The Right Side of History (Schooled In Magic Book 22), Christopher Nuttall [books to read romance TXT] 📗

of us... moderates... have been uneasy with the rush to war. The declaration of martial law has pushed us into looking for a way out of the crisis. We’re planning to meet tonight to discuss it.”

Hedrick threw back his head and brayed like a mule. “So you’re going to become rebels against the rebels,” he said. His laughter was a horrible sound. “What a surprise!”

“No.” Aiden reddened. “We want to preserve something of the revolution’s goals. We’re willing to meet your brother, the king, halfway. But we have to know there’s a chance we’ll actually get what we want out of it.”

“You don’t want anything,” Hedrick said. “You just want things to go back to normal.”

Emily ignored the argument as she forced herself to think. It had occurred to her, more than once, that there had to be several factions within the rebel council, but Althorn had seemed to be in control. Now... she grimaced. Martial law had probably concentrated a few minds on just what would happen if the council got used to wielding unlimited power. She’d seen broadsheets and pamphlets criticizing the rebel government. How long would those be allowed to run if they were branded treacherous? Or defeatist? Or... who cared? There’d always be an excuse for a crackdown if the people in charge wanted one.

She frowned, then considered her options. Attending the meeting was asking for trouble, if she were caught. The rebel leadership would be well within their rights to order her to leave the city. And yet... if she could convince the moderates to come up with a more reasonable proposal, she might be able to take it to Dater and convince him to accept it. If... she gritted her teeth. The moderates might not have the ability to take power and impose their terms on the remainder of the rebels. It could easily lead to a bloodbath.

And that might happen if I do nothing, she thought. I can’t let this chance slip by.

“You had a taste of ruling for yourself and you didn’t like it,” Hedrick purred. “And now you want us back in charge.”

Emily cleared her throat before Aiden could come up with a retort. “I’ll attend,” she said, shortly. “When do we go?”

“I’ll come too.” Hedrick stood. “As my brother’s representative...”

“You’re not invited,” Aiden said. “And even if you were, your head would be lopped off the moment you stuck it outside the house.”

“I can speak to my brother on your behalf,” Hedrick pointed out. “He’d listen to me.”

Would he? Emily wasn’t so sure. What are you playing at now, Hedrick?

She frowned. She wasn’t sure why the rebels had left Hedrick alone. Did they have a reason to keep him alive? He was, technically, heir to the throne. The rebels might consider putting him on the throne, if his older brother proved unreasonable. Or... he might have much the same thing in mind himself. There were wheels within wheels, conspiracies within conspiracies... she shook her head. She didn’t have time to worry about it. And she certainly didn’t want Prince Hedrick caught outside the house.

“You have to stay here,” she said. “You’re not... remotely diplomatic.”

Hedrick rested his hands on his hips. “I can be charming...”

“But not charming enough,” Emily said, curtly. She was sick of him. “Let me handle this. I’ll give you a full report.”

She glanced at Lady Barb, who shrugged. Silent started collecting the empty mugs and carrying them into the kitchen. Attending the meeting was a very definite long-shot, and it could blow up in her face, but it might be her final chance to avert serious bloodshed. The rebels were preparing for war, readying themselves to destroy the city and rip the kingdom apart rather than surrender to the aristocrats. She owed it to herself to take the chance.

“Grab your cloak,” Aiden said. “We want to be well clear of the house before twilight.”

Prince Hedrick made a rude sound, but said nothing as Emily donned her cloak and led the way to the door. She hoped he’d behave himself, while she was gone. The city was moving closer and closer to war. She was mildly surprised the council hadn’t ordered the queen’s execution, despite her pleas. They couldn’t see her as a bargaining chip if she was effectively worthless. Dater might make a show of mourning her loss, but Emily wasn’t convinced he’d mean it. His stepmother could easily turn into a liability, even if the rumors hadn’t spread from one end of the kingdom to the other.

The streets felt colder, despite the heat, as they made their way towards the river. There were guards everywhere, chanting rebel songs and rewritten military cadences as they marched. They looked very young and scared, even though they were putting on a good show. Emily wondered if the rebel leadership was trying to make it clear to any doubters that they weren’t going to surrender. The temptation to surrender the city in exchange for their lives and safe passage into exile had to be overwhelming.

Jair would never go along with it, she mused. But what about the others?

The bridge was guarded at both ends, with heavily-armed soldiers searching everyone before they were allowed to cross. Aiden used her council authority to be allowed to avoid the search and skip the line, something that left a bad taste in Emily’s mouth even though she understood the logic. The guards wouldn’t be able to miss Aiden’s breasts... she wondered, idly, how Aiden intended to get home after the meeting. It would be well after dark, when all good men and women were supposed to be off the streets. The guards might not recognize her until it was far too late.

She grimaced at the stench as they crossed the bridge. The river was running dry, revealing everything from half-decomposed bodies to skeletal boats and the debris of an entire city. A small army of half-naked children were poking through the riverbanks, scrounging for something - anything - they could sell. She shuddered in