“Until we see a fight begin, we stay close to the land. In fact, go behind the islands when we reach them.” He knew there were some not far to the east, in Lord Riis’s territory. They wouldprovide cover and protect them but were also not far from where the action would take place.
“And when we anchor, set up a night watch.”
“One is already lined up, my lord.”
“Very good. Dismissed.” Roar didn’t think the entire Virtoris fleet would come their way, not when they had likely been instructed to wait. But that didn’t mean a ship or two wouldn’t venture west and try to pick off some of his fleet. Or sabotage them. Best not to give the Lady of Ships the chance.
So tonight they would remain vigilant. And tomorrow, when two fleets converged, they would require every vessel to sink the House of the Sea Serpent to the frigid gray depths.
Chapter 47
ISOLDE
My thighs ached from flying on Arava through the afternoon and night and deep into the following day. When I finally got off her back, I would not be surprised if my fighting leathers and armor kept their riding form.
In the distance, the sun was slowly arching its way toward the horizon, and the gray blue of the Shivering Sea spread out before us. Seemingly never-ending. Dark clouds blanketed the most distant waters, in a way I did not like. A way that reminded me too much of the vision the Frør Crown had oh so kindly blessed me with.
If I never put that bleeding crown on again, it will be too soon.
An astonishing two thousand soldiers had passed through Luccan’s gateway before it closed abruptly, all on its own. Luccan collapsed from the effort, and Arie, with the help of soldiers, rushed his brother to the healer’s sanctuary. Anna, Clem, and Duran had remained at Ramshold to aid in Luccan’s recovery.
After informing the high lords of what I’d seen and announcing that we were going north, things moved quickly. We’d gathered our allies and soldiers and taken to the winds.
Five hundred flew with us. Among them were a mix of rebels, soldiers from House Balik and House Riis, and even a few dwarves from Dergia.
Those who had no wings had to ride on gryphons or dragonback the entire time, which greatly limited their numbers. If one didn’t have wings to transport oneself, they had to beexceptionalin magic or combat.
But even having wings didn’t mean a fae would join us. Only those who could fly for hours on end were chosen. In this way we limited the number of rotations on and off the gryphons and dragon, all of which had to be completed in the air.
Thus far, we’d allowed only three stops to eat and sleep just long enough so we would not be useless when we reached the coast. Some would call the journey under such conditions horrific.
They’d be right.
The one glaring question that had plagued me during the journey north was: What happened to Thantrel? He’d not been featured in my vision, something Thyra had fixated on. Did she expect the worst? That he was dead and that was why he had not been fighting?
I cast a glance to my right, where Thyra flew on Lasvin. That steely glint haunted my twin’s eyes. That promise of vengeance.
“We should descend,” I shouted into the wind.
Caelo had spoken with a few ravens as we flew. They told him many large boats were hiding behind the islands off the coast. According to the ravens, the vessels were out of place—not fishing or merchant boats.
Just as we’d predicted. They had to be the Royal Nava, waiting for the king’s ships to arrive. Then, and only then, whenthe armada had moved to take on the king’s vessels would the Nava ships add their weight to the fight.
“I estimate we’re about an hour’s ride on foot to the coast,” Thyra replied. “Aleksander? Where’s Arla and the mage fleet now?”
Prince Thordur flew with Aleksander. The dwarf gripped my brother tightly as he joined with his hawk again. A safety precaution. In the moments that Aleksander took on Arla’s eyes, he wasn’t always in complete control of his body.
Aleksander returned to us and locked stares with me. “Judging by the landmarks Arla can see, they’ll be here in three or four hours. They seem to have put on more speed. Whether by current or magic, I don’t know.”
“What if the hidden ships leave before we can get to them?” Thyra asked me.
“I can’t say, but we don’t have a choice but to eventually descend and get closer on foot.”
Sian and ten other limiters were doing their best to create an illusion at the front of our forces, making us look like a storm cloud. However, Sian had clarified that with five hundred moving beings, it was impossible to create a perfect illusion and the closer we got to the Nava ships, the more likely it was they’d spot the chinks in our armor.
“And we need food and a little rest,” I added because a quick glance at the fliers and riders revealed bloodshot eyes and sagging bodies. The moment we touched down, we’d drink and eat. If they could sleep for an hour, that was as much rest as they’d get, and by the looks of many, it wasn’t enough. Then, we’d be on the move again.
Thyra jerked a nod, and together we raised our hands. Our aerial army slowly descended, doing our best to remain behind the illusion.
