Chapter 25 #3
"And because," Eliam added, his shadows stirring, "we could add other protections. Layer magic from multiple courts. Make it so no single power could ever break it."
"Pretty promises," Karse said. "The fae are good at those."
"What do you want?" Briar asked suddenly. Everyone looked at her, but she kept her eyes on Karse. "For your help. What would make it worth it?"
Karse tilted his head, studying her. "When this is over, if we survive, the courts acknowledge what they did. Publicly. And work to heal the corruption they caused."
"That could take decades," Halian said.
"Then you'd better get started." Karse's smile showed teeth. "Those are my terms. Take them or find the seal yourselves. Good luck getting there in time."
Eliam and Arion exchanged a look, Arion offered a short nod.
"We agree to your terms, Drak," Eliam said, his shadows stirring ominously. "But if you betray us, I'll flay you alive. Very slowly."
Karse smirked, showing far too many teeth. "Promises, promises. Though if I wanted to watch you all die horribly, I'd just let you wander into the corruption without a guide. Much less effort on my part, and probably more entertaining."
"Comforting," Thaine muttered.
"I'm pragmatic," Karse said with a shrug. "Betraying you gains me nothing. Helping you might actually fix the wasteland your courts created. Simple mathematics."
"Just remember the flaying," Eliam said flatly.
"How could I forget? You've made it sound so appealing." Karse's amber eyes glinted with amusement. "Though I should mention, Drak skin is remarkably difficult to flay. Something about the scales. You'd need special tools."
"I'll manage."
"I'm sure you would." Karse stretched lazily.
"If we’re done with the threats, we should discuss preparations. We'll need at least three days to gather what we need," Arion said, already shifting into planning mode. "Supplies for the journey, cold weather gear—"
"Two days," Eliam countered, his eyes moving to the marks peeking out from beneath Briar’s dress collar. "We don't have the luxury of time."
"Two days then." Arion's light flickered with frustration but he didn't argue further. "We should keep the group small. The old paths won't accommodate a large party."
"Agreed," Eliam said. "The four of us and Thaine for tracking."
"I'm going too," Sian stepped forward, her usually gentle demeanor replaced with steel.
"It's too dangerous—" Arion started.
"The corruption poisons water first," Sian interrupted. "Rivers, streams, even morning dew becomes tainted near the seal. You'll need someone who can purify water sources, or you'll die of thirst before you even reach the heart of the wildwood."
"She has a point," Karse said lazily. "The corruption spreads through water like blood through veins. Every stream near the seal runs black. Without an Undine to cleanse it..."
"We'd have to carry all our water for two weeks," Thaine concluded. "That's not feasible."
"Exactly." Sian's chin lifted. "My magic can separate the corruption from clean water. It's exhausting, but possible. Unless you'd prefer to test what corrupted water does to someone who's part Forest Court magic?" She looked pointedly at Briar.
"I'm going too," Halian said quietly.
Everyone turned to look at him.
"Halian—" Arion began.
"You’ll need a healer," he began.
“We’ll manage,” Eliam countered, his tone dismissive.
Halian wasn’t going to be deterred.
"My sister helped create this mess,” he said. His jaw was tight, hands clenched at his sides. “I should have seen it, should have paid more attention. She never wanted to leave the Forest Court, I made her come with me… I had no idea she was meeting with Malus."
"No one blames you," Sian said gently.
"I blame me." The words came out sharp. "She's my family. My responsibility. I failed to stop her, the least I can do is help fix what she's done."
"Your guilt won't help us," Eliam replied.
"No, but my magic might." Halian's usual cheerfulness was completely absent. "I know defensive spells, ward construction. If we're going to reinforce the seal, you'll need someone who understands magical architecture."
"He's not wrong," Arion admitted reluctantly. "Adding new layers to an existing seal requires precision. Halian's studied magical theory more extensively than any of us."
"Seven then," Thaine said from his position against the wall. "Should be manageable."
"This is either going to be very effective or a complete disaster," Karse observed. "Seven people who barely trust each other, traveling through corrupted territory to stop an insane fae lord from releasing ancient monsters. What could possibly go wrong?"
"When you put it like that, it sounds almost impossible," Halian said, some of his usual dry humor returning.
"Almost?" Sian asked.
"Well, we have the power of three courts, a Drak who knows the territory, the best tracker in the Forest Court, and whatever Briar is becoming." Halian glanced at her. "I'd say we have slightly better than impossible odds."
"Slightly better than impossible," Thaine muttered with a shake of his head. "How reassuring."
"Two days to prepare," Arion said, bringing them back to practical matters. "We'll need cold weather gear, provisions for at least two weeks—"
"Two weeks?" Sian asked.
"The paths aren't straight," Karse explained. "And if we encounter corruption, we'll need to go around it."
"What about weapons?" Thaine asked.
"Star metal, if you have any," Eliam said, looking at Arion. "The Unseelie corruption recoils from it."
Arion's expression tightened. "We have a few pieces. Old blades from before... from when we needed them last. They're kept in the deep vaults."
"Star metal?" Briar asked.
"Forged with metal that fell from the sky," Sian explained. "It holds properties that are antithetical to Unseelie magic. But it's rare. Most of it was used during the war."
"I can retrieve what we have," Halian offered. "Three, maybe four blades."
"Better than nothing," Karse said. "The corruption has a way of turning regular weapons useless. They rust, decay, sometimes turn on their wielders."
"Comforting," Briar muttered.
"We'll need to coordinate our magic," Sian said. "Different courts' magic doesn't always blend well. We should practice working together before we're in actual danger."
"Tomorrow," Arion agreed. "After we've gathered supplies." He looked around the room. "Everyone should get rest tonight. We have two days of intense preparation ahead."
His gaze settled on Briar. "What about the compulsion? If Malus tries again—"
"I have a temporary solution," Eliam said curtly, his hand tightening on Briar's waist. "It's handled."
"What kind of solution?" Arion pressed, concern evident in his voice.
"The kind that works." Eliam was already guiding Briar toward the door. "We have preparations to make."
"Eliam—" Arion started.
"Two days, princeling. Focus on your supplies."
Without waiting for a response, Eliam steered Briar out of the room, leaving the others to their planning. She could feel the tension in his hand against her back, the purposeful stride that meant he had something specific in mind.
"What temporary solution?" she asked once they were in the corridor.
"You'll see," was all he said, and something about his tone made her stomach flutter with equal parts anticipation and concern.