The First Queen

33 - Pain

I knocked on the door to the room Sir Wraith had told me was Remiel's bedchambers and it opened to reveal Taman and Remiel.

"Uh... Am I interrupting something?" I asked and Taman shook his head, pushing past Remiel and bowing to me before hastily departing through a servant's hall.

"We were... Just chatting. All is well?" Remiel wondered, leaning his shoulder and head against the doorframe.

"No... I've just been informed that the Deneith forces have taken over ThornGate and Fallcreath and it appears that they're trying to surround Azumond." I informed him and his eyes widened.

"They have!? Why wasn't I informed of this sooner?!" He gasped, glancing into his room before looking at me again.

"Because you're just a prince," I answered and he cocked a brow, narrowing his eyes at me.

"...I'm king." He growled and this time I cocked a brow, tilting my head curiously and crossing my arms.

"Mmm... No, you're not. You need to try a little bit harder for that, Remiel." I snarked and he lowered his head so we were eye-to-eye.

His glare was as hot as the fiery blazes of The Nine Hells but I didn't back down. If there's anything I've learned during my time in  Azumond, it's thick skin and strength in the face of adversity.

"Hmmph. Why did you come here, then?" He grumbled, crossing his arms.

"Because I want your opinion," I informed him and he cocked a brow, spinning around and swaggering into his quarters.

"My opinion on what? And close the door behind you." Remiel ordered and I rolled my eyes but doing as he said.

"On the Deneiths, obviously!" I groaned and Remiel glanced over his shoulder at me.

"I say we attack." He suggested but I shook my head.

"That's a death wish; Liza's prepared for an onslaught and she's also prepared to press further. She has troops headed to The Northern Pass that withstood the force of Arabella's soldiers but she has more in the south, headed for Belmont." I told him and he gazed out through the large, stained window beside his even larger bed.

"So they are closing in on us?" He wondered and I nodded, "Are we able to send soldiers through The Eastern Pass?"

"Yes... Why?" I asked.

"We can get them to travel north, through Teargarde, and south, through Widow's Mark." He suggested but I shook my head.

"I see what you're getting at but the soldiers could never get to the passes in time; it would take a week at best for the troops just to get past The Valenlor Mountains," I told him and he let out a growl of disapproval.

"...If you give me more time, I can devise a plan--" He started but I cut him off.

"Time is what we all need but Liza's not a very patient person, I know from experience." I grumbled, "We need to work fast."

"And I will, just-- Just leave." He snarled and I was taken aback.

"Uh... Of course... I apologise, Remiel." I gulped, turning on my heel and letting him be.

I didn't expect him to say that...

I was on my way back to my chambers when I spotted Xanthe lingering outside the door, curling a loose lock of hair around a finger and speaking with Serana.

"Good evening." I smiled at them and Xanthe nodded her head.

"I believe there is a guest awaiting us in the foyer." She told me and I raised an eyebrow.