My jaw tightened, and I considered the risks of taking just one swing at him. Fortunately for us both, Kippenger came between us. To me, he said, “Farthenwood is our destination, and there’s no one to blame for that but yourself. You sent a message with an Avenian thief several days ago. It was intended to reach your commanders in Drylliad, but the thief brought it to our king instead.”
I had suspected as much, but only muttered, “I should’ve paid him better.”
“You needn’t worry about that. King Vargan rewarded him very well. In that message, you ordered every spare man to gather in Drylliad. Why do you think we let Mendenwal fight that battle? If you had so many men, it wouldn’t be Avenia who suffered there. You also ordered your gold to be taken to Farthenwood. There’s obviously a trap waiting for us if we go to your castle. But the spoils are at Farthenwood.”
“The message was a lie.” The waver in my voice sounded worried and uncertain. “Do you think I gave it to an Avenian thief truly expecting it would reach my castle? My armies in Drylliad are few and weak, and there is no gold at Farthenwood.”
Kippenger laughed. “Oh, but that message did reach your castle. King Vargan was kind enough to send it on to your regents, after he read it. Whether you intended the order or not, your men are obeying it. Lord Conner verified that your men are collecting in Drylliad and the wealth of your country was moved to his estate, all as your message instructed. I believe you’ve been sunk by your own cleverness.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time for that.”
“You’re reasonably intelligent, and braver than most people I’ve known,” Kippenger said. “But you’re still just a boy. You never did have a chance against us.”
Now wasn’t the best time to argue, but I felt like it. Instead, I kept my mind fixed on what I had to do and glared up at him. “You must allow me some terms in exchange for my surrender. I demand to end this war at my castle and nowhere else.”
“We’ve already met enough of your demands!” Then Kippenger’s voice softened. “Don’t despair, Jaron. There is good news too. My king orders that you not be harmed — not yet anyway. He intends a large audience for your hanging and doesn’t want you to appear injured — he doesn’t want to make you into a martyr.”
That was a great relief, although considering Vargan’s orders ended with my execution, the news could have been better. Still, I promised Kippenger if he gave me a bed to sleep in that night, he would find me there in the morning. The commander agreed to the deal, but insisted I wear a chain at my ankle and have vigils in my tent. It wasn’t a great show of trust, but then again, I wasn’t the most trustworthy prisoner. Once I was given the bed, I almost immediately fell asleep.
The following morning, I was told Avenia would keep the camp for another day to give their men some rest. That allowed me another day before my execution, so I made no objection. I was also offered another livery in the red and black of Avenia, and told it was all they had. I pointed out that it was in poor condition and smelly, and Terrowic countered that so was I, which probably was pretty accurate. When I refused it, he called in enough men to ensure I put it on. I didn’t put up nearly as much of a fuss as I should have. I figured it was more important to save my energy for later, when I’d undoubtedly need it.
Other than a few heavily guarded allowances for me to leave the tent, I was kept chained to the bed, and for the most part, I made no protest. At least it was a bed, and Kippenger was strictly enforcing the orders for nobody to harm me. Admittedly, I took advantage of that and offered more insults than I’d otherwise have dared. The worst anyone gave me in response was a hard kick to my shin, which the soldier claimed was an accident. I couldn’t complain to Kippenger, though, mostly because Kippenger’s mother had been included as part of the insult. Otherwise, I ate every bite of what little they offered me and slept as much as I could. At least when I was asleep, I didn’t have to worry about Mott or Fink or how my soldiers who remained in the woods were faring.
On the morning of Avenia’s exodus from camp, the soldiers left in an orderly fashion. Nearly all of them were on horseback and I wondered what had happened to their wounded, who were clearly not amongst them. Kippenger had given me nothing to eat before we left, even though I smelled food from the fires and knew even the lowliest soldier there had eaten. And he had the chains on my wrists tethered to another chain behind Terrowic’s horse. While the officers and most of the soldiers were riding from here, I’d be walking. Or be dragged if I couldn’t keep up.
“I can’t follow behind Terrowic’s horse,” I protested. “The smell will be unbearable.”