Excerpt: Rapscallion's Hammer (Divica Book 2)

Long, polished nails clicked against the throne as Aislynn drummed the arm rhythmically. Her gray-green eyes stared far off into the distance as she buried herself in her thoughts. So much had happened since she met Regan. So much had changed since his ascension. Understandably, he needed to leave Arithia to begin forming his alliances for the Great Battle. That was one reason Aislynn now sat where she was. He did not love her. Aislynn had come to terms with that, she was even okay with it. It would happen eventually. She would see to that. First she would start by making him proud, abating his fears of leaving the kingdom in her hands while he was abroad. She would earn his respect the hard way if need be.

At the moment there were more pressing affairs at hand than her marriage. Regan was gone. She could deal with him later. News that he had not yet reached Fort Dushai, the capitol and stronghold of Elogin, made diplomatic relations between the two countries strained. Queen Colivata was threatening to withdraw from her end of their bargain if the new king did not make his appearance soon.

Before leaving Arithia, Regan sent a letter to Queen Colivata of Elogin, reassuring her that he would come to meet with her personally and help defend her kingdom and Crystalin Peaks from the unrelenting army of Shadowalker's men. Aislynn didn't know if he revealed his plan to recruit the Lady of the Mountain to the queen; nor did she know if he even informed the queen he would be delayed. Regardless of what he did or did not say, Queen Colivata was obviously less than pleased that no aid had come as promised.

"Ahem," Torin cleared his throat, giving Aislynn a level look from his normal perch across from her. "Majesty? What will you do? Will you send the men Elogin has requested?"

Aislynn ceased clicking her nails and focused on the advisor. "Send word by owl that the queen will have the men she needs. Queen Colivata is right. We can ill afford to let Elogin fall. Be sure to reassure her that King Regan is en route." Aislynn looked out at the brightly lit sky. I wonder what is keeping him.

This would not be the first time that Aislynn had to assuage the queen that Regan was on his way. Actually it would be the fifth. This was the first time, however, that Queen Colivata had threatened to break their bargain. Sherlim could not afford to lose the support of Elogin. They would be detrimental to Aislynn's plans for the future. No, keeping Queen Colivata satisfied was a top priority.

"How many men shall we send?" Torin asked as he made a note on his stack of papers.

Aislynn looked at him, examining the advisor with a curiosity she had not known before. Something about Torin left her feeling unsettled. King Revelin had trusted this man and Torin had never let him down so far as Aislynn knew. There was really no reason she should not trust him as well.

"I will have to speak with General Gannon," Aislynn stated firmly, looking at the city again. "We cannot weaken our own defenses to strengthen those of Elogin. The general will know how many men we can spare. Set up a meeting with him for this evening. Invite him to dine with me."

Torin glanced up from his note taking and raised an eyebrow. Aislynn pretended not to notice. It was just as important to keep the general pleased and comfortable with this new hierarchy as it was Queen Colivata. Gannon would be a key role in Aislynn's future plans as well.

"Very well," Torin replied in a flat tone, returning to his notes. "What of House Valtine? Lady Brecklyn has been causing quite a commotion these last few weeks. It is only a matter of time before she tries to rise up against you."

Aislynn sighed. "I have already put plans into motion that will deal with Lady Brecklyn, and I am confident that once she is ... quelled ... Lady Prudence will not be a problem."

House Valtine is nearing its end. The thought put a smile of grim satisfaction on Aislynn's youthful face. Her House tried for nearly two hundred years to finish House Valtine. It would be Aislynn who finally managed.