22. Chapter 22
A s soon as I reached the garrison yard, I swung down from my horse, my boots hitting the ground with a dull thud. The camp, set on the outskirts of the city, buzzed with activity, and I couldn’t help but wonder why Reynard had summoned me here instead of to the palace—especially with a war council meeting to attend.
‘Why are you so late?’ Reynard asked, striding towards me.
I grunted, running a hand through my hair. ‘My life suddenly turning to shit?’
‘That bad?’ He clasped my shoulder, his grip steady.
‘You have no idea.’
‘Come,’ he said, his voice softening. ‘We’ll discuss it in private. There’s still some time before the meeting, and I’ll always have time to listen to my brother.’
We walked across the parade square, passing the lord marshal’s office, the armory, and the quartermaster’s building, where military bureaucrats meticulously tracked every coin spent on the army.
‘How many men can you deploy into the city?’ I asked. ‘I have the names of several spies and allies of the chancellor. We need to move on them quickly.’ I took a deep breath before continuing. ‘Also, when was the last time you checked the chancellor’s cell?’
‘Why?’
Before I could answer, a sergeant marched past with his unit, shouting, ‘Hail to the king!’ The soldiers saluted crisply, and Reynard returned the gesture, though I didn’t fail to notice his shudder.
‘I haven’t had time,’ he admitted. ‘Between the dark fae, an endless stream of whining nobles, and gathering the army, I haven’t even thought about him. Last I checked, he’s chained up, fed, and under guard while every spare man I have is searching for Ihrain.’
‘Then you should check again,’ I said. ‘And don’t bother looking for Ihrain. He’s a bloodless corpse in our basement.’
Reynard’s eyes widened for a split second before a frown replaced his stunned expression. ‘Your report ... Do I even want to know what happened?’
I waited until we were in his office with the doors locked behind us before relaying yesterday’s attack, Ihrain’s capture, and what Alaric had told me about the Lich King and his plans. Reynard sat through all of it with a stony expression, slowly sipping wine from a battered cup.
‘These are the names of spies and conspirators,’ I said, sliding a parchment across the desk.
Reynard nodded, then rang a small bell. When his adjutant entered, he handed over the list. ‘Summon the Dark Brotherhood,’ he instructed calmly. ‘Send them to the people on this list. I want them dead before noon.’
I stiffened, frowning. The Reynard I knew was decisive but not ruthless. The man sitting in front of me was no longer the brother I had teased about his fleeting relationships with the ladies of the court. This was the King of Dagome, a leader capable of ordering the deaths of forty noblemen—some from the most powerful families in the realm.
The adjutant saluted without hesitation and left the room.
‘Don’t you want to spare any of them?’ I asked. ‘We don’t know how deeply they were involved.’
Reynard shook his head. ‘If the chancellor has escaped, any one of them could be aiding him. Dagome needs to be united. If it takes excising their cancerous presence to achieve that, then so be it.’ A bitter grimace twisted his lips before he could control it. ‘But that’s not what’s bothering you, is it? Tell me, Orm. Maybe I can help.’
‘Nothing can help,’ I muttered, slumping in my chair. ‘Alaric’s headed for Katrass. Annika thinks I should’ve stopped him but chose not to, and now won’t even look at me ...’ My voice rose as I continued, desperation creeping in. ‘Fuck! All it took was one night—one godsdamned night—for my life to turn upside down.’
Annika’s tears and rejection were tearing me apart, and I needed someone to believe me. I wouldn’t have sent Alaric to the Barren Lands if there were any other way.
Reynard studied me for a moment. ‘Annika will come around,’ he said finally. ‘I’m sure she’ll realise you’re not to blame. If you didn’t drive Alaric crazy with every little thing that could go wrong before he left, then I don’t know you at all. She’ll see that. I’m sorry, Orm. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.’
His words eased some of the weight on my chest, and I rose from my chair. ‘Thank you for letting me rant. Now, let’s go. Your letter mentioned wanting to show me something, and if we dally, you’ll be late for your own war council.’
Reynard hesitated as though wanting to say more, but I didn’t need his pity. Besides, Vahin had sent a message through our link that Annika was getting ready to leave the manor, and I needed to see my woman.
We’d barely stepped out of the building when I caught sight of an archer aiming in our direction. ‘Down!’ I shouted, shoving Reynard to the ground and shielding him with my body just as an arrow thudded into the doorframe where we’d been standing.
‘Someone’s trying to kill you?’ I asked, looking around for the culprit.
Reynard sighed, his expression unnervingly calm. ‘No, Orm. Those are my fucking soldiers, or rather, the palace guard I inherited from the previous king.’ A look of disgust twisted his features. ‘That’s what I wanted to talk about.’
After helping him up, we continued to the training area and he waved at the scene before us. Most of the men were playing cards, only a few bothering to train. It was painful to watch. Even those attempting to practise were tripping over their own weapons.
‘Who put these idiots in the King’s Guard?’ I asked.
Reynard flinched, refusing to look me in the eye. ‘It started slowly at first. Treasury cuts here and there, retiring veterans with no one to replace them, no new weapon or armoury orders. And the men recruited from the drafts ... I did it, alright? I sent the decent soldiers to the border and replaced them with these nitwits. I didn’t think it mattered. The old king just needed someone to stand around in a uniform.’
‘So, this was your answer to the chancellor’s manipulation?’ I looked at him sharply.
Reynard nodded. ‘Yes. That bastard managed to not only dismantle the court but also actively isolate the mages at the university. That’s why they are so closed off now,’ Reynard explained. He seemed so unconcerned that it gave me a pause.
‘You’re hiding something from me.’
He nodded, mischief flashing in his eyes. ‘Remember when I asked your permission to use our funds to pay the veterans?’
‘Yes? But I don’t see any of them here.’
‘That’s because they’re in Borovio, settled in the castle and around our ancestral estate. If you ever bothered to visit our territory, you’d barely recognise the old citadel.’
I was suspicious of the amusement in my brother’s voice.
‘Rey, what did you do?’
‘What I had to, little brother,’ he said, placing a hand on my shoulder. ‘I used what wealth we had to gather the best soldiers in the country. You inspired me. Your fortress ... the men working and training there. I built an army.’
‘You created a war camp in Borovio?’ I was surprised, but not entirely shocked.
‘War camp, war town, what’s the difference?’ he said with a wide grin. ‘I gathered the veterans and all who were suitable to be in the army and took them to Borovio. We have ten thousand infantrymen currently harvesting the fields by day and training in the camp by night. We also have five thousand archers stationed in the forests and my pride, a heavy cavalry brigade on the orcish borders, where it’s easier to hide a herd of horses.’ He gestured to the training grounds. ‘And, of course, those shining examples of martial prowess.’
I gaped, staring at my brother for the second time that day, trying to comprehend what I’d just heard.
I laughed. I held the rails that divided the training grounds from the walking path and laughed so hard that tears flowed down my cheeks.
‘Fucking hell, how ... Rey, you could’ve taken over the country any time you wanted. We can fight off the Lich King! We might even be able to help Ari.’ I smacked the wooden post so hard it broke in two.
All this time, I thought Annika was the only one with the power to stop the evil we were facing, but I held no illusions about our survival. All the while, my brother had an entire fucking army hidden right under Cahyon’s nose.
‘I never wanted to take over the country,’ he said quietly. ‘Just protect it.’
I turned, looking at him like I was seeing him for the first time before dropping to one knee.
‘My king.’
Reynard flinched when I took his hand and pressed it to my forehead, acknowledging him, maybe for the first time since childhood. I knew he’d make an excellent king, but I didn’t realise how much of himself he had sunk into the role. How much my burly, overly stern brother cared for a country that had pushed him aside.
‘Not to you, Orm. Not to my family,’ he said, pulling me up. ‘Besides, you shouldn’t be so happy. I cleaned out the coffers. Our wealth is long gone.’
‘Rey, you’re the bloody king now,’ I said. ‘And my life is tied to the fortress. What does it matter?’ I could sense he still felt some guilt, but he nodded. ‘Where are your men now?’
‘They are marching to Truso as we speak,’ he said, his grin returning. ‘I sent the order as soon as the tussle in the throne room ended, but it will still be a couple of days before they arrive.’
His words triggered the strategist in me. Now that we had an actual army, we could do more than slow an invasion. We could take the fight to the Barren Lands, possibly even Katrass itself.
My mind began racing with calculations, starting with the number of forces involved and ending with the chain of supply and even latrines for such a large army. Absentmindedly, I turned and started walking towards the stables. I needed to work on the numbers.
‘Ormond! I was talking to you.’
I turned around. Reynard was still by the rails, shaking his head and laughing. With an exaggerated eye roll, he joined me.
‘We need to redirect them,’ I said. ‘Truso is too big a diversion from the border. We need them to head straight to Varta. They can rest there before marching to the Barren Lands.’
He nodded his agreement. ‘That’s a good idea. Were you planning the war just then? I remember that expression from when we were kids. That unfocused thousand-yard stare, as if you were weaving the fates in your head.’
‘Yes,’ I answered distractedly, ‘and if the Lich King still can’t leave Katrass, we should set up camp right on the other side of the bord—’
He raised a hand, stopping me. ‘You’ll have to find a way through the mountains first,’ Rey said. ‘Anyway, we have the war council to attend, remember? You can discuss it there with our allies.’
He continued as we made our way to the stables, ‘Invading the Barren Lands is a sound idea. I’m assuming you want to avoid civilian casualties? Still, only the archers would be agile enough to cross the mountain using existing footpaths. Everyone else would have to go the long way around, and that will take time.’
‘If we can enlist the mages’ support, we can widen the mountain passes to go straight through to the Barren Lands,’ I said. ‘A few elemental mages can widen it enough for the small row of cavalry to pass. I can ask Annika to help. If she has her three Anchors present, she shouldn’t have trouble ...’ I stopped, realising one of those Anchors was gone.
Reynard nodded, and I took the reins of my horse before it bit off the stable boy’s hand.
‘My king ... a message.’ A soldier ran towards us with an outstretched hand, fighting for breath while holding a missive in his hand.
My stallion snorted, likely sensing my disquiet. The parchment was splattered with blood. Even if it had dried, the pattern of the rust-coloured spots was unmistakable.
Reynard took it from the messenger, ripping away the seal impatiently. His lips tightened, and I saw his hand shake slightly as he read the letter before passing it to me.
He stood there silently while I read. I could barely believe the words on the page. Zalesie had been attacked. That doesn’t make sense . It was a small town of no strategic value. But it’s Annika’s town ...
Rey clenched his jaw, and I knew what he was going to ask.
‘I’ll fly there after the meeting, Reynard. I’ll have my soldiers and dragons hold the border as long as we can, but you’ll need to send your men as soon as possible.’
‘I will,’ he said. ‘Take Annika with you. Maybe it will help settle things between you.’
I nodded as we urged our mounts forward. The silence, disturbed only by the snorting of our horses, hung heavy between us. We could have planned and strategised, but we both knew the truth.
The Lich King’s army was on the move. We were out of time.
Two hours later, I stood in the palace’s war room, wondering if Annika had shown up. The room was large, yet with so many people crammed in there, I doubted it’d be possible to have a productive meeting.
A carved oak table with a large map dominated the space, its surface not just showing Dagome but all of the Lowland Kingdoms. Reynard sat at the head of the table, dressed in black leather armour, Talena seated next to him on what looked like a throne with a permanent scowl on her face.
On Reynard’s other side sat the representative of the light fae court, Prince Iasno’ta. He needed no introduction as his long, golden hair and eyes—as blue as a cloudless sky—revealed his origins. And next to the prince was Iron Hammer, or Mlot, as his kin called him, king of the dwarves, whose prominent nose was the main feature on all dwarven coins.
‘Let’s get started,’ Reynard said.
We were already late, and as much as I wanted to wait for Annika, we couldn’t postpone the meeting any longer.
As if called by my thoughts, Ani walked in dressed in an outfit I knew all too well. Her practical, mossy-green velvet battle mage robe accentuated her feminine figure. My eyes were drawn to the slits that ran up to her hips to allow for freedom of movement and easy access to her daggers, but my attention soon focused on the tight breeches that fit her like a second skin.
A cough that sounded suspiciously like a laugh escaped my brother’s lips, and I looked away from her thighs. I studied the rest of her uniform, convincing myself I was simply assessing the outfit’s usefulness.
The silver embroidery on her collar guaranteed protection against bites from the undead, while the same pattern on her sleeves offered better protection than any leather vambraces. Annika had told me it was a practical outfit that had been improved over the ages and made conduit mages almost indistinguishable from other battle mages. The only difference was the small conduit pin on the corner of the collar. As she’d braided her hair into a peasant crown, the pin was exposed, reflecting soft rays of autumn light.
‘Conduit mage Annika Diavellar,’ a guard announced, and everybody in the room turned their attention to her.
‘Better late than never. Is this the behaviour we can expect now that you are the Dark Mother’s chosen?’ Talena didn’t bother hiding her distaste, and I felt myself bristle.
The dark fae empress seemed oblivious to the redness that rimmed Annika’s eyes, but I could see it clearly, as well as her slightly swollen face and the tension in her shoulders. My Nivale looked miserable, but she had raised her mental wards, and I wasn’t privy to her feelings.
‘You can take your attitude and shove—’ she started before taking a deep breath and composing herself. ‘My apologies, everyone. Important family matters delayed my attendance.’
I watched as Valaram suddenly moved and approached Annika, bowing as he took her hand. I couldn’t fault the courtesy, even as I wanted to roar in anger.
‘My lady, please join me,’ he said. She gave him a surprised look, but after the slightest pause, let him lead her to a seat occupied by another fae. After one look from Valaram, the terrified male promptly leapt up and left the room.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her. The tension in the air made everyone unsettled, but just as I was about to get up, throw her over my shoulder, and leave, Annika’s gaze met mine and she shook her head.
She still didn’t want me around her, and the small gesture hurt more than a knife to the chest.
‘Thank you so much for accepting my invitation,’ Reynard started. ‘For the first time since the Necromancer’s War, all heads of the Lowland Kingdom coalition have gathered in one place. I am especially grateful to Empress Talena and her mage, Valaram. Your proficiency with portal spells is unmatched.’ For the first time since I’d met her, I saw a genuine smile on Talena’s face.
‘So, you have us all,’ the dwarven king said. ‘What now?’
Reynard grimaced. ‘Now we go to war.’ A few people began talking about fortifying the border, but he silenced them with a raise of his hand. ‘I’m afraid that will get us nowhere. The Lich King will only kill and raise the bodies of the fallen. Recently, my commander undertook a dangerous reconnaissance mission to discover what’s happening on the border.’
He looked around the room to ensure he had everyone’s attention. ‘He found Roan Fortress annihilated. Apart from a single wounded dragon and his rider trapped in a warded alcove, everyone who lived there—humans and dragons alike—was slaughtered.’ The silence in the room was deafening. ‘Now ask yourself, if that can happen to a fortress full of dragons, what chances do we have?’
A buzzing hive of raised voices assaulted my ears. Discussions and arguments flew above my head, but all I could do was stare at Ani as she sat in her chair, her face drawn and worried.
‘What killed them? What kind of monster is strong enough to kill so many dragons?’ shouted Mlot, hammering his fist on the table to make himself heard over the bickering. ‘Silence! Or I will split your japing heads. What killed the dragons, King Reynard?’
He was looking at the king, but I answered. ‘Spectrae. Some perished from fighting other monsters, but most were drained of their life force by the soul-sucking wraiths.’
‘We no longer have mages who can fight those phantoms. What do you expect us to do? No one can fight the spectrae,’ cried a man at the end of the table, and I recognised Duke Tarvati, the fool who kept opposing Reynard during the rebellion and who now realised how defenceless his lands were.
‘I can,’ Annika said quietly, before raising her head. The room grew dark as the aether flowed out of Ani in a wave, silencing everyone while the empress and prince turned towards Annika with interest. My Nivale stood slowly, looking at the gathered group.
‘I can fight the spectrae. But this meeting isn’t about me or them. I will ride my dragon to clear the skies for you, but what will you do?’
‘A challenge! What answer can we give our conduit mage?’ Reynard leapt from his chair, his gaze sliding from one leader to another, but they only lowered their heads. ‘I know what my response is. The entire army of Dagome, more than twenty thousand men and horses, is already marching towards the border.’
‘Even if you’ve managed to conjure an army out of thin air, what makes you think you can succeed where others have failed?’ Talena asked. ‘You want my army, but who will lead the allied forces? You?’
Instead of responding in kind, Reynard only bowed his head slightly. ‘I am happy for you or your brother to lead as Supreme Commander if you can kill the Lich King.’
She was unconvinced. ‘If it’s even possible to kill him.’
‘Well, now’s the time to find out,’ he replied. ‘Cahyon has found a way to exist without the magic of Katrass sustaining him. How long will we last when he brings the war to our doorsteps?’
‘How do you know this?’ the empress asked suspiciously.
‘Alaric,’ I said. ‘He eviscerated Ihrain to get the information, and as we speak, he is heading to Katrass to prevent it from happening.’
‘Is he planning to kill his father?’ Talena asked sharply, interest flashing in her eyes.
‘Yes,’ I answered. We hadn’t planned it, but something in her eyes convinced me the white lie might tip the scales in our favour.
Talena turned to the people observing our exchange with mixed expressions. ‘Dark Mother chose her champion and maybe saved that wrenched fae for a reason,’ she announced. ‘I will honour her will. Care’etavos Empire will march with Dagome, and you, King Reynard, will lead us. As for the rest of you, I advise you to join. Those who stay behind will forever be alone in their time of need.’
After a moment, Reynard asked, ‘Will everyone agree to renew the coalition?’
I watched as each leader nodded their head in agreement. The new king of Dagome had gotten his army. While I didn’t feel the happiness the agreement should have brought, the weight on my shoulders eased slightly.
‘Then it is settled,’ Reynard said. ‘Get your men ready. We march tomorrow. We may be too late to save Zalesie, but I won’t let any other town share its fate.’
My head snapped to look at Annika and my blood ran cold at her suddenly pale face.
‘Fuck,’ I cursed, rushing towards her just as a massive wave of aether pushed me back. ‘Annika, no. Look at me, Nivale.’ I trudged towards her, but her gaze was locked on Reynard.
‘Zalesie? What happened to Zalesie?’
Something in my brother’s face must have given away the fate of her hometown because her power burst outwards, bending all to the table except the fae and mages quick enough to set up shields. Glass and debris rained down as Annika bolted.
I ran after her, hoping my Anchor would help contain her raging power. Ani was fast, and I didn’t realise where we were headed until she suddenly burst into the open space of the gardens. She sank to her knees, raising her tear-streaked face to the sky, and wailed.
‘Vahin!’
The sky roared, answering her call, and I once again watched helplessly as the woman I loved took comfort in my dragon’s presence.