Chapter 19
Azriel surveyed the war room with a mixture of anticipation and melancholy.
The number of people who usually sat at the table with him had drastically changed over the course of the last two weeks.
At first, there had been a boom of new faces.
Now, many were gone. Either side of him and Ariadne were empty, with Madan and Whelan having gone to collect Ehrun’s army.
Luce and Phulan left to gather forces in Algorath.
Yet two new dhemons and a lycan had joined them, filling in spaces he hadn’t expected to be vacated quite so soon.
H’axinhum, the newly-appointed dhemon Sword Master, sat beside her counterpart, Kholp to Azriel’s right.
The two couldn’t have been more different—one with her bejeweled braid, pink-tinged eyes, and tunic stitched with wildflowers, while the other, a massive brute of a man in his plain brown shirt and a resting expression that could kill someone.
A new high fae sat beside Edira—Boti, who now trained their recent addition of fae forces, their round face framed by green-tinged blond hair.
Dahlia took Luce’s chair, her black-tattooed eyes watching him warily.
He didn’t blame Dahlia. The last time they’d been so close, he’d been more vile than even Ehrun on his darkest days. Nearly killing his own brother would certainly leave a mark on someone he’d just met.
This was, however, Azriel’s first time meeting with his council without said brother.
Madan had a way of conversing with others and analyzing data to make plans that he just didn’t possess.
Instead, he’d pulled Lord Theobald and Knoll aside prior to the others’ arrival to ask for their assistance.
What they’d be discussing was what they would consider to be their realm of knowledge, and he’d need every bit of guidance they could offer.
As such, he shifted his attention to the pair of Caersans and gave them a subtle nod to reassure them that he would be taking their inputs very seriously.
“Thank you for joining us,” Azriel began, awkward as ever. Beside him, Ariadne sat a little straighter in the large throne and set her hand over his on his armrest. “A lot has happened since our last meeting, and I believe we are seeing some positive advancements.”
At the end of the table, Thorin nodded her agreement. “H’axinhum and Kholp do well with soldiers. Impressed.”
The Sword Master glowed, turning her elegant face to survey the clan leader. In the dhemon language, she said, “Forgive me. I’m not fluent in speaking the common tongue, but I am honored to be here with a clan leader such as yourself, Thorin. You are an inspiration.”
Kholp huffed, then spoke in the same language, “We aren’t here to inflate each other’s egos. Focus.”
Azriel sighed and translated the words into common for everyone else. He looked down at Thorin. “May I ask for your assistance in translating for everyone as we speak? This may become difficult otherwise.”
Damn it, they needed Madan. He should have sent someone else with Ehrun.
“Yes, Vhaltrinja.” Thorin nodded and leaned her elbows onto the table in preparation for her new task.
Nodding his thanks, he looked to Oren Theobald first. “Last time we gathered, we discussed how you would continue to work with your contact within Valenul to provide false intel. Do you have an update?”
Oren flashed his long fangs and proudly announced, “Due to my messages, Colonel Foster has insisted on keeping troops to a minimum. It has been reported back that while defenses are on the rise, he has pushed most soldiers closer to Central Province.”
“Is there a way for us to know about how many soldiers we can anticipate in Eastwood?” Edira asked. “Numbers can make a huge difference.”
“I agree,” Ariadne said. “Even an estimate would be better than nothing.”
At that, Dahlia sat forward. “I have had several lycans keeping watch from the foothills since we arrived. Their reports are as Lord Theobald said: troops are low.”
An uneasy feeling squirmed through Azriel’s gut. By the way others looked at him and Ariadne squeezed his hand, there was no denying he’d allowed his face to show his discomfort. He shook his head. “I don’t trust it.”
“It is not as though their eyes have deceived them,” Ariadne said, looking up at him. “We must put faith in such intelligence.”
How often had she listened to her father meet with soldiers to analyze data? By the way she spoke, it seemed as though she had more military experience than she previously let on.
“Speaking like the daughter of a previous General of Valenul,” Azriel said, kissing her fingers, then turned his attention back to the table at large. “I don’t disagree with anyone. What I do question is why Loren has yet to send more troops to Eastwood.”
Lord Knoll nodded in agreement. “It is most likely that the King is moving his pieces strategically. As he last presumed your location was in Waer Province, his attention may be split.”
“That said,” Oren added, “it would be most advantageous for Valenul to focus more forces around the capital. Your attack on his home put him on the back foot and is forcing him to centralize his soldiers to keep himself and the bulk of Caersan Society safe.”
Ah, the Society. With Loren’s command for the Lords and Ladies and their families to be locked down in Laeton, very few of them would be in their homes around Valenul. What Oren said made sense—and infuriated Azriel.
Now Loren had a way to garner more sympathy from the Society and the influential Caersans there within. Due to their attack on the castle, he could tell them that he’d known something of the sort would happen and that keeping them all in Laeton was for their own good. For their safety.
And they would eat it up. Every word.
“Our main goal,” Azriel said, “is to take Eastwood Province.”
“That land is overrun by vampires,” Kholp pointed out, with Thorin translating for the others. “Of what use do we have for it now? No one would allow us to just…march in.”
To Azriel’s surprise, Liulund countered, “If you do not protect the Keonis Tree, then you run the risk of Loren discovering why it’s so important to you all. He’ll destroy it.”
The three dhemons glanced at one another, then H’axinhum said, “Then we should attack before this Vampire King has the chance to prepare properly. If he’s preparing for war, we must strike first.”
Kholp nodded at that. “Keep him on the back-foot, as Lord Theobald said.”
“Are our soldiers ready for this?” Thorin asked in both languages.
At that, Azriel looked to those in charge of training.
H’axinhum and Kholp exchanged a questioning look while the silent Boti and quiet Dahlia nodded in confirmation.
Liulund snorted as though the question were a grave insult to the work he’d been doing with the freed Algorathian prisoners.
They’d been prepared since the moment they left the desert, no doubt.
“Those who’ve flocked to your banner from L’Oden Forest,” Boti said, “are mercenaries, assassins, or otherwise have been trained to fight since a young age. We fae stay prepared for battle with neighbors such as the vampires.”
“Truly?” Ariadne asked, the pitch of her question demonstrating just how taken aback the statement made her.
Edira nodded. “There’s a reason merchants must gain approval prior to leaving L’Oden to trade. Valenul has always been a hostile kingdom.”
Color flushed Ariadne’s cheeks, though the Caersan Lords at the table appeared unsurprised by her blunt response. By the way both their mouths quirked up, the hostilities were something of a deep-seated pride for them. Old habits and all that.
“I’m certain,” Azriel said, “keeping a defensive posture for so long was, in part, due to the raids orchestrated by my father and…” The words trailed off as he glanced at Ariadne. She knew him well enough, though, to know that Azazel the Crowe hadn’t acted alone. “And myself.”
Several members of the council shot quick looks at Ariadne to gather her reaction. To her credit, she didn’t flinch. She squeezed his hand again and met each pair of eyes with sturdy resolve. This was old news to her, and, despite it all, she still chose him.
“Nevertheless,” he continued before they could get even more off topic, “I believe it to be wise to move into Eastwood as soon as possible.”
Lord Knoll inclined his head in agreement. “Gaining the ground is necessary to set up a strong force against Loren in Central Province. Between Theobald and me, we continue to hold influence over the lower Caersans in the area. We may be able to sway some to join our cause.”
“Dodd.” Ariadne’s eyes widened as though struck by a sudden idea. She turned to Azriel, clutching his hand hard. “Lord Dodd was elevated to Lord Governor of Eastwood Province and forced to leave Camilla behind.”
At first, the information didn’t quite register as important in Azriel’s mind. It came on so suddenly, he had a difficult time tracking her thought process. Luckily, Theobald and Knoll had no issue following her ideas.
“Lord Dodd would never leave his daughter behind willingly,” Oren said. “With our attack on Laeton, he is no doubt worried sick over Miss Dodd. He would be a valuable ally.”
Azriel never claimed to be the brightest star in the sky. Instead, he gaped at Theobald. “You believe he would betray Loren?”
“I believe any great man would do far more to ensure the safety of his offspring,” Knoll said. “Once we deliver the news that Miss Dodd is still in Laeton, I anticipate we can be certain of his full cooperation.”
Distrust soured in Azriel again.
“Lord Dodd has protected Camilla for years from the vitriol of the Society,” Ariadne said, looking up at him and tracking the crease between his brows.
“She told me herself that he did not want to leave her and would return for her as soon as possible. When he finds that she was taken from us, he will fight for her.”