Kono stood by the entrance to Tsak's tent. Men and women moved around her with no trouble, and no one looked bothered. These were people used to trouble. Kono watched until her cousins disappeared and then followed Tsak into the tent.
Swords, shorter blades, bows and arrows, and shields lined the interior of the dark tent. A few people gathered at a table, scooping food onto plates. They made room for Tsak and Kono. She took a little of almost everything, uncertain of what might not agree with her, especially now.
Most of the people sat cross-legged on the carpeted floor, but Tsak led Kono to a table with two chairs.
"We must be conscious of our dignity," he said, and pulled out a chair for her. "One does not sit on the ground to eat with the Queen."
"Can you teach that to Ryson and Callum? They don't seem to think much about my dignity."
"You wouldn't change them," he replied and nibbled on some bread and honey. "They do what is right. Ryson is doing far better. It was time the three of you formed your team again. You have proved it by being here and not in the hands of your council. And now we can discuss an alliance. Eat your food. We are going to be on the move soon."
Kono wondered whether he had deliberately tried to confuse her. More likely, she was exhausted and not following the conversation well. She forced her attention away from the opening of the tent.
Then they talked business, from trouble with the council to berserkers and dragon cores.
And finally they got to the part about the alliance.
"Won't your people protest such an arrangement made with your hold on power precarious?"
"The council will cause trouble, but they are not as popular as they think. They protested my alliance with the sprites, but even with this journey taking me away from the castle, they have not tried to end that agreement."
"You know this."
"All treaties and such require the queen to take a magical oath. If that oath is broken by either side, I will know." She toyed with a piece of cheese. "But you knew this."
"I knew rumors," he corrected. "Having it confirmed explains some odd behavior by members of your family. Ryson and Callum --"
"It only affects the ruler of the snowlands." She smiled suddenly. "Those two don't need anymore oddness. However, you can trace some of their actions back to things I told them."
Tsak fell silent and gave Kono a chance to eat more of the excellent food. She stared at the opening to the tent, hoping to see Callum and Ryson return. It wasn't that she didn't trust them -- after all, she sent them on missions all the time.
Ryson worried her. Callum had let her know who had captured their cousin, but they had not spoken about it further. She wante to speak with Ryson --
"They will be back soon. Let us talk about becoming allies," Tsak said.
She thought he had meant just to distract her, but before long, Kono could tell he was serious about the alliance. Before long, Callum and Ryson arrived and joined in the conversation. It was a pleasant reminder that they were better trained than the council at dealing with others.
"Part of my people will remain here to clean the area and bury the dead. They will catch up with us. I also have matters to handle before we leave. I suggest the three of you rest while you can. There are pillows and blankets in the corner. No one will bother you."
Kono thought she should help in some way -- but this was not her place. Callum and Ryson waited until she had settled in a little nest of soft warmth, and then they took their places as her guards. She hoped they slept. There would not be a safer place.
"Wake up, Kono," Callum said. He even dared to shake her by the shoulder. "We have to go, Kono."
"Throw her over your shoulder and get her to the horses," Ryson ordered. "I will be right behind you."
Kono tried to push herself out of the blankets, but Callum lifted her and carried her out, though not over his shoulder. She caught a glimpse of Ryson gathering things he shoved into a pack while others stripped the tent and packed everything away.
Tsak shouted something to his people.
And somewhere close by she could hear thousands of drums.
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