30. Chapter 30 #2
Linn interjected on his behalf, saying, “We lack the necessary military and political strength of the Watchers. Recruitment to our cause has been wracked with infiltrators, doubters, and the disinterested. Despite your leadership, Augrys, we do not have the full backing of the Water Court.”
To this, Augrys said nothing. This was news to Yareli; she hadn’t considered—since Augrys commanded the Water Court’s military—that his involvement with the Keepers was unsanctioned by his father.
“We need a strong alliance before this cause takes its final breath,” Ohna declared.
Yareli felt the frustration emanating from Augrys’s back; his shoulders were tense like he wanted nothing more than to shake them all and demand they cease their cowardice.
The Fae next to Leo spoke up. “If a strong alliance is what we seek, then I suggest we all return to our respective courts and do exactly that.” His dark, long green hair fell in loose curls over his shoulders.
His brown eyes gleamed. “After all, that is why we consider ourselves leaders, is it not? Dear Augrys cannot hold our hands every step of the way.”
Silence blanketed the room, and as Yareli was ready to launch a few choice words at the rest of them, Ohna spoke.
“The Fire Court is preparing for the Fire Festival. Perhaps it would do us well to test the waters with one of the trifecta.”
Nil nodded. “The elders are divided. Linn and I may be able to convince one or two of them to side with us.”
“Very good!” The green-haired Fae smiled. “Then, I think this fluke of an emergency meeting is over. Return to your courts, hunt for those alliances, and continue recruitment. Augrys, I’m sure you’ll handle matters here.”
“Of course. New recruits are being trained, and Leo continues his effort to develop light technology.”
Yareli’s attention snapped to Leo. She didn’t know he was also attempting to build a weapon against the nox.
He winked at her, and her unease grew; she hated the muddied waters of their relationship.
The Keepers stood, and she watched in irritation as they exchanged a few pleasantries with Augrys before departing.
He had been right—they were well-intentioned cowards, but at least they had given in easily and were returning to their courts to continue the work.
Her ears perked up when the green-haired Fae approached.
“Sir Hua,” Augrys greeted.
“You shouldn’t entertain their foolishness, Augrys. The Keepers would have collapsed long ago if Linn and Nil had taken control. We were blessed by the Great Tree when you arrived at our doorstep.”
Augrys chuckled, and Yareli fought the temptation to sneak a peek at his face. Joy was rare from him, even if her memories said otherwise. It was another mark against Augrys. Sourness curled her stomach.
“It is, unfortunately, a habit from my schooling where listening to our elders was ingrained in us.”
“You may be young, but your wisdom goes beyond your years. May one day you embrace your own value and command the respect you deserve,” Sir Hua replied with a dip of his head. Without waiting for Augrys’s reply, he left.
Only Leo remained. He approached them, and Yareli relaxed her posture. She stretched her arms, her stiff shoulders aching, and winced. So much for that bath…
“That went pretty well,” he said.
Augrys gave him a grim smile. “As well as it could have.”
“I’m sure Sir Hua only attended to put a stop to their idiocy. The Earth Court has been… busy. He spoke of internal restructuring in the military and government. He remains, however, as part of the nobles’ council.”
“As expected. He comes from a longstanding noble family with great wealth.” Augrys walked away, pulling a chalkboard from the corner of the room. “Are you going to show me the letter in your back pocket?”
Leo guffawed, the hearty sound warming Yareli’s chest. “Is there anything you miss?”
“Plenty, but you did make it exceptionally easy to notice; it’s sticking out.”
“Letter?” Yareli asked. “Who’s it from?”
Leo glanced at her. “It came at an opportune time, you see.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What aren’t you saying?”
“It’s from Allyah.”
It was as though Leo had dropped a bucket of ice on them; Augrys stiffened, and Yareli pressed her lips together.
He coughed. “Glad to know we all feel the same about her. However, she is offering the alliance we need.” He handed the open envelope to Augrys.
Although Augrys’s face remained blank as he skimmed it, his jaw clenched.
“No,” was all he said.
“Augrys.” Leo glanced at her again for a brief second. “We need to consider it.”
“We don’t.”
“We do, and you know it. There’s only so much influence Ohna has. This could change things.”
She bounced between the two, watching them argue, and unable to bear being left in the dark, she snatched the letter from Augrys.
“Don’t waste your time reading it,” he said, but she shushed him.
Her focus had already snagged on her name.
I offer the Fire Court’s alliance.
On one condition: Yareli must win the Fire Festival.
An echo of Allyah’s voice sounded in her head like a parrot taunting her weakness. She didn’t believe Yareli could.
The words left her mouth in an instant. “I’ll do it.”
Augrys and Leo stopped bickering.
“Absolutely not,” Augrys said, taking the letter from her and burning it to a crisp a second later. “The Fire Festival isn’t a game. Losing can only mean two things: One, you’re severely injured. Two, you’re dead. Both of which are unnecessary risks.”
“But winning ensures we have the alliance of a court,” she argued.
Augrys replied, “Winning is not as simple as beating someone in a sparring match.
It's their most important festival, an opportunity to advance further in their military. They push limits, punish weakness, and sacrifice what they must to win. They are a ruthless court. Fair, but ruthless. We will get by without you taking this risk. This is our problem that we must solve on our own.”
“And if we fail to secure an alliance?” She inhaled, her chest heaving.
The words tumbled out, rushing out of her like a popped balloon, leaving only the sad, limp plastic behind.
“The Watchers may destroy your way of life here in Izmari, but they will decimate my world. My family… I don’t remember them yet, but I can’t leave knowing that I had the chance to ensure their safety only to turn tail and flee because it was scary.
What’s scarier is knowing others like Tuom exist and are gleefully bidding their time to get their hands on humans. ”
Exhaustion threatened to overtake her, but she stood her ground. She was going to participate in the Fire Festival.
“She wants to,” Leo said softly. “We should let her.”
Augrys didn’t look at him. The lines of his mouth went straight, but she saw that she won in the way his shoulders drooped. It was undeniable—they needed this win.
“We’ll try to break your core in earnest. The Fire Festival is in a week. Rest tonight. Tomorrow we’ll try again.” He gave his back to them, returning to the blank chalkboard and dismissing them without saying a word.
It felt impersonal, and it bothered her, but she left without complaint. Hadn’t it been her wish to be included, to be a part of the group? Augrys was their leader; it followed that she would obey his commands. And in spite of that logic, something still twisted in her chest.
Leo stayed behind, tapping her arm in a promise to meet later. She nodded, marching to her room. She had a family to remember.