Contents
Chapter 1
Overview
Acker confronts a crisis council after the king abandons an urgent meeting. Roison forces push Tyreek’s battalion into a valley, but Acker refuses to reallocate thin troops, ordering a high-ground defense instead. With Strou aid stifled by Maile’s navy, he eyes a risky northern diversion yet is constrained by a blood oath to protect Jovie, his treacherous Match.
Summary
Acker rushes from a tryst to stop his father from leaving but fails as the king departs despite an urgent council summons. He dons mangi stones to buffer his magic and block Jovie, his Match, from eavesdropping, reflecting on her brutal escape years earlier that toppled the old council and inflamed rebellion.
Entering the war room, Acker faces a hostile council. Tyreek reports Roison has pushed his forces into a northern valley near his farmlands. With troops stretched thin, Acker and Hallis judge reinforcing that front too costly despite the risk of precedent. Lord Paul rails at their leadership; Tyreek presses because his son Zion is there.
Acker orders Zion’s battalion to higher ground to exploit the chokepoint and promises to divert the next available troops. The council tallies losses: men, horses, healers, and dwindling resources. Background stakes surface: the Alaha joined Roison; the war escalated over years after Jovie’s betrayal.
Turning to naval aid, Bru confirms most Strou ships are blocked by Queen Evelyn of Maile’s navy. Acker and Hallis consider a northern diversion along the Strou–Maile border to split Maile’s attention, but Acker’s blood oath to protect Jovie triggers a warning, forcing him to disengage.
Alone, Acker broods over his oath and his conflicted love for Jovie. He reviews failed attempts to break the vow through research and rare remedies, resigning himself to a bond that both weakens his strategic options and exposes his lingering feelings.
Who Appears
- Acker (Ace)Prince and commander; leads the council in the king’s absence, sets defensive strategy, constrained by blood oath to protect Jovie.
- HallisAcker’s trusted lieutenant; supports strategic decisions, counters dissent, and helps plan a northern diversion.
- TyreekReluctant council lord and veteran; reports Roison’s push into his valley and advocates for his son’s battalion.
- The King (Acker’s father)Abandons urgent council for personal pursuits, forcing Acker to manage the crisis and placate angry lords.
- Jovinnia (Jovie)Acker’s Match; past betrayal toppled the old council and sparked unrest. Her protection binds Acker by blood oath.
- Lord PaulContentious noble; publicly challenges Acker’s authority during the council session.
- BruStrou regent-warrior; reports that Maile’s navy blocks most Strou reinforcements.
- ZionTyreek’s son; leads the embattled battalion ordered to take higher ground in the valley.