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CHAPTER FOUR

Khol

Just as my conversation with the former ambassador concluded, my brother, Ghid and his first commander, Zorfov, walked into the hall. Because ex-ambassador Nathal only wanted to reveal the extent of Magdul’s crimes with me, I had previously asked that everyone clear the room. Ghid’s and Zorfov’s presence so quickly after our talks told me that they were both close by.

“Brother.” Ghid came inside the hall and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “So, you’ve met with Nathal? You know that one cannot be trusted, right?”

“He had no involvement in Magdul’s treachery. In fact, he was exiled a year before King Oderas suspected the ruse to overthrow him,” I said.

“Why was he in hiding, then? It was Zorfov here who pulled him from his bunker in a nearby village,” Ghid said, pointing to Zorfov who bowed his head respectfully to acknowledge me.

“There were threats to Nathal’s life as well as a threat to his wife and unborn child for speaking out against Magdul’s plan. He went into hiding to save his family.”

“What now? Certainly you don’t mean to welcome him back?” Ghid asked.

My brother had many questions, but I was tired of being drilled about my plans for the settlement.

“Of course not, brother. He’s been through enough.”

Ghid scoffed. “Well, thank the gods. We have others here that would make better ambassadors than he would anyway. I have a couple I could recommend. They would make great ambassadors for us, especially where trading is concerned.”

Zorfov shifted next to him as I lifted my gaze to him. Neither of them knew I had information about Zorfov’s intentions of rising from his position as a lead builder among Ghid’s men.

“We’ll talk more about this tomorrow afternoon following the village meeting. I’ve already sent a team to send a message to the other nearby villages. I’d like a notable leader from each community to attend,” I said.

“There wasn’t much opposition in the other villages. Not everyone favored Magdul. Only in this village did we find the most activists.”

“It was a human settlement. I expected this.”

“Was?” Ghid raised his brow.

“Was.”

I took one last look at the great stone chair which was likely where Magdul sat when he held council with his ambassadors and other key contacts. Never in all my years did I think I would be sitting on a throne like that. As a warrior, I never coveted the throne, but something my father always taught me was that the best leaders were those who never asked for the job. He proved this to me many times before. My most notable accomplishment was when I became king of my horde. Hordes do not often settle, so when King Oderas came to me about the possibility of claiming a home settlement for my warriors, I was reluctant, figuring that my men would never settle. We were travelers and fighters. We lived to conquer. In the process of accepting, I made it clear that I wouldn’t turn my back on my horde to take the throne. I didn’t have to. My hordesmen are loyal to me. One could say I got the best of both worlds. We would remain a horde—still conquering and scouting new lands, but with the acquisition Dretis, I had something valuable to offer my fellow hordesman. Not just treasures and spoils, but permanent shelter and land where they could mate and produce the future generation of hordesmen.

As I started to leave the hall, Ghid stated, “You are limping, brother. You need to send for a healer to dress your wounds.”

“I’m fine. The cut isn’t deep.”

“You lie. It is a flesh wound,” Ghid said. “Tell me that you’ve had this bitch punished for stabbing you.”

“You let a human bitch stab you?” This came from Zorfov. “I didn’t know you were into that kind of kink.”

Ghid chuckled, but I didn’t find Zorfov’s jokes funny at all. I turned swiftly, anger welling up in my chest. “I said I was fine.”

“He took her away when we were in the courtyard. You still have her locked away in your shed, don’t you? If she brings you such stress then be rid of her. One of my men will see that this one learns her place.”

“She is not the one who brings stress. Trust me. Do not bring her up again. This one is none of your concern.”

Ghid folded his arm across his chest. “Suit yourself, little brother. Rest up. Get well. We have a new settlement to build. We’ve cleared most of the estate. All the rooms are empty. Will you be taking up residence here soon?”

“Soon,” I simply said, and then left the hall.

I took long strides back to the shed that had been gifted to me years before by Magdul himself before I learned of his corruption. Magdul had hired my horde a few times before in search of rare objects that he collected. Too bad he was more concerned with material gains than the survival of the very people who he pledged to protect—his own kind. Human-kind. No matter. Magdul was dead.

When I reached the shed, two warriors acknowledged my presence by nodding and then leaving their post. I pushed my way into the hut, fully prepared to feel the wrath of Visla.

When I opened the door, I was surprised to see her curled up on the bed, appearing to be asleep. Her wrists weren’t tied the way I left them, but that was to be expected. Right before leaving, I had told my men to allow her to bathe and eat and then to secure her until my return. They had done just that. I was certain she had put up a fight with them as she did with me. Maybe the little kitten had fought to free herself until she tired herself out.