36. Chapter Thirty Six Rhowyn
Chapter Thirty Six: Rhowyn
Bursting into action, we rushed from the room. Turning to the soldier, I told him, “Find Arryn and tell him to meet us at the gates.”
The soldier nodded, running off in the other direction as I sprinted toward the gate. Aurelia met us as we exited the doors to the Keep and raced down the steps into the courtyard. Everyone was standing around in tense anticipation, ready to act at the first order. Reaching the gate, I met the eyes of one of the soldiers guarding it. “How far out are they?”
“Still just on the horizon, but there’s a large group of them. We couldn’t get an accurate count.” I nodded, and instead of going into the room off the side of the gate, I raced up the stairs that led to the battlements. I’d get a better view from there at the distance they were. My thighs screamed at me as I pushed myself up the stairs as quickly as I dared, swinging around to sprint to the edge of the walkway at the top. My hands grasped the ledge as my eyes widened in shock.
“Shit! There must be hundreds!” Baer swore under his breath, the same shock in his voice as I felt.
“Think they’re friend or foe?” Lennox asked, all of us standing there in awe at the size of the group.
“There’s no way of knowing; they’re still too far away to make out, but they’re not traveling like they’re in a hurry. I can only hope that means they’re not here to harm us,” I said.
“What should we do?” Baer asked me as we all stared at the approaching mass, dark specks on the horizon steadily crawling toward us.
“Our glamor over the castle still holds, right, Aurelia?” I asked Callum’s sister as she finally reached the top, her breaths heaving in and out.
“Yes. Loki has kept the magic topped off,” she answered as soon as she could, her face flushed from the exertion.
“We need more of an idea of who we’re facing. We need time to prepare for an assault, and if we wait for them to get too close, it’ll be too late,” I reasoned, my mind racing. Turning to Brannoc, I asked, “How’s your magic? Can you scout the advancing crowd?”
“Aye. I have enough left for that,” he said, his brow furrowed.
Before he could turn to smoke, I stopped him with a hand on his arm. “If you don’t have enough, I can go. I have plenty. I don’t want to leave you completely depleted. You’ve used so much of your magic lately,” I rambled on, worried he wouldn’t tell me when he was at his limit.
He leaned down and pressed a quick kiss on my lips, smirking as he pulled back. “I’m good,” he reassured me as I watched him turn to smoke, disappearing from everyone’s view but my own. It wasn’t that I could exactly see him, but it was more of a feeling of where his power was that allowed me to see a slight smudge in the air. My heart remained in my throat as he flew away from us. I didn’t tear my eyes from him even when Arryn joined us. I ignored his questions, letting Baer and Nox give him the update.
Arryn’s warm hand on my waist had me leaning into him, the small gesture reminding me that I had them. “He knows his limits. He’ll be back as quickly as possible.”
I wanted to trust him, but the crowd continued to approach, seeming to pick up pace as if they knew their destination was near. Finally, I sensed Brannoc returning. He landed in front of us, his legs nearly giving out upon turning to his fae form, and Lennox steadied him. I waited for him to give me his report, worried that he had indeed pushed himself too far. Finally, he met my eyes, a slow smile spreading on his face. Getting aggravated that he seemed to be dragging this out while I stewed, I gave him a soft punch to his arm. “What is it?”
He laughed. “It’s Juniper. She’s arriving with others who wish to support the rightful Queen of Avalon.”
“What!?” I questioned. “How’d they know to come here? I thought we had kept this place a secret.”
Arryn spoke up with a smile. “I think you’re forgetting the fact that when Avalonia possessed you, she had told those who supported you to find you. That she’d lead them to you should they trust in her and you.”
My eyes widened at that thought, and I looked back out to the swarm of people slowly coming into view. “There’s so many of them,” I whispered.
Baer smiled and hugged me into him. “They see what we see. That the chance for a better way is now. There won’t be any place for them to hide from this decision. They’ll have to choose a side instead of remaining neutral. Titania will continue to ride through the lands, burning down anyone who doesn’t outright swear allegiance to her. We’ve seen that evidence.”
I weighed his words, knowing he was right. Titania had forced them into this war, forced them to choose sides. If we could offer them safety and a place to support us, we would. “What are we going to do with all of them?” I asked no one in particular. There were so many of them that I knew they wouldn’t all fit into the Keep itself, already out of space from those who had joined us.
“We’ve got tents that we can hand out. Hopefully, some of them brought supplies. I’ve been preparing for this for decades, so I know we have enough to go around. However, we’ll need all of them to pull their own weight. It’s a lot of mouths to feed and support, but we can do it together,” Aurelia said, chiming in with the same awe that I felt.
“Can you get Loki for me, Baer?” I asked him, because I knew that Lennox was easily annoyed by the Puca, and Brannoc was exhausted. “Nox, can you get my grandfather? We’ll need to figure out a way to extend the glamour to encompass them as well and possibly put up a stronger shield. Should there be an actual assault on the Keep, we can bring everyone inside, cramped though it may be.” My brain was in full planning mode, thinking of the best way to fit these new arrivals into the fold.
I didn’t have long to wait for Loki, a mischievous smirk on his face when he found me. “Yes, Your Majesty?”
For the first time, the title didn’t bother me as I grew into the role I had been tasked with. Turning from the horizon, I looked at him. “We need to drop the glamor on the Keep. I want to give them instructions before we let them inside. Unfortunately, we can’t fit them all in here to stay, but I’d like to extend the glamor to encompass their tents and temporary shelters.”
He bowed his head with a wink. “Your wish is my command, Your Majesty.” He lifted his hands, and the shimmering veil that had covered the Keep dropped without a second thought.
I saw the moment the approaching fae noticed the appearance of the Keep before them, their horses and steps faltering as they gawked at how close they had been. And there, on a big brown horse in the lead, was Juniper, riding tall in the saddle with a huge grin on her face.
My grandfather arrived next. Not wanting to force him to climb the steps, I traveled down to him. After giving him a hug, I asked, “Is there any way we can create a shield to protect the people who are unable to fit in the Keep. I’d like something stronger to protect them on top of the glamor, just in case.”
“I can do that, but it will take more magic than I have to complete it,” he told me, concern on his face as he puzzled over the best answer.
“Can you walk me through how to do it? I should be able to power the spell now that my own magic isn’t locked away. I feel full to the brim with it. Besides, I can pull from my consorts should I need more, but I doubt I will,” I told him.
He chewed on that idea for a moment, nodding. “That should work. I’ll gather the supplies. We can do that after you’ve greeted your guests.” He smiled at me dotingly.
I laughed. “I guess I should say something to them, especially after they’ve come all this way for me.”
“Just speak from the heart, dear. You’ve already won them over.” He patted my hand before hobbling off to get what we needed.
I took a deep breath, prepared to walk out there and speak to everyone, but when I opened my eyes, I found Meadow being held by a stable hand. Arryn leaned down, answering my unspoken question. “I asked them to fetch her. We’ll ride out together, and you can address them from that vantage point.”
“Always so prepared, Sir,” I teased him while letting Baer help me up into the saddle before they mounted their own horses. Turning to Callum’s sister, I asked, “Join us?” She nodded and made to follow. Once I was facing the gates, I nodded at the soldiers who were waiting there. They swung them wide as I rode out, four of my consorts trailing behind me as I went to greet my people.
I stopped about twenty feet from the gates, the Keep towering in the background, a formidable image that hopefully assured the people that we could indeed protect them from Titania’s wrath. Waiting for them all to near me, I surveyed the worn appearance of the families with small children who carried little more than small bags between them. Others had carts with belongings and supplies, but most of them only had what they could physically carry. Their haggard appearances pulled at my heartstrings, and I felt the stirrings in my soul, the indication that Avalonia wanted me to speak to her people.
“People of Avalon,” I began, my voice projected thanks to my use of Baer’s air magic. “My heart is full to know that so many of you have made the journey based on Avalonia’s urgings. I know you’re all scared and worried about what we must face, but I promise you this: I will do everything in my power to protect you and restore the land to its previous glory.
“While here, all that I ask is that everyone helps each other. Share what you have with those who don’t have as much. Everyone will be fed and have shelter, but with so many new people, there will be more work to ensure that these things are possible. I ask that you meet with Lady Aurelia.” I turned and nodded at Callum’s sister, who rode to sit beside me, though slightly behind. “She will take your names, your skills, and will eventually be assigning everyone a job. Let her know what you believe you can contribute to the cause. Whatever it may be, it is no small part.
“If you can fight, great. However, should you be unable to, this does not mean that you bring less to the table. It simply means that you bring a different skill set. Soldiers need feeding, need armor and weapons, and need help with ensuring they are ready. Without someone to repair their armor, they are sure to perish in battle. Without a full belly, they won’t have the strength to fight. Without someone to care for their weapons, they won’t be able to keep us safe.
“So, you see, every job is important because it’s for the greater good. There is pride in every position, and each job will be just as important in ensuring that we can fight Titania, bringing her tyrannical rule to an end. Working together, we can all bring about the peace we are so desperate for. Together, we can free all of Avalon!” I ended my speech, letting the shouts of support ring out from the horde of people, near deafening in volume.
I grinned from ear to ear, so proud of my people. They were survivors, fighters, and rebuilders. This was exactly what we needed to be able to continue the war against Titania. The crowd began pressing forward, so I spoke up again. “Please line up in single file, and Lady Aurelia will take your information. We’ll get everyone settled for the evening, and then we’ll begin our efforts in the morning. Thank you all for coming. If there’s anything you need, please let Lady Aurelia or Juniper know. They will bring the issues to me and my consorts.”
Again, the crowd cheered and lined up to patiently be logged into our haphazard system. Callum’s sister dismounted, and two other women lined up beside her with paper and pens as she greeted them all. The soldiers spread out and began setting up tents to assign to travelers while also keeping an eye out for anyone who didn’t agree with the system. Surprisingly, there was no trouble.
Turning back to the gates, I found my grandfather grinning. “You were spectacular, dear,” he whispered to me, kissing my cheek with pride shining from his eyes.
Blushing, I glanced at the supplies he had gathered. “Is that everything we’ll need?” I asked, changing the subject.
“Yes. Let’s go out this way a little, and we’ll begin forming the shield.” He held my arm in the crook of his as we ambled to a good spot, one that left plenty of room for people to move about between the tents. Satisfied that we had given enough room, he set the supplies down.
He directed Baer and Nox to set up what we needed while I listened closely, trying to absorb as much information as I could. When it looked like they had it all ready, I asked, “So what do you need me to do?”
“Dip into your power, draw it up and into you like a spool of thread. Once you have it, say these words while directing the power out. It should feel like casting a net upon the water. Keep repeating the words until you feel it settle into place to cover the area like a bubble,” he instructed.
Nodding, I reviewed the words on the paper. Once I had them memorized, I called on my magic, which was eagerly waiting on me to use it, rising up to greet me like a dog would after an owner’s prolonged absence. I smiled as I spoke the spell, letting my magic unravel, pulling more and more of it to produce a thick shield that sat over the top of the Keep and the new travelers. All the while, I ensured I had a firm hold on it, not letting it slip while I cajoled it into forming what I needed.
When I had pulled on about half of my magic stores, I felt the spell click into place, indicating I had successfully created a shield. Smiling in triumph, I opened my eyes to find my men mirroring my expression. “How do you feel, child?” my grandfather asked.
“Good. I still have quite a bit left over; probably just over half of my magic is still there,” I answered honestly, hesitating over the last words as his eyes widened in shock.
“I knew my girl was powerful.” Lennox smirked, wrapping an arm around my waist and kissing me on the cheek. I laughed at him, pleased with his words.
“Now, I need to speak with Juniper to see about that book, and Loki needs to replace the glamor,” I said, redirecting my attention to our next tasks.
Heading inside the gates, I found Juniper waiting for me. “I had a feeling you’d want to speak with me,” she said with an indulgent smile.
“That I do,” I answered, gesturing for her to walk with me. “How’d you lead everyone here?” I asked. My real questions were not something for the people to hear, but this was a safe enough topic.
“I felt the pull. Avalonia was calling me and several other staff members of Cashel Rí. It had become unsafe for us. Titania’s moves are becoming more frantic and desperate. Besides, there was no further information for me to learn, so it was time for me to leave,” she explained as we climbed the steps leading into the Keep.
“As our group of castle servants made our escape, we passed through villages, and in each one, we picked up more and more people who wanted to join the cause. Who was I to deny them. They were being called just as I was. They’d each heard of what Titania was doing to the villages that her soldiers passed through, burning everything to the ground unless they submitted to her,” she said sadly.
My mood dipped as I sobered at the memory of what I had seen. “Yes. It’s true,” I whispered, confirming her worst fears.
“Oh, child. Don’t blame yourself. This is all on Titania,” she tried consoling me, reading my mood correctly.
I gave her a sad smile. “I know. It still doesn’t mean I don’t feel guilty that they had to be in that position in the first place. I wish I had been strong enough to end things after I completed the ascension. It would have saved everyone so much hurt and turmoil.”
She stopped me just outside of the throne room. “One thing I have learned in my long life is that Avalonia always has a plan. As painful as some things are to face, to admit, she does know what she’s doing, and she plans to use you to deliver us all from Titania’s grasp. Believe in that and know that the horrible things that are happening are not your fault. For too long, our people ignored what was happening, hiding our heads in the sand, waiting for someone else to deal with our problems. Now, we must face the consequences of turning a blind eye to what was occurring right under our noses. This is not on you.”
I smiled again, my eyes watering. “Thank you, Juniper.” Somehow, this woman always knew what to say to help me, and I was grateful that she was here with us now. At least here, I could keep her safe. At Cashel Rí, she was constantly in danger, and I was glad I’d have the chance to keep her with me for a while longer.
She smiled in return. “Now, what was it you really needed to speak with me about?”
Arching a brow, I led the way to the War Room. Once we were all inside, I turned to the woman. “My father had said that when he began his final assault on the Queen, he entrusted you with some books. I was hoping that you had brought them with you.”
She gasped in response to my question. “Jonathan’s your father? You found him?” Her hand fluttered near her throat, eyes wide with shock.
“Oh, shit. I didn’t tell you. I thought I had, I’m so sorry. I would have said something sooner, but yes, when we broke Jude out of the dungeons, we also saved my father, Jonathan.”
Her eyes watered, and she gasped out a sob. “He lives,” she whispered. I gave her time to come to terms with that information as guilt assaulted me for not having told her sooner. Finally, she looked back up to me. “Where is he? Can I see him?”
I blushed and grimaced. “He went to inspect some ruins with Callum and Cyerra. I expect him back later tonight or first thing in the morning. However, he’s doing well. Before he left, we were looking into some ruins that Titania has been fascinated with for the last several decades. He said he remembered reading something about it in his books that he left with you?”
“Yes, dear. I’ve got them in my satchel back on my horse. He entrusted me with them, and I couldn’t leave them behind,” she said, rushing back out to fetch them.
While I waited, I blew out a breath and turned to Arryn. “What did you do with the orb?”
“I hid it in our room. I’ll show you exactly where, but it’s safe.” He pulled me into a hug. “You know she’s right, don’t you?”
I sighed, hugging him back. “I do. Although, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to release myself from the full responsibility of what’s happening to those innocents. They didn’t ask for any of this.”
He kissed the top of my head. “And yet, they also ignored the threat, hoping that if they didn’t get involved, it would all go away. They do bear some of the burden that you’re carrying. I agree, they don’t deserve to be punished for it, but they did know something was wrong for a long time before this.”
“You’re right,” I sighed out, squeezing him tighter, stepping away as Juniper re-entered with her satchel. She placed it on the table and pulled out three large and ancient tomes.
“Do you know which one it might have been?” she asked me.
“He didn’t say, but I would like to scan through these,” I told her as I ran a hand over the covers. “You can go get settled. I’ll let you know if I need anything or when my father returns.”
She nodded. “Of course. Although, I do have one request, if I may?”
“Anything.”
“I’d like to stay on as your ladies’ maid. It’s something I’m good at, and it makes me feel useful,” she requested, wringing her hands together.
“Of course. I’d have no one else for the job.” I beamed at her, glad to have her services again. She truly did work magic on my appearance. “Find Lady Aurelia, and she’ll show you around once she’s finished processing all the new arrivals.”
“I’ll leave you to it then.” She dipped into a curtsey before leaving. I smiled at her retreating form. Once she was out of sight, I turned back to the books. Pulling up a chair, I sat down in front of the table. I looked up to my consorts. “I know I should probably be sleeping, resting for what comes next, but I know I won’t be able to, not until the others return.”
“I understand,” Baer said, smiling at me as he pulled out a chair. “What can we help with?”
“Honestly, I’d rather be alone while I go through these. Brannoc needs sleep and food,” I scolded, narrowing my eyes at him, daring him to challenge me on this.
“That I do,” he admitted, bending down to give me a deep kiss, claiming my mouth and pushing everything from my mind as I submitted to his demanding lips. He withdrew slowly with a cocky smirk. “I’ll just leave you with that. If you want more, you know where to find me.”
I laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Baer and Lennox made their excuses, leaving Arryn and I there with the tomes. Instead of leaving me as well, he sat in the chair Baer had pulled out. “Two heads are better than one. Hopefully, with both of us going through these, we can find what Jonathan was talking about.”
I nodded, opened the first book, and was immediately absorbed into the history of Avalon.