ALL EYES FELL on the queen, awaiting an answer to her own question. Bert felt at a total loss. He knew this was Cat’s domain, and she was doing a great job, but he wanted desperately to be of some use. When Mira led them in battle, Bert had played his part, even though he hated to fight and kill. When Cat needed to rally the people of Wyrmgate, Yellow and Bert had flown her around the town with her banners. When Cat was cornered by Crowe, Bert had aided in her escape.

  Now, all he could do was stand there and watch.

  “Some imagine life in a royal court as simply sitting around and ordering about servants and collecting taxes,” the queen began. “And they are right. Most of the time. But a man like my love here, King Rowan, becomes as great as he is not in those moments, but in moments like this.” She took his hands in hers and smiled in his face.

  “Indeed, my lady. Sometimes one reaches a crossroads and needs to make a decision.” He scrunched up his face a bit. “Only what exactly is the decision, and what choice must one make?” He said it wisely, as if he knew the answer already, but Bert guessed he didn’t and was passing it on to his wife deftly. He understood how the man felt. Sometimes the best decision was to listen to someone wiser.

  “Indeed, my lord, indeed. A crossroads is the perfect term. As always, you have hit the nail right on the head, my clever king.” Again, that smile. It seemed genuine, as if this was always their agreement and the two had a deep respect for one another. “For many seasons, we here in Keelwick have questioned the decisions of the capital. The High King, may he live long, seems entirely engrossed in his foreign wars. Two of our sons remain missing, lost in war fog. We pray they are in battle or moving between places, but who can say for certain? Meanwhile, as Princess Catrin so eloquently says, we poke and prod ancient beasts who have left us to live our own lives for as long as anyone alive can recall. As she says, why change that? What possible gain do the people of Keelwick have to see from this? What does anyone?”

  Cat nodded.

  Bert smiled thinking everything was going perfectly. The king had given control to Queen Aldera, and she was echoing everything Cat said!

  “However, he is the High King, and we all have sworn to serve him. As much as I love Princess Catrin, the fact is she has committed treason, a crime punishable by death by hanging,” the queen said, frowning.

  Bert felt a strong hand grab his wrist. He looked up to see Elric staring at him, face serious. Bert hadn’t realized that he had started to draw his sword. He pushed it back in and looked around, relieved to see no one else had noticed. He nodded his head in understanding to Elric. The man could have had him arrested or cut him down right there, but he had warned Bert instead.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  “Surely, we cannot hang our own daughter-to-be, wife!” the king said loudly. “She is only thinking of her people, and indeed, us all!”

  The queen said nothing, but looked into the eyes of the court behind her, seeming to judge each one. “Surely we cannot. But...the alternative is to rebel. Do we have the stomach for it?” she asked.

  Her question was vague, but many in the watching group seemed to understand she was asking if they had the courage to fight. To join Catrin rather than punish her. To Bert’s surprise, many nodded. Some slowly, some looking to others first for approval. Others nodding immediately. Others making no move at all. None shook their head.

  “As important as one’s word to one’s king must be,” the queen spoke finally, “one’s promise to one’s people must be worth more.”

  More nods.

  “Can Keelwick simply sit by as our people are worked to their death building weapons for a war we don’t even want?” she asked no one in particular. “Are we then to send what few fighting men we have left to be torn apart by the teeth and claws of an army of dragons for land we don’t even need or want? Are we to ignore our own needs for ships to fish and trade? For tools to farm and grow our city. For men and women to learn new trades to bring new wealth to our city. Are we to ignore the needs of our own children? The need for peace to learn and grow and play and love? To know a peace our ancestors worked so hard for and we all enjoyed. A crossroads, indeed. One way leads to war and violence and death. The other way, it seems, may lead to the same…” she trailed off.

  Cat picked up her words instantly. “Aye, queen, you speak the truth and I have lived it. However, both paths do not lead to the same end, though they might start the same. One leads to not only a return to peace, but it may lead to a new peace with new friends. New trade for your great city. New deals to be made and skills to be learned.” She held her hands out, as if weighing two great weights in her hands. “The other leads from war and death to more of the same. Indeed, it may lead to defeat and a city burned to the ground. I fear it is as you say, but there is still hope. If we can amass enough of a force, perhaps we can convince the High King…”

  King Rowan had been looking absolutely broken this whole time, his head hanging and his mouth in a permanent frown. At Cat’s words, he perked up. “Then we can keep our word both to the people and the High King!”

  Cat nodded, smiling at the man.

  “Keelwick is but a speck on the map,” the queen continued. “Even with this group of pagans from the north, it will not be enough to demand his attention. He could swat us in a moment if he chose. What possible defense could we muster against him should he choose to attack us rather than treat with us? All we have now is your word that there even are such a people to ally with!”

  Bert stepped forward momentarily, an idea taking control of his movement, but he stopped. This was Cat’s battle to fight, not his.

  She saw him, turned to him and nodded.

  Bert reached into his pocket and took out his whistle, blowing three times.