From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [18]
Maybe not, but Achan felt he should still go out, make an appearance. He set his jaw and motioned for Matthias to bring the gorget. “Is it Lord Nathak? Esek? The Hadad?”
“Too early to say. No one has made any demands. It appears they approached under cover of night and hid in the vineyards, waiting until first light to attack. Shung, take the prince through the passageway to one of the secret meeting rooms until we know exactly what we’re dealing with.”
Achan stared Sir Caleb down. “What kind of ruler hides when the battle begins? Isn’t this my war?”
“Do not argue, Your Highness. Matthias, you go too.”
The boy set the gorget down on the bed. “Yes, sir.”
Shung strode to the secret panel on the wall and tugged it open.
Achan drew a long breath in through his nose. He should be outside with his men, meeting this enemy head on. He glanced at Sir Caleb, knowing the man wouldn’t relent. Should Achan continue to state his concerns? He felt like a child who must wait until he was older to play this game.
Only this was no game. It was war. His war. He would always be much younger than his advisors. He needed to take charge before they all got into the habit of ruling him.
Though his heart pounded like a hammer against iron, he said, “Sir Caleb, I will not hide like a coward. I am Arman’s chosen. I will fight.”
Sir Caleb raised his bushy blond eyebrows. “I am also Arman’s chosen. My purpose is to protect you. In that one matter I am free to disobey you. I’m sorry, Your Highness, but Arman outranks you.”
Achan shot a long glare at Sir Caleb and clomped toward the secret doorway, grabbing his helm on the way. He turned sideways to step through the narrow opening, but his breastplate scraped against the doorframe, knocking him off-balance. He stumbled against the far wall of the passage.
He took a few short breaths to calm his frothing nerves, then sidestepped toward the arrow loop and leaned into the V-shaped crevice, hoping for another glimpse of the battle.
The stable fire had been extinguished. No sign of fighting in the inner bailey, though a few peasants and soldiers lay injured. Beyond the curtain walls, the northern vineyard smoldered, clouding the hundreds of soldiers clad in red or black capes. It was the New Kingsguard—troops loyal to Esek. But was Esek or someone else their leader?
“Little Cham, come.”
Achan pulled back from the arrow loop. The panel to his room was closed. Shung’s shadowy form blocked the flickering light from the torch he held in the passageway. Matthias stood between them. At least the boy would be safe. But Achan would not start this war in hiding. He knew not whether Shung would obey him over Sir Caleb.
Best not to put the man in the position to choose.
He put on his helm and followed Shung down the narrow passage, slowing as they took the awkward steps that led underneath Achan’s privy antechamber. Achan ran his gloved hand along the low ceiling so his helm would not scrape against the stone.
The end of Ôwr’s scabbard tapped against each step behind him. Achan pushed the hilt down to keep it from hitting the steps. Shung paused in the small space at the bottom and looked back at Achan before starting up on the other side of the privy.
Did he suspect Achan wanted to slip away?
Once the passage leveled out, it was easier to move. Achan paused at each arrow loop and looked out on the distant battle. He should try again to use his bloodvoice to look in on Lord Nathak, see if he was out there commanding the New Kingsguard soldiers. Achan knew better than to walk and watch at the same time, though.
Shung stopped at the corner before the hidden tower stairs. He turned, waiting for Matthias and Achan to catch up. “Not far now.”
Achan swallowed his regret and nodded, hoping Shung would understand why Achan needed to join the battle.
Achan’s chambers were on the fourth level. The secret meeting chambers were on the third. Shung led them down one flight and stepped out onto the third level. He moved quickly along the western wall, south. Achan lagged behind,