Disturbing News

*Rafe*

Zeke, Percival, and I lean over my desk in my office, looking at the new numbers. “I think you should also push into Tormentia,” Percival says.

“You just want King Dartmoth Croft to get it right up the ass,” Zeke snorts.

“Why not? He deserves it,” Percival replies.

“I’ll have the army push forward into Tormentia,” I agree. “King Dartmoth doesn’t deserve to be responsible for a pet rock, much less an entire people. Reports say soldiers’ families are being threatened. I’d like to take that off their chests so they might surrender instead of fighting for a king who abuses his power.” I rub my chest.

Percival puts his hand over my heart again, and the warmth spreads, taking away most of the terrible pain. But I can see it costs him as his shoulders droop when he finishes.

“Thank you,” I say. “Really. I know whatever you’re doing isn’t easy on you.”

“I’d rather have my king fighting fit and take a few more naps than have you curled in agony on the floor while Zeke and I try to strat