Obsidian Ridge - Jess Lebow [47]
Kaden rubbed his ribs, wincing. "I don't plan to, my lord."
"When you are ready, we'll go again," said Korox. He walked to the wall of the barracks and dropped his sword against the weapon rack. He picked up a skin of water and took a big swig, wiping the cool droplets off his lips with the back of his hand. "It's a beautiful morning," he said, looking up at the clear spring sky draped over the southern half of Llorbauth.
The winter weather in Erlkazar was mild by most standards. The warm water coming off the Deepwash kept the air from getting too cold, which meant there was rarely any snow, except in the high mountains to the west. All in all, Llorbauth wasn't a bad place to be during the cold months of the year. But though it was nice in the winter, it was always quite dark. The end of winter meant the return of the daylight. Spring was here now, and the beautiful summer would follow shortly.
Usually, the sweet air and the beautiful weather at the beginning of spring filled Korox with a sense of peace. Today, it just made him sad. He wondered if this was the last time he would watch his home unfold from its winter slumber, and if his daughter had missed it.
"My lord?" Kaden's voice brought the king out of his daze.
"Hmm?"
"I said, 'I'm ready when you are,' " repeated Kaden.
The king turned away from the weapon rack to see Kaden in the middle of the practice field, a pike held in his hands.
"Oh, yes, I'm sorry." Korox realized he'd already picked up a pike of his own.
"Are you well, my lord?" asked the captain. "Forgive me for saying, but you seem… well, less focused than usual."
The king nodded. "Yes, that is probably true." He rested both hands on the shaft of his pike. "I have dealt with many things as the King of Erlkazar. There have been many difficult decisions to make. But none has been more maddening than being asked to choose between the life of my daughter and the safety of my kingdom." He stood up straight as he steeled himself, trying to find the strength to turn his thoughts into words. "No father should ever be asked to make that choice."
Korox stood silent for a moment, contemplating the unthinkable. "I want nothing more in this world than to find Mariko and bring her home safely." He shook his head. "But if we do find her. If we rescue my daughter from whatever fate has befallen her, then I will have to make that choice." "My lord, uh…"
The king shook him off. "I know, Kaden. It must not be easy for you either. It is unfair of me to burden you with these things." He took a wide stance and lowered his pike. "We came out here to get a brief respite from this topic." The king lunged, pulling up short. "Defend yourself."
Kaden bowed his head and took up his pike.
No sooner had the two men traded blows, their weapons clanging loudly from the impact, than their sparring was interrupted by a pair of Magistrates.
"King Korox! King Korox!" The men hurried into the practice yard, a badly wounded man strung between them.
"Dear Bane! It's Whitman." "
The king dropped his pike and rushed to meet the men carrying his personal scribe. "Put him down over here." Korox directed them to a small patch of grass growing beside one of the barracks.
The Magistrates did as they were told, lowering the wounded scribe onto the ground as gently as they could.
"What happened?" asked Korox, bending down and examining Whitman.
"We found him on the road early this morning," said one of the Magistrates. "Looks like someone dumped him. He was unconscious, clutching this in his hand."
The soldier produced a crinkled piece of vellum.
Korox took it from him. The letters scrawled across it were written in blood. It said simply:
If you want our help, give us the Claw.
The king handed the note over his shoulder to Captain Kaden.
"Why do they think we'd want their help?" asked Kaden. "Are they volunteering to stop producing the Elixir? What makes them think you'd turn over the Claw?"
The king turned to the captain, annoyed. "Captain, I'm just