The Reformation Wars: Beginning of the End

Chapter 11

"You can't be serious about this, Dustin!" Jude cried, having dashed out of the watering hole moments prior to follow Dustin. "What could you expect to accomplish if you go now?"

Dustin clenched his teeth and glanced back at Jude with annoyance. "You heard what Michelle said. A sudden attack on a border town from the east would hardly be expected, and can affect much good for the rebels."

"You and what army?"

"Army or not, Innutuk has created a debt of blood for itself, and I intend to make it pay! Would you stand in my way, son of Holt?"

Jude set his jaw and grasped Dustin's shoulder to stop him from walking. Dustin immediately spun to face his fair-haired friend, and the two exchanged a long stare that grew more intense with each passing second.

"I do stand in your way, your highness, because like it or not, you represent the crown of Monterayne in some measure." Jude said, "If you involve yourself in the conflict between Innutuk and Forbache's rebellion, you entangle Monterayne as well, in all likelihood. Though I understand your fury, even share it, I must implore you to consider the consequences."

"If bringing vengeance down on Innutukian heads forces my father to finally take action against the Empire, then so be it!" Dustin snapped, "I consider that to be very much for the better."

"Dustin, don't be a fool! Can Monterayne stand against the entire Empire? Were troops to pour in from all directions at once in an endless onslaught, would she stand? I think not!"

"We withstood one invasion, Jude. I have no doubt we can do it again."

Jude frowned. "Back then, the Alcontean motherland was free. We never had to worry about fighting enemies from west and east alike. Now, we have no allies close at hand, and surely it would be foolhardy to expect Alconte's new empire to come to our defense any more than the republic preceding it."

"All this talk is pointless. Justice doesn't delay her visits for the sake of convenience. And her visitation of Innutuk is long overdue."

"You've always been brash, but in this, I must be frank. You're being a fool."

Dustin's dark brows drew together as he glared at Jude. Nonetheless, Jude stood his ground and stared back with a measure of calmness. Both men glanced aside at the crunch of sand under foot. Kyle and Michelle had finally emerged from the watering hole, both well covered in cloth that reminded Dustin neither he nor Jude had remembered to protect themselves. He eagerly accepted a length of cloth to cover himself with, as did Jude.

"This disgusts me." Dustin finally muttered in reply to Jude, turning to continue walking to the Korynn homestead, "You're quicker to call me a fool than to call the Empire abominable as it is."

"I wholeheartedly agree that—"

"Speak to me no longer, son of Holt!" Dustin shouted as he hurried his pace, "Since you have made up your mind to worry only of Monterayne and care not for Forbache, go back home! Warn my father of what is to come, for I will not relent."

"I hope your sister proves to be a better queen than you were a prince."

Dustin came to a screeching halt and spun to face Jude again. "What was that?"

"When you inevitably die in Forbache for being a brash fool without skill to back up your ambition, I hope Cassandra carries on the Rickland succession with grace and distinction."

"I told you to speak to me no longer."

Jude shrugged. "So be it."

Dustin huffed and resumed his sprint to the Korynn homestead. A quick glance back revealed that Jude and the others did follow, but only very slowly, so as not to catch up with him. The fire in Dustin's breast continued to burn hotter than the wildlands' sun, giving him greater strength to press on and prepare himself for an errand of retribution.