Not fast enough.
“You both should be out there,” Aleksander continued. “Being seen. Heard. Those at the castle know you well enough, but to others, you’re still a mystery.”
“You’re right. I’ll go now.” Remaining in this room and thinking of Vale in Rhistel’s mental grasp seemed unbearable. I went to the door. Aleksander followed and made to come with me, but I shook my head. “Rest. We can guess what they’re doing in Kuro, and I don’t think they’ll be leaving soon. As long as Arla stays there and can follow them, you should be able to get some sleep.”
“If anything happens, send someone to wake me.”
“I will.”
The hallways of Ramshold were alive with fae, everyone rushing back and forth, completing various tasks. Assembling an army impacted not only the fighters, but anyone related to them. Anyone who provided a service that would keep the soldiers fed, comfortable, and alive. Kitchen staff. Healers. Maids, seamstresses, and those who worked in the laundry; all so busy that few noticed me as I passed.
I found Thyra where Aleksander said she’d be, standing by the three rams, gazing out the large arched window.
“Sister.”
She gave me a sad smile. “Was wondering when you’d emerge.”
“Aleksander reminded me it was good to be seen.”
“I’m hoping this is enough. I don’t have the energy to perform right now.”
“Me neither.” I joined her at the window.
Beyond the glass, hundreds of soldiers stood in lines, acquiring weapons. Some received lessons. To my great relief, no one looked too young or too old to fight. Lord Balik, and those lords and ladies loyal to the warden, had called in their best.
After a few minutes of assessing, I broached the subject I’d considered on and off since I awoke. “I think we should speak with Luccan about using a gateway one more time. But not to Avaldenn.”
The Riis family believed one of their gateways in Avaldenn was still functional. The one at the Warmsnap Tavern. However, as the establishment belonged to Lord Riis, it was very likely the tavern was being watched. No one dared try to enter the place to find out, lest they be caught. To funnel an army through a tavern would be ludicrous.
Thyra turned. “Where then?”
“Bitra. Lord Riis’s army is coming from there, anyway. Maybe the entire Balik army can enter the castle and be safe while we regather. Then, we march.”
“Bitra is a three-day walk from Avaldenn,” she mused. “We’d lose the effect of flanking their forces, but it could work. That is, if Luccan can keep the gateway open that long.”
She’d targeted the main reason I’d hesitated. Once, Luccan had opened a temporary gateway. The effort had nearly claimed his life.
“Yes. We should speak with Luccan about it.” I turned only to see the Virtoris siblings coming our way.
“We have news,” Vidar said. “Is this a good time?”
“As good as any,” Thyra replied.
“We sent a raven to our mother,” Vidar took the lead, “detailing where the king and prince are and the route they’ll likely take home. I told her where to have ships in place, and she’ll see it through.”
“So maybe she can intercept them?” I asked.
“It’s possible but not probable,” Sayyida said. “It’s also possible that if they gain new allies, a larger fleet will join them in coming north. In that case, the other ships would protect the king’s vessel, and depending on how many vessels the mages send, that could be too much for our armada.”
Vidar cleared his throat. “We still need to send an army to Avaldenn.”
“That was never in question,” Thyra replied. To win the war, we’d need the capital.
“Our mother will protect the mouth of the Shivering Sea as best she can,” Sayyida paused. “But she’ll need all the help she can get. Vidar and I should join her.”
The pair could enter the city via a gateway that led into Sváva’s home, and they already had vessels hidden among the islands closest to that city. If they left now, it would be possible to make to their island before the king’s ship.
“Let’s discuss this with Lord Riis and Lord Balik.” The choice was not one my heart wanted. On the water, I wouldn’t know if they were safe. But tactically, it made sense.
