me he doesn’t trust you. And he’s worked hard to prove himself to you. My lord, I counsel you . . .” He glanced at Lord Bryon and Lady Deborah. “Do not invade the duchy of Vexin. It would make him desperate. He might seek out dangerous alliances.”
The king pursed his lips. He glanced at his companions much like Ransom had done. “But does he fear that I will come for him? Is he ready to fight me?”
“Yes,” Ransom said firmly. “And he is.”
“Good,” said the king. Then he laughed.
Ransom’s heart sank. The king’s mind was already made up. He’d made it up before Ransom’s trip to the Vexin.
“Don’t look so forlorn, Ransom,” said the king. “You were most useful to me. Your visit increased Benedict’s dread and fear. But let me be clear. I have not won this kingdom by doing what everyone thinks I will do.” He bowed to Lady Deborah. “You see my wisest counselor before you. This plan was Lady Deborah’s idea. I reward cleverness. I reward cunning. I reward candor. Word will reach my son that the army is gathering. But I tell you this truth since you are now part of my council and are entitled to hear my plans but not to share them with others.” He grinned like a wolf. “I’m not going to attack my son. I’m going to attack Occitania. They led my son astray and murdered him, and I’ve not forgotten it. Nor will I ever forgive it. They will pay until their treasury is empty and their hearts quail with fear.”
What a vexsome king we have. Is that even a proper word? It should be, for vexsome he is. The palace is quiet now that the king has taken his army away. They ride to tame a young lion, yet one with claws and teeth. The Vexin lands have always been troublesome, but this problem was sown by the king and will now be reaped by him. Jon-Landon has been left behind in case the worst happens.
When the king is gone, we have a little more freedom than normal. That should be a blessing, but I chafe with the uncertainty of everything. I heard from a maid that the king is encouraging Ransom to marry an heiress. He may have a longer leash than I do, but both of us must depend on the king’s mercy. Will he stand up to King Devon, or will he take what he’s been offered and demand no more? He did send me an answer from his castle in Josselin, though he was maddeningly vague about the heiress. He was more verbose about his journey to the East Kingdoms, thankfully, and loves to talk about his new horse, Dappled. I wrote him again but haven’t heard back, although I expect he’s traveling.
I loathe myself for feeling these things. It is jealousy, that is all. I had hoped things might be different between us. A spark still remains, but hope won’t light a candle. I fear I’m doomed to remain in the dark.
—Claire de Murrow
Kingfountain Palace
The eve of war
CHAPTER FOUR
Fair Winds or Foul
Riding to war with the Elder King, Ransom couldn’t help but compare the experience to that of fighting for Devon the Younger. He and his master had thought the odds were on their side, that victory would be easy, but now he understood they’d been deluding themselves. The king had a cunning mind, and he’d known of their betrayal before it happened. What lessons had Benedict learned from that?
Was the king underestimating his son?
After stopping for supplies and men at Beestone castle, they rode directly through Westmarch. They next made camp on the road to the Vexin. Most of the soldiers slept on the ground and ate rations they’d brought from Beestone. The object was to travel light and fast so the enemy wouldn’t discover what they were about.
Ransom walked through the camp toward the royal pavilion, listening to the chatter amongst the men as they talked about whipping Benedict’s force. He smiled inwardly, for none of the common soldiers knew their master’s true purpose. It was possible the plan could backfire and the king’s son would preemptively strike them on the journey, but Ransom doubted it. No, Benedict would hunker down and prepare for a storm.
When he reached the pavilion, he entered it and found the king pacing. He had the confident grin of a man who was enjoying playing the aggressor for a change. A map was stretched out