War of the Princes 03: Monarch by A. R. Ivanovich Page A

such destructive turmoil in our region’s capital, the Prince’s ships would likely be upon us this very instant. We cannot rely on distractions and luck forever. Nothing is more important than the speed with which you accomplish your task.”
    “ All of our lives depend on it,” Dylan chimed in, moving to stand beside his brother. Their choices in attire were as starkly different as their demeanors.
    Dylan was prettier than most girls and that won him excessive attention, but I knew better. He still harbored a bitterness toward life and a hatred for me. He'd drained th e Dragoon, Leila March, and became an unwilling Commander. Even after everything we'd been through, I was sure he'd always blame me for his year of imprisonment.
    Brendon, on the other hand, had proven himself to be fair, loyal, and grounded by earnest responsibility. He wasn't especially handsome and his moods leaned towards taciturn, but his quality of character outweighed any single flaw. Without his help, I would have never rescued Professor Block, I wouldn't have found Rune again, and I wouldn't have even made it home to Haven in the first place.
    I owed him , even if I did help him keep Dylan on track.
    In the gentle morning light, the mast grew a shadow, and I found myself staring at it distrustfully.
    If I help Prince Raserion, what will happen to Lord Brendon and Breakwater? If I don't, what will happen to me?
    My skin crawled.
    “ As you know, this ship has been outfitted with supplies. Pilot Rousseau will ferry you to Caraway, the capital in the North. You are an envoy of peace. Remember that as you travel through the Northern Kingdom. Avoid interaction with citizens there. Confrontations are likely if they discover you've come from the West.”
    Carmine nodded, resting her thumbs in her pockets. “That won't be a problem.”
    “ When you arrive at the Caraway harbor, fetch a courier from the marina and have them deliver this letter to Prince Varion.” Brendon produced a wide envelope with a wax seal and handed it to me. “If he accepts an audience, his men will send for you. Miss Kestrel, you and your countrymen may go and plead our case. We are looking for protection only, and we can bargain for it with trade, information and strategic posts on our borders. I'll not send my own men away from their homes to fight for the North. Further action can be negotiated if basic terms are accepted.”
    “ Okay,” I said, holding the piece of paper in a death-grip. It fluttered against the breeze, but the wind had no chance of stealing it from me. Not today.
    Don't look so suspicious.
    I folded my lips together.
    Lord Brendon cracked his gloved knuckles, one after another, in a habitual way. “If the prince agrees to the first phase, send for Dylan.”
    Dylan took this as a joke and laughed airily. “Right. Prepare to wait a week or three. Maybe four, if I'm busy.”
    Brendon eyed his younger brother with the severity of a falling hammer.
    “ Oh, come on!” Dylan cried out. “You have to be joking! I've been good. I've done everything you've asked of me!”
    The Common-Lord rounded on his younger brother. “Enough! Do you think I want to send you there? Do you think I wanted any of this? Life isn't fair. Now, use your brain! Think!”
    Dylan's tantrum was refreshingly short-lived. He waved off Brendon and paced in a circle. “I'm part of the bargain. You're sending me as collateral, a ward, essentially a hostage of good will. By giving them your own brother, you're showing them that this is no trick. You really mean for peace.” He sighed. “Bloody hell. I understand. I understand it perfectly. And if all goes well, I stay there indefinitely. Congratulations, you'll have finally found a way to be rid of me without killing me.”
    “ Don't be childish,” Brendon snapped. “We all have rolls to fulfill, and none of us are in it for pleasure. When Prince Varion has built sufficient outposts around Breakwater, you'll be returned.”
    “