Stars May Fall (Stars May Burn #2)

13. Kasten

KASTEN

I slammed my palm down on the table to emphasize my words. “Absolutely not. I will not take my soldiers down the left wing unless I am joined by at least the fourth regiment. Especially considering the number of men who will be new recruits since I’ve taken on Lord Hans’s old regiment too.”

Prince Stirling sighed as if I were being unnecessarily stubborn. “Your soldiers have the highest kill per head of all the regiments. We all know you train them well. You have two thousand soldiers under your command. I doubt you need support from another regiment. The fourth should be supporting our weakest troops in the middle.”

I shook my head. I would not back down this time. “We’re too exposed. If you have to order a retreat, we would be easily cut off from the rest of the army. We would be overrun.”

Stirling frowned, steepling his fingers. “That’s very pessimistic of you, General. It’s unlikely we would need to retreat.” Next to him, his close friend, Sir Dejong, the commander of the fourth regiment, nodded in support of the prince. His expression however was slightly panicked and desperate.

I folded my arms, leaning back in my chair. “It happened before in the battle of Ztar just over a year ago. You abandoned me and the entire right flank—all the soldiers commanded by me. I was left with no back up, surrounded by Kollenstar soldiers.”

Stirling looked uneasy at my bluntness and glanced at his father. They had never seen me so adamantly against their plans before.

The king leaned forward, annoyance on his face. His tone was dangerously calm. “And you survived, did you not, Kasten? Along with most of your troops. As Prince Stirling said, your regiment is always the most resilient and effective part of our army. You command the battlefield well. It makes sense for you to take the position at our weakest, most vulnerable area. I’m confident in your ability to clear the threats to our west flank, including K’kak Fort.”

I had given in time and time again in these war councils when my eventual death had felt inevitable. But I was no longer going to be pushed around. I would fight for my life and that of my troops with every breath. “If you want me to attack and take this fort while the main army plows through the middle, I want the fourth regiment too. You need us to guard your flanks effectively. If Kollenstar troops attack the main army's left flank while marching, it would be a disaster. Give me the fourth regiment.”

Sir Dejong was a young, weak commander, easy for me to control. If I had him with me, there was no way the king or Stirling would deliberately pull back just to make us vulnerable and hope for my death. He would be my human shield.

The king looked down at the map with an expression of long-suffering patience. “If you have the fourth regiment, our center will become too weak.”

I stood and moved the pieces on the table. “Only in our current formation. Turn it into a spearhead and place archers in the second segment of the column. Move Prince Stirling and his men back to a stronger defensive position. Put the second regiment at the lead, taking the impact. Their formation will channel the enemy to the side if attacked from the front, spreading them out and making them easy targets. If I can protect your left flank, and the sixth, seventh and eighth regiments can protect your right, you will dispatch the enemy easily and make a quick headway.”

The king tapped his fingers on the table. “We could still make those changes and keep the fourth regiment next to Stirling.”

I didn’t hide my frustration as I glared at him. The men in the room shifted. “Sir Dejong is inexperienced. I can advise him. His troops should come with me. I will not be abandoned again.”

Sir Dejong shrunk back from the table, his arms folded across his chest as if in defense. Though nineteen, his shoulders still hadn't broadened, making him appear like a child in this room of battle-hardened men. “Surely, I…”

The king interrupted him, his posture becoming angry as he faced me fully. “How dare you suggest we have ever abandoned you. The battlefield is never about one man or one regiment.”

I didn’t retreat under his anger but kept my hard gaze on the king. “Then why are you so concerned about Sir Dejong joining me? He will make little difference if you keep him safe and cozy in the middle. I thought he said he was eager for real battle experience.”

Next to Prince Stirling, Sir Dejong was growing pale. “I…I…”

The king’s gaze was still fixed on me. His annoyance at me was more visible than ever. “I’d expected better from you, Kasten. I forgave your earlier transgression of hiding your discovery of considerable kryalcomal power and then using it without permission, but I am concerned you're abusing your power as general.”

I tilted my head to one side, working my jaw as I dared him to demote me. It would make my life easier if I wasn’t the general. If he tried to take Kasomere from me, however, outrage would be seen in the streets. Kasomere was loyal to me, not the king. He knew this.

But he wanted to know about my weapon. And he wanted me removed as a threat. These things would be easier if he kept me close.

The longer these discussions continued without either of us conceding, the more civil war seemed inevitable sooner rather than later. And the more likely it was to be messy with us only being half prepared and without a successor to rally behind. How was I to resist the king’s reckless plans without seeming rebellious? And that was even without us taking a stance against the halfsouls.

Lieutenant Baftly cleared his throat. “May I make a suggestion?” He commanded the sixth regiment and was the oldest man in the room, well-respected with greying hair and glasses. He was also one of the few people I could stand.

All eyes turned to him. “Sir Dejong may not quite be ready for all the excitement of taking K’kak Fort. We have a lot of commanders joining this campaign for the first time.” He nodded toward Prince Stirling. “It is very exciting to have new blood and ideas. But perhaps I could join the general on the left wing. I would follow his orders, of course. I could come with half my regiment, leaving the rest with my second commander on the right wing. Then both sides would have two and a half regiments. That has a nice fairness to it.”

I nodded in agreement and appreciation of his smooth diplomacy. He would be a welcome addition to my side, and the king would never make any moves that deliberately put the older man in danger. He had been the king’s swordmaster and mentor forty years ago.

The king looked displeased but nodded. “Fine, that’s settled.”

Sir Dejong slouched in relief, and Prince Stirling looked less confident than before. A few people met my eyes with cool, wary hatred, and others with fear. Lord Lyrason gave me a small smile from his quiet corner as if he were enjoying the entertainment of the king and I fighting. I wished Lord Hans was still alive so I’d have an ally in this room. Though everyone had hated him too.

An awkward silence stretched before the king stood, his chair rocking as he pushed it back with some force. Everyone hurried to stand. “We shall break there. General Kasten, since the new troop positioning was your idea, I wish you to write up the plan and individual orders for the leaders of the regiments. I will also leave you and Lieutenant Baftly to come up with your own plans to take K’kak Fort. This afternoon, we’ll have a formal lunch in the throne room followed by drinks and mingling with the rest of the court. I know many of you from outside of Adenburg have private business to discuss. Tomorrow we will discuss the following three weeks of the campaign and the logistics of the supply wagons.”

He strode out of the room without acknowledging anyone’s bows. I was getting to him. Sometimes I regretted my abrasive nature, but the only way I knew to get what I wanted was through blunt battering. It would be nice to have some of Lord Lyrason’s smoother negotiation skills. He had always been good at appearing mild instead of manipulative. Though he never bothered to hide his nature with me. I wished Sophie was here with her smiles and charm.

I was the last to leave the room and wished I could escape the torture of the formal lunch, but I wasn’t going to push the king any further. I followed the noise of chatter and clinking glasses to the yellow reception room that adjoined the throne room to wait until we were summoned for food. Why the king had chosen that huge ostentatious throne room for lunch today, I had no idea. It was very rarely used and normally served as an empty space before the dais for people to stand and bow to their monarchs at large public events. I pitied the servants having to lug tables into there. It seemed like today, the king wanted to show off his power.

I hadn’t been in the throne room since the queen’s coronation when I was three. At the time I’d been held up by a nanny at the back of the room, my mother recently banished. My memories were vague and mostly constructed of paintings and pictures I had seen more recently. I had no desire to go back there today, but at least in this I would concede.

The bright and airy reception room was crowded with nobility, and I slunk into a corner on instinct, hoping that nobody came up to talk to me. I scanned the people; Duke James was talking to Lord Lyrason and Sir Charles. So the three of them weren’t afraid to still be seen together, despite Lord Lyrason’s crimes coming to the court’s attention. I grabbed a glass of wine from a passing waiter and took a large sip. If only Sophie was here to distract me from this all. The intense two weeks we had spent with each other, never apart, only heightened how much I missed her now. She would accompany me here this evening, but that felt like a lifetime away.

My attention moved to the other side of the room where Annabelle was talking to a group of younger nobles. Her arm was looped around Lord Venerick’s, and every now and again she would smile up at him, her bright red lips contrasting with white teeth. She was shorter and more sturdily built than Sophie and wore a dress that emphasized her wide hips and cinched in at the waist. I studied her in thought. Everything about her was different in the palace to how she’d been on the streets. Her expressions were pretty and perfect, her posture elegant and non-threatening. The emptiness about her was a sharp contrast to the stubborn, fearlessly confident girl I now knew. She was acting. Here, she was always acting. It just proved how ridiculously fake and insincere the palace truly was.

I hated this place.

Annabelle patted the arm of her betrothed, and I wondered if she had any genuine affection for him. She hadn’t mentioned him once when we’d been working together. Her father must have had some other reason to choose him, especially when Lord Lyrason had expected her to be betrothed to him.

I caught her eye, and she quickly looked away. I pursed my lips with amusement for a moment then strode up to join them, smoothing back my hair. I knew this would annoy her and almost looked forward to her glare. The younger nobles jumped back from me in surprise as I slipped between them. The conversation died.

I raised my wine glass. “Please, please, continue what you were saying. Don’t let me interrupt.”

An awkward pause replaced the lively conversation. My life always seemed full of awkward pauses. One of the young women, her eyes slightly wide and most certainly avoiding mine, said to nobody in particular, “It’s warm weather for this time of year, isn’t it.”

I inclined my head to her, all politeness. “Quite.”

Annabelle nodded, her jaw tense, but her smile never dropped. “I think it’s the lack of wind.”

A second noblewoman rested her hands on the two younger people either side of her. “I just remembered we were to speak with Lady Clara before lunch is served. Please excuse us.” She curtsied to Annabelle. “Your Highness.”

The rest curtsied or bowed leaving me alone with Annabelle and Lord Venerick. Sure enough, Annabelle glared at me while Lord Venerick shifted on his feet, his grip becoming tight and possessive of the princess. Something about the man’s features and expression reminded me of a rabbit. I reminded myself he was a friend of Duke James, which quite possibly made him my enemy.

I smiled and inclined my head politely. “Your Highness, I don’t believe you’ve properly introduced me to your betrothed?” I lifted my eyebrows. “Last time we met I was rather…preoccupied.”

Annabelle’s glare didn’t lessen, though her voice sounded polite with a subtle edge of sarcasm. “General Kasten, meet my betrothed, Lord Venerick. Venerick, this is General Kasten who is the head of our armies under my father.”

Venerick inclined his head while Annabelle mouthed, “ Be nice .” I wasn’t sure why she thought I needed the reminder.

Lord Venerick cleared his throat. “Thank you for all your hard work, General. I hear you lot have been meeting all morning. It must be hard to come to an agreement over such important things. Especially with how long this war has been going on.”

I smirked. “It is when winning the war isn’t everyone’s priority.”

Annabelle gave me a warning look. Venerick frowned as if confused by my meaning. “Well, let us all hope it will be over soon, hey?”

His comment fell flat.

Annabelle turned to him with a pretty red smile. “My dear, would you mind getting me a glass of rose petal wine?”

Venerick didn’t lessen his grip on her arm but looked between us with a worried expression. I couldn’t help but grin, showing my teeth. “What do you think I’m going to do? Eat her alive?”

Annabelle spun to me and from her expression I almost expected her to stamp her foot. “Kasten!” She turned back to her betrothed. “Venerick, it’s quite all right. He’s my brother after all.”

The term caught me by surprise. I’d never expected her to use it. Venerick inclined his head to her, then me, then went to find where the servant with wine had wandered off to.

“You’re insufferable, do you know that?” she grumbled.

I scoffed. “Well, is this the appropriate way to talk to you?”

She narrowed her eyes. “I am not your spy!”

I shrugged and left her comment lingering between us, hoping it would make her add to it. She looked away and rubbed her arm.

I gave in to my impatience. “Gah. What is it, Annabelle? You must have heard something? Aren’t you suspicious about why Lord Lyrason is being left relatively unpunished by your father? He is being called important to the war effort and has been let into our meetings, yet sits in the corner saying nothing. You must know something.”

She deliberated one moment more before turning back to me, lowering her voice. “Kasten, don’t get involved with the king and Lord Lyrason’s schemes. It’s too dangerous. They’re planning a trap for you. They don’t believe the weapon you wielded was destroyed. They’re scared of you. They’re being careful and cautious but will try to corner you soon.”

I frowned and stepped closer to her making sure nobody was in earshot. “How?”

Her eyes darted back and forth. “I don’t know exactly but Father has been increasing the guard, and I heard him talking to Lord Lyrason this morning about his own soldier recruitment.” She met my eyes. “You should take Sophie and your men and return to Kasomere. Show them that you won’t be a part of any of this and live your life cut off from the world. I will take care of whatever is going on with the experiments and the halfsouls and whatever my father is planning.”

I studied her face carefully, not sure if she was eager to get rid of me so I didn’t pry or endanger her father, or genuinely concerned for my welfare. “Thank you for the warning.”

Venerick was only a dozen paces away, returning with her drink. She lowered her voice even further and spoke quickly. “They knew you would be unlikely to spill the secrets of your weapon. It’s possible they see your wife and your friend, Callum Tavoyln, as easier targets.”

Cool rage slid through my body. I nodded just as Venerick returned with three drinks. He smiled as he offered the other to me. “I forgot to ask if you wanted one too, General.”

I took it. “Thank you.” I turned back to my half sister. “You’ve certainly been kept busy with your classes. It’s nice to know you are happy.”

She smiled brightly as if her routine was all we’d been talking about. “A few classes on conversation and etiquette might benefit you also.”

Venerick’s eyes widened, though he covered his surprise by taking a sip of his wine. Clearly he hadn’t been exposed to the sharper side of Annabelle before.

I inclined my head. “Thank you for the suggestion, but I assure you I know plenty of etiquette. I just choose not to use it around people who don’t deserve it.”

Venerick cleared his throat. “The eh…eh…paintings are very atmospheric in here, don’t you think, my dear?”

Annabelle opened her mouth without taking her stern eyes off me but cut off her reply as we were joined by Stirling.

I bowed my head to acknowledge him since I was meant to be building rapport between us. He didn’t look appeased by the gesture. He turned to his sister. “I hope the general hasn’t been bothering you. He has been in quite the foul mood this morning.” He laid a hand lightly on her back as if to protect her. I guessed he didn’t know she killed halfsouls while he slept. Not that I would ever say that out loud. Annabelle already had a big enough opinion of herself.

I lifted my eyebrows and spread my hands in an expression of innocence. “This, Prince Stirling, has been me acting civilly.”

Annabelle took a deep sip of wine, and her pleasant mask dropped. “Oh, both of you, do get over yourselves. This is getting tiresome.”

Venerick gaped down at her in shocked surprise, and she replaced her sweet smile to glance at him. “Family squabbles.” She spoke as if those words explained everything.

Stirling grimaced. “ Family? Really, Annabelle, you grossly exaggerate.”

“Do I?” Annabelle flashed him a venomous look. I couldn’t hold back a smirk. “I’m going to get some fresh air. Venerick, would you mind taking me to the veranda?”

I bowed to them as they left, and Stirling stepped right up to me. His expression was angry. “You can say what you want to me, but you leave my sister alone, you understand?”

I smiled back at him, keeping my body relaxed as if it didn’t consider him a threat. My reaction made him bristle, which was as satisfying as I had hoped. “Perfectly.”

I bowed again, turned my back to him, and walked back to my corner to lurk until we were summoned into the throne room to eat. If the king and Lord Lyrason were starting to subtly amass troops, it would be prudent for me to escalate my own troop placement.