Brotherhood

Chapter 25

Geric would've recognized the tense undercurrent running through the castle anywhere. He had experienced it before. War was coming.

He paced down the corridors, pausing for a moment to stare out at the palace grounds that were bathed in summer sun. It appeared so peaceful, and yet below him he could see soldiers massing for battle, wagons of supplies bound for the front lines being loaded, boys who looked far too young to fight standing together in anxious knots. The hushed conversations and trembling mood all around the palace chilled Geric's stomach as only a coming war could.

"Is there news?" Geric asked as Amy approached, wrapping his arms around her from behind. He felt her nod, a deep sigh escaping from her lips.

"I have to give Charles credit," she murmured. "He made the usual three days journey to Minnings in half that. And not three hours ago a messenger from the borderlands arrived."

"And?" Geric prompted, dreading the answer. Amy turned toward him so she could look up into his eyes.

"His news was grim," she said sadly. "Our borders are broken, Minnings struck at dawn. It's bad, Geric. This is really bad."

They were both silent for a few moments, staring out at the dangerous new world they found themselves in. Geric had seen war before, but since Amy's family had taken power, Colmar had been at peace. None of them knew what they were in for.

"Come with me," he said, taking Amy's hand and leading her with him down the corridor. He knew exactly where he was going and pushed open the heavy oak doors of the room he needed. Inside the room, King Merek, his Captain of the Guard, and a few other well chosen advisors huddled around a map spread out on the gleaming wood table. The king's face purpled when he looked up and saw who stood in the doorway.

"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded furiously, his eyes bulging with indignation. "Why are you in my war room? Get out now."

Geric shook his head, walking purposefully forward with Amy by his side. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, this was my father's war room long before it was yours. I have come to offer my services in this crisis."

"Why would you do that?" the king sneered. "And besides, you were barely a man when the war began, what could you possibly know that my advisors don't?"

"I'm offering because Colmar is my home," Geric said evenly. "And it is true that I was only twenty when the war began, but it lasted six years. By the time it was nearing its end, I was commanding our forces that drove Warrick and his army into the unclaimed lands between us and Breton."

There was an audible gasp from a few of the king's advisors at his words and Geric pressed on. "Colmar has been at peace for over one hundred years now, none of you have lived to see a war. But I have, so let me help you."

"He's right, Daddy," Amy said. "He could be of help to you, both with the problems with Minnings and with the wolves."

The king stroked his chin as though deep in thought, the vein in his forehead pulsing lividly as though nothing pained him more than admitting he needed Geric's help. At that moment, a timid knock sounded on the door and the same page that had escorted them to dinner on Geric's first night in the palace slipped in.

"P-pardon me, Your Majesty," he squeaked. "There is someone named Tonraq here. He says he needs to speak to Prince Geric urgently."

"Go," the king waved him away. Amy started to follow, but Geric held out an arm to stop her.

"Stay here," he said, keeping his voice low. "I'll be back in a minute. If Tonraq's here, it can't be anything good."

Amy nodded, giving him a kiss on the cheek that made the vein in King Merek's temple pulse harder. Geric smothered a smile as he left the room, wondering if the king knew what he and Amy had already done if that vein would explode.

Making his way down the polished marble staircase to the foyer, Geric spotted Tonraq's lanky form at the bottom of the stairs.

"Well well," he said, jogging the last three stairs. "What are you doing here?"

Tonraq eyed Geric warily, carefully keeping his distance. "I came because I have news."

Geric nodded, crossing his arms over his chest and waiting for him to continue.

"Favian is stirring up the wolves, declaring himself Alpha," Tonraq muttered. "You don't have too much longer to convince the king. Otherwise they'll be at the palace gates by tomorrow."

"Understood," Geric muttered. "Thank you for telling me."

Tonraq nodded, turning to leave. As he neared the doors, Geric called, "Why did you do it?"

Tonraq hesitated, turning around slowly. "Because I didn't sign up for all the bloodshed Favian's plan will cause. And because you are still my king."

Geric's lips twitched as he watched Tonraq disappear from view out into the courtyard. Turning back up the stairs, he made his way to the war room, easing open the door.

"Again," the captain said petulantly. "What are you doing here?"

"Trying to save as many people as I can," Geric snapped. "Your Majesty, the wolves are preparing for an attack on the palace tomorrow. If I stay, we can formulate a plan."

"Fine," the king relented at last. "You can stay. But that doesn't mean I've agreed to your alliance plan. What guarantee do I have that once the war is over the wolves won't turn right around and attack the humans?"

"Sire, the wolves only want an equal place in your kingdom. We don't need division right now," Geric said. "There are no guarantees, but the best course is to unify the humans and the wolves against Minnings."

King Merek scowled. "I don't like it."

"Might I remind you what happened to your father when he trusted a werewolf?" the captain said, his malice toward Geric evident in his voice. "It's the reason that your family was destroyed and our kingdom nearly annihilated."

"No," Geric said stubbornly. "That was the work of one man. Without Warrick, there wouldn't have been a war."

"Enough!" the king bellowed, slamming his fist into the table. "I will set out with part of the army tonight to defend our lands from the approaching Minnings army. Amy, you and Geric stay with a few battalions to deal with the wolf problem. If all goes well, if they join us, we'll be able to drive the Minnings' army back."

"Understood," Amy and Geric said at the same time. If they didn't stop this, Geric didn't even want to think about what would happen to the kingdom he loved. He had seen enough of what war could do, and if they weren't careful, they could destroy each other entirely.