Jonas blinked. “You do?”
“And I’m very sorry for what happened to your brother. It was a tragedy to lose one of our own in such a senseless way. I had no idea that you were related to the murdered boy until now, and I’m so glad you have come here tonight. And you’re right. Auranos must pay for its ignorance and narcissism—for what happened to your brother and for its citizens’ complete disregard for my land and my people.”
Jonas couldn’t believe this was so easy. “You agree that we should rise up against them.”
“Much more than that, Jonas. There will be war.”
Jonas felt cold all of a sudden. “War?”
“Yes.” The chief leaned closer, studying Jonas’s face, Brion’s face. “You two are valuable to me. You see what others do not. I want you to help me in what is to come.”
“You sound like this isn’t a crazy idea we’re suggesting,” Brion said with confusion. “Wait. Your celebration feast...this is something you’re already planning, isn’t it? Even without us saying anything?”
The chief nodded. “I have joined with the king of Limeros in a mutual goal to take Auranos for ourselves. Both Paelsia and Limeros will prosper greatly when Auranos falls.”
Jonas stared at the chief in stunned silence. This went far beyond anything he ever could have dreamed possible.
“What happened in the market the day your brother was murdered triggered all of this,” the chief continued. “Your family’s sacrifice—the loss of your brother—was a tragedy. But it is one that will result in true change.”
“You’re really going to try to conquer Auranos,” Jonas said with shock.
“Not try. Succeed. And I want you to join up with my forces. I have scouts going throughout Paelsia right now, gathering eligible men to join with the trained and ready Limeros army. King Gaius is a very smart man. Very smart. King Corvin, however, is clueless. No war in a hundred years. Peace for all that time. He has grown fat and lazy. Victory will inevitably be ours. And the people of Paelsia will look forward to a brighter future.”
This was truly too good to be true. Jonas had to be dreaming.
“I need you to be ready to fight at my side to ensure a better future for your fellow Paelsians. Both of you.”
Jonas and Brion looked at each other.
“Of course,” Jonas said firmly. “Anything you need, Chief Basilius. Anything at all.”
The chief considered both of them for a moment. “In the meantime, I want you to travel to the villages. Keep an eye open for anything unusual. If King Corvin gets word of our plans, he might send his own spies here to gather more information.”
Jonas nodded. “Yes, Chief.”
The chief nodded and smiled. “Now, please enjoy yourselves. Take part in my feast and celebrations. And Jonas, try to remember one thing that’s more important than anything else...beyond war, beyond even death itself.”
“Yes, sir?”
The chief’s smile held. “Be careful with my daughter. She doesn’t take disappointment very well.”
More than a week had passed since his private conversation with the king and Magnus still didn’t know what troubled Lucia. The thought was a constant distraction to him.
Distractions weren’t recommended in the midst of his swordsmanship class. He winced as a blunt wooden practice sword landed a painful blow to his chest.
“What’s wrong, Prince Magnus?” his opponent asked with mockery edging his words. “Would you really let me win as easily as this?”
Magnus gave him a withering look. “I won’t let you win at all.”
Andreas Psellos was his complete opposite in looks despite their similar tall statures and leanly muscled builds. Where Magnus was dark, Andreas was light with fair hair and pale blue eyes. Where Magnus could never be described as “cheery,” Andreas had an easy manner and a constant smile on his handsome face that rarely held malice—
Unless he was talking to Magnus.
They’d moved away from the rest of the class, consisting of four teams of two and an absentminded tutor who tended to wander off in the middle of their sessions leaving them to practice without supervision.
“The years haven’t change you a bit,” Andreas said. “I still remember that set of painted wooden blocks we battled over when we were only five years old. I believe you threw them out of a window so I couldn’t get the chance to play with them.”
“I’ve never enjoyed sharing my toys.”
“Not with anyone but your sister.”
“She’s an exception.”
“Indeed she is. A beautiful exception.” Andreas cast a wistful look toward the black granite castle that stretched high into the blue sky. “Do you think Princess Lucia will be coming out to watch us spar like she did last time?”