CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT #2
Carlile tapped a finger on the chair arm in thought.
“It’s certainly daring,” he noted. “I am awaiting an update from the Waulden Administration on Blount’s movements, but last we knew, your plan is viable.
The prince was in Carrickbrack, waiting for his allies to join him.
Where he is at present, I cannot say until I receive further updates. Birds can only fly so quickly.”
Evylin wasn’t sure if Carlile meant actual birds like carrier pigeons or if he was using a code.
Behind her, she could feel Deckard’s discomfort as he continued, “Even with our delay, if our calculations are correct and Blount does go for the Terrae Relic first, he should arrive in Olbury shortly after us,” he said.
“Which would mean we could wait for him there and hope to ambush him as he’s done to us.
With the Night, Wind, Terrae, and Space Relics, we should be able to accomplish that, yes? ”
“Oh, yes, I should hope so,” Carlile said, though his expression belied uncertainty.
He hesitated, then sighed. “It is hard to know how to proceed in matters such as this when men like Blount are involved. He’s dangerous.
He’s cunning. He’s been trained under the most powerful and cruel Night Mages for over four decades.
Underestimating him and his abilities is a mistake. ”
Ilain glanced at Brea as though to impress the statement on her.
Brea ignored the woman.
“However,” Carlile continued, “with four Relics, a Bonded couple, the highest trained soldiers in Ephria, the Alliance’s most impressive spy, two additional Warriors, and three Mages, including the most powerful to be born in the last two centuries who is also a purported goddess—” He grinned, scanning the whole of the troop before turning back to Deckard.
“I have little doubt that you will succeed, Colonel.”
Evylin shared a hopeful look with Deckard, feeling his anxiety diminish in the air around him. Brea’s plan would work, and they would win this war once and for all.
Yet, she felt a sudden shift in Deckard’s emotions once more, the worry returning. “We’ll plan for that then and pray to Allore that Blount is days behind us,” he said in a tense tone. “Do you have any other advice?”
“I do,” Carlile said. “Though more in line with the evening’s festivities.
First, don’t mention the Space Relic. Remember, Ephren doesn’t know it exists, believing there are seven Relics.
In fact, should he mention magic of any sort, it’d be best to keep your conversation vague.
Ephren is a distractible man. If you bore him, he’ll move on to something more diverting. ”
“We’ll just let Audy handle the magic talk then,” Rafferty said. “Anytime he gets going, people are bound to be bored.”
Brea snorted while Auden glowered at the man.
“Speaking of the Calders,” Carlile said, turning to Ilain. “Congratulations on your betrothal, Highlady. And to you, Corporal Loxley.”
Standing at the far end of the couch, Ethenn dipped his chin in thanks, his expression tightening at the room’s attention. At his side, Ilain patted his arm placatingly as she replied, “Our thanks, my lord.”
He raised a knowing brow. “That said, I’m afraid it would be best if His Majesty doesn’t discover your relationship.
Ephren won’t take well to one of his soldiers falling in love with a Waulden Mage.
It doesn’t make for a good story on his part, his personal guard switching loyalty to a dangerously suspect ally.
It’d be best if you didn’t show preference to one another tonight. ”
“We can do that,” Ethenn said readily.
Carlile addressed the rest of them. “As a matter of fact, I’d suggest none of you be overly friendly with the Calders. His Majesty might get suspicious.”
“We’ve traveled together for two months now,” Evylin said. “Isn’t it expected that we’ve grown close?”
“As the Order of the King, your troop has been given two assignments,” Carlile reminded. “To help recover the Relics and to keep an eye on the untrustworthy Wauldeners.”
The truth filled the room awkwardly. It was a strange reminder that in Ephria, Auden and Ilain were considered the enemy. Even the king’s trust was conditional.
“Your friendship,” Carlile continued, “would suggest that you have lost your sense of caution. Ephren may be easy to manipulate, but he is no fool. He will question your allegiance if he thinks you are complicit with the Calders.”
Evylin chewed on her lip, growing uncomfortable about the dinner. She wasn’t much for stately pretense or politicking. And she worried that she’d slip up, revealing their hand to the king.
But ever gracious, Deckard accepted Carlile’s task before asking if there was anything more.
“Yes.” Carlile gestured to the trunk again. “Inside, you will find a box with replicas of the Day, Water, Night, Wind, and Time Relics. The king will want to see them and hear your tales. Feel free to embellish them as much as you wish. However, keep Blount from the accounting.”
Rafferty perked up, his silvery eyes gleaming. “These replicas of the Relics,” he said, “are they as gold and encrusted with gems as the real things?”
“Indeed,” Carlile said. “But you aren’t to touch them, Corporal. Only Colonel and Captain Deckard will be given charge of them as the highest-ranking officers. Though, Highlord Calder—”
Auden looked up, attentive.
“It’d behoove us if you’d give them some extra luster when the king holds them, hm?” Carlile’s eyes glimmered merrily. “Make him believe they hold magic.”
Auden grinned. “I’ll do what I can.”
“Excellent.” Carlile stood then. “I’ll leave you to your preparations. It will be a private affair tonight, just you and the king’s family. Be prepared for some preening, but don’t worry, this won’t be an ostentatious affair. You’ll all do just fine.”
After Carlile’s departure, they perused the trunk, finding individual packages awaiting them. Once they’d been handed out, the group dispersed to prepare. The men all shaved, and Brea offered to trim their hair should they wish.
“You can cut hair?” Thom asked, incredulous at the discovery.
“Well enough to make even you look presentable, mi’caro,” she teased, beginning to work on Ethenn’s hair. It had grown so long that it regularly hung in the young man’s eyes, a less than presentable appearance to go before the king.
Brea did an excellent job. Rafferty no longer looked quite so scraggly with his close crop, and she even trimmed Auden’s hair to make it easier to manage.
Carlile had chosen to outfit the soldiers in uniforms with regal cuts and luxurious finishes.
Each of the men wore the dark green of Ephria’s standard, their high collars trimmed with silver braiding, black silk cravats, and white trousers tucked into shiny black riding boots.
Deckard’s uniform bore the single gold braid of a colonel strapped to the right epaulet.
As a sign of her unique station, Evylin was given a similar coat made in silk and cut short to emphasize her waistline, where her emerald skirt flared dramatically.
Evylin thought they all looked like quite a respectable set of soldiers.