Disciple of War Disciple of War (Art of the Adept #4) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,235

nice. Why don’t I have an army?”

“You’ve been demoted,” she answered primly.

His eyes narrowed. Only one person in the camp had the power to do that, and even then, it probably wasn’t legal. “On whose authority?”

“Don’t give me that look,” snapped Selene. “Your field marshal relieved you of command on orders from the king. You’re back to being just a duke again.”

“How did he send orders that quickly—oh.” Will realized the answer immediately. Mark Nerrow, like most sorcerers in Terabinia, was subject to a heart-stone enchantment. The king could control him whenever he wished, and more pertinently, he could communicate with him directly in the same way that Will had been talking to Selene.

Selene nodded. “More important is why, not how.”

“He’s already tried to kill me several times this year.”

“And now he needs you dead more than ever,” she agreed. “There’s nothing worse for a king than a victorious war hero.” She sat down beside him and began to knead his neck with her fingers. “Does this help?”

“Gods, yes,” he said gratefully. “How did you know?”

“You were holding your head in a funny position. You know it wasn’t just Father trying to kill you, right?”

“Technically your father didn’t try to kill me. He just looked the other way.”

She pulled him close, hugging his back and putting her chin on his shoulder before speaking softly beside his ear, “It won’t be long before he takes a direct hand in the matter.”

“A lot of people have tried and been disappointed,” said Will nonchalantly.

Her arms tightened around him. “He won’t fail, William. He never does. If you wait for him to make the attempt, we’ll both be dead.”

“He won’t kill you.”

She growled. “Attempted regicide carries a death penalty. I probably wouldn’t succeed, but if he kills you, I will certainly respond violently. If you want to keep us safe, we need to do something before he does.”

“I don’t want you involved in it.”

“Then you should have married someone else.”

Will sighed. “How long do you think we have?”

“Two years at best, so not waiting another year would be wise,” she replied.

He nodded. “Let’s figure out something within the next six months then. Where exactly are we?”

“On the road heading west to Klendon with Captain Barrentine’s company serving as our escort and honor guard.”

“Honor guard?”

“The ostensible reason for your removal was because you were wounded. Mark Nerrow is in charge now, and I suspect that Father intends to appoint him as governor of Darrow. Most of the other senior officers will probably reap similar rewards, particularly Hargast and Lambel.”

Both men had given excellent service, but Will was surprised that she singled them out. “Why those two?”

“They’re your vassals. If he gives them more land and greater titles in Darrow, they’ll have to renounce fealty to you and swear to him. Father will reorganize everything you’ve been involved with to try and break up any power structures that may be overly sympathetic to you. Don’t worry, though. You’ll probably get a medal and a parade, just so no one suspects too much when you inevitably have a tragic accident.”

“Your father is really devious.”

“Pay attention. Cruel as he is, this is a valuable lesson. Many of the techniques he uses to retain power are built on kindness, so even if you don’t agree with his goals you can use the same methods yourself someday.”

“I don’t really like power that much,” he confessed.

She nibbled the back of his neck, sending shivers up his spine. “Get used to it. After you kill him, someone will have to take the throne.”

“I don’t want the job. Can’t we just leave after that?”

Selene remained silent for a while. “We could. I might prefer that, but I doubt it will work.”

The nibble had started a chain reaction within Will’s body. “Let’s talk about it later.”

His wife had other ideas, though. She pulled away, leaving a pout on his face. Then she put a finger over his lips. “Hold that thought. Your friends have a history of walking in at awkward moments.” Rising from the cot, she walked to the tent flaps and stuck her head out. Then she made a rather public announcement. “William and I will be engaged in some marital matters for the next few hours. Please see that we aren’t disturbed.”

Will’s expression was of shocked disbelief when she returned. “I can’t believe you said that.”

She smirked. “It was the truth. Besides, it was just Janice and Tiny.” Knowing how easily Tiny could be embarrassed, Will wished he had been watching,