So he might not agree with my decision, but he’s doing what needs to be done. When push comes to shove, he always does.
Aside from him, Osrik is the only other one sitting in this meeting. Judd and Lu left a week ago. Lu flew to Sixth Kingdom to get me a better handle on what’s happening there, and Judd has gone to First Kingdom.
“…And we’ve got forty more going up to the plot of land Barley suggested,” Ryatt finishes.
“How soon are they estimated to arrive?”
“I signed them off on a timberwing rotation. They’re taking them ten at a time—half of our Perch, not counting our own beasts. Once they return, we’ll switch them out, sending the next ten, and so on, giving the timbers plenty of time to rest before the next batch.”
“Good.”
“But it’s not enough,” Ryatt warns.
I nod my head, because that’s true. Or it would be, except… “First Kingdom took the deal.”
His eyes go wide. “They did?”
“Just got the reply from Judd,” I explain, patting the letter in my pocket. “The King of First agreed to reroute his ships going to port at Second and instead head for ours. Once there, we’ll get our supplies of food, and he’ll get a fuck ton of oil at a very good price.”
Ryatt lets out a weighted exhale. “Well, finally some good fucking news.”
Nodding, I say, “We needed it.”
“It certainly helps our food supply, but we still have problems,” he cautions. “The army is grumbling more than normal. We’re lucky we’ve always trained them to stand up to harsh conditions, but even they’re taking a morale hit with all of this shit.”
“I know.”
Ryatt shoots a look at Osrik across from him before returning back to me. “They deserve better than this,” he says, leaning forward so that his metal chest plate clinks against the table. “They got dragged across the fucking continent for show, dragged back, and now they have to prepare for yet another war that you might instigate.”
“I’m not instigating it.”
“You know what I mean,” he says, waving me off. “They’re loyal. You know they are. And they’re the strongest, most fierce, and feared army in Orea. But they’re losing faith in their leadership.”
“I know that too,” I say before Os and I share a look. “Which is why I’m going to officially name you as the new army commander of Fourth.”
My brother lurches back, shock crossing his face. “What?”
I nod. “It’s already done. I filled out the paperwork, and Os turned it into the lieutenants. You might want to prepare a speech.”
Ryatt looks bewildered. “You can’t be fucking serious.”
“You’re ready,” I say. “And honestly, you’ve been ready for a while. It’s time I pass the reins officially.”
“You’re really going to give it up? Going to trust me to lead them? We argue all the fucking time.”
“I trust you.”
He looks at me warily, as if he doesn’t quite believe me. “I’m sure there are going to be things I disagree with from time to time, but I’m also sure that you have this army’s best interest at heart, as well as all of Fourth Kingdom,” I tell him.
He doesn’t take the bait of the compliment, but he does look a little bolstered. “I thought you liked being commander way more than you liked being a king.”
“I do. But this army doesn’t need me anymore.”
“What about Rip? Half the army’s fear factor is because of the notorious rumors about you.”
I give an easy shrug. “I’ll make sure I bring Rip around plenty to show a united front to the soldiers, and I’ll fight when I need to, but for all intents and purposes, Commander Rip is retiring so we can bring in new blood for the coming days. As far as being notorious…I’m sure you’ll make a name for yourself.”
He snorts and shakes his head but doesn’t voice any other doubts. “What about Drollard?”
“How often you visit is up to you. But as the true commander, you will have more responsibilities, and that means you won’t be able to go there as often.”
“That’s fine,” he says quickly—eagerly. And that right there is all I need to know to confirm that I made the right decision, that he is ready for this. He gestures over at Os. “How come Os or one of the other fuckers isn’t getting this position instead of me?”