The Unfortunate, стр. 42
Yorcia’s leader expressed satisfaction with the answer, and he chuckled slightly.
Beadurof felt more at ease. Perhaps the fear of being considered disloyal had been nothing of great concern. Perhaps—
“What are your relations with King Aengus?” Ryce quickly added.
His heart rate increased again as he pondered what had occurred to warrant such suspicion. Whatever it was he knew he had to choose his words carefully. “Like you I am far removed from being his ally. I have never trusted the bastard or any of his people. Why do you ask?”
Ryce’s expression was cold, his frustration more than apparent, and the lingering silence caused Beadurof to become increasingly anxious, but Yorcia’s king at last explained, “There is to be war. I received word a group of raiders, supposedly from Drunacht, ambushed a coastal village. I have no choice but to answer with steel.”
A war. It was dark news, indeed. The possibility had been rumored for several weeks. It had been expected, but there still existed the awe of the initial announcement. Beadurof did not hesitate to reply, however. “If Yorcia is to war, so, too, will Armania. You are my closest ally. An insult to you is an insult to me.”
“I know what you would do,” Ryce, placing bountiful emphasis on the word you, answered with a fading smile.
I know what you would do. What is that supposed to imply? Whatever the reason was, it was not the reaction Beadurof had hoped to receive for his pledge of loyalty. His heart rate became irregular once again, and he pondered reasons for suspicion.
“I know you can be trusted,” Ryce reassured. “I know you would raise your banners with mine, but will that be your son’s, your lord regent’s, decision? Can he be trusted?” As he had with you, Yorcia’s leader placed the same, profound emphasis on he.
Beadurof did not reply. He did not know how to answer. True, he had questioned his son’s actions on numerous occasions, but it had never been anything drastic. Despite their quarrels, nothing had ever occurred that would have caused Beadurof not to trust Banan’s diplomatic judgement.
“You must understand why I am cautious, especially given the circumstances.”
The king of Armania still did not offer any sort of reply. All he could think about was if he had made a mistake by granting his son regent power. Have I been overly trusting? Before he could ponder further, however, Ryce concluded, “I cannot allow you to leave. You shall stay here in the capital until I receive word of Banan’s decision.”
✽ ✽ ✽
You shallstay here in the capital until I receive word of Banan’s decision. A week had elapsed since those words had been spoken, but they still echoed in Beadurof’s mind and continued to taunt him relentlessly like the demons that haunted his sleep. In addition to being distressed by his thoughts, the king also found it impossible to dismiss the feeling of being a captive. Although he had continued to be accommodated and although he had been able to move about Ebordum Keep as he pleased, Beadurof could not help but sense that his every move was being watched. He could not stop thinking about how he could end the torment.
Such thoughts continued to sprint through his mind as he stood atop the castle’s outer walls. As the king pondered, he continued to gaze toward the northeast, toward his kingdom, but his thoughts were eventually interrupted by approaching footsteps and eventually a woman’s tone.
“This has always been one of my favorite places. I always come here when I need to think.”
His heart fluttered, but it was not because of fear or because he had been startled. The voice was familiar, a sweet song to comfort his endless torment.
“Compared to the rest of the castle, that is,” the voice added. “This spot seems most peaceful. Rarely is there anyone to serve as a bother.”
Beadurof turned and saw it was King Ryce’s daughter, Eadlin, but he remained silent. He turned back to the wall and looked over the edge to the city street below that was also vacant.
“You must understand,” the princess explained as she continued to approach. “My father can be stubborn at times—well, most of the time—but you cannot think it a fault.”
He nodded again. He understood what had been implied and he confirmed his understanding by explaining, “King Ryce is as loyal to Yorcia as I am to Armania. As a king it is not always easy, but we do what is necessary to protect our families and our people.”
It had been a diplomatic reply, but he doubted if his claim had reflected his true thoughts. He knew it had not, though.
The princess chuckled. “And like my father, you suggest one opinion yet think another. Is that typical of all men or only kings?”
His doubts had been confirmed. There was no way—undeniably no means to mask his frustration, impatience, and even the slightest fear. The leader of Armania eventually looked at Eadlin who had moved to his side, and he retorted, “I have known women to do the same.”
She giggled. “You did not answer my question.”
He looked away, again back to the northeast. Although he could gaze, he was more than aware the capital of Armania was nearly three hundred fifty leagues away, and he sighed before adding, “I had expected to have returned by now is all. Your father has been most accommodating, but this is not my home.”
“I have thought the same many times,” Eadlin was quick to reply. “I have known for many years that my future is not here in the capital.” She rested her hands on the wall and folded them. “For five years I was an only child, and during that time, I was treated as Father’s heir. But with the birth of my brother, such thoughts were