Page 41 of The Sun King's Noon

“Can he talk?” Seola asked.

“Can your Great Raven?”

“Of course!” Seola boomed. “She possesses the intelligence of all the world’s books.” She peered down the table at Myrafrond and Orric. “And what gods do you forest folk swear to?”

Myrafrond cocked her head in puzzlement, and Orric stripped off a long streak of meat from the lamb chop.

“We do not believe in gods, Princess,” Orric said. “Only the stars above us, the earth beneath. The lenience of the changing seasons and the mercy of the river currents. These are all we need.”

As Seola boomed her disbelief, Richard glanced around the hall. At the far-left table, a Frostheimer soldier had gone scarlet from trying the curry, fanning her mouth, while a Naradeshi attendant slid a bowl of yoghurt across the table. Nearby, two Ardenian squires were in the midst of a drinking game with a burly Frostheimer.

In the performers’ corner, the fauns were blowing their pipes, resulting in a terrible discordance that made the musicians scowl. Beyond them, two Frostheimer men and one Naradeshi woman were trying to woo a dryad.

Richard smiled. This was what he had once dreamt of as a boy. True communion between different lands, different people. Perhaps such bonds would not last, but tonight at least, in this great hall, they held.

On the second table, Ravi fed Kaelen a grape, and Richard fought back a sneer. Some bonds certainly proved more troublesome than others.

Vikram crossed his legs and leaned back. “We have dined well, Sun King, and I have enjoyed the company, but let us come to the purpose for which you gathered us at this table.”

The table stilled, and Seola scoffed.

“Oh, enough dancing around.” She swigged from her goblet and belched. “The harpy came to my mother’s court two months past. Foul, bedraggled thing, squawking of veiled threats. Spokeof her king beyond the veil. Spoke of his intent to march on Ardenia.”

The Lumeron tingled, and Richard dug his nails into his thigh.

“My mother was already in mourning for a ship of fishermen lost to the Great Squid. Her temper burned red, and so, you cannot blame her for seizing the bird by the neck and commanding the kitchens to start a basting glaze.” Seola cackled. “The bird barely escaped through a window.”

A wave of fondness surged through Richard. He gave her a smile and turned to Vikram. “Your Majesty. I suspect the harpy visited your court as well.”

“A harpy did arrive in Naradesh, yes.” Vikram shrugged.

The evasiveness rankled, but Richard kept his face composed. “Then I shall not waste your time with pleasantries.” He looked around the table. “The harpy spoke the truth. King Galdran amasses an army behind a barrier that will soon fall. When it does, Galdran’s forces will pour into Ardenia. And Ardenia, alone, cannot hold.”

The music played on, interspersed with loud giggles from children.

“I need your help.” Richard clenched his jaw. “As does my realm.”

“Such terrible news you bring, Sun King,” Orric said. “I must consult with my own.” His voice gentled. “But I will be honest with you. Even if the pack agrees, we number fifty fighting wolves. One hundred if the bear-shifters also agree. In a war of thousands, it is unlikely to turn the tide.”

Myrafrond nodded, leaves rustling. “And we are dryads. Tree folk. We tend and we seed, we guard, and we grow.”

Richard chewed his lip. They were right. “Any support would prove valuable.”

He turned to Vikram and caught the Naradeshi king exchanging glances with General Lakshmi.

“Sun King.” Vikram folded his arms. “You will lose.”

Richard stifled a flinch, and Dain stormed to his feet.

“Ardenia will not bloody lose?—”

“Sit, Lord Commander,” Vikram said. Though he did not raise his voice, his tone was that of a man accustomed to being obeyed.

Dain bristled, beard twitching. Under the table, Richard patted his knee, and Dain sank into his seat with a mutter.

“Your Majesty,” Richard said, “there is no reason Ardenia must lose if we stand with friends.”

Vikram circled the rim of his goblet with a finger. “The world is no simple place for fairytales, Sun King.” His eyes glinted. “That is why the Estaran king is not in attendance today.”