Compared to Ishmar, Reed was tiny. All the buildings were made of stone and wood and had red-tiled roofs. Hidden in tall stone walls was the stronghold that housed the Lord of Reed and his family. The bland grey of the two towers mixed with the dark clouds and an ill feeling settled in Harudan's stomach at the sight.

Despite the grey and the wind and the storm that was about to start, people wandered the streets with smiles on their faces. They stopped and stared as the carriage rolled down the dirt streets, surrounded by knights on horseback. He doubted they knew who was in the carriage but they would know that it was someone important. He kept his face away from the window, not in the mood for the uproar his arrival would cause.

Jonin sat across from him, his sword in his lap. The man was ready for anything, but nothing would happen. Of that, Harudan was almost sure. Besides, it wasn't as though he couldn't fight. His father had made him learn and Jonin had given him extra training. He wasn't as good a fighter as his captain, but he could hold his own against a would-be assassin.

It had taken them a couple of days by carriage to reach Reed, which meant Lord Sedon had plenty of time to prepare for their arrival. Those couple of days had been filled with awkward silences and the longing to get out and stretch his legs. He hadn't brought any of his books with him, thinking that a little break might allow him to come back with a fresh mind. He hoped it would, anyway, he needed answers.

He still needed to figure out why the monk could do what he could do. It could have something to do with the crystal or it could be something else entirely. If he didn't figure it out, there was a chance he could still send Jonin to get Nerin back, but he would have to pray hard to Sol and Lune that it would actually work. He didn't want to sacrifice Jonin, not if it wouldn't result in anything. He knew Jonin would do it with little argument.

How could anyone fight against someone who wielded flames? An archer was an obvious choice, but if that wasn't available, what then? Even if they doused him in water, surely he would still be able to use his power. Even when he had fallen in the snow, Harudan had been able to use his well enough. The monk would probably be the same, which didn't bode well for them at all.

The monk was but one man and no one had seen any sight of him yet, so it could be that the only threat he would pose would be one to Nerin. The monk and the war were separate things and he would keep it that way.

Unless, of course, Princess Sharina decided to take him to Minisia and use him in the coming battles. Any normal person would assume that because he was a monk, he would also be a pacifist, but he had already proved that that wasn't the case. If he had to face him in battle, they would lose hundreds, if not thousands. They might even lose the war.

It gave him all the more reason to get Lord Sedon's men and figure out what the crystal did. He needed to get the advantage before the other side did. He wouldn't lose because he was too stupid to read properly. If only he could just convince Jonin that it was what they needed to do.

As if he knew Harudan had been thinking about him, Jonin looked up and met his gaze. "What are you thinking about? You're fidgeting," he said. With a frown, Harudan planted his hands in his lap. He hadn't even noticed he'd been doing it. It was something he only did when he was nervous.

"Nerin," he replied, his eyes flicking over to glance out the carriage window again.

Jonin hummed in response. "I should have tried harder," he said, sadness in his voice.

"No," Harudan said with a shake of his head. "You did all you could. He can look after himself. I'm sure they'll keep him safe for whatever they want to use him for."

"Have you ever considered the fact that maybe he's with them willingly?" Jonin asked. The words came out slow, tentative because he knew what Harudan's reaction would be.

"What?" he exclaimed, rage flowing through him. Jonin's face was as calm as ever and Harudan wanted to see it change. "How could you suggest such a thing? He was kidnapped!"

A hand landed on his knee and when he went to swipe it away, Jonin grabbed his hand instead. "He didn't try to run for me either time I found him," he said and sighed. "Both times, he ran with the Princess and the monk. He didn't want to come with me, Harudan."

He didn't want to listen. His brother had been kidnapped, he wanted to go home where it was safe. Even as he thought the words, he knew they weren't true. Nerin had seen things he wasn't supposed to. He was a child and Princess Sharina was giving him the option to run away from home like most children wanted to do. Of course, he had gone with them.

"I don't-" he said but stopped when the carriage rolled to a stop outside the stronghold gates. "We'll continue this later." He pulled his hand from Jonin's grip and waited for those outside to open the door for him. Jonin frowned but said nothing, something he was grateful for. He probably wouldn't stick to his words. The idea of Nerin choosing to abandon him hurt and he'd rather not dwell on it.

Three people and a set of guards stood in front of the gate. Harudan stepped down from the carriage and they all bowed. An old man stood forward on shaking legs, a smile on his wrinkled face. "So glad to see you have arrived safely, Your Majesty," he said, his voice weak and quiet. Lord Sedon of Reed was far older than he had expected and it explained everything about the man's opinions.

"Thank you, my Lord," he replied and glanced over at the other two people. Both were women, one roughly the same as the Lord and the other much younger. "And thank you for allowing us to come at such short notice."

"It is no bother, Your Majesty, it has been some time since we've had visitors such as yourself," Lord Sedon said, his grey hair whipping around wildly in the wind. He gestured for Harudan to come forward, a kind smile on his face. "Allow me to introduce my wife, Margory, and my eldest daughter, Cira."

Out of politeness, he kissed the backs of both women's hands. "Lovely to meet you both," he said, forcing a smile. The Lord, still proudly standing before his family, watched him expectantly. "We have a great many things to discuss, Lord Sedon, as I'm sure you're aware. Shall we go?"

"Of course," Lord Sedon said and signalled to those up on the walls. The gates opened wide and the Lord led them towards the stronghold's huge double doors. Red banners hung on either side of the doors, flapping in the fierce wind. The gardens were covered in snow, hiding the beauty of the flower bushes and trees.

It was dark inside the stronghold, barely any of the wall scones actually lit. The windows shed little light around the grey halls, the darkness outside making everything seem drab and grey. Still, Harudan followed, Jonin next to him and the rest of his guard trailing behind them.

Occasionally, the daughter, Cira, looked over her shoulder at him. He didn't meet her gaze, but he could still feel her eyes on him. She wanted to say something to him, that much was obvious, it was just a matter of if she would or not. It was probably something he wouldn't care to hear, some compliment about his rule. He wasn't in the mood for it, not after his conversation with Jonin.

Lord Sedon slowed down to walk next to him. "My daughter will be joining us for this meeting. She will take charge after my passing and I wish for her to learn all she can. I hope that is acceptable," he said.

"Of course," Harudan replied with a slow nod as they turned down another hall. He didn't care, as long as he got what he came for.

They stopped outside an open doorway, beyond it sat and office lined with bookshelves and paintings. The desk was stained with ink and children's toys littered the floor around it. "Apologies," the Lord said. "My grandchildren must have been in the room again."

"There is no bother," he said, frowning at how unprofessional it all looked. Someone made a noise behind him and he almost smiled at the unamused look on the daughter's face.

The wife, who Harudan had almost forgotten was there, sighed. "I will take my leave then. I'll also let Ingrid know not to let her children run about when we have such important guests," she said and curtseyed at him. She disappeared down the hall with a quick nod at her family, almost as if she hadn't been there in the first place.

He signalled for his guards to stand watch outside the room. "Shall we?" he said and moved towards the office. Jonin followed close behind him, watching each and every person in the room. It didn't take them long to get settled. Harudan sat on one side of the desk, facing the Lord in his worn leather chair. Jonin stood behind him, while the daughter stood off to the side.

Lord Sedon sighed and clasped his bony fingers together on the table. "I know why you're here, Your Majesty. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your journey has been pointless."

Harudan stayed silent for a moment, watching the face of the old man in front of him. "Is that so?" he said, trying to hide his anger. Lord Sedon was calm, uncaring. He didn't want to hear a word Harudan said, no matter how important. He would try anyway, he couldn't travel so far and do nothing.

The Lord hummed. "You want my armies for your war, Your Majesty. I will not give them to you," he said as if it were the simplest thing in the world. By the back wall, his daughter glared, but Harudan couldn't tell who she was looking at. "Your decision to go to war was hasty and unprovoked and I will not sacrifice my well-trained men for it."

"Unprovoked?" Harudan said incredulously. "The Princess of Minisia tried to kill me, my Lord. My brother has been kidnapped. I tried for peace, they would not have it. I wouldn't say that it was unprovoked."

"Perhaps not, but still hasty. It won't end well for our country and so I want no part in it," Lord Sedon said. The hand on the back of Harudan's chair clenched and the wood creaked loudly in response. If they had been alone, Harudan would have reached back to comfort Jonin, despite his anger at their earlier conversation.

"If you believe we will lose with or without your men, then Minisia will take over and you will be killed anyway," he said and tapped his fingers against his knees. One leg jumped up and down in impatience. The Lord was irritating and stupid; how he could not see how important his men were amazed him. And irritated him. "But if you give me your men, you will have more of a chance at survival."

"I will die soon anyway, Your Majesty," Sedon replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. "But I will still not sacrifice my men for your wasteful decisions. You should have tried harder at peace. I never wanted war with the Askari and I never supported your father's threats towards them either."

"Why have an army if you will not use it?" Jonin asked.

The Lord glanced at him for only a second. "Do you usually let your subordinates interrupt meetings like this, Your Majesty?" he asked, but Harudan said nothing. "Even so, my army is here only for defence so that when the Askari invade, I will not die as you believe I will.

"I never fought against the Askari. I only ever defended myself when someone sought to hurt me and mine. I will continue to do so, despite your war. My family will have no part in this. You will not have my men, not until I am dead. Do you understand?"

Harudan could pull his dagger from its sheath and kill him right then and there, but he wouldn't. There was no point. If he killed the Lord, then he would never get the men he needed. In the end, it wouldn't be worth it. Persuasion was the best route, but it seemed that he would never get that far.

"I could have you for treason, Lord Sedon," he said, pursing his lips at the old man.

"You didn't order this, you asked," he replied and leaned back in his chair. "If you have me for treason, the other nobles will only see you as the arrogant child you are. I'm sure you don't want that, am I right?"

Jonin burst forward, slamming his hand on the table and making both the Lord and his daughter jump in shock. "How dare you insult your King!" he roared.

"Jonin," Harudan said and pushed the other man back gently. "You're right, my Lord, but what if I changed that question into an order. What would you do then?"

The man didn't even have to think. "Decline."

Harudan gulped, a sick feeling in his stomach. "I see," he muttered and stood from the table. "I suppose we're done here then. I would appreciate if you got someone to escort us to our rooms."

"Of course, Your-"

"I will do it!" an unfamiliar voice called. The Lord's daughter, Cira, stepped away from the wall, her hands held tight behind her back. She bowed lowly. "I will take you to your rooms."

Harudan forced a smile at her and met her yellow eyes. "Thank you, my Lady, that would be much appreciated." He bowed to Lord Sedon. "I will see you tomorrow, my Lord. I'm not done talking. I've yet to convince you."

"Don't think you could do what your father has never done," the Lord replied, eyeing him in disapproval.

He glanced over his shoulder at him. "I already am."

He strode out of the room before the Lord's daughter could catch up to him. Jonin was next to him, glaring at the walls as if they had personally offended him. He signalled for the other guards to walk with them and they wandered as a group back down the hallways they'd come down.

"Your Majesty!" Cira called and shuffled down the hallway towards him. She was older than him if the lines around her mouth and eyes said anything, but she still bowed to someone younger than her. "Allow me to show you to your rooms."

He didn't give her a response, just nodded and allowed her to walk ahead of them. She was tiny, barely up to his chest, and her dark hair fell down her back in waves. She wore a plain tunic and trousers, simple for a Lady, but he wasn't going to judge her.

"Your Majesty," she said as she led them down a new hallway. He raised an eyebrow at her, curious. "I just wanted to say, if I had been Lady of Reed when you asked, the army would have been yours in an instant."

He smiled and met Jonin's watchful gaze. Silently, an idea passed between them, one they would have to discuss while they were in private. "Thank you, my Lady, I appreciate it," he said. He knew what he needed to do.