A spark of hope lit in Evander’s chest. Perhaps Cadmus had forgotten his ultimatum.
***
When Evander stepped into the council tent, he found Valenna already there. She was bent over the map table in the center of the tent, but she darted a look at him, and her cheeks flushed.
What if he didn’t get a chance to talk with her alone before the battle? What if he was killed or, unthinkably, what if she was killed and they never got the chance to say goodbye? His throat narrowed, his breath whistling.
“Trevelyan!” Cadmus cried, his face alight, “Come!”
Evander realized he was standing in the tent opening, his feet rooted to the ground. He willed himself forward.
“My daughter sings your praises!” Cadmus continued.
“Thank you,” Evander grunted. Cadmus made him uncomfortable.
“But, oh.” Cadmus’s face fell dramatically. “Where is Colonel Bournemuth?”
“As I said, he …” Valenna began, but Cadmus raised his hand to silence her.
“I would like Captain Trevelyan to explain.”
Evander cleared his throat. “He fell.”
“Fell how?”
“He panicked, and the dragobat took him.”
“Oh.” Cadmus’s lips turned down. “And you have the body?”
“As I said,” Evander repeated evenly, “the dragobat took him.”
“Captain Trevelyan, as much as I want to believe you, how do I know your crew didn’t simply murder him, as they attempted before?”
Evander stared at the king, unflinching. “Bournemuth didn’t have the courage to make it through the Crag. Predictably, he panicked.”
Cadmus shrugged. “Very well. As I stated before, Dread Five will lead us to battle tomorrow. Your mission will be to take out the manor house—the other dreadnoughts will take out the bunkers before the infantry makes landfall.”
“Would it not be better to station a more experienced …”
Cadmus slammed his hand on the table, his face flushing scarlet. “I have already explained to you the consequences of losing Bournemuth on your mission. You will fly in first, the rest of the brigade fanning out behind you in regulation battle formation. I will have none of your excuses!”
Evander grit his teeth, but inclined his head in a stiff nod.
“Stop being such a coward,” Cadmus said breathlessly, wiping his forehead with his sleeve. “You said yourself there will only be light resistance. Valeria, you will fly in with me behind the landing force. I will ride the hydra when the battle cools, so it can be seen by the fleeing Ashkendoric forces.”
“It is vital,” Evander said, “that you wait until the scattershot and shotfire quiets before you bring Hera. She will panic, and if she does, she will kill everyone. Our men as well as theirs.”
“You do harp on that point,” Cadmus scoffed.
“Because it is imperative.”
“Yes, yes.” Cadmus waved his hand carelessly. “You heard the plan. I will come in at the end. Valeria, I expect you to use your zephyrs to remove any stragglers. No need to exert yourself today; you’ll be needed when we march on the capital.”
Evander’s eyes flicked to Valenna, and he wondered how she planned to hide her new magic from her father.
“A simple plan, and elegant,” Cadmus continued. “Tomorrow, we gain the foothold that will lead to the end of this war and avenge my beloved, murdered wife. Her spirit will soon rest. You all may go.”
Evander left the tent and strode through camp to the dragon paddocks where their dreadnought munched on a mouthful of hay. Evander felt old and tired, like he’d aged ten years in the council tent. He told himself repeatedly that there would only be light resistance tomorrow. They could do this. They were ready.
