The Autumn Republic

Tamas took a deep breath and let it out slowly to calm his nerves. The situation had changed since his last talk with Sulem, and he was not sure if Deliv support would change once they were better informed.

The Deliv king approached and gave Tamas a short nod. Tamas responded in kind, and watched as Sulem turned to survey the assembled officers.

Tamas had been curious how his officers would react to a king in their midst and was pleased to see them all give the same respectful nod as he had. Sulem may be an ally, but Tamas wanted it to be clear to him-and to the rest of the kings of the Nine-that Adrans did not bow and scrape before royalty. If anything, Sulem seemed amused. He did not, however, return their nod.

Sulem took a place beside Tamas, facing the officers.

Olem approached and leaned to whisper in Tamas’s ear, “Beon is outside. He’s heard an inkling of what’s happened and is demanding to see you.”

“Restrain him. Gently.”

Olem disappeared discreetly out the back of the tent and returned a few moments later. “It’s done.”

Tamas cleared his throat to get his officers’ attention. “Thank you for joining us, Your Majesty,” Tamas said. He paused to examine his officers once more. Fine men and women, every one of them. People he could place his confidence in, who would stand beside him against the world. He felt a sudden tightness in his throat, a cloudiness to his vision, and forced himself to choke down the emotion.

“Five days ago, King Ipille of Kez sued for peace. Not a terrible surprise considering the walloping we gave his army at Ned’s Creek.” There was a round of chuckles, which Tamas let die down on its own. “Just yesterday I met with him to begin peace talks that would end this war once and for all. The talks went better than I had expected and I returned to camp last night optimistic for the first time in five months that the bloodshed would end.

“Optimistic until I saw the flames, that is. As you are no doubt all aware, we were attacked by a contingent of Kez Privileged and grenadiers. The Thirteenth suffered heavy casualties, as did the Seventy-Fifth Dragoons, which tried to cut off their retreat from our camp. We…” Tamas chewed on his cheek for a moment, forcing down his rage. “Well, you all have the report on the attack. It ends with this: ‘We were attacked under a white flag of parley.’ ”

There was an angry mutter among the officers, and Tamas continued. “This is a sin I will not forgive. This war has been one of defensive battles: Ned’s Creek, Shouldercrown, Surkov’s Alley, Budwiel. We have suffered betrayal and corruption. We have stood before the might of a sick and petty god. Today, my friends, my brothers and sisters, we go on the offensive.”

Tamas paused to think of the foreign army that held Adro, and knew that this was just one of many offensives he would need to rally in the coming days. “Today I march to the enemy camp at Fendale. We will set upon the Kez army like a dog on a rat and we will rid this country of vermin. There will be no quarter given until every Kez cur has been driven from our borders. They have sullied our nation for long enough.”

Tamas took another deep breath and clutched his trembling hands behind his back. “Do you march with me?”

A moment of silence followed, and then General Arbor’s voice rang clear. “The First and the Third reporting and ready, sir.”

“The Seventh is yours,” Olem said.

“You have the Nineteenth,” General Slarren called from the back.

More voices joined, until every one of the senior staff had given their cry of support. Finally, when the last zealous cheers had died down, King Sulem stepped forward. His gaze swept over the assembled officers and then he turned sharply toward Tamas and drew his sword.

Olem took half a step forward. Tamas’s heart leapt to his throat.

Sulem took his sword by the blade and bowed low at the waist, holding the hilt toward Tamas. “You have my sword. You have my pistol. You have my Privileged and artillery. You have my sixty thousand. Our alliance will cause Ipille to quake and the Kez will pay for their crimes.”

Tamas couldn’t hide his amazement. He knew royalty. He had been honored by the old Iron King of Adro, as well as by the king of Novi. But he had never experienced anything like this before. Reaching out, he took Sulem’s sword in hand, then held it over his head.

“I would die for my country. But I’d rather kill for it. Ready your troops. We march!”

CHAPTER 25

Adamat’s carriage neared Adopest fifteen days after he’d initially set out south with Privileged Borbador, carrying a warrant for General Ket’s arrest.