“No,” Odar said.
“It’s not up to you,” Kerdan snapped.
“It’s not up to you either,” he retorted.
Both men turned their attention to Darmik, waiting for him to answer. Darmik had a blank expression on his face, giving nothing away.
“I’ll do it,” Allyssa said. Pretending to be a commoner and sneaking around town was nothing new to her.
“What do you think?” Darmik asked Nathenek. A sense of thrill filled Allyssa that her father was even considering it.
Nathenek grinned. “She’s more than capable.”
She wanted to kiss him on the cheek for his vote of confidence.
“I know you can do it,” Darmik said to her. “But do you want to?”
“Yes,” she said without hesitating. The excitement of pretending to be someone else gave her a sense of freedom. Besides, she wasn’t allowed to participate with the actual assassination attempt, so this would be her contribution.
“Am I the only one who thinks this is a bad idea?” Odar asked, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You want to send the heir of the Emperion throne to a village that could be infested with enemy soldiers.”
She was no longer engaged to Odar. He had no say in what she could or could not do. “How is this any different from what we did in Lakeside? You snuck me out of the castle to meet with an assassin.” She looked pointedly at him, awaiting his response. Allyssa had been in danger then with only Odar for protection. Surely Kerdan was equally capable of protecting her.
“You weren’t in enemy territory.” Odar leaned forward, into her personal space. While his face was red with anger, his eyes were wide, pleading with her to listen to him. She took a step back.
They’d set up camp just outside the village. The sun had already set, and the sky was turning dark. The frigid wind gusted, making her shiver.
“Allyssa is not in enemy territory,” Kerdan said. “She is in my kingdom. I know these people. They are good, hard-working citizens. She’ll be fine.” He sounded irritated that he had to explain himself. He must be used to people agreeing with him and following his orders without question.
Odar glared at him. “How can you be sure no one will recognize you?”
“Since this is a small village, no one will even consider the possibility that the prince is walking among them.”
Kerdan had sent Hurit and Larek ahead to scout out the village. They’d been gone for a couple of hours and should be returning any minute. If they found nothing amiss, then Kerdan planned to go—with or without Allyssa. Personally, she liked the idea of going into the village alone with Kerdan to talk to the local people to try and ascertain if Jana was at the duke’s house.
“There’s no need for her to go,” Odar insisted. “If your men are as capable as you claim, they should be able to gather all the information we need.” Odar wouldn’t even look at her as he argued with Kerdan.
“I understand what you’re saying,” Kerdan replied. “However, I do have an ulterior motive.”
“Ha!” Odar shouted. “I knew it.”
She shook her head, wanting to smack him for being such a prick.
“Allyssa has agreed to enter into marriage negotiations with me,” Kerdan said.
All color drained from Odar’s face. He opened his mouth several times to speak, but nothing came out.
“I want her to see my people so she can start to understand the Russek culture,” Kerdan continued.
“She can do that... after,” Odar whispered.
“She could,” Kerdan conceded. “However, after I am crowned, the chances of the two of us having time to slip away for such an excursion are slim to none. It’s not like I’m asking to take her into hostile territory. She’ll only go if my men deem the village safe.”
Odar turned to Darmik. “How can you allow her to do something so stupid?”
Darmik cocked his head, observing Odar. “If anyone’s behavior is stupid, it is not my daughter’s.”
“When something goes wrong, don’t count on me to help,” Odar said before turning and storming away.
Darmik nodded to Nathenek, who silently followed Odar out of the camp and into the woods.
“Am I allowed to go with Kerdan?” Allyssa couldn’t contain the huge smile on her face.
“You can go so long as you’re armed, you remain with Kerdan at all times, and you don’t do anything foolish.”
She tried not to laugh at the foolish part. Foolish was a state of opinion. “Agreed.” She hugged her father. “Thank you,” she whispered in his ear.
“You better go and get ready. Make sure you blend in. We want to prove Odar wrong. Got it?”
She nodded and went over to her bag, rummaging around in it. Most Russek women wore ankle-length dresses, usually made from brown or gray wool. She didn’t have anything like that.
“You’ll want to make sure your hair is in a bun,” Kerdan said from behind her. “Women here don’t do fancy braids. What do you plan on wearing?”
“I have a cloak I’m thinking of tying around my waist to look like a long dress.”
“I have a better idea.”
She raised her eyebrows, wondering what he had in mind. As she waited for his answer, she reached up, undid the tie in her hair, and ran her fingers through her braid. Her hair fell loose around her shoulders in soft waves.
“I’ll, um, be right back with something for you to wear.” He turned and headed into the surrounding forest, tripping over a stone in his haste to leave. She’d never seen him be clumsy before.
Pulling her hair back, Allyssa twisted it around and made a bun at the top of her head.
“Make sure you’re careful tonight,” Darmik said, sitting next to her.
“Why are you letting me go?” While she was elated to be going, it was unlike her father to allow such a thing.
Darmik rubbed his hands on his thighs, hesitating before answering. “I want to make sure you know what you’re getting into with Kerdan.”
She’d spent a good amount of time with Kerdan. Granted, it wasn’t under normal circumstances, and they didn’t interact in public much. Still, she thought she knew who he was. “What are your reservations about him?” After all her father’s talk about the need to marry, here she was willing to do what was best for Emperion, and now Darmik was questioning it.
Her father smiled. “I didn’t consider Kerdan to be a potential suitor, so I never bothered spying on him.”
She rolled her eyes. “Maybe you should be the one going with him tonight, not me.”
“You’re the one who has to marry and live with him. He seems a little rough around the edges. That doesn’t bother you?”
Was it supposed to? “He was groomed for the military. That’s the Russek way.” And her father, of all people, should know that considering his own upbringing.
“But not the Emperion way.”
“If you don’t want me to marry him, just say so.”
He kissed her forehead and stood. “The union would benefit both kingdoms. Strategically, it makes sense.”
“But?”
He rubbed the back of his head. “But that’s the emperor in me speaking. The father in me wants you to marry for love.”
She stood and hugged him. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being my father.”
“You’re welcome. Now get ready while I go and find out what’s going on with Odar. I fear we may have to tie that boy to a tree so he doesn’t do anything stupid.”
A few minutes later, Kerdan returned with a simple dress. “Where did you get this?” she asked.
“Larek acquired it when he went to the village.”
“He’s back?”
“Hurit and Larek are hiding the horses. They should be here shortly.”
“And the village is safe for us?”
“As safe as any Russek village ever is.” A wicked grin spread across his face, making him look dark and foreboding. “Get changed. You’re in for an unforgettable experience.”
* * *
Wearing a plain brown dress that dragged on the ground, Allyssa walked next to Kerdan. He’d told her not to talk unless necessary since she spoke with a distinctive Emperion accent.
“What if someone asks me a question?”
“Frown at them and let me answer.”
“Are women subordinate to men in Russek?” In Emperion, she could train, shoot a bow, and ride horseback. Such things were not done in Fren where there was a clear distinction between a woman’s duty and a man’s. It had bothered her immensely. Women couldn’t even tend to their own land.
Kerdan didn’t immediately answer. “In some ways they are, but not in others.”
“How so?”
“Our military only allows men to fight. But in villages, women are mostly equal. They work just like men. They do wear dresses and do most of the cooking, though. I’ve never been to Emperion so I’m not sure what you’re used to.”
“Are women considered weak?” That was her main concern. From what she’d see in Clovek, she didn’t think so.
“They are not as strong physically as men.” She bristled. “But they are stronger mentally, I think. They give birth and are the heart of the home.”
His assessment surprised her. “Are they respected?”
“Yes.”
They neared the outskirts of the village. The structures were single-story buildings with thatched roofs and small fenced-in farms. The closer they got to the village center, the denser the buildings became. Allyssa and Kerdan turned and walked down a street lined with shops. This village was significantly larger than the last one she encountered. It reminded her of Jontis, the border town.
“Will people know we’re not from here?” she murmured. Lakeside was so big that she never had to worry about standing out. If she dressed the part, no one paid her any heed.
“They will. That’s why I had Hurit meet with a family in the village. He acquired the dress you’re wearing and asked the family to spread the word that their relatives—us—are visiting. Hurit paid them well for their help.”
His foresight always amazed her. That was why it surprised her that Jana managed to evade them earlier today. It didn’t seem like many people outsmarted Kerdan. It was one of the traits she admired most about him.
“Why are you staring at me?” he asked.
Bloody hell. She hadn’t meant to stare.
“Allyssa?”
“I was just thinking.”
They walked side by side, not touching. “Having second thoughts?”
She wasn’t sure if he meant about tonight or marrying him. “Where are we headed?” she asked, avoiding an answer.
“To that tavern two blocks ahead of us on the right.”
Not many people were out walking at this late hour. Allyssa shivered, her breath coming out in white puffs. She wished she had a cloak on. However, Kerdan had insisted she not bring one since not many could afford such a luxury.
“Why is the tavern separated from the other buildings?” Usually taverns were right in the thick of things. This one seemed to be purposefully set aside from everything else.
Kerdan chuckled, the sound deep and throaty. “All taverns in Russek are situated so. Where are yours at?”
Glancing at the storefronts around them, she pointed at the store with a sign reading Bakery above it. “The local tavern would be there.”
“Aren’t there problems?”
“There’s an occasional brawl.” Nothing serious. Or the City Guard would shut the establishment down.
“I’m starting to think Emperion and Russek taverns aren’t the same thing.”
How different could they possibly be? It was a place to eat, drink, and be with friends. The perfect spot to catch local gossip. Wasn’t that why they were going to this one in the first place?
“Are you ready for this?” He practically bounced on the balls of his feet, a huge smile on his face.
Why did he look so excited? So eager? “Of course,” she said, wondering what she’d gotten herself into.
He stretched his neck, tilting his head from side to side, and then swung his arms, loosening them up. When they reached the door, he pushed it open, and Allyssa entered a dimly lit room. Her eyes bulged and her mouth dropped open. What the bloody hell is this? They were essentially in a barn, the floor covered with dirt and hay, the rafters above still exposed. A long bar stretched the entire length of the left side of the huge room. In the center were three rings about twenty feet in diameter. In each ring were two men fighting one another.
Kerdan grabbed her arm, pulling her to the right, where tables were packed together. The smell of the place was atrocious—a mixture of sweat, hay, and ale. People sat at the bar shoulder to shoulder, stood around the rings, or sat at one of the tables. There was barely any room to maneuver. Is the entire town here?
“Is this normal?” she asked.
“Yes.” Kerdan led her around the people.
Blasted. Why was everyone so tall? Even the women towered over her.
“Let’s head over there.” Kerdan pointed at a table not far away with eight people sitting around it. There were two empty chairs, not next to one another.
“It’s taken.” Did he intend to ask the people to move or sit with them? While she liked to consider herself adventurous and not afraid of a challenge, she didn’t want to sit among strangers in this unfamiliar land.
He glanced down at her, his brows drawn together.
“In Emperion, we would sit at an empty table. Alone,” she explained.
“How do you converse with others and hear gossip?”
“You eavesdrop or start up a conversation at the bar.” She’d expected rowdy dancing, loud music, and heavy drinking, not fighting and socializing. The smell was starting to make her head pound. Was it getting hotter in here?
“Are you nervous?” Kerdan asked, surprise etching his words.
“No.” Not nervous—uncomfortable. There was a difference. Russeks made no sense.
“How else are you going to understand us if you don’t mingle with the people?”
She remembered when he’d asked her to spar with his men at the garrison. Afraid he would learn Emperion secrets from her, she’d refused. Now, looking back, she saw the situation differently and realized he’d been trying to help her.
The room vibrated as cheering erupted for one of the fights. Kerdan put his hands on her shoulders, steering her between the people and to the table. He plopped down on the empty chair. Allyssa headed for the other vacant one when he grabbed her wrist, yanking her back toward him. She fell on his lap, her face going flaming red as all eyes turned to look at her.
“Well met,” Kerdan said. Everyone grunted in response. “I am Kerdan. This woman is going to be my wife soon. What say you?”
“Betting on the man in blue,” one of the men answered, nodding toward the center ring.
“Stakes?” Kerdan asked.
“Eight to one.”
No one seemed surprised that Kerdan joined them, nor were they fazed by his behavior. This sort of thing had to be normal then. So... she was sitting on his lap, his hand against her stomach to hold her in place. Not sure what to do, or think or feel for that matter, she remained there and observed her surroundings. Eight men sat at the table; three were covered in dirt, most likely from working in the field. The other two looked as if they’d already been in a fight. There was also a pile of money on the center of the table.
Kerdan must be a common Russek name since no one seemed to pause when he used it. He didn’t say her name. Because she was a woman? Her name was foreign? Or some other reason? Also, no one else had bothered to introduce themselves. It would take some getting used to these odd Russek ways.
The men pounded on the table. The fight ended with the man in blue declared the victor. Three men cheered while the rest groaned. The money in the center of the table was divided between the winners.
“I want in,” Kerdan said as betting for the next round began. He reached in his pocket, pulled out four coins, and tossed them to the man next to him. The man inspected the coins and then added them to the pile in the middle of the table.
The winner remained in the center ring while the loser left. A new opponent entered. The two men circled one another, both muscular from manual labor, neither appearing to have an advantage.
“Who are you betting on?” Allyssa whispered.
Kerdan stiffened and shook his head slightly. How was she supposed to learn about Russek if he wouldn’t let her talk or tell her what was going on? Someone sat in the last empty chair.
A woman strutted over to their table, placing a jug on it. Each man gave her three coins, while Kerdan gave her six. She set a mug in front of everyone and left. One of the men grabbed the jug, filling each mug with ale.
“Go ahead,” Kerdan said to her, nodding at one of the mugs in front of them.
Not wanting to inadvertently offend anyone, she took a sip, trying not to make a face as she drank the strong ale.
The fight started and people cheered. The man in blue wrapped his beefy arms around his opponent’s neck, flipping him over and ending the fight in less than thirty seconds. Money exchanged hands at each of the tables.
“You visiting?” one of the men asked Kerdan.
“Yeah. Only here for another day or two. Then we need to get home.”
“And where is home?” another asked.
“North of here up in Parsnip,” Kerdan replied, taking a swig of his ale.
The man who had recently joined them looked vaguely familiar. Allyssa racked her brain trying to figure out where she’d seen him when it dawned on her—he’d lost the last fight against the man in blue.
The next round of fighting started. “Seems like Felix is going to be the champion tonight,” the man on Kerdan’s right muttered. The man in blue—Felix—punched his opponent in the nose, and blood splashed across the man’s face. Then Felix spun and elbowed the man in the stomach. He tumbled to the ground, and Felix won the match.
The money in the center of the table was divvied up to the winners. One of the men got up and left. Allyssa took another small sip of her ale. Cheering erupted as the next round of fighting finished. A man came and sat at their table, and another one left. Money exchanged hands again. The betting made absolutely no sense to Allyssa.
Kerdan rested his chin on her shoulder. “I’m up next,” he whispered in her ear. “Make sure you don’t talk to anyone. Stay in this area so I can find you after the match.”
She must have heard him incorrectly. Turning her head so no one could hear her speak, she whispered, “Excuse me?” He was so close her lips almost brushed his.
“I’m not saying you can’t go anywhere,” he said. “I just want to be able to find you when it’s over.”
“You’re fighting?”
“Why else would I sit here?”
A slew of curse words left her mouth, and Kerdan chuckled.
“We don’t do this sort of thing in Emperion. How was I supposed to know that sitting here meant you were going to fight?” They were supposed to be keeping a low profile and listening for valuable information. Why would he fight?
“Oh.” He shrugged and stood, bringing her up with him. “Well, I have to go check in.”
Kerdan walked away without a backward glance. She stood there awkwardly, not sure what to do. Usually, she had no trouble blending in. However, she felt out of place in this barn-turned-tavern surrounded by fighting Russeks. Allyssa decided to stay put. She was about to sit when the man next to her grabbed the chair, yanking it away from her.
“There are no other women fighting tonight,” he said.
“What?” she asked, trying to mimic the Russek accent.
“If you sit there, you fight,” the man said. “And there ain’t no more women left. You look too thin and frail to fight these men.” He nodded toward the three rings.
Bloody hell. Kerdan should have warned her. She took one last sip of her drink and then went over to the center ring, pushing her way through the cheering people until she had a clear view. Felix won. Again.
Kerdan jumped into the ring. He’d taken off his shirt and only had his black pants on. He flexed his muscles as he looked at his opponent, who was about the same height and weight as him. Felix was dripping with sweat, a wild look in his eyes. The two men circled one another, both predators waiting to strike. The people around Allyssa hollered, anticipating blood. Her stomach twisted with nerves. She couldn’t believe Kerdan was doing this.
The two men continued to circle one another. And then Felix bolted toward Kerdan, knocking him down.