“Our main goal,” Azriel said, “is to take Eastwood Province.”
“That land is overrun by vampires,” Kholp pointed out, with Thorin translating for the others. “Of what use do we have for it now? No one would allow us to just…march in.”
To Azriel’s surprise, Liulund countered, “If you do not protect the Keonis Tree, then you run the risk of Loren discovering why it’s so important to you all. He’ll destroy it.”
The three dhemons glanced at one another, then H’axinhum said, “Then we should attack before this Vampire King has the chance to prepare properly. If he’s preparing for war, we must strike first.”
Kholp nodded at that. “Keep him on the back-foot, as Lord Theobald said.”
“Are our soldiers ready for this?” Thorin asked in both languages.
At that, Azriel looked to those in charge of training. H’axinhum and Kholp exchanged a questioning look while the silent Boti and quiet Dahlia nodded in confirmation. Liulund snorted as though the question were a grave insult to the work he’d been doing with the freed Algorathian prisoners. They’d been prepared since the moment they left the desert, no doubt.
“Those who’ve flocked to your banner from L’Oden Forest,” Boti said, “are mercenaries, assassins, or otherwise have been trained to fight since a young age. We fae stay prepared for battle with neighbors such as the vampires.”
“Truly?” Ariadne asked, the pitch of her question demonstrating just how taken aback the statement made her.
Edira nodded. “There’s a reason merchants must gain approval prior to leaving L’Oden to trade. Valenul has always been a hostile kingdom.”
Color flushed Ariadne’s cheeks, though the Caersan Lords at the table appeared unsurprised by her blunt response. By the way both their mouths quirked up, the hostilities were something of a deep-seated pride for them. Old habits and all that.
“I’m certain,” Azriel said, “keeping a defensive posture for so long was, in part, due to the raids orchestrated by my father and…” The words trailed off as he glanced at Ariadne. She knew him well enough, though, to know that Azazel the Crowe hadn’t acted alone. “And myself.”
Several members of the council shot quick looks at Ariadne to gather her reaction. To her credit, she didn’t flinch. She squeezed his hand again and met each pair of eyes with sturdy resolve. This was old news to her, and, despite it all, she still chose him.
“Nevertheless,” he continued before they could get even more off topic, “I believe it to be wise to move into Eastwood as soon as possible.”
Lord Knoll inclined his head in agreement. “Gaining the ground is necessary to set up a strong force against Loren in Central Province. Between Theobald and me, we continue to hold influence over the lower Caersans in the area. We may be able to sway some to join our cause.”
“Dodd.” Ariadne’s eyes widened as though struck by a sudden idea. She turned to Azriel, clutching his hand hard. “Lord Dodd was elevated to Lord Governor of Eastwood Province and forced to leave Camilla behind.”
At first, the information didn’t quite register as important in Azriel’s mind. It came on so suddenly, he had a difficult time tracking her thought process. Luckily, Theobald and Knoll had no issue following her ideas.
“Lord Dodd would never leave his daughter behind willingly,” Oren said. “With our attack on Laeton, he is no doubt worried sick over Miss Dodd. He would be a valuable ally.”
Azriel never claimed to be the brightest star in the sky. Instead, he gaped at Theobald. “You believe he would betray Loren?”
“I believe any great man would do far more to ensure the safety of his offspring,” Knoll said. “Once we deliver the news that Miss Dodd is still in Laeton, I anticipate we can be certain of his full cooperation.”
Distrust soured in Azriel again.
“Lord Dodd has protected Camilla for years from the vitriol of the Society,” Ariadne said, looking up at him and tracking the crease between his brows. “She told me herself that he did not want to leave her and would return for her as soon as possible. When he finds that she was taken from us, hewillfight for her.”
“If she is so important to him, why would he leave her in the first place?” Liulund asked.
Knoll cleared his throat. “Loren Gard has spent the last several decades ensuring the Valenul army would worship the ground on which he walks. Refusing him outright as King? I would not put it past him to arrange some sort ofaccidentto befall anyone who did not do as he bid.”
Once again, Azriel wished nothing more than to have Madan with him to guide the conversation and provide insight on his next steps. Following orders was far more simple than creating them.
“If our soldiers are ready,” he said at last, “then I believe we should move on Monsumbra as soon as possible.”
A murmur of agreement, then H’axinhum and Kholp spoke quietly between them before turning to Azriel and nodding their confirmation. Though he understood their words fine, Thorin continued to translate for the rest of the table as the former said, “We have spent the last week assessing our soldiers. They are ready to move.”
Adrenaline dumped into Azriel’s blood. He sat with it for a moment before surveying them all. “Liulund. Edira. I want a dozen fae to leave immediately. Evacuate the easternmost villages of civilians. We march at nightfall.”
Ariadne left the meeting in a daze. The war had finally reached her. Reached them. After so many decades, she had begun to believe that her birthright alone would shelter her from the horrors. Of course, Azriel, as Ehrun’s tool, had stripped away theprivileged blindfold. Yet still she trusted, up until that moment, she could somehow avoid an outright battle.
She certainly never imagined fighting that battleagainstValenul.
