Chapter 316: Birds and Blows
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*****
RETH
He and Behryn had talked in circles around the Bears and what to do there. In the end, Reth reluctantly agreed to have Avaline scouts looking for the wolves, but an emissary would also be sent.
"I'm pretty sure I know the right soldier, who won't poke Gawhr, but will have the confidence to ask the right questions," Behryn said. "And he's not mated yet, so if things do go wrong…" he trailed off and Reth growled in his throat.
It was a sick truth of war that they would always try to put those without mates or families in the first line of fire. Reth despised the cold-hearted nature of their decisions. And yet, Anima were going to die. Where it was within his control he would see as few others impacted by that as possible.
Raking a hand through his hair, he grimaced. Sometimes ruling made him sick.
"Just make sure he knows all the right questions to ask," Reth graveled. "I don't like the feel of this. Things are too quiet."
"They're trying to force you out, to force you to be the one who creates the final confrontation," Behryn said.
"That makes no sense. They have to know we have more people, more resources—hell, we have more experience and maturity. Why would Lerrin want us to take the first step?"
"For the same reason you want him to—because the people will ultimately see the first striker as the place for blame if things go wrong."
Reth sighed. He knew Behryn was right. "So… do we just sit? Not let ourselves be drawn?"
"For now, I think, yes," Behryn said calmly. "Continue to protect and prepare the people—don't allow the sentries and archers to become lulled into boredom. Lerrin will be hoping our defenses drop."
"The wolves will be on edge. They do not do well with waiting."
"I agree."
They were both quiet a moment. Reth wondered if Behryn was also thinking about that moment he'd spoken to Lerrin in the creek. He didn't have to wait long.
"I was so angry, Reth, when you didn't let me kill him," Behryn said.
Reth nodded. "I know, but can you see it now?"
"Honestly, not really. I suspect I know what you're thinking. But I disagree."
Reth met his best and oldest friend's eyes. "Lerrin showed more balance and more… thought than any of the wolf leaders I've seen for generations."
"He was also murderous that day."
Reth nodded. "I would have felt the same if he'd killed my family. But I believe with time his rage will cool. And he will let himself see the truth about the society his father built. About what his sister did. He scented me for truth, Behryn, and he was honest about it. He did not shy from it."
"He wanted to."
"Don't we all? Despite his natural biases, he told the people the truth."
"Then tried to accuse you anyway."
"He'd lost his father—and now his sister too, both at my hand. I would give the Creator anything to have that fact changed, but…" he shrugged. "If he could admit before the people that I had not manipulated or used Lucine, I have hope that over time he'll let himself see that I did not choose to hurt his family—tried to avoid it, in fact. I hope that he'll see what his males are doing in the Wildwood, and he'll decide to reject it."
Behryn whistled, low and slow. "That's… quite the plan there, Reth. I can't say that I share your optimism."
"Optimism is too strong," Reth growled. "I hope. It's in the Creator's hands. Until he makes the step, we fight."
"Aymora said—"
"I know what Aymora said," Reth snarled. "And if the need arises, I will make the decisions that must be made. But I will not looking for them!"
"What if one example, or two, would change the course of this war?"
"I said, I will not go looking for targets. Those people are just as much my responsibility as the ones who stayed in the Tree City. If they'd chosen to leave, to make their own people, I would have allowed it. I wouldn't feel responsible for them. But they've been manipulated and influenced by lies. I will not begin the killing."
"Lerrin would say you already had," Behryn offered, his eyes glinting.
Reth didn't fall for it. "We all know that this is still a cold war. Until we have outright combat, I will continue to ask the Creator to let us end in peace. But I will also guard my people and attempt to see where or how our enemy may strike. So get someone out to the bears. Get details about the wolves behavior so far. And assuming the Bears do win the portal cave territory, determine whether the wolves that were there have returned to the encampment, or only retreated."
Behryn nodded and Reth took a deep breath. None of this was good. But all of it was necessary.
They sat in silence again until Behryn pushed his chair away from the table. "I'm assuming like me you're ready for this day to be done. Let's go get dinner. The early sitting is never as full. You'll have fewer questions and conversations if we go now. And you can return here earlier. I won't call in the security council tonight unless we have reports of a change."
Reth felt so weary his limbs seemed too heavy. He wanted to sleep, but he had to fuel his body. He'd been struggling to eat since Elia left, and he didn't doubt that Behryn had noticed, and was taking him to the market so he wouldn't skip another meal.
He pushed himself to his feet with a sigh, knowing his friend was right. He'd likely sleep better if he wasn't hungry, and besides it was far too early for Elia to be sleeping, assuming she was on the same clock. And his only other way to kill time was to put more time and energy into planning how to kill wolves, or how to stop wolves killing them.
He had had enough of battle already, and they hadn't even met in combat yet.
So he followed Behyrn out of the cave and forced himself to put some spring in his step to help the guards feel optimistic that their King was still strong. Still ready to face this challenge.
He wished it didn't feel like a lie.
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