Free The Year of Our War by Steph Swainston

“That sounds fine to me. I can—”
    “No. I do object.” Staniel spoke up. He had been sitting with eyes closed, thin fists clenched in a mass of golden hair, drowning in self-pity. He said, “My brother…” His voice was so uneven that he stopped, but couldn’t quite pull himself together again.
    Vireo said, “We’ll send a cortege tomorrow.”
    Staniel said, “I…I…”
    “Yes?”
    “I would like the Emperor’s Messenger to announce the news. Every shop will be shuttered; every flag will be lowered. I would rather not sojourn here; I will depart for Rachiswater tomorrow to arrange the coronation.”
    Lightning cut in: “Patience, my lord. Awia is safe.” He gave a smile that only I saw as condescending. Awia might well be a safe country to Lightning, who owns a little less than one third of it. “You shouldn’t leave Lowespass under Insect threat. The more commanders here, the better. Follow in your brother’s footsteps!”
    “Comet once said I was no warrior,” Staniel pointed out.
    “Would you learn?”
    “Need I learn when Tawny and Vireo guard Lowespass? I’ll take charge from the Palace which my family built, and then conceivably I will live longer than Dunlin.”
    Staniel was suspicious of Lightning’s motives. Uncertain of what moves the other lords might make, he wanted to secure his kingdom. It seemed to me that such misgiving was part of Staniel’s weakness—an overlord who fears those who answer to him will not be a sound ruler. I also knew that Lightning would rather not have him as King, but the Emperor has made it clear that Eszai should influence the affairs of mortals only lightly, if at all. Our purpose is to help them rather than rule or overawe them. It is a difficult balance for Lightning to maintain; his plans for his manor develop over centuries. He is always more comfortable when Awia has a wise overlord—one wise enough to know when to leave well alone.
    My history is as far removed from the power play of Awia as the slums are from the Palace; it is my responsibility to remind them of the Castle’s authority. I addressed Staniel: “Your Highness, if you wish to leave that is your decision as King, and we must agree to it.”
    “Is he, though?” said Lightning softly. “Castle will take charge if it isn’t clear who rules.”
    “But it is clear.”
    “We don’t know Dunlin’s will.”
    “We do.” I took the folded piece of bed linen from my back pocket and shook it out. “While you lot were sitting here and bickering, I was doing something useful. Shall I read it?
    “‘I, Dunlin, leave the manor of Rachiswater and the Kingdom of Awia to my brother and heir Staniel. The fortune is entire for him, for no other and to be split with no other. Signed by my hand this night August 15, 2015. Witnessed by Comet Jant Shira and signed by him below.’”
    I took the ring with its eagle close emblem, and passed it to Staniel, who sat with shoulders bowed. “You spoke to him?” he asked.
    “Yes.”
    “What else did he say?”
    I shrugged. “He barely had breath for that, let alone any more.” The will was passed around the table and when it reached Staniel, he examined it carefully. He sat up straight, said, “Nothing will stop me leaving as soon as daybreak, with an escort of five hundred. Jant, do you agree?”
    “As you wish.”
    “And Lightning, have you got anything to say?”
    “Only that your authority will need practice before it ceases to sound like arrogance.”
    Hurriedly I said, “Lady Vireo, stay here. Tawny, stay with her. Defend Fortress Crag. Keep the Calamus Road clear so we can supply you with food and weapons from Awia.”
    Vireo was overjoyed; she had just gained a fortress. “Thank you! That’s to my taste! Jant? Look! That’s her .”
    Genya grasped the top lintel, swung herself through the window and ran a few paces, jumped onto the table and crouched like a spider in the center. Her arms and legs extended from a swath of pale green