Love Is Always Write Volume 4

message. If we want the captives returned, and all-out war avoided, you will come personally to retrieve them and discuss why they tramping through the mountains without permission and attempting to invade Benta."
    "Those mountains belong to me," Sarrica said. "I've had enough of their impudence. Summon my generals, inform them of what is going on." He gestured to the translator, indicating he should take a seat. "Call for whatever implements you will need, because you will be writing my reply to Cartha shortly. I am certain I need not tell you that whatever you hear in this room, you are to keep to yourself."
    "Yes, Majesty," the translator said, and took his seat. Oleander spoke briefly with a footman, who also spoke with the translator about what he would need, and Sarrica left them to it. His own attention drifted back to the missive from Allen.
    The Cartha letter had made no mention of him, and that was strange. If they held a prince of the kingdom, and one who had been offered to the High King as a potential consort, they would have mentioned it. They may or may not believe that Sarrica would go to personally retrieve what was left of the mercenaries he unofficially employed, but he would definitely go to retrieve Allen.
    Turning back to the translator he said, "You say they have four Dragons captured: the Captain, his officers, a silver tongue, and the messenger. No mention is made of anyone else? You're absolutely certain?"
    "I am certain, Majesty," the translator said.
    Sarrica's frown deepened and he read over Allen's message yet again. "I begin to fear that my errant fiancé is dead. But why would they kill him?"
    "Beg your pardon, your Majesty, but … could he be the silver tongue mentioned?" the translator asked hesitantly, as the general entered the room and quietly sat down. "I only met his Highness briefly, but he was reading a volume of Penfrost history at the time. Reading it easily, at that," he added with a touch of envy in his voice. "I can count on one hand the number of persons in the palace that can do that. I heard that he speaks several languages."
    "I see," Sarrica said, annoyed with himself all over again. He did not recall reading or being told that Prince Allen was a silver tongue. Given that he had written in the Old Tongue, and understood enough that was around him to write the message, sneak it out, and apparently was fluent in Penfrost... "All right, let's assume that somehow my fiancé wound up as the Dragons' silver tongue. That still leaves him in danger with the rest of them. I am going to fetch him."
    "Not a good idea," one of the general's said. "I do not know who you are fetching, but I can tell you that it is a bad idea indeed for the High King to leave the palace to venture into Cartha to face both the Carthans and Benta."
    Sarrica shook his head. "The message says I must go, and they are not yet aware they have Prince Allen in their grasp. If they learn his true identity, the matter will only worsen. I am going." Sitting down, he gestured to them. "Tell me how we are going to take care of this matter." He sat back, half listening as they hashed out strategies for both defending the capital and dealing with Cartha and Benta once and for all.
    He shared a look with Lesto, the general of his current army—and Captain Rene's half-brother. If Rene was still alive, that alone was enough for Sarrica to venture into Cartha, regardless of risk. Rene had done too much for him over the years for Sarrica to betray his loyalty. "We'll get him back," he said quietly.
    "I know," Lesto said. "I'm more worried about Prince Allen. He's a soldier of the court, not the battlefield. Cartha will not be gentle with him, and probably all the more brutal just because he is soft.”
    Sarrica's mouth tightened. He had known that, but hearing someone else say it just made the situation that much harder to bear. The guilt raked across him, making him feel even more of a bastard. "I am going to prepare," he said abruptly, standing up. Looking at Oleander, he said, "Inform me of the finalized plans. I want to leave as soon as possible. Send a messenger to say we are on our way and will be there in three days."
    "We can do it in two," Lesto said.
    "Two then," Sarrica replied, and strode out before anyone else could say something. He walked quickly through the palace halls, ignoring everyone who tried to capture his attention, and slipped into his private rooms with a sigh.
    He kept walking until he