Kingslayer by Honor Raconteur

gave an appropriate bow.
    “And Ramin of Shakham.”
    “General!” Ramin gave a choppy bow, his torso jerking downwards before bouncing back up. He had a boyish voice that fit his fair looks. In fact, if this man had been out of his teens for more than a year, Darius would eat his new sword. Well, maybe it was the hair. For some reason, Ramin had dyed his hair a vivid red that stood out in high contrast to his blue uniform. “We were told by Raj Sego that you chose us yourself, sir.”
    Brash, indeed. But Darius didn’t dislike that. “I did. Out of all the commanders I faced from Niotan, you three showed me the most potential. You’re also the most flexible—you didn’t try to adhere to any plan, but changed according to what happened.”
    “You didn’t give us much choice on that, General.” Kaveh’s tenor voice had a hint of dryness to it.
    Darius flashed him a smile. “Alright, let’s get to work. The queen expects a strategy from me on how to win the war. I have a rough idea, but we need to refine it.”
    All three of them froze and looked at him in astonishment. It was Ramin, of course, that dared to ask the question. “Sir…you really think we can win?”
    “I don’t fight hopeless causes, Commander.”
     

 

    Perhaps Queen Tresea’s curiosity proved stronger than her restraint, or perhaps she simply grew impatient, but whatever the case she summoned Darius to her hours before dinner. Fortunately, between Sego and his staff, Darius had all of the information he needed to make rough plans and even refine a few details. He would have liked to have gone over it one more time, just to see if he had missed anything obvious, but it would do for now.
    He left his office with orders for his commanders, gathered up aide and bodyguard, and went directly to the queen’s personal study. He half expected at least one or two of the generals from the war council to be in attendance but, upon entry to the room, he only saw the queen and her bodyguard.
    The room had nothing in it except three long benches, one of which nestled right next to an open window. With the cream walls and light green cushions strewn about, it felt very…feminine. The floral scents coming from the gardens outside the window reinforced that impression. Darius had thought of it as a study, but now that he had stepped inside, it felt more like a place to retreat and relax. Why meet here, of all places?
    The queen must have come from doing something official, as she wore the blue of her country. The gown was sleeveless and flowing, made in a light material that would breathe well in this heat, and there was a delicate crown of gold around her forehead. She didn’t rise, but her hand gestured him to the bench across from her. He silently bowed and took the seat, a little cautiously, because the furniture frankly didn’t look up to bearing his weight.
    “General,” she said with frank anticipation, “what plan do you have for me?”
    “This plan is still very rough in areas.” He felt it only wise to put a disclaimer out there now, before she started picking holes in it. As he spoke, he turned and pointed Sego to sit next to him. He could see the almost instinctive objection forming on Sego’s face and he made his expression more stern. They were likely going to be here for hours, and he wasn’t about to let the man stand around on a bad leg that long.
    Sego clearly realized that arguing would get him nowhere. He looked to the queen for permission, which she granted with an inclination of the head and an amused look at Darius. Cautiously, Sego eased onto the bench.
    Satisfied, Darius continued, “I still need more information to plan everything out fully. But I can give you an overview of the first stage.”
    “First stage?” she repeated, forehead crinkling into a frown.
    “The reason Niotan has managed to fend off Brindisi for so long is because of your mountains to the north,” he explained calmly. “The open plains on your