Chapter 5 - Golden Kingdom

The sudden onslaught of music and color overwhelmed me. I had intended to make my way to the air boat platform. I had an excellent sense of direction and didn’t doubt I could find it on my own. What I hadn’t been prepared for were all the people walking along Golden Path. There must have been hundreds, and all of them dressed in bright colors—oranges and reds and yellows with some greens and blues mixed in. They looked like a field of flowers. I’d thought the deep green dress I wore colorful, but I looked sedate compared to the people I saw.

The noise was another thing. The palace was quiet and well-insulated from the street noise. I had no idea that instruments crashed and twanged and thundered everywhere, or so it seemed. And the people who were not using the instruments to make music were dancing or singing. Others clapped or laughed. Still others haggled good-naturedly at food carts or under awnings bursting from open shops. I hunched my shoulders protectively and couldn’t stop myself from looking about for Hollows attracted by all the noise.

I had to remind myself the city was surrounded by mountains on three sides and the expansive lake on the fourth. I could see the lake at the end of the Golden Path, glittering blue in the chilly sunshine. The lake was protection as were the mountains. The rivers running through the valleys were also supposed to be a fortification. They still were...but how long until another set of Hollows developed enough intellect to cross those rivers? What next? Would they build a boat? I wanted to laugh at the very idea, but it no longer seemed impossible.

Taio came up behind me, his warm hand touching the small of my back. A moment ago, I would have shied away from his touch, but now I was happy for the sense of safety he offered. Still, I told myself not to rely on him too much. Nothing was guaranteed here. His parents seemed against us marrying, and clearly there were other contenders for his affections.

“The air boat is that way,” he said.

“I know.” I kept my eyes on the townspeople. “I can’t quite get used to the noise.”

His hand moved up and down my back. Calming. Reassuring. “You will.”

Would I? What if I always felt like an outsider here? What if the palace never felt like home? What if every time I left, I missed seeing the couple who lived next door to my mother and me in Highcastle? What if I stepped into a tavern and my heart ached because Theud was not at the bar? What if whenever I turned a corner I saw someone who looked like Cameed or Riah and my throat tightened because my sisters were in another kingdom, and I’d never see them again?

“Is she frightened?” Saabin asked. I felt the hair on the back of my arms bristle.

“She’s fine,” Taio answered. I wasn’t, but I didn’t want Saabin to know that. I took a breath and started in the direction of the air boat. This time when Taio reached for my hand, I let him take it. His large hand felt warm encompassing my colder one, and with him at my side, I didn’t need to remember the way. Instead, I peered into the shops we passed. One seemed to be filled with hanging objects made of metal cylinders that tinkled when the wind moved them. Who would want such a thing? It made unnecessary noise. We passed a tavern where a woman sat with a guitara and sang a mournful tune. I almost paused to hear more, but Taio led me onward.

As we moved closer to the air boat, the shops were replaced by dwellings. Most of these were white, but the residents seemed to differentiate their dwellings by painting their doors outlandish colors. I hadn’t noticed this last night, but now I spotted doors in blue, red, light green, pink, purple, and a yellow so vibrant I wanted to shield my eyes. Saabin was calling out to the people we passed. She seemed to know everyone, and she often paused to embrace people. Several times I thought we had lost her, but she found us again. Taio also called out greetings. I’d never seen him smile so much. With his dark hair and dressed in a deep blue coat and trousers, he could almost pass for one of my people. But then he’d smile and his blue-green eyes would light up, and there was no question he was Zulenii.

We reached the air boat platform and the captain confirmed Leed was at the outpost and propelled us up directly. In the daylight, I could see more of the terrain surrounding Zleyval. Last night I had looked ahead. Now I studied the city as it grew smaller. The lake was even bigger than I’d thought. I couldn’t see the end of it to the north. I did pinpoint where the river the Hollows had crossed last night flowed into it.

I peered to the south and studied those mountains, but we weren’t high enough to spot the river on the other side. Taio had told me Hollows infested those mountains and the land to the west—the land that had been the kingdom of Zulen. Were there other enclaves of people who had survived? It was possible but unlikely, especially if those Zulenii were anything like the ones I saw in Zleyval. I hadn’t seen a single person with a weapon. I glanced at Taio. Even he did not carry a weapon. I supposed it was a good thing I had insisted on bringing mine.

Finally, we reached the mountain lookout. A smaller group of warriors was here this morning, and I picked out Leed right away. He was giving orders—a short, stocky man surrounded by giants. As soon as he saw Taio, he tapped his chest in the way the Zulenii did to show loyalty. His gaze passed over Saabin, and he frowned, and I knew precisely when he noticed me. His eyes crinkled with real happiness right before he bowed. “Lady Mara. In that dress, I almost mistook you for a Zulenii,” he said in our language.

“I doubt that very much.”

Leed laughed. “Very well.” He offered his arm, and I took it. “You don’t stand out as much as before.”

“That I believe.” He was leading me to the edge of the lookout platform, Taio and Saabin following. “How are things today?” I asked. “I saw no smoke, which means the fire is out. Have any more Hollows managed to cross the river?”

“No. The bodies that formed the bridge last night floated away or sank, but it seems not to matter. None of those seem to be looking for a way to cross.” He pointed, and I looked across the river at the mass of Hollows standing and swaying almost in unison. Taio said something to Leed, but I studied the Hollows. I had seen them behave like this before—never in these numbers. I’d only ever heard of numbers like this from those who returned from the northern Barrier. But a few times my patrol had come across a small group of them like this during the daylight. We’d been able to take them unaware and dispatch them quickly. In the night they were much more active and alert. Being that it was broad daylight now, it concerned me to see intentional movement on the left flank of the group. At first I thought I was imagining it, but there was no denying that group of twenty or so was moving almost with purpose. Their progress was slow, almost indiscernible, but unquestionable.

“Mara?” Taio said.

I tore my gaze from the Hollows and glanced over at him.

“Did you not hear what I said?”

“No. I’m watching that group of Hollows. There on the left flank. Do you see it?”

“I have been here for two hours,” Leed said. “There’s nothing unusual.”

“She speaks truth,” Taio said, taking a step closer to the railing. “That group is different from the others.”

Leed put his hands on the railing and stared out at the undulating Hollows. No one said anything for several long minutes. The only sound was the rush of the wind, the roar of the river, and when the breeze was just right, the hum of Hollows.

“I don’t see anything,” Saabin said, her tone dismissive. I ignored her.

“I do,” Leed said. “And it doesn’t look good. This is how it began with those who crossed last night. We’ve seen this more and more of late, and now it’s a direct threat. That group might be doing nothing, but we can no longer assume they won’t determine how to cross. The first snow cannot come quickly enough.”

“Even if they cross the river,” Saabin said, catching a strand of her golden hair before it flew into her face, “they will never be able to climb the mountain.”

Taio translated for me and then said, “If they can determine how to cross the river, they can work out how to climb the mountain. It might take them weeks or months or even a year, but we are not safe. This is why Leed sent me to Earsleh. Because we worried this evidence of planning by the Twilight Men would endanger us.”

Leed began to translate, but I held up a hand. “I understood most of it. There’s only one thing to do.”

Taio’s eyes narrowed. “What is that?”

“Form a patrol squad and kill them.”

Saabin laughed as soon as Leed translated for her. Taio gave her a hard look. “She is, unfortunately, serious.”

Saabin’s eyes widened in horror. I had forgotten that the Zulenii did not believe in harming any living creature unless it was in self-defense. They would not have such a large group of Hollows amassed on the other side of the river if they had been proactive and killed them as each small group appeared.

Leed inclined his head. “I have missed my people. You never lack for bravery, even if it will get you killed.”

“Isn’t this place”—I gestured toward the city below us—“worth our lives?”

“Yes,” Leed said, “but you do not understand these people. They will not kill in cold blood. Your patrol squad would be made up of the two of us.”

“I go where Mara goes,” Taio said. I gave him a look of appreciation.

“We could gather a half dozen at most,” Leed answered, “and not without censure from your parents, my lord.” Leed looked at me. “Attack is not the way, my lady. We need the cure.”

Taio had been translating for Saabin, but he broke off. Apparently, he did not want Saabin to know that Leed had mentioned the cure.

“Do you have the scroll?” I asked. “Taio said you stole it before fleeing for Zulen.” When Saabin leaned closer, Leed took my arm and pulled me aside so we might speak without being overheard.

“This is not something we should discuss in public, Lady Mara. Will you go down with me and come to my house?”

“Of course, I’ll ask Taio—”

“Just the two of us, my lady. I want to speak without worrying that something I say might offend Zulenii ears.”

I nodded. I had many questions and observations about the Zulenii that I could ask Taio, but asking another Earslehen might get me answers I better understood. Besides, I wanted to ask Leed about Saabin too, and I didn’t want to ask about her in front of Taio, lest he think I was jealous.

Because I wasn’t.

I looked over my shoulder at Taio, who was speaking to Saabin, but whose eyes were on me.

“Let me approach him,” Leed said. The older man did just that, looking up at Taio, speaking confidently, and gesturing to me. Taio’s expression turned dark, but he didn’t argue. In fact, he didn’t say anything. He just gave a curt nod. Leed returned and gestured toward the air boat.

“We’re going now?”

“Yes. I told Taio I would bring you back to Gold House when we finished speaking.”

I climbed into the air boat and watched Taio as it began to descend. His eyes never left mine, even when Saabin put her arm through his and fluttered her lashes up at him.

“She’s not a threat to you,” Leed said, voice low, though he spoke in Earslehen. “Not in the way you think.”

I glanced at him. “What does that mean?”

“I’ll explain when we are alone.”

At the loading platform, another group of warriors waited to ascend. Leed spoke to them, and they answered in unison. Then he looked at me. “Do you mind if we travel a back way to my house? It takes a little longer, but if we’re seen on Gold Path, everyone will stare.”

“Or they might dance,” I said, giving a little shudder.

Leed’s laugh boomed out. “I remember feeling that way the first few times I saw them dancing. I got used to it. Believe it or not, sometimes I even dance.” He laughed again. “Your expression is so quintessentially Earslehen. I miss that look that’s a mixture of disgust and incredulity.”

“I apologize if I was rude.”

“Not at all. The Zulenii are impossibly rude by our standards. I do not think I will ever become used to their directness.”

I didn’t mention that he was more direct than any Earslehen I knew, so he’d already become accustomed to it.

“Will I also become used to the noise here?” I asked.

“Yes, because eventually you will feel safe, and then you won’t flinch at every loud sound, fearing it will invite an attack of Hollows. I have lived here for almost forty years, and there has never been an assault on the city. With your help, we will keep it that way.”

I’d been following him through what seemed a warren of winding alleys and narrow lanes. Now, we stopped at a door painted a royal purple. “This is my home,” he said, opening it.

The front of the house was painted white and unassuming. I expected the place to be dark since I saw no windows. But as soon as I stepped inside, I realized that windows were not needed in front because the back was one large window. I stopped in the doorway and stared. “How is this possible?”

“The Zulenii are expert craftspeople. The glassworkers are known for their skill.” He crossed the main room, which held two comfortable-looking chairs on top of a rug and facing a hearth. Off to one side seemed to be a small kitchen and a table with two chairs. Behind that was another closed purple door. That must be his sleeping chamber. Leed’s home was small but cozy. The walls inside were decorated with large murals of flowers, mountains, even one of a small pride of lions. But I could barely take in all the color and images because what I saw through the long wall that was made of glass was a beautiful garden.

“Is that real?” I asked. “Or a painting?”

“It’s real. Shall we speak outside? It’s a little cold, but I can light the brazier.”

I nodded and watched as he pushed one section of the glass back into the stone wall of the house and stepped outside. I followed him, immediately enveloped by the scent of all the flowers. I didn’t know the names of these flowers. They were not like those I’d seen in Highcastle or the Earsleh outerlands. But they were in vibrant purples, pinks, and reds with a few white flowers. Green leaves covered everything. I didn’t see how Leed did it, but soon a fire burned in the metal brazier between a grouping of trees in the center of the garden. The shade from these trees must have been pleasant in the summer. Now Leed brushed a few fallen leaves from a seat and gestured for me to take it. I sat on the cushion and looked about in wonder. Leed returned inside and emerged with a small pot and two mugs. He poured a brown liquid into both and offered me my choice of mugs.

“It’s a floral tea,” he said. “The Zulenii custom is to offer any and every guest food or drink.”

“They don’t worry about poison?”

He smiled. “That was my first thought when I arrived. No, they don’t seem to worry about poison, and to my knowledge, no one has ever been poisoned.”

I sipped the tea then set it aside and took in the garden again.

“You have seen flowers before,” Leed said, sitting across from me.

“Not like this.”

“Yes, in Highcastle space is needed for food. I do grow some vegetables over on that side.” He gestured to a far corner that would be in full sun during the spring and summer. “If you think this garden impressive ask to see the one in Gold House. Speaking of Gold House, what do you think of it?”

“The public areas are so stark and cold, but the private suites are luxurious beyond imagining.” Now that I had seen Leed’s house, mayhap all the abodes here were luxurious.

“I’ve been in the first family’s private parlors but never their bed chambers. I assumed they would be well-appointed.”

“My room has a sunken tub in the floor and faucets that produce hot and cold water just by turning a knob.”

Leed nodded. “Most houses here have running water. It is the same concept as the douser at home, but the Zulenii have enormous natural reserves of water underground. The supply is essentially endless.”

“I can see why you decided to stay here,” I said.

He made a non-committal sound then leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “How much has Taio told you about Earsleh’s secrets?”

“Everything,” I said.

“Then you know your grandfather was the one who unleashed the red vein virus that caused the Hollows.”

“That’s what Taio told me. He said you stole the cure, and that cure was why he came and agreed to the Claiming Rite.”

“Ever since Taio and Omira were children, I have been preparing them for this quest. I taught them our language, our customs, and how to fight. The Claiming Rite was our one chance to bring a person of royal blood back. Once we saw the change in the Hollows, the way they had begun to coordinate, I knew it was time. Taio was the stronger fighter of the two of them, so I gave him the task of winning a princess. I assume he beat you in the arena.”

“He would be dead if he had not.”

“I’m surprised he’s not dead anyway.”

I raised my head. “If you thought the king had so little honor as to kill Taio when he won fairly, then why did you send him?”

“Because I had no other choice.” His dark gaze met mine. He had pure, lovely dark eyes with the beginnings of lines about the corners. “Are you saying the king did not try to have Taio and the others killed?”

I looked away.

All was silent except for the chirping of birds, then Leed said, “You will do well here.”

“Why is that?” I asked, looking at him again.

“Because you are loyal. In Earsleh we value honor. Our honor is everything. In Zulen, they value loyalty. I can see already that you have both, despite who your father is.”

I winced, but I did not gainsay him. He was right. My father did not have honor. He had intended to kill Leed and the others, even though they were protected by custom and law. And now... “The Hollows are not the only thing we have to worry about,” I said.

“Your father is sending an army for you.”

I gaped at him. “How did you know?”

“Because I know the kings of Earsleh. Your father must bring you back or risk outright revolt. He has made certain his people know nothing of the world but what he tells them. Now you have left—escaped, like I did—and the people will begin to wonder what is out there and what other secrets the king hides from them. They will want to find out, and eventually even the threat of Hollows will not stop them. But if he brings you back, and you say it was all lies, then he has the people under control again.”

“Why would I go back, now that I know the truth? Moreover, why would I lie to my people?”

Leed shrugged. “Mayhap you have been promised some reward.”

I thought about how my father had told me I’d been chosen as his heir.

“I see that is the way of it,” Leed said. “May I ask you a question, my lady?”

“I’m not a princess here. Call me Mara, and yes, ask your question.”

“Did Taio choose well when he chose you? Can you read the royal language?”

I nodded. “I can.”

He closed his eyes, and for a moment he looked much older. He murmured something that sounded like a prayer in Zulenii.

“Taio said there was some sort of scroll with the cure on it. I assume you intend to make the cure and give it to the Hollows in some fashion. That solves the problem of them crossing the river and the Zulenii having so few warriors and even fewer warriors willing to kill unless on the verge of being killed.”

“Beautiful and clever,” he said, and I felt my cheeks heat. “Oh, they don’t think you beautiful at home, do they?” he said, noting my pink cheeks. “You’re too tall, too unusual looking. Your eyes have flecks in them. None of that is a flaw here. In Zleyval, you will be highly sought after.”

“I’m to marry Taio,” I said.

“Have his parents agreed to that?”

I thought back to our meal this morning. “Not exactly.”

“Then take your time deciding. Here, anyone not married is free to lie with someone else. The First Gentleman does not try to control the mating habits of his people.”

“Then any woman who wishes may have a child?”

“Yes. Children are welcomed but, unfortunately, rare.”

“Rare?” I thought back to my time among the crowd yesterday. I hadn’t seen but one or two children in the large group of people.

“Most women here cannot produce a child and if they do, the child is born sickly and does not live to adulthood.”

I remembered what Taio had told me about his older brother. He’d been a sickly child and died when Taio was young.

“One reason Tsoh and Onnigh are so well-respected,” Leed continued, “is that she produced three children, and two lived. This is why they are so wholly supported for the First House.”

I knew I should be asking about the cure and the parchment with the royal language, but I couldn’t stop myself from asking my next question. “What about Saabin? Taio said she was from the Second House, and her family used to be rulers. You said she was not a threat.”

“I said she was not a threat in the way you think. Taio does not want her—not with you here.”

“How do you know that?”

Leed sat back and smiled. “Because I have known him his entire life, and I have never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you. I could tell he was in love with you the moment I saw you together last night. I doubt anyone who knows him cannot tell.”

These words made my heart clench in a way not entirely unpleasant. But I didn’t want Leed to see how much this revelation affected me. I would take his words, lock them away, and take them out to savor later. “Then why is Saabin a threat?” I asked.

“Because her family wants power. It is no coincidence she is your shadow today. She will report all she sees and hears to her parents. This kingdom seems peaceful and loving, and it is. But there are always those who seek to rise above their station. Saabin and her family are of that ilk. In fact, they are suspected of being behind the rebellion all those years ago. No one could prove it, but there have always been rumors.”

“Taio told me about that. A faction of people who wanted to fight the Hollows rose up and tried to seize power. He had to kill his best friend.”

Leed nodded.

“Saabin’s family wants to fight the Hollows?”

“They have never said so publicly, and I rather doubt they care what position they must take as long as they win back the First House.”

“If the Second House has that reputation, then why would Taio take Saabin as a lover?”

“He told you that?”

“He didn’t need to.”

Leed let out a breath and considered. “This is difficult to explain because the Zulenii ways are not our ways. Taio has had many lovers, and that is not unusual here. No one would shame him for that. Saabin has had many lovers as well, and no one would shame her.”

“But what if she had become with child?”

“The child would have been welcomed.”

“Would she have married Taio then? She would need a husband.”

“She would not require a husband here. Marriage is not required, though it is customary. In my opinion, even if Saabin had borne his child, Taio would not have married her. Her parents pushed for the match because it would give the Second House less incentive to oppose the First House. Taio wasn’t against marrying Saabin at first, but after a few months with her, he moved on. And I am glad for it because if he had fallen in love with her or some other woman, you would not be here.”

This was all a lot to take in. I didn’t know whether to focus on the power struggle bubbling under the seemingly tranquil city, the way the Hollows were coordinating to launch another attack, the strange customs that meant the Zulenii would not do anything to stop such an attack until the Hollows were upon them, my father presumably raising an army to attack my new kingdom, or Leed’s belief that he had stolen some sort of cure decades ago.

I inhaled slowly, breathing in the fragrant air.

“Soon it will turn cold and these flowers will die,” Leed said. “If there is snow, parts of the river may freeze. It did last year, but we did not have nearly the number of Hollows on the other side. The few who tried to cross broke the ice, fell in, and froze. But those crossings last year were pure happenstance. This year will be different if the river freezes before those capable of making a plan freeze too.”

I made up my mind. “I should look at the scroll as soon as possible then. Once I decipher it and we know the cure, we can set about creating it and dispensing it.” I looked over my shoulder and back into the house. “Is it here?”

“No. The First House has it locked safely away. When I return you to Gold House, I will ask that they retrieve it and arrange for you to have anything necessary to decipher it.”

“I’ll need parchment, a pen, and ink. A lamp if it is dark by then.”

Leed smiled. “You are used to the haste in Highcastle. Life moves slower here. I think the earliest you may expect to begin is tomorrow morning.”

“That’s almost an entire day wasted!”

“Look at it as an opportunity to explore the city. As the Zulenilo, Taio is loved here.”

“I heard that word last night. What does it mean?”

Leed smiled. “There is no translation but think of it as akin to a favored child. The people of Zleyval love him, and he is expected to be the next First Gentleman.”

Taio hadn’t said so, but obviously he would want his people to come to love me too.

“Taio will want to spend time with you in his city, buy you gifts of clothing and adornments. He’ll want to introduce you to his friends and have you sample his favorite foods. Let him have a day of pleasure with you. The Hollows will not work out how to cross the river tonight.”

Leed’s suggestion sounded wonderful, even if I was a little worried people would dance around me and embrace me. But Leed had become used to these things. I looked at him in his Zulenii clothing with his Zulenii markings snaking around from the back of his neck to his ear. If he could make this place home, mayhap I could too.

There was just one thing. “What about my father?”

“I spoke with Yung and Kintle last night. They mentioned that the king sent three warriors to accompany you here. One did not survive, but the other two are, presumably, on the path back to Highcastle. How soon until they reach the king?”

“If they were not beset by Hollows, they will arrive at the castle in the next few days.”

I swallowed down the sudden lump in my throat at Leed’s casual mention of the one who did not survive. My sister and best friend Finnrey had been bitten by a Hollow. Taio had given her mercy and killed her before the red vein virus claimed her humanity. I cleared my throat. “My half-sister was the one who died. She was bitten in an attack by the Hollows.”

Leed inhaled sharply. “I apologize—”

I held up a hand. “Her death will anger the king even more, though I have only myself to blame.”

“Did you leave her vulnerable?”

“I asked her to come with me. If she hadn’t, she’d be home and alive right now.”

“As I understand it, one of the Earslehens attacked Taio, and in the commotion, the Hollows attacked.”

“That was Gaz. He later told me my father ordered him to kill Taio and bring me back. If he did not succeed, my father would send an army.”

“And you had trusted this Gaz?”

“I trusted him and Nize with my life. We were frequently on patrol together, and we fought together countless times.”

“Then you couldn’t have foreseen their betrayal.”

I sank into my chair. “That’s not entirely true. There were signs, but I didn’t want to see them.” I felt tears sting the back of my eyes and lowered my face. I did not want Leed to see me cry.

“Mara, this will be difficult, but you must forgive yourself for not seeing the truth. Since birth you were lied to and told that facts were false and questioning anything the king said or did was wrong.”

“Illogical,” I whispered. “They told me I had faulty logic.”

“I have only known you a few hours, but already I can see you are perceptive and intelligent. What happened to your sister is on this Gaz, not you.”

I nodded. “I know, but it seems impossible right now not to blame myself. I keep wondering what might have happened if—”

Leed’s hand covered mine. His was larger than mine and a slightly darker golden hue. “That way of thinking leads to madness. What you must think about now is how to tell Taio and his parents about the threat from your father.”

The bubble of fear I’d been wishing would go away burst. Leed’s words were the very ones I did not want to hear. “I should have told him right away. I don’t know why I didn’t.” Except I did. I hadn’t wanted to accept that my father would behave so dishonorably. I felt overwhelming shame at my king and his actions.

“Telling him earlier would not have changed anything, and right now the main focus must be on the cure. Once you have begun deciphering the words on the scroll, then we will move to preparing for invasion.”

“Then I should wait to tell Taio?” Hope blossomed in me like one of Leed’s flowers.

“No. You should tell him as soon as possible, but I will counsel him to wait to tell his parents. He may or may not take that counsel. He has his own mind.”

Yes, I knew that to be true. I took a shallow breath. My chest felt tight. “I will tell Taio today so you might speak to him about it tomorrow.”

“Very good.” Leed released my hand and rose. “Shall I escort you back to Gold House?”

“Yes.” I turned to go back through the house.

“Mara?”

I looked back.

“Remember what I told you. The Zulenii value loyalty above all else.”

Taio would be angry that I hadn’t told him about my father’s threat before. He would view me as disloyal. I had to make him understand my omission hadn’t been from a lack of loyalty.

“Loyalty requires sacrifice,” Leed said. “If you hope to make a life here, you must choose sides.”

“I already have.”

“No, you haven’t.” He shook his head to stave off my protest. “The Zulenii have a saying, those with loyalty to none are a danger to all.” He paused so I could think this over. “Even if Taio is willing to risk that danger, I am not.” He paused again. “Do you understand me?”

I met his gaze. We were both Earslehen, so I understood him well. He didn’t trust me, and the fact I had withheld important information from Taio made me less trustworthy. Leed wasn’t ready to believe I would not side with my father and Earsleh if given a difficult choice. He didn’t need to threaten me outright. That was not our way. Leed would kill me if I chose the wrong side. Looking into his dark, steady gaze, I did not doubt he could do it.