Page 42 of The Truth-Teller's Bargain
“Your queen has left you out here with little more than your hunger, while she sits in her castle waiting out whatever’s to come. She stockpiles resources and leaves you with nothing. Eventually, she will see that there is no threat, but until then, I have brought enough food for you all, for however long you may be out here. Once the threat of siege has passed, I’m sure Queen Zenobia will open the gates again.”
Murmurs rose up around the crowd, but the tone had gone from rage to calm.
“And finally... I offer anyone who desires it the safety and security of my encampment. It’s a full two day’s journey from here on foot, but there you will have access to food, water, and fires to keep you warm.”
Yannis spoke up, suspicion written on his tired expression. “You want us to join yourrebellion?”
Nakir gave him a steady nod. “I do. Each one of you knowswhat it’s like to live under the rule of Zenobia Onasis. But I know a few of you would remember what it was like before. I invite anyone who desires it a place in my camp. Anyone is welcome, regardless of age or ability. But you must decide now. We depart immediately.”
Nakir glanced over his shoulder at Balthasar. Bal reached for Alethea, and she went to him, limp from the exertion of her travels and the vitriol of the crowd. The moment she was finally in his grasp, she was calm again. The anxiety melted away. She hadn’t realized she’d been crying until the tears stopped.
“There you are,” he soothed as Alethea melted into him, letting her face fall against his chest until she couldn’t breathe. “I’ve got you.”
She didn’t deserve his compassion, nor did she deserve his gift.
“You don’t have to do that,” she protested weakly.
“If you do not wish me to, say the word. But I am more than willing.” He led her away from the crowds, back toward where she’d tied her horse. The gray gelding was joined by several others; Nakir had brought a dozen of his soldiers, as well as several carts of supplies.
Balthasar set her down on a small crate, and she wiped her face, vaguely watching as the rations were passed around. He kneeled beside her, his massive hand on her shoulder. The crowds were still swarming Nakir, who had led them away from the city walls toward the cover of the wooded road. Kerrigan stood behind him, her palms lit with flame as a threat for any guard on the parapet who dared to take a cheap shot at Nakir. But none of the guards fired. They simply stood watch over the gate.
Nakir had put himself in serious danger coming here. Any one of her mother’s soldiers could take their chance at ending the rebellion with a single arrow if they chose.
Alethea sighed, her head in her hands. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“Why is that?” Balthasar asked.
“Because this is my fault.” The fact she could speak it only confirmed the need for her shame.
“I would be surprised if that were true.”
She buried her face in her clammy hands, feeling every bit as pathetic as she was sure she looked. “I cast a Sending Ritual to my mother, warning her of the siege.”
Balthasar said nothing, which was almost worse than if he’d admonished her.
“I warned her we were coming. I just wanted her to help people... You, Nakir, Kerrigan—you all have every right to hate me.”
She stared at the dirt below her boots. Nakir was still working the crowd, and she wasn’t terribly shocked to see a large number of the mob breaking off to join them.
“I can’t speak for Nakir, but I know you weren’t expecting this to happen. Speak of the devil...”
The fearless leader approached their shady spot underneath the large oak tree. Alethea struggled to meet his eye, unwilling to confront exactly how angry he was with her. But he only spoke to Balthasar.
“We’re departing now. It looks like we’re bringing a little over fifty souls back with us. It’ll take us the better part of two days on foot, and we’re expecting to run into a few scouts along the way. Stay alert.”
Alethea stared at her lap, swallowing hard before she found the courage to ask, “Am I...” Bile rose in her throat, and she worked hard to swallow it. Her mother would kill her if they decided to leave her behind, now she had announced she was working with him. “Am I staying here?”
He froze in place. She couldn’t help but notice the whites ofhis knuckles showing. “Is that what you want?” The coldness in his tone hurt.
Her mouth fell open, heart thundering. Bal squeezed her hand.
“No,” she told him.
“Then we depart.”
Nakir walked away, leaving Alethea and Balthasar alone once again. She took comfort in Bal’s massive form and the way it dwarfed hers. He was like a shield to the world. The spymaster withdrew a piece of bread from a satchel and offered it to her. She ruefully accepted it and tried to nibble away, hoping her stomach would quit clawing at her.
They sat in silence for a while before she mounted her stolen horse. Alethea kept her chin tucked, staring at the horse’s white mane in the hopes no one would notice to approach her as they began the long journey back to the encampment. She glanced over her shoulder a few times, in shock that her mother hadn’t sent out any of her guards or even opened the gates.
