Blinded by the Sun (Erythleh Chronicles Book 4) by Catherine Johnson

all their insults is long overdue, but I will not ship Vuthroans to Morjay to die under the giants' axes and clubs."
     
    "You would have the giants bring their army here? You would allow them to invade Vuthron?" Multha asked. Kavrazel was not insulted by the question, he could tell from the way that Multha spoke that the commander knew damn well what was in his mind, but he was seeking clarification for the less military minded in the group.
     
    "Yes," Kavrazel nodded. "An invading force is not a whole nation. We will have the advantage of numbers, both living and dead. I know that the giants have provided us with more than enough reason to declare war against them, but I want the other kingdoms to be in no doubt. The giants started this, but they will not prevail. Their defeat, their humiliation, will be the result of their own arrogance."
     
    "But what about the innocents?" Otal asked, and Kavrazel could tell he was asking the question for much the same reason that Multha had asked his. "What about those Vuthroans who live on the coast, who live on the path the giants will take to Vulc? They will suffer under the invaders."
     
    "We will begin to make ready immediately," Kavrazel instructed. "We will not wait for the ships to make land. I want to know as soon as sails are sighted on the horizon, but in the meantime, we will prepare. Where we can, we will clear the path for the giants. They will not find this land waiting to be plundered, they will find it barren and empty. We will coax them into the Valley of Celca. They do not know our geography well, they will not know what awaits them. We will attack them there with the advantages of surprise and the high ground."
     
    "You've thought about this," Multha said with a wry smile.
     
    "No matter how much I have hoped for a continued peace, I have known the result would be war. The giants were responsible for the death of my parents."
     
    "That has never been proven," Otal advised gently. He knew well how Kavrazel felt on the subject, but had always counselled him to be obtuse about the matter in public.
     
    "No, it hasn't," Kavrazel agreed, "but they will answer for it anyway. They will answer for it with their own blood."
     
    "We have much to do then, Majesty," Multha stated.
     
    "Indeed we do." Kavrazel nodded. "I want the army readied, and the people who live along that portion of coast to be made safe as a matter of priority. It won't be long before the giants realise they'll have to make the effort to bring the war to us."
     
    Every person in the room thumped their fist on the table, a rhythmic beat to show agreement and support for their monarch's decision. Kavrazel accepted the accolade momentarily, then held his hands up. The banging ceased, and his cabinet filed out to begin their work. Kavrazel sighed and looked down at the ruined body of the hawk. His plan was solid, but it was the way of war for things to go awry. He had no doubt that the coming campaign would be hard, and he knew that he would not always enjoy such devoted support, even from those closest to him.
     
    He picked up the remains of the hawk and tucked the limp body back into the box. He took the box over to the fireplace, bent down, and tossed it into the heart of the roaring blaze that was heating the room. He remained, crouched, his elbows resting on his knees, as the grim message began to burn.
     
    ~o0o~
     
    A confident knock sounded at the door. Kavrazel turned from the parchment he was writing and called out to grant entry to his visitor. He was not surprised to find that it was Shinu who opened the door; he had been expecting this conversation.
     
    "Do you have a moment, Sire?" Shinu asked.
     
    "I do." Kavrazel nodded, but continued to write. Shinu shut the door and waited patiently without approaching the desk until Kavrazel was satisfied with his scribbling and had rolled the parchment closed.
     
    "Come. Sit." Kavrazel motioned to the chair on the opposite side of the desk.