Chapter Sixty #2
“Lia, you want to protect everyone, and it’s one of the things I love most about you. Come on, let me show you the defenses.”
We climbed a very high staircase that was built into the wall. When we reached the top, I realized that I could see everything. The fields surrounding the city walls, the docks, the harbor, the forest to the south.
Xander showed me how the outer wall was actually comprised of two parallel walls and that the space in between had been filled with rocks and stones to provide extra strength, and then concrete had been applied to the top so that the soldiers could walk along it.
I wondered how this reinforced wall would hold up against the earth dragons.
He showed me an overhang with large slots. “So we can drop rocks and boiling oil on invaders below.”
Then it was over to the artillery towers, where the archers and javelin throwers would be. He showed me the ballistae lined up with the window slots. They shot stones and arrows. He explained how it used torsion of a spring made of horse sinew to unleash artillery. I’d never seen anything like it.
“I’ve had the blacksmiths working on bolts big enough to pierce dragon hide. The problem is we don’t have the right size ballista to shoot it, and that’s also being constructed.” I heard the edge in his voice, that he was worried these things wouldn’t be done before the Carians arrived.
He pointed out the catapults along the wall, and the ones on the ground behind it that were even bigger. Men were using horses to drag massive boulders and stones to the catapults.
Xander explained that the goal of the sieging army would be to break through the walls. They would first focus their efforts on the gates, which was why they were currently being reinforced with massive wooden beams.
If they couldn’t get a gate open or tear down a wall, then they would try using ladders to scale the walls. They would bring siege towers that would have ramps at the same height as the walls so that the soldiers could jump down and begin fighting.
“Those we try to hit with oil and flaming arrows,” he said. “Same with their catapults and ballistae. Anything made out of wood, we want to try to catch on fire.”
The Carians outnumbered us significantly. Even with the help of other nations, if they managed to overrun these walls . . .
Ironically, the walls that I’d once hated were now the only things that were going to keep my loved ones safe. “What about food and water? Are you sure you have enough?”
“The Great War lasted ten years. Troas learned their lesson. We have enough food and supplies in the caverns to last for years. We also have underground cisterns and water reservoirs. We will be fine.”
I thought of how the Carians had blocked the water that ran to the temple. It had never made sense to me—why would they have done it?
Maybe Artemisia had guessed that my adelphia would be sent out to deal with it. The oracle had told her a Locrian maiden would be the savior, and they used it as a lure. So that they could release the terawolves on us.
What if they had more? For all I knew the Carians had been breeding them and planned on using them in the fight. I mentioned this to Xander and his mouth tightened.
“We need ditches surrounding the walls, but we don’t have enough time to dig them.”
“Suri can do that in minutes.”
His eyes widened. “Describe to me in detail what each of you can do that would help with the fight.”
I did, and how we could help power each other but that it drained us.
“But I didn’t feel that way when you took my light,” he said.
“That’s because you’re superpowered by a goddess.”
“Can your sisters draw from me?”
“Io might be able to since you’re her brother, but we only see the light around people that we love when we use our aspect.”
He looked smug for a moment, probably thinking about how I saw the light on him long before I admitted that I loved him. “But you felt it with Quynh’s baby.”
“That I can’t explain.” I wasn’t in my aspect when it happened. I thought of the goddess saying that women were the guardians of life and carried the magic inside us—maybe it had something to do with that. “And I’ve lost my chance to ask the goddess about it.”
He folded his arms over his chest. “Yes, you have, because you’re not dying again. Understood?”
“Yes, my king,” I said, trying not to sound too mocking.
He growled and then pulled me to him. “Why do I like it when you call me that?”
“Because you’re an arrogant, overbearing beast who relishes his power,” I responded innocently.
That led to him tickling me and I giggled, trying to wriggle away. But he kept me in his arms. “I may need to punish you later for saying something so unbecoming of a queen.”
My heart immediately sped up. “Do I get to pick the punishment?”
Desire flamed to life in his eyes. “What did you have in mind?”
“There is something I’ve been thinking about.
What we did in the throne room.” I glanced around.
We were not alone—there were soldiers everywhere.
So I decided to use a euphemism. “I have been thinking about what it would be like if we were to do that again, only this time I . . . impaled myself on your dagger.”
A wicked grin lit up his face. “I know that you have no basis for comparison, but let me assure you, my love, it’s a broadsword. And speaking of, aren’t you sore?”
I pressed myself against him. “I’m a warrior. Soreness doesn’t bother me. Or deter me.”
“Yes, I have firsthand experience with that,” he said, his hands traveling down my back. He was apparently unaware of the people around us. “So you wanted to go back to the throne room?”
“No. I wouldn’t want someone to walk in.”
“We could easily accomplish the same thing in our room. We can use a chair or our bed.” He somehow managed to pull me even closer. “I used to curse your insatiable curiosity, but it has become my favorite thing. Please know that I am always available for any experiment you would like to conduct.”
A man cleared his throat behind us. “King Alexandros?”
Xander reluctantly turned his head. “Yes?”
“Captain Thrax has specifically requested you and the queen join him at the docks.”
My husband nodded and the soldier left.
“What could Thrax want?” I asked.
“I’m not sure. I suppose we should go and find out. But not quite yet. I need a moment to put my broadsword away.”
Now I was the one grinning. I loved that I had that effect on him.
Twenty minutes later, we arrived at the docks. There were several large ships farther out, which surprised me. They had warned all the merchants and traders away because Artemisia had said they planned to attack by sea.
We found Thrax, who was beaming at us.
“What is it?” Xander asked.
“I have someone who claims to know the queen.” Thrax stepped aside, and I gasped when I saw the man standing behind him.
“Demaratus?”