Fires of War (War and Deceit #4) - Erin O'Kane Page 0,116
“You don’t want to do this,” I plead, directly addressing the guards, realising that some of them were the guards from earlier who seemed to be familiar with Jacob. Turning slightly, I gesture behind me to where the prince is standing. “Look what the king did to your prince, his own son.” With emphasis on the last words, I pray they see sense and follow their hearts over their orders.
“It’s true,” Jacob agrees, and it affects some of the guards, their swords lowering as they look around with confusion in their eyes.
“Lies.” The voice makes me shudder. I know that voice. Turning, I see High Priest Rodrick making his way through the guards, his expression a mask of disgust. “She’s twisted the poor boy with her devilish magic.”
“Devilish magic?” My anger propels me forward against my better judgement, and I feel the tingle of the protective magical barrier against my skin. “I carry the mark of the Great Mother.” Twisting my arm, I raise it above my head, letting everyone see the marks on my skin, both that of the goddess and those the king ordered branded onto me as a child. Every eye in the room is on me, and for the first time, I’m not ashamed of my marks or trying to hide them. They show who I am and what I’ve been through, what I am—a survivor. “The king and the priests are rotten to the core. They twist the goddess’ words to fit their own purposes.”
“Blasphemy!” Rodrick roars, spinning towards me, his arms gesturing wildly.
Except it’s not him who I’m watching, but the king and his son beside him, the strange energy almost pulsing from Rhydian. The guards seem unsure, waiting for instruction, and I know it’s them I have to convince. I’ve seen that they love their prince, he has their loyalty, so that’s what I need to use.
“If this is what he can do to his son, what can he do to you?” Dropping my mask, I show them my true feelings, pushing my emotions into my words. If we are going to convince them, we need to be honest. “You’ve seen what he does in the Mother’s name! Putting your children into slavery, killing your queen, mass genocide!” My voice breaks, my eyes stinging with unshed tears as I see the faces of all the nameless slaves he murdered the day he broke me and I escaped with Vaeril. The guards suddenly stiffen, and I know that’s due to Vaeril closing the distance between us. The bond in my chest eases, alerting me to his nearness without me even needing to move. His hand lands gently on my lower back and instantly helps to ground me. I feel stronger already. Tilting my head, I look up at him, meeting his loving gaze before I return my attention to the guards. “You know better than I do that the list goes on.” I directly meet the guards’ eyes, and some of them look away, but for those who don’t, I can see a haunted look in their gazes. They’ve seen atrocities done in the name of the king. “You’ve been taught the elves were the enemy, but now the Great Mother’s chosen and her mages are working with them.” I know I’m challenging them, but they need to think for themselves. “Who is really the enemy here?”
“Elf sympathiser,” Rodrick spits, his eyes practically glowing with his hatred for me.
Ignoring the priest, I keep my gaze on the guards, holding my hands low and ensuring my body language is non-threatening. “I am leaving with my brother and my friends in peace, I am not here to start a fight.” My words are clear. There’s no question about it, I will be leaving, and if there is to be bloodshed, it won’t be me who started it. There’s a ripple of shock, and I hear whispers of the word ‘brother,’ but no one questions it.
Looking past the guards to the nobility beyond, I scan the crowd of anxious faces and feel something twist within me. I’ve not discussed it with the others, but there’s no way I can leave without offering safe passage to anyone who needs it. I may regret that later, but I know what it feels like to have no hope of escape. “Anyone who wants to may come with us. I guarantee safety for yourself and your families if you choose to leave.”