Chapter 14
Ava couldn’t take her eyes off the white plumes now visible in the distance as they closed in on Igneothenia, the snowy weather of Frosthaven’s territory left behind. Hardened lava flows covered the ground, the igneous rock an ebony contrast against tiny green plants growing from the cracks.
“We’ll be in the territory of Igneothenia within the hour!” Casimir announced from behind her as they rode Aro. “Stay alert and remember our plan!”
Maeryn stayed beside them on her horse, taking charge with Casimir, joined by Saxumdale’s general on a gray and white horse while Aelerion and Thalia remained at the front with Astrid.
“Are you nervous?” Casimir asked.
“A little.”
“Only a little?”
“Okay, that was a lie. I’m terrified.”
Casimir squeezed her thigh. “Being scared is a part of war. Just don’t let it consume you.”
“And what about you? Are you scared?”
“Of course I am. Everyone is. But we must put that aside to focus on the task at hand. There is too much at stake to allow fear to take hold.”
She leaned into him and sought the comfort he always brought, pondering over his words. She’d learned this lesson first hand. With the Elderoak journey; when she faced Andras in Oakshire; when she almost gave into her panic before she killed Vazgeth.
And though she had thrown herself into the previous battle without a second thought, the build up for what was to come had her stomach in knots. Reclaiming an entire city would be different than being ambushed. It would take planning and strategy.
And Ava would be at the front lines, using her portal abilities to aid in infiltrating the capital.
They continued through the rocky terrain, the heat growing more intense with every step. It was time to say goodbye to their companions, the environment much too harsh for them to come along. They’d be waiting in a nearby forest while the fae continued their campaign.
Ava climbed off the giant bear, gave him a kiss on the head, then scratched behind Luna’s ears before the cat bounded to the trees, joining Aro and the others.
Maeryn halted the company and turned to address their army. “Now’s the time to drink your potion. We are about to cross the border. The heat will get worse. The potion will keep you from death, but you won’t be comfortable. It shouldn't be long before we stop to set up camp.”
Ava pulled the concoction from her pocket and uncorked the vial, tilting the bright orange liquid into her mouth. She swallowed, wincing at the burn, and coughed, her throat raw.
They continued over the coal-black ground, soon stepping around small rivers of bright red-orange lava. The heat was almost unbearable. Ava pinched the front of her sweat-drenched tunic, attempting to fan herself.
“Have you ever been here?” she asked.
“No,” Casimir answered. “And I don’t think I want to return. This heat is horrendous.”
His brow was covered in moisture, perspiration dripping down his face. His glistening chest was visible through his tunic, and Ava couldn’t help but bite her lip at the glimpse of muscles.
“Why are you looking at me like that, princess?” he said, a smirk on his face.
She laughed quietly. “Apparently, you soaked in sweat is quite a turn on.”
He leaned in and murmured in her ear, “Too bad we can’t do something about that now.” He pinched her ass and she yelped, earning curious looks from the soldiers around her.
“Keep your hands to yourself, general.”
He interlaced his fingers with hers and brought her hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. “Never. When we get back to Mosshaven, I’m going to take you from behind so I can enjoy that beautiful view.”
Ava couldn’t help but shiver at his words.
“For the love of the Mother, Cas,” Raine chided, sauntering up beside them. “My poor innocent ears.”
“Innocent ears?” Ava shook her head at Raine. “You’re one to talk.”
Raine winked.
After half an hour’s walk through the hot terrain, with endless complaints from Raine about the heat, they stopped.
Maeryn strode toward them. “It’s time to make camp.”
Coals glowed from several braziers inside the command tent, the sounds of the camp outside muffled through the thick canvas. The leaders stood hunched over a large table, arranging wooden figurines atop a map of the volcanic capital, Torvak.
After a few days of rest, they were now reviewing and tightening up their plans before descending on the daemons. Ava stood between Casimir and Quinn, the former with a hand at the small of her back as she tuned into the conversation.
“…any chance they will surrender when they see us coming?” Roan asked.
“Doubtful,” Imsel muttered.
“They hold much power in our city,” Aelerion said. “They will not relinquish control willingly.”
The tent flaps opened, pulling their attention to the entrance. An Igneothenian soldier stepped inside.
“Report?” Maeryn asked.
“The daemons are aware of our presence, but do not seem to be rallying to attack just yet.”
“They likely believe themselves safe behind those walls,” Thalia said. “Torvak is not easily infiltrated. Do you have a count of how many?”
“It’s been difficult to ascertain their exact numbers, but we appear to outnumber them. By how much, I’m not sure.”
“Monsters?” Aelerion asked.
“We did not see any, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there.”
“What else?” Maeryn asked.
“They have a large trove of weapons, either stolen from our forges or that they have forged themselves. They seem to be readying to move them.”
“Do not lose track of those. We must get them back.” She crossed her arms. “Continue to have your scouts give regular reports. Come to us immediately if anything changes.”
“Yes, general.” The soldier disappeared.
“What’s significant about the weapons?” Ava asked.
Aelerion adjusted his black tunic. “Our forges are some of the finest in all of Eorhan. Combining the rock found here and the heat of the lava, we’re able to make arrowheads and daggers that can pierce through almost any armor.”
Ava’s eyebrows rose, amazed at the faes’ abilities to craft such astonishing tools. They needed those weapons. “We can’t let the daemons take them.”
“No, we can’t,” Casimir said, turning to the map. “What’s the best way in?”
“The walls around the city are nearly impenetrable, much too tall to climb effectively,” Maeryn said.
“Then how were the daemons able to take over?” Ava asked.
Thalia’s expression was bleak. “They attacked for weeks, searching for a weakness. Their army was much larger then, and the other kingdoms had already begun to retreat. We had no help.” Aelerion put a hand on her shoulder.
“We held them off for a while, but our army was dwindling and our people were scared. They crafted explosives that were able to destroy a portion of the outer walls. Once the daemons got in, they slaughtered everyone they came across. We made the decision to retreat and go into hiding rather than risk more death. Many of us barely made it out.”
Her throat tight, Ava reached out and clasped Thalia’s hand. “I’m so sorry for what you have been through. I promise we’ll do everything in our power to help.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Aelerion gave Ava a reassuring nod, then said to the group, “We will not be able to enter the way they originally did. They will expect that. Which gives us an advantage because there are hidden tunnels on the east and west sides of the city.”
“Ah,” Raine said. “So they’ll believe we are unable to enter with ease.”
“Exactly,” said Maeryn. “I doubt the daemons are even aware of them.”
“We’ll need to spread out our forces and enter at multiple locations so we can overwhelm them as quickly as possible,” Casimir said.
“We will divide into teams,” Aelerion said. “A team to take the eastern tunnels, a team for the western tunnels, and then we place the remainder of our forces at the front of the city.”
As he spoke, Maeryn placed figurines at each location.
“Are you positive they don’t know about those tunnels?” Quinn asked.
“They are camouflaged," Thalia explained. “They can only be accessed with our magic.”
“Alright then,” Casimir said. “Let’s nail down our plan of attack.”
They talked long into the night, polishing their plan.
Stationed with Casimir, Raine, and Maeryn at the front lines, Ava would create portals to place the majority of their forces on top of the wall and flood the daemons, hopefully overwhelming them and forcing them to focus on the front of the city.
This was to serve as a distraction while the remainder of their forces snuck through the underground tunnels—Quinn, Roan, and Thalia leading a team through the eastern tunnel while Jorrar, Aelerion and Pax took the west side.
Ava, Casimir, Raine and Maeryn would focus on finding and securing the weapons cache while the daemons were in the throes of battle.
Ava listened carefully, committing the plan to memory and reassuring herself this would work. She could do this. And even after everyone had gone to bed, she lay awake in the tent beside Casimir, practicing the symbols she’d need to use in the air until she couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer.