Stars May Fall (Stars May Burn #2)

39. Annabelle

ANNABELLE

I entered the room of my first ever war council, Venerick at my side and Jared bringing up the rear as my guard. Father had never let me be in one before. I was so far out of my depth, and I hoped Kasten would hurry up. Since he was in charge of our armies, we wouldn’t get very far without him.

I’d been told he was dealing with personal matters to do with Lyrason, and I dreaded to think what he meant by that. I wasn’t completely convinced he wouldn’t simply kill him instead of waiting for his trial, and that would be a headache when I was trying to enforce stricter, fairer rules on the nobility.

Four people stood around the map in the center of the room. Sir Dejong was one, and he was so clueless, he might as well be absent. The person I was most interested in was Lieutenant Baftly with his years of experience.

I sat down at the head of the table.

Lieutenant Steer cleared his throat and nodded to me with less respect than I was due. “Do you, eh, wish me to update the pieces? We normally move statues around the map to signify the troops.”

I held up my hand to stop him and took control of the meeting. “As you all know, there have been signs of troop movement on the Kollenstar side of the border. Our theory is that they are responding to the news of unrest and the coup in Adenburg and using this as an opportunity to strike while we are weakened.” I paused to let the words sink in. “While we wait for General Kasten to arrive, please update me on the current plans for our war against Kollenstar.”

Lieutenant Baftly cleared his throat and pointed to a few figures on the giant map. “The planned campaign is very aggressive. The plan was to take these four forts well within the Kollenstar borders and attempt to hold them to form military bases for further advancement. It is predicted to take four months for our army to stabilize the area.”

I swallowed, looking at the map. “How often are our own forts along the border currently being attacked?”

Lieutenant Baftly shook his head. “Not since Whitehill. One could say they pounce when they see an advantage.”

I straightened, hoping I sounded confident despite being the youngest in the room. “And who set the objectives of this campaign?”

The older soldier inclined his head. “Your father and older brother on this occasion, Your Majesty. In the past, your father normally presented his objectives in the first meeting. Then, as a group, we work out how to best make them a reality.”

I sat back. “And what was the reason behind the objectives for this campaign?”

Kasten’s voice from behind me, made us startle. “He was bored and wanted some great victories to keep the public supporting the war.”

He approached an empty seat at the table, and I didn’t object to the fact he had brought Sir Chase with him. There were normally eight to ten people around the table, and I could use all the counsel I could get. He inclined his head to me. “I’m sorry for my lateness, Your Majesty.”

My chest loosened at having him present. “Forgiven. I know you had important business. Now I wish to hear suggestions of what we should do next to combat this threat.”

Sir Dejong half raised his hand in an awkward gesture more fitting for a school room. “Can’t we just send Kasten to wipe them all out with his kryalcomy?” He turned his eyes to the general with more than a little awe. “You could do that, right? Surely the time is right for us to push into Kollenstar and defeat them once and for all while we have an advantage.”

Kasten sighed and leaned forward. “I suspect the Kollenstar troop movements won’t just be opportunistic. They might also be driven by fear. Fear of me,” he clarified as if anyone was thinking anything else. He frowned and rubbed his chin. “We have two options as far as I see it: appease their fears or realize them. And believe me when I say I have no desire to go on a bloodthirsty rampage just because I can. I’ve fought enough battles I didn’t agree with.”

Many pairs of eyes flicked to me to gauge my reaction to Kasten’s words. I didn’t react. I was grateful for his honesty.

Venerick leaned forward and slammed his leather case onto the table as if he had been waiting expectantly for the right moment. He winced at the sound. “Apologies, I hadn’t meant for that to sound quite so dramatic. I forget how heavy the paper is.”

Paper? How could paper be heavy?

My eyes widened as he dragged out a thick stack of parchment covered with neat lines of writing. There had to be two hundred sheets there. He had everyone’s attention now, and he fiddled with the cuff of one of his sleeves as if a little nervous. “I have a suggestion that would appease their fears. A few months ago, I decided to start drafting a peace treaty just in case it was useful. The king wasn’t interested, but I find that these things shouldn’t be written in a rush, and so wanted to be prepared in case the eventuality ever occurred.”

He had written all that just in case the king suddenly demanded peace? He had to be the most organized man I had ever come across. Or a hopeless optimist. An unexpected surge of pride warmed me. He was brilliant.

Venerick continued. “The problem with peace treaties is that they are normally too simple and too vague. Often because they have been written too quickly to iron out the finer details. I have here something robust that covers the relationship between our countries in every area from trade to border skirmishes to immigration, to their behavior toward other nations. I have ten pages merely defining the terms to ensure there is no way to bend my words.”

Lieutenant Baftly sat back in his seat. “But they have never been interested in peace before. Since they discovered how to make soulless with haemalcomy over two decades ago, they’ve been aggressive toward all their neighbors.”

Venerick nodded as if expecting this to be the first objection. “But General Kasten changes everything.” He pointed at the general who was listening with a serious expression, his large arms crossed on the table. “They know we have the power to defeat them. But we can show we are willing not to use it in the name of peace. Even though they are aggressive, they are also a cautious people. I believe they will be willing to enter discussions.” He paused and dragged in a deep breath. “And even if in the end they don’t agree to peace, discussing this entire treaty with Kollenstar will take weeks. They won’t attack during negotiations. It will give us time to make sure our troops are in order and that Queen Annabelle is crowned and her reign secure.”

Kasten grinned as he lounged back. He actually grinned. “That is the most sensible thing that has ever been said in this room. I must admit it is nice for everything to not be hinged on me for once.”

I nodded, trying to hide my relief. Venerick was getting Fenland out of a sticky situation and making it seem effortless. Father had made a very good choice putting him at my side. He would make a great king.

“Venerick, are you willing to lead these peace negotiations? I can imagine it would take a very long time for anyone else to become completely familiar with your treaty.”

He nodded and straightened the already neat stack of paper. “Of course, Your Majesty.”

I looked at Kasten. “Would you be able to arrange a suitable guard that guarantees he comes back in one piece? I’m concerned that if we sent you, they would fear they were being invaded.”

Kasten bowed his head. “I have many trustworthy people used to dealing with haemalcomy, including some who speak kollen.”

I clapped my hands together. “Excellent. We’ll have to formally request a meeting and arrange your departure before things escalate. And once you return, Venerick, we shall get married as planned to increase the stability of the crown.” The last words tumbled off my tongue and didn’t sound as smooth and business-like as I’d intended.

I didn’t miss the flush in his cheeks, and I wondered if it mirrored my own, despite my attempts at formality. I continued before anyone else could notice. “Are there other points we need to discuss?”

Kasten leaned forward. “I brought Lyrason with me. He has been taken to the dungeon. I recommend nobody be given the opportunity to listen to that silver tongue of his.”

Venerick nodded. “I’ve already set things in motion for his trial. The evidence is overwhelming. He will be executed directly afterward. It would be useful to have witness statements from you and Lady Sophie.”

Kasten tilted his head. “Will written ones do? I was hoping to return to Kasomere tomorrow. I have just found my mother in Lyrason’s mansion. She is very sick and requires rest to recover. Sophie and I also have urgent affairs to see to.”

I frowned. His mother? There was worry in Kasten’s eyes, but he shook his head slightly when I raised an eyebrow in question.

I hid my disappointment at losing two valuable allies so soon, especially since Venerick would be gone shortly after, but they weren’t going to be far away. “You have my permission to depart if you agree to come back when summoned. You are still the general of my armies after all.”

He bowed deeper than I had ever seen him bow to our father. “Of course, Your Majesty.”

I stood and the other occupants hurried to follow suit. “I will adjourn the meeting.”

As the men filed out, I caught Kasten’s arm, lowering my voice. “Is Sophie here? I summoned you both.”

He winced. “She is, but she’s very tired. She needs rest and…” He trailed off, looking away. “She’s in the rose receiving room, but I request you give her space. I was hoping to get back to her as soon as possible.”

Something wasn’t right between them; I could see the sorrow and worry behind Kasten’s eyes. But it was also clearly not my business. “Tell her I said goodbye then. I will ask Callum all the questions I have about the last two days and about your mother. I won’t keep you.”

He bowed and strode from the room. Something about his manner always made it seem as if he were striding into a fight.

Venerick was still shuffling the papers back into his bag. He was staring at me but looked away as soon as I noticed. “You, Annabelle, were magnificent.” The awe in his words made me smile. “Truly, and honestly magnificent. You led that meeting like you’ve been in here hundreds of times.”

I chuckled. “Thank you, Venerick. And thank you for your most excellent proposal and for agreeing to lead the negotiations.”

He shook his head and waved his hand. “That’s all a given. I’m just glad my treaty is coming in handy. I’m quite proud of it, if I may say so myself.” He finally gave enough of his attention to the paper to slip it all back into its case. He was just so sweet.

I walked over to him and kissed him quickly on the cheek. His cheeks flushed all over again. I took his hand. “I will miss you when you’re gone.”

He looked at me, seeming to drink in and memorize each of my features. Our faces were closer than ever before. I was acutely aware that we were the only ones in the room.

“I’ll miss you too.” He blinked and looked down. “But I’ll be sure to schedule in far more time with you when I get back to make up for my absence. That is, if you can spare me the time with the coronation and all your added duties.”

I nodded. “I would like that.”

He smiled as he stepped back to give himself room to bow, then he escorted me from the room, his hand nestled comfortably on my hip.