Chapter 102: On The Edge-Kingdom

Kael was pacing, the clink of his boots off the stone floor. "We can't keep on this way, Reika," he said, the frustration keen in his voice. "The people are growing divided, and every day that Ileus continues in his coma, the less they believe. A low sigh slipped through my lips as my fingers traced the rim of the map stretched before me. "You really think I do not know this, Kael? You really think I do not feel their doubts every time I walk outside? "Then we act!" Kael exclaimed, his fist onto the table such that council members jumped. "We can't just sit around and wait for Ileus to wake up. We must be strong now." Daisy waded in between, voice low and calm, but insistent. "Kael, stop. Reika's trying, and we are too." Kael flung a hand through his hair as if in an attempt to push off some of his exasperation. "I just don't know how much longer we can keep a grasp on anything." "I'll hold it together," I said, my voice firm though there was a knot inside me. A knock came to the door, breaking into our tense moment. A guard bowed quickly as he came in. "Your Majesty, news from the western province." I sat up straight in my chair. "Go on." The guard seemed to hesitate, looking around the room before he spoke. "There's been an attack. A group of Ariadne's supporters stormed the village of Lysandra. They've taken control and declared allegiance to her. A murmur ran around the room, stilled at a raised hand. "Casualties?" "None reported as yet, though villagers are terrified. They've sent word, asking for protection." I closed my eyes for a moment while enormity weighed on me, one more crack in those founding stones of a kingdom. Kael turned to me, his face grim. "This is what I mean, Reika. We can't go on letting this happen. Unless we do something in response, more villages will fall, and Ariadne's influence will grow." "He's right," said Elder Thelwin. "We need to send a message that this type of rebellion won't be tolerated. And what does that say?" I returned, turning to the others in the room. "That we'll fight our own people? Spill blood just to prove a point?" "We have to do something," Kael said. "If not violence, then what? Words won't stop them. I stared hard at the map, my mind racing. A decision was finally made. "We'll send a delegation. A small contingent to speak with villagers and assess the situation. If Ariadne's forces are still there, we'll send reinforcements to protect the people-but only if absolutely necessary. No unnecessary violence." Kael frowned but nodded. "I'll lead the delegation." "No," I said firm. "I need you here. Send someone you trust." He sputtered a few more seconds before he nodded again. "As you wish." The council dispersed, and Daisy hung back to have a word with me. "Reika," she whispered, "are you sure about this? Ariadne's men aren't going to step aside that easily." "I know," I said. "Still, I really would not want it to come this far-that an all-out war ensues. The kingdom's already hanging by a thread. She looked back at me, equal pride and equal concern upon her face. "You are far stronger than you perceive yourself, Reika. You shall not be alone in doing so." Her words chased me to my room, but the fact was I had been alone. Off the tailed end of Kael and Daisy, a fistful of residual members of the council who remained steadfast, the full brunt of the kingdom laid at my doorstep. - I sat by his bedside that night, and the only sound within the room came from the small crackling of fire in the fireplace; snow-white complexion of face, irregularly heaved up and lowered on the chest the little short breaths. I took his hand in mine. Ileus," I whispered, shaking. "I don't know if you can hear me, but I need you. The kingdom needs you. I'm doing all that I can, but it's just not enough. They tear us apart. Tears blurred my sight and I leaned further down. "Please, wake up. Fight, Ileus. I know you're strong enough. A soft rap on the door dragged me out of my reverie. Daisy peered inside, a little white-faced. "Reika, I didn't mean to disturb you, but there's something you need to see." I rubbed quickly at my eyes and rose. "What is it?" She took me onto a balcony, overlooking an interior courtyard where the villagers were congregating, all carrying torches and banners; right away my head went to something political-a protest-but then I was swept up in it: across those banners sloppy block letters scrawled, "We Stand with Reika". My breath caught on the picture of them chanting-my name over and over again, up into the night. "They're from the eastern province," Daisy explained. "They'd heard what was occurring and wanted to declare themselves for." . Hope flared high for the first time in many days. Morning would bring reports that would stretch that hope yet further. Reports tumbled in of fresh villages declaring in favour for Ariadne. The council were utterly in disarray every member debating on what path should be pursued,. Kael stepped into the room, his expression as dark as the stormy night sky. "Reika, that delegation we sent out to Lysandra-Ariadne's army forced them off and refuses to settle any conditions with us." I felt a sudden tug in my belly. "What of the villagers?" "Under her control still," he said, "and doing nothing means yielding territory piecemeal.". I nodded, my mind grasping for a decision as its weight settled over me. "Then we act, but with care. I will not have this become a bloodbath." Kael looked at me then, his face unreadable. "You're treading on very thin ice, Reika. I hope you are prepared for the outcome of such a path." "I must be," I said to him, not returning his gaze. "For Ileus, for the kingdom.