Book 4: Rising Tension

Xander

We arrive home in Tansy Beach only a day later. Father pushed the horses hard, changing them whenever we could purchase new ones. As soon as the carriage rolls to a halt, he throws the door open and leaps out.

“There is much to prepare,” he says before I’ve even stood.

Corwyn appears at his shoulder. “Agreed. What can Xander and I assist with?”

I climb, achingly, from the carriage as Father nods appreciatively at Corwyn.

“I was hoping the two of you might shoulder some details so I might prepare for the peace talk.” He glances at the low-slung, sandstone castle behind him, and I imagine he’s picturing Mother waving from the open-air walkway once more. “Corwyn, you have to keep the Council in order. Run the meetings and ensure those fools do not gain the floor for long. Xander, you can hear petitions from the people, yes?”

I nod. Petitions are few and far between these days, our people just as shredded as our kingdom, but th