Page 33 of The King has Fallen
I was shocked—first by Jann’s fierce defense of me, and then that he didn’t soften at all as Melek stared him down.
“That is excellent news,” the General said eventually, his voice wary. “Keep me updated.”
Jannus shook his head. “Really, Melek? That’s all?”
“What else would you expect?” he growled in return, then bit off the lengths of three green beans.
But Jannus just sighed.
~ MELEK ~
After my meal and some careful questions, I followed Jann out into the night, unconcerned about leaving the Fetch alone because I would stay near the tent so no one could enter without my knowledge.
But the moment we were far enough into the dark that she wouldn’t hear, I grabbed his shoulder and pulled him around to face me.
“I don’t know what game you’re playing, but donotdefend her in her presence like that again. You only embolden her when I need her weaker, not more determined.”
Jann shook his head. “You’re being cruel.”
“I could have let the archers come and kill her. Or slit her throat with my own spear in her sleep. I’m cruel for giving her reason tosurrenderthe weapon?”
“You’re being cruel, taunting her. You preach dignity for prisoners of war to the ranks, then dothis?She can’t best you, Melek. She is no true threat—why treat her like a warrior when she’s little more than—”
I bristled. “You are empty-headed if you believe that woman isn’t just as dangerous to you as any warrior.”
Jann scoffed.
I growled a warning. “In truth, she ismoreso—because she is underestimated by—”
A swell of horns and raised voices rose from a campfire among the tents.
Jann and I both startled, then relaxed when we realized some of the men were playing music and singing, beginning to dance, while others cheered them on.
I turned back to Jann, preparing to continue, only to find him frowning beyond me, towards the tents.
“Remember those days, Mel? Young, and so sure of ourselves. Even with battle on the horizon there was always a song to sing, or a woman to chase…”
“I was never much for chasing skirts,” I said gruffly, even though I knew what he meant.
Life was very different as a soldier than as a leader.
One followed, the other… well,led.And that meant that all those lives, all those hearts and minds were our responsibility.
Add to that a King who was ignorant of the intricacies of war, and who had to be managed else he’d create more problems than he might solve…
Well. There hadn’t been a lot of singing or dancing for us in the previous two years.
“Forget the Fetch,” Jann said suddenly, clapping my shoulder. “Let’s go sing and dance again.”
He started towards the noise, but I hung back shaking my head.
When he turned, obviously about to cajole me, I lifted my hands and shook my head. “It’s not because I wouldn’t, Jann, you know that. But… let them relax. If I’m there, they feel like they have to be careful.”
Jann frowned and I was reminded how much he was doing that lately, and how unlike him it was. “But—”
“You go, they won’t mind you,” I assured him. “I need to get back to the Fetch, anyway. Her eyes lit up when you talked about the runner’s camp. I’m going to ask her what she knows.”
Jann’s lips went thin, but within moments I had him convinced that I was too tired to dance, and he should go without me. I started back up the path to my tent before he could protest.
