Gasps and louder murmurs increased around me.
“The princess was removed from the palace against her will for her own safety.” Kade Blackthorn fucking owed me for not outing him to everyone for kidnapping her. “Ellevail fell. The king was killed. I was imprisoned and saw firsthand the damage Andras sought to enact. I escaped thanks to Queen Roxana, who sacrificed herself so we could get to the princess.” I took a moment to breathe, grounding myself in the here and now as I spoke of our queen. A knot formed in my chest as I remembered the queen’s brave face. She’d been the only mother figure I’d ever known, and she’d been brutally taken from me. More importantly, taken from Lana. From all of Brookmere.
“We must find a way to work together to defeat Andras and the darkness spreading across our land. It’s our only hope of survival.”
I paced, slightly antsy as the crowd took in my words.
“Before she became the rightful queen, when Illiana and I were still in Ellevail, we established a network for the people of Brookmere. Your queen saw her people suffering and refused to accept it. She created a secret identity you may have heard of—the Hidden Henchman—and worked tirelessly to ensure she aided those who required help. Many of you benefited personally, exactly as she hoped.”
A woman in front of me brought a hand to her mouth, shock etching her features. Caden stepped forward and rubbed her arm.
“Brookmere is facing its darkest hour, and Illiana has sent those who are loyal to the crown, the true crown, to rally our people. We can’t take back Ellevail and defeat the plague on our land alone.” I made sure to meet everyone’s gazes as they heard my message. I prayed they heard my desperation and how muchwe needed them. “We’re asking for help from anyone willing to do so. We have set up a small camp near the border, and your queen requests that if you wish to join her, you do so quickly. For Brookmere.”
“The borders are where the darkness thrives,” someone shouted.
“We will fight to protect you, just as you do Brookmere. I won’t lie and say this will be easy, but we will train and provide weapons for those who are willing. For as long as we possibly can. We will work to reclaim our land together.”
Caden took in a sharp breath. “I will go.” He brushed a stray strand of hair behind his ear. “Our queen kept me from starving. Kept all of us alive through her generosity and asked for nothing in return. If I can help return Brookmere to its rightful ruler and keep it safe, healed from this plague on our lands, I will do it. I will take whoever is willing to where Captain Stronholm tells me.”
A group of Fae to my right jostled through the crowd. “We will go with Caden.”
A chorus of shouts and cries of others rang out, people echoing their agreement and willingness to fight.
“I may have greased their ears a bit when I told them to come to the square,” Caden whispered to me.
I laughed, staring with pride at the young man.
The woman Caden had reassured during my talk approached me, touching my arm gently. “My son was starving to death. One of the dark ones overtook his father, and I—” She stopped, tears spilling down her face. “I protected my son and myself from what he’d become.” Her voice trembled before she cleared it. “Caden brought the food the Hidden Henchman provided and coin to help us survive. He healed, as did I. Only because of what my queen gave. I can’t fight, but I can sew. Cook. Some otherthings. Will you take those of us wishing to repay our queen in ways without a sword?”
I placed my hand over hers. “We’re honored to have any help we can get. There will be many who need assistance, but perhaps you should stay for your son.”
She smiled at me. “He was the first boy who volunteered after Caden. So, Captain.” She straightened, raising her gaze to meet mine in a confident way. “Looks like I’ll be joining too.”
I raised my voice again for the crowd. “Those willing to fight, bring whatever weapons and resources you have and meet at the Knotted Willow outside of Demarva. I’ll provide Caden with directions. Training begins as soon as you arrive.”
A small child ran to my side, pulling on my tunic to offer me a cup of water, which I gulped down. I needed to continue.
“Thank you, my friend.” I patted the child on the head, returning the empty glass, before he ran back to the safety of his mother's side.
Caden approached, and I quickly relayed everything he needed to know to get to the Knotted Willow.
“I must go; there are others to recruit. Be strong. We’re lucky to have you,” I said. “Brookmere is lucky to have you.”
My pulse quickened, and I couldn’t help but smile. If every town was half as helpful as this one was, we may just have a shot. Their enthusiasm for defending their country strengthened the bit of hope in my chest.
I clapped my hand on his shoulder and stepped back, ready to shift and take flight, off to find the next group of recruits.
A flush stained his cheeks as he bowed his head. “May nature guide you, Captain.”
Two days later my energy dwindled. Flying, shifting, telling the same tale to any who would listen drained all my reserves. I rested for only a few hours at a time, scared I would never make it back in time to begin training our recruits.
Andras surely would have heard whispers of what Corbin, Kalliah, and I were doing. Someone would have said something by now, which meant we needed to ready ourselves for battle. One we were wholly unprepared for.
Raya had yet to return. I told myself my anger at her absence was due to the unknown of what occurred in Mysthaven and not being sure that Lana was truly all right, instead of the other option. It had to be. Because what was really burning inside of me, an ache I couldn’t name, didn’t belong when it came to her.
She intruded in my mind and left as she pleased, deciding when I was worthy of her time. Withholding any knowledge she may have.
Stop being pathetic.
