he reached the door. “Can we finally be done with all of this?”

“We can. I just want to fight. You can bring your psychic in here to question me.”

“That’s not necessary. James Kerr has already spoken on your behalf, and I have far greater things to worry about. If you’ll fight for me, then I’ll gladly have you.” Welson opened the door. “Your weapons will be brought down to you.”

Cleve didn’t feel right stopping the King from leaving, but there were two things he needed to tell him. “Please, one moment, sir.”

Welson stopped, halfway out the door. “How important is it?”

“Extremely. Did you know that the Krepps have two giants?”

Welson took a breath that looked painful. “Yes, I know about the Dajriks. Is that it?”

“One other thing.”

Welson scoffed. “What’s it about?”

“It’s what I didn’t tell you the last few times we spoke.”

Welson came back into the room and shut the door. Folding his arms, he whispered, “There’s nothing more to say to each other about our past.”

“It’s not that.”

“Then what?” Welson gestured with his hand for Cleve to hurry.

“The Takarys are coming here after their war is done. They’re going to take over Kyrro.” Cleve opened his mouth to elaborate, but Welson’s expression froze him. The King looked ready to shout.

“Danvell Takary told you this?”

“Yes. In exchange for help returning to Kyrro, I had to agree to assist in the transition of power to the Takarys when they came here, though I don’t believe he’ll be coming himself.”

“Do they know what’s happening here?”

“Yes.”

“When will they be coming?” Welson asked nervously.

“It could be a few months or years. It certainly won’t be immediately. Their war is of a far wider scale than ours. I can’t imagine it’ll be resolved quickly.”

Welson turned his lips inward and pressed his mouth together. “Their army…how many do they have?”

“I don’t know, but Danvell said they would send between twenty and thirty thousand to take Kyrro. They have horses and Bastial steel swords like mine. I don’t suggest fighting.”

“But you’re required to say this, aren’t you?”

“What do you mean?”

“You agreed to help Danvell with the transition of power,” Welson said. “So you would rather I didn’t fight him.”

“Even if that wasn’t the case, I don’t believe you can win.”

“And the Krepps? Their army is more than thirty thousand. Would you suggest not fighting them either? The Takarys have been terrible rulers, and I would gladly fight to keep them out of power here. Let them keep Goldram, but this land doesn’t belong to them any longer.” At first Welson seemed exasperated. But then his face loosened with a breath. “Did they say they want Tenred as well? What hint did you get as to what they would do if Tegry and I are still at war when they come?”

“They want all of Ovira. I assume they would go to war against both of you.”

Welson made a fist. “Their greed is absurd!” He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll deal with them as I’m dealing with Tegry and the Krepps. Thank you for telling me.”

Welson opened the door once again.

“What will you do?” Cleve risked asking.

“I don’t know yet. There are more immediate matters on my mind.” He was almost through the doorway when he stopped and looked over his shoulder. “This agreement between you and Danvell Takary—will you be fighting with them or against them when they come?”

“I signed a contract that says I’ll assist the Takarys however I’m needed in the transition of power, but only if Danvell’s two daughters agree to what’s asked of me. I trust them more than I trust him. But I’d still rather avoid the situation entirely. When this war is over, I plan to travel back there if you’ll help me with a ship. I believe I can stop them from attacking Ovira if I have more time there.”

“Perhaps. Let me discuss this with my council at a later time. Wait here for my guards to bring your weapons.”

“And my horse?” Cleve inquired, trying to sound as polite as possible.

“She’s staying here.”

Cleve was silent, too nervous to voice his disagreement.

“There’s no place for her in the Academy. My people will take good care of her,” Welson said. “And you can come visit her whenever Terren gives you permission to leave.”

This was a pleasant surprise. “I’m not banished from the city?”

“Kerr has convinced me I no longer need to worry about you. As long as this is the case, then yes.”

“It is.” Cleve wouldn’t apologize for his previous behavior, as Welson deserved far worse than what Cleve had given him, but he was done revisiting that topic. They were on the same side.

But there was something Cleve felt he should say, something he and the King both shared.

“I’m sorry about your father.”

“And I’m sorry about yours.”

Chapter 24:

CLEVE

With his weapons back in his possession, Cleve found himself feeling in debt to Welson. He wondered if it meant he’d forgiven him. The thought left a taste of disgust. He could never forgive Welson. But did that mean he couldn’t respect the man and proudly serve in his army?

Cleve shook his head. He was out of his prison cell. He didn’t want to think about Welson anymore, nor did he want to think about his father. Cleve buried his feelings deep down, knowing it was wrong but unable to help it.

Old habits aren’t easy to give up
, he told himself to relieve some of the guilt.

The guard shocked Cleve with a polite question. “Have all your belongings?”

“I do.”

“Then let me escort you to the door.” It wasn’t more than twenty steps away. Cleve walked with the man, confused. “We’ve heard about what you and Rek did,” the guard said. “Our scouts found traces of the dark foam in the location given to us. There was a mound of dirt nearby. They dug and found the Slugari carcass buried there.” He offered his hand, and they shook. “When we first heard Welson was sending just two to kill one of the Krepps’ Slugari leaders, some of us were skeptical it was possible. But our king is a smarter man than I am. He chose wisely with you and Rek.”

Cleve bowed his head, unsure what to say. The guard bowed back and led Cleve through the doorway.

After the guard went back inside and the massive ironbark door began to close, Cleve heard a familiar voice.

“Hold!” The guards stopped shutting the door, and Rek came through with an indifferent expression, as if Cleve were a stranger.

Cleve grabbed him by the shoulders, fearful he might run off before Cleve could fully apologize. “I’m so sorry for what I said in the dungeon. I made a terrible mistake.”

“I know you did.” Rek reached up to pat Cleve on the shoulder, and Cleve let go of him. “That’s all I needed to hear.”

“You’re not upset with me?”

“Not anymore. I convinced myself that it had nothing to do with the trust between us, which is what I first thought. I couldn’t understand how you would believe I’d take payment from someone, even a king, to lie to you about your family. Reela felt the same way. But I can understand what you were going through in that cell. You were alone for days, stewing. I think your mind was playing tricks.”

They were walking out of the city, north toward the Academy. “It was.” Cleve looked around to find no listening ears. “My father really was the one to shoot…” He didn’t want to mention any other details. “Are you coming to the Academy?”

“I am. And I’ve always believed it was your father, but I didn’t want to say it. It’s unlike Welson to be certain of something that’s incorrect. Is it difficult for you to accept this about your father?”

Accept it
...he’d never considered it something he needed to accept, but that’s exactly what it was.

It made it easier, he found. This way, it was just a piece of information, a single fact. It didn’t change everything else that had happened between them. It was just one thing his father did that had nothing to do with Cleve.

“I think I can,” he said. “I just wish he were still alive so I could speak with him.”

“I’m sure Terren feels the same way, and I would’ve loved to meet him.”

Cleve gestured for Rek to stop. “We don’t need to speak about this anymore. Tell me what you’ve been doing in the castle and how you’re feeling. You look stronger than when I saw you yesterday. How’s your ankle?”

“Not too bad now. I wanted to go to the Academy with Reela and Steffen yesterday, but I didn’t feel up for the walk. I’ve been working with the psychics Welson has in Kyrro City, teaching them, I suppose one could say. Remember, I used to be an instructor at the Academy.”

Cleve nodded. “Is that why you’re coming back with me? To begin teaching again?”

“No, just to visit…and meet my brother.” He showed an anxious grin. “I’m nervous.”

Cleve scoffed. “I saw no nervousness when you led the charge into Welson’s castle with an army of rats. I saw no nervousness when we spotted the Slugari leader and scrambled for a place to shoot from, even after you hurt your ankle. But this makes you nervous—meeting with your twin brother?”

“Who I haven’t spoken with since we were too young to even hold a conversation. Yes, of course I’m nervous! What are we going to say? Will it be awkward?”

“You really don’t know Vithos. It can’t be awkward with him. You’ll love him.”

A silence followed. Cleve hadn’t meant the word “love” literally, but both meanings were true nonetheless.

“You’re right,” Rek eventually said. “Though you must admit it would be strange for you as well. He even looks like me. Think about what that would be like.”

Cleve tried to imagine meeting his brother for the first time, a brother who looked almost identical to him. “It does seem strange. But the moment Vithos says something, your nerves will be at ease.”

“I just can’t believe it’s finally happening.”

They continued to speak as they walked, the sun setting behind the hills. Cleve told Rek all that Kerr had told him, knowing the Elf wouldn’t share the information with anyone else.

As they neared the Academy, Cleve could see the road to Oakshen to his right. There was only one person on it, and Cleve recognized him immediately.

“Steffen!” Cleve shouted to get his attention.

Steffen’s neck stiffened, startled at first. Then he found Cleve and his mouth dropped open in disbelief. He ran to meet them.

“I thought I’d never see you again.” He surprised Cleve with a hug.

Cleve expected it to end as soon as it began, so he merely patted Steffen on the back with one hand. But the chemist wouldn’t let go, squeezing harder.

“I can’t believe you’re out!”

“Yes, I am.”

“Wait!” His face showed great concern. He whispered, “Did you break out?” Frantically, he looked down the road to Kyrro City.

“No, Steffen. I’m out for good. The King let me out.”

Steffen was confused. Cleve could see it plainly on his face.

“Kerr just wanted to scare you into never speaking about what you told me.”

“It worked! I thought I was going to be put in the cell next to you.”

“Come,” Rek said, walking forward. “It’ll be dark in a few hours.”

The three of them started walking the last half-mile to the Academy.

“What happened after I left?” Steffen asked.

“Before I get into that, why are you coming back from Oakshen?” Cleve asked.

Steffen looked at the dirt. “I visited Gabby. I wasn’t planning to see anyone but you. But when I fled Kyrro City after what happened with Kerr, I found myself running through Raywhite Forest toward Oakshen before I even knew it.” His eyes shot up to Cleve. “Don’t tell Terren. He’d never let me leave the Academy again.”