"Patience," Mavren says smoothly. "We should consider our approach carefully."
A dark-haired fae noble enters the room and takes his seat. "We have seadragons, wyverns, and mammoths. What is there to consider?"
"Raw power means nothing without proper strategy," Kheirall replies.
"Prince Finnbheara's plan is ingenious. We're hitting Völundr first," the dwarf lord says. "Their ports will be destroyed, cutting their supplies."
This is it. This is the intelligence I came for.
My heart is hammering so loud I'm certain they can hear it. But they don't even glance toward my hiding place. I press myself smaller against the wall.
The conversation continues, the fae noble adding details of troop numbers, supply routes, contingency plans.
Every word is precious and I keep listening.
That's when Kheirall's eyes find mine through the trolley's covering. The world narrows to that single moment. Those black, endless eyes meet mine through the gap in the fabric. Recognition flares in them.
I go absolutely still.
Oh no.
Kheirall sees me. He knows I'm here.
One word from him and the Orkan warrior would tear this trolley apart. They all would find me cowering behind it. The dwarf lords would drag me before Eirik Bloodhound. I'd be tortured for information, killed slowly and turned into a message to send back to Aelfheim.
This is where I die. In the heart of enemy territory.
But Kheirall's expression doesn't change. He looks away, continuing smoothly, "The seadragons are already in position near Völundr, are they not?"
"Yes," Mavren confirms. "Ksatka has them ready to strike the coastal defenses."
"Völundr falls, we control the sea and all of Aelfheim," Kheirall says.
My breath releases in a silent rush as he continues speaking. He's not going to expose me. But he saw me… I'm certain he saw me.
"How many legions for the coastal assault?" Ragnar asks, speaking for the first time.
"Three. Maybe four if we pull forces from the eastern border," the dwarf lord answers.
"Seems rushed," Ragnar says, his tone carefully casual. "Are we certain the forces are ready?"
I hold my breath. He's fishing for information, trying to make them reveal their plans.
"Three days is more than enough time," the fae commander responds sharply. "Last night of Calanmai, when our magic is at its peak."
They continue discussing logistics. Every detail is another piece of intelligence that could save lives. I commit every word to memory, creating a mental map of their battle plan. My legs are cramping from crouching in this position and my lungs burn from breathing so shallowly. But I don't dare move.
Völundr first.
The seadragons will attack the coastal defenses while the city is unprepared. Their main force will march on the capital while we're scrambling to respond to the coastal assault.
My hometown will be the first to face Eirik's wrath.
But at least Völundr has the best defenses of any coastal city in Aelfheim. They've been fighting sea monsters for centuries. If I can get this information back in time, we can reinforce them.
I hear a voice in my mind.
Hello there, little elf queen.
