Chapter 26 No Matter the Risk
No Matter the Risk
Stellon—several weeks earlier
The search for Raewyn had become my obsession.
Though my advisors insisted on talking to me about rumblings of dissent among the regional lords and possibly even a coup attempt, I couldn’t dredge up any interest in that or the never-ending supplications from my subjects.
All I cared about was getting Raewyn back here to Seaspire and making her my wife. Nothing mattered without her.
I sat restlessly through my audiences with the noblemen and women waiting in line outside the throne room, barely hearing any of them as they pleaded their various cases.
But my attention sparked when the herald announced the next visitor.
“Caitriona of Hill Town, Your Majesty.”
Sitting up straighter in my chair, I waved. “Yes, let her in.”
The distinguished looking Earthwife approached the throne with confidence and just a hint of menace.
“You said you’d have an answer for me when you returned from your travels, Your Majesty. I am still seeking justice on behalf of my sisters.”
“Yes, yes, I remember,” I said. “And what was it you wanted specifically?”
“Help in finding the human girl who reneged on her bargain with us. Raewyn Hennessey. Or her sisters. The original payment would still be acceptable, but we haven’t been able to find her family either.”
“You can do a location spell, can’t you?” I asked, interested for my own reasons.
Her face tightened in annoyance.
“We can, but they have their limitations, Your Majesty. We have tried and failed already. That’s why I’m here to request that you send troops out to f—”
“That won’t be necessary,” I interrupted.
I didn’t bother to tell her I’d already tried that—had been trying it for weeks.
“I have a better idea,” I told the witch. “I’m an Exalter. I can augment your spell. I can make it stronger, make it reach farther.”
I’d done it before when Sorcha and my father’s tracker had been unsuccessful in locating Raewyn as she traveled with Pharis.
Caitriona’s eyes lit up. “Exalting glamour would be most helpful. Thank you, Your Majesty. And in return, we will gladly do you a service.”
“All I want is Raewyn,” I said. “Help me find her, and you can exact any other price.”
“You’ll allow us to take one of the girls?” the Earthwife asked, sounding surprised.
“If that’s what you want,” I said.
Of course I had no intention of allowing the witches to take one of Raewyn’s little sisters. Once I found her, I would use all my royal resources to protect her and her family.
Even if the Earthwives managed to take one of the children somehow, I could retrieve the little girl in short order.
The witches had power, but as King, I had more.
I just needed Raewyn back, no matter the risk or temporary collateral damage.
“Very well, we have a deal,” Caitriona said with a satisfied expression. “When do you want to do it?”
“As soon as possible,” I said.
I’d spent far too much time apart from Raewyn already.
“Meet me outside the castle gates at sunrise,” I said. “I’ll have troops mounted and ready to protect us as we travel.”
And to make sure Caitriona and her sisters didn’t try to pull a fast one on me and take Raewyn when we found her.
“Oh we are fully capable of protecting ourselves,” the woman said. “But Your Majesty is welcome to bring along whatever support he needs for his comfort.”
At dawn the next day, I stood in the center of a circle of Earthwives, exerting my Exalter glamour as they cast the location spell.
My troops stood around us, ready to act on my signal should the witches fail to uphold their end of the bargain and try to withhold Raewyn’s whereabouts from me.
The group stopped their strange humming and opened their eyes all at once.
I turned to Caitriona. “Is it done?”
She smiled. “It’s done. She’s in a village called Sandy Point at the southern tip of Marinus— with her family. I’ve never seen a location spell work at such a great distance. Your Exalter glamour performed beautifully.”
“Excellent. We’ll ride at once. Do your sisters need horses?” I asked.
“My sisters will stay here,” Caitriona said. “I will go along with you to collect our payment.”
“You trust me that much?” I asked in surprise.
The Earthwife laughed, clearly not worried about her own safety.
“I trust in my magic, Your Majesty. Let us ride south.”