Page 81 of Esperance

Chancellor Trevill waited until everyone took their seats, then he began. “I thought today it might be beneficial to debate a current event—the war in Harvari.”

Carver tensed, but it was his sudden spike of dread that nearly stole Amryn’s breath. He quickly clamped down his emotions, once again going strangely muted. She could barely feel anything from him, and the abruptness of that shift made her shiver.

“I know we’ll have some strong opinions here,” Trevill continued, and his gaze cut to Carver. “After all, we have a decorated war hero among us, not to mention the prince of the empire. But that’s why I chose this topic. It will be important for you all to learn how to share unique viewpoints on potentially controversial topics, and find common ground—especially with your spouse. For this reason, I would like to divide the couples for this debate.” Trevill gestured. “Jayveh, Carver, Rivard, Sadia, and Marriset—please sit on the left side of the table. The rest of you, please be seated on the right side.”

It didn’t take long for all of them to find their new seats.

The emotions in the room were many and varied, and it was hard to pinpoint them all. Samuel was anticipating the debate, but then he always seemed to enjoy these council meetings. Ivan—who landed in a chair next to Amryn—felt a mixture of restlessness and annoyance. Marriset felt a flutter of excitement when she took a seat beside Carver, though he didn’t even look at her—his eyes were on Amryn. Sitting across the table from him, she avoided his gaze.

Her anxiety mounted. These council meetings had tackled a variety of issues, from tax rates, to how best to send aid to kingdoms in need. She knew this debate would be different. The war in Harvari was a stark reminder that the empire took what it wanted, regardless of who got hurt. It was a reminder that Carver was the emperor’s favored general. That he led armies and conquered cities.

And moments ago, she had wanted to kiss him.

“Now,” Trevill said, calling their attention. “Those seated on the left will argue for the war, and those on the right will be against it.”

That was one mercy, at least—Amryn wouldn’t have to say anything positive about the empire’s war.

Trevill flipped over a sheet of paper that had been lying on the table, his eyes scanning the page as he said, “Let’s begin by addressing the emperor’s reasons for going to war.”

“Harvari posed a threat,” Rivard said bluntly. “They wanted war with Craethen, and we made the tactical choice to invade first to keep the war on their land.”

“They also posed a threat to many of their own people,” Marriset added. “A faction within Harvari had begun to kill Harvarians who didn’t agree with them.”

“Some of those targeted pleaded for the emperor’s help,” Jayveh said. “Going to war to defend them was a compassionate move.”

“And yet,” Ivan said coolly, “how many innocents died in thiscompassionatefight?” He shook his head. “The war is unnecessary, brutal, a drain of life and resources on both sides, and impossible to actually win.”

“The necessity of war was already established,” Rivard fired back. “And all wars are brutal. But how can you argue that it’s impossible to win? Craethen has already all but won the fight.”

“By slaughtering anyone who refuses to be conquered?” Ivan challenged.

“This fight wasn’t about conquering Harvari,” Carver said, his tone level, his expression as unreadable as his emotions. “It was about guarding the empire’s southern border, and protecting those in Harvari who needed it.”

Ivan leaned forward, his arm brushing Amryn’s. “How many of those villages did you go in to protect, only to abandon them when it became strategic to leave?”

Carver’s face was so hard it could have been etched in stone. “You wouldn’t know, because you weren’t there.”

Ivan’s mood turned infinitely darker.

Trevill cleared his throat. “There’s no need to get overly personal.”

Marriset nodded absently, but the interested way she looked at Carver made Amryn feel an out-of-place surge of jealousy.

“I think we should remain with the facts,” Trevill continued. “Now, does anyone else want to state any other motivations or criticisms?”

There was a short silence, then Argent spoke. “Many have argued that the threat Harvari posed to the empire was minimal, and that our response was disproportionate.” While his tone was diplomatic, Amryn could feel his discomfort as he looked toward his friend.

A muscle in Carver’s cheek jumped, but it was Rivard who said, “It’s better to hit hard once, rather than render a hundred ineffectual blows. That’s something they teach in Westmont.”

Darrin set a hand on the table. “I think it should also be stated that the war has had a severe financial cost. The fact that our taxes were increased to fund a war in another country isn’t exactly making anyone feel better about things.”

“That’s a good point,” Samuel said. “Especially when the war has dragged on longer than anticipated.”

“Now, that’s hardly fair,” Marriset said. “It’s impossible for anyone to accurately guess how long a war will take.”

“Estimations were made, though,” Samuel countered. “The emperor said the war would be won in a matter of months.” He gestured to Carver. “How long were you personally in Harvari?”

His voice was neutral. “Two years.”