She knew from the way he did not put up a fight that if this was truly what she wanted, then he would go along with her plan. He would trust her to help save his realm and his people. To save him.
He would take that kernel of hope and hold on to it desperately. Because in war, a kernel of hope might just be good enough.
37
The Calm Before The Storm
Rionan spent that night cradling Alianna in his arms, muttering words of love, of apology, of sorrow, of thanks. Like he was stuck on an endless loop. Neither of them got a great deal of sleep, taking in every moment of contact they shared, every breath they drew in the other’s presence, trying to commit every detail about one another that they could to memory. The following day would bring such chaos, even if Alianna’s plan worked, that for now, they pretended that they were the only two people in the world.
Rionan had another night of night terrors and fighting unseen demons in his sleep. Alianna did not rush to get Thallax this time. She ran her hand over Rionan’s heaving chest, his arms, his cheek, whispering to him that he only had to hold on until tomorrow. After tomorrow, thiswould be over. She didn’t know if he could hear her, but she made sure that her voice was full of confidence, even as the dawn creeping closer made her feel sick to her stomach.
The next morning, Rionan held her hand as they walked briskly to the council tent together. Alianna looked to Thallax, Ulreah, and Korva, who were poring over maps that they intended to show her. Also standing in the council tent were two women whom she had not yet seen here before.
Rionan introduced Ykava, their High Healer.
Ykava was a short, kind-faced woman with long golden hair that was secured around her head in a braid. She smiled kindly while Thallax explained why she was joining them.
“Ykava is a skilled healer, Alianna, but she has not worked on humans before. It would be useful for her to spend some time understanding the differences between your body and ours. Your vulnerability and ours. In case,” his voice became quiet as he looked at Rionan. “In case she is needed. To help you, after what is to come at Savangrad.”
Ykava stepped up to Alianna and bowed her head. Alianna could not decide if this was in greeting, if this was a formality due to her being bonded to a Lord, or if this was in thanks.
“My Lord,” spoke the other woman in the room, who was seated on a chair. She looked to Rionan, as if she had been patiently waiting for him. Alianna couldn’t help but feel like this woman had been born from the forests and the wilds of Xanthia. Her hair was a vibrant red, with traces of purple and green smeared throughout. Alianna couldn’t be sure, but imagined that the home-made dye came from crushed berries. Loose strands of her hair were secured out of her face and adorned with small flowers and leaves, while the rest fell down her back in long, loose waves. Her lips were cracked and pale, her eyes sunken in her head, as though she had been ill in recent times. “I bring news from the Amassa.”
As Rionan turned and the woman began speaking, Alianna realised that this must be Lyrna. Rionan had told her that this woman was able to speak to the creatures of Xanthia, a rare gift amongst their people. Although the Amassa did not involve themselves directly in Xanthianpolitics in normal circumstances – should they choose to on this occasion, they would be able to provide aerial reports and useful information regarding enemy movements. It dawned on Alianna how invaluable this information was for their planning, and that was why Lyrna was here today.
Lyrna shared that many of the Amassa that she believed were aligning with Rannirr had been gathering in the East. She, or the remaining Amassa, could not say for certain what he had offered them to sway them to his cause, or if his power over Xanthia had grown to such a point that he was able to influence the minds of weaker Amassa. Ulreah stepped forward at the talk of an aerial legion potentially fighting for Rannirr, as if this would affect his use of storm clouds, lightning, and weather to slow down or destroy oncoming forces.
“Do any of the Amassa wish to ally with our cause, or continue to remain neutral?” Rionan had asked Lyrna. Lyrna had been fiddling with a feather that she had placed behind her ear. Alianna now realised this may be from one of the Amassa – perhaps one that was particularly dear to Lyrna.
“Some will,” Lyrna said, faltering like she was trying not to trip over her words. “Some will fight. The numbers are not clear. Some will come. I will call, they will come.”
Rionan nodded. “Thank you, Lyrna. Please find Vortax. Tell him that we will converge on Savangrad. That may be where his kind are needed.”
Lyrna hurried a nod and stood up, whisking away from the room like a pile of leaves being carried out by an autumn breeze.
“Vortax is an Amassa that is closely bonded to Lyrna,” Rionan explained, bending to whisper in Alianna’s ear. “He occasionally accepts Lyrna as a rider and is as close to an ally as the Amassa will allow us to call them.”
“You think they will fight for us?” Alianna asked earnestly, turning to Rionan.
“I think thatsomeof them will fight for Xanthia. Not for us.”
“Is that not the same thing?”
Rionan cocked his head, as if considering the question. “I suppose it depends which of them you ask.”
They had spent the next few hours going over plans, maps, and known information about Rannirr’s forces. Rannirr and his infantry camped straddling the Western and Eastern borders. If word reached Rannirr that Rionan had returned to Xanthia, then they would move on Savangrad. It would be there that Rannirr knew Rionan would go – and it would be there that they would face each other, as Rannirr attempted to claim the power of the West for his own.
Nobody mentioned what was behind this, and Alianna felt her heart sink at the thought – it was there that Rannirr would try to kill Rionan.
The plan was simple. Rionan would unleash his power, freeing it from its binds, and release it back in to Xanthia. The Well would fill once more, and Rannirr would feel the swell of power re-joining the network that ran in the land itself. If he had not moved on Savangrad before, he would at this point.
Thallax would command the infantry forces, who would march with Rionan, keeping the enemies busy. Rionan would provide a distraction for Rannirr’s focus, while Alianna moved as swiftly as she could towards the Well.
The Well was located towards the outskirts of Savangrad. It was held within a small courtyard, which could be accessed through the grounds, or by Alianna making her way through to Savangrad’s upper levels. From there, she would be able to use a series of small turrets and balconies. She could either jump down or throw the stone from there.
“Is your aim good enough for that? What if you miss?” Thallax asked. Alianna did not know how to answer this question.
“How far are we talking – what sort of throw do I need to make, and how big is the Well?”
