A War Of Traitors( ARTK, Book 2)

Chapter 132

Seggos 10th, 3329 A.G

Drip. Drip. Drip. The sound that would have driven most mad was the only thing keeping Nara sane at that point. When she'd woken up in that dark, damp dungeon cell- she'd thought it were another nightmare. Then she'd tried to sit up- and the restraints around her wrists and legs reminded her of what'd happened. Her first true failure.

At the time, it'd made no sense. She had eight giants, a larger army- and therefore a 'stronger' one even if they hadn't been trained as well as they were.

She'd tried to break the restraints at first- the two each around her legs and ones just above her wrists, but gave up after over two hours of that. Someone had wrapped the wrist on her sword hand, treated the smaller cuts on her arms. Still- The chains had been made tight enough that each movement caused them to rub against her skin, creating new reddened areas that hurt with every breath or sneeze.

And so she'd done nothing but think for hours, and there were a few things she came to understand better: No matter what he said, she was nothing like Torcull Whittaker. He'd been willing to sacrifice hundreds of his men for one person, giving no thought to the later consequences. Not only had he forced his sister into a marriage, he'd made her life a living hell afterwards too if the rumors were even slightly true.

  Nara would not throw away hundred's of her peoples lives- at least that's what she told herself. She would not force a child of hers into a marriage, and if she found out their spouse had even spoken cruelly there'd be consequences.

  "My lady." She remembered hearing just a few dozen moments after Torcull slammed his head against hers. "Where do you want him when he wakes up?"

"Just...put him in the bedchamber." A woman's voice said. "Treat any injuries and make sure he's comfortable."

Nara was aware of everything they said then but kept her eyes closed. No one had bothered to take the sword or dagger from her yet, and though she wouldn't be at her strongest with the pain in her wrist- she could still cause quite an immense pain to someone else.

"My lady this is the perfect opportunity to-"

"No!" The woman had yelled. "What you're saying is ... grounds for execution.... and I don't have as many loyalists as you'd like me to believe."

"You do-"

"I will not kill my husband. That is final and if I must command you I will-"

"No." Who she assumed was a loyal guard interrupted. "Forgive me, my lady. I will do as you command."

"And her?" Another asked. "What should we do with the usurper?"

Anna Whittaker was silent for a long time then, but when she spoke she sounded like she were going to throw up. "Treat her battle injuries. She deserves that much.... but do whatever else my husband commanded."

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At the feeling of a hand on her shoulder, she'd reached up and stabbed that guard. She only caught a glance at Torcull- still out, and fully intended on stabbing him next. Then someone else hit her so hard she blacked out again- and woke up where she was now.
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And as the footsteps grew closer, she could do nothing but stare at the bars. The face she was cursed to look at was a familiar one- and as he let himself into the cell she almost laughed.

"So once great army of nine thousand is now- what? Fifteen hundred? What will you do with all that extra space?" His movements were quick, the slap against her cheek hard. "Will you let the sleeping chambers deteriorate and the other unused parts of your army house crumble or do you have other plans?"

"I will not discuss such matters with you." He said, standing over her.

"Oh?"

"And we did indeed lose... over five hundred men, but your casualties were not a small number either."

"I expected so much." She remembered looking around and seeing a few of hers die. "You're making a mistake- putting those where I can see them. For you a few hundred more would be detrimental-"

Torcull set her weapons down- the sword and dagger, against a bar.

  The punch would leave a bruise on her cheek, matching that on her forehead. Nara was no stranger to those- she couldn't count on two hands how many others decorated her body, but these would not go away so quickly. They would linger for weeks, be worthy of questions if people hadn't known what happened in Posan.

"I guess.... I can respect you to a point." Torcull smiled, sitting right in front of her. Nara frowned. His presence was torturous enough- but he had to get down on a level where she could smell him better too? "You seem to know what you want out life. Your people respect you- and I guess that's what matters. You are a decent enough warrior for a woman-"

"Where do you think you're going with this? After this?"Nara pulled on her chains, laughing. "An alliance?"

Torcull reached for her dagger. "Oh....no. I had something more.... Permanent in mind."

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  Nara raised an eyebrow. "I am already married. Marriages are not so easily thrown away- even for a queen."

  "There are... other ways to take care of an unwanted spouse." Torcull quickly replied, testing the blade's edge on his own skin. When a small line of blood appeared- he seemed satisfied. "Stray arrows used to find their ways into king's throats all the time. And the power of a king..... it is something else. Imagine- you and I, the queen and king of the entire fucking world."

  "I've gotten the majority of your army killed."Nara said. "And besides, I like to think I'm somewhat different from my worst ancestors. I'm not the biggest fan of incest or... rapists."

  "And I am willing to forgive that-"

  "For power." Nara laughed, eyeing her dagger. "I will give you this: you've surprised me. Not many can say the same."

  "So what is your answer?"  He tapped his foot impatiently. "I would like to proceed with your husband's assassination as soon as possible. You understand, of course. Once he's gone our lives will be so much easier."

  "Come closer and I'll show you." Nara smiled.

  Men. So easy to manipulate- all of them.

  Stupidly, he listened.She waited until he were close enough to feel his breath- then looked him right in the eyes. "I will never be your queen. This is my birthright, and you will not have it. Who in their right mind would marry you without being forced?"

  His face didn't even have a chance to fall before she brought her forehead against his, so hard they both grew dizzy and had to take a few moments. When he looked back up from halfway across the cell, Torcull's grip on her dagger tightened. He began to crawl towards her- but they then both heard it.

  Her army's horns.