Paxton came up behind her, followed by the other girls and the officers.
“From the outside it appears to be an old lean-to shack for storage,” Harrison explained. “It’s a small military compound that was closed off years ago.”
“And where are we within Lochlanach?” Paxton asked.
“Just north of royal lands. We’ll head northeast along Parryhorn Bay, where the Ascomannians and our fleet of ships wait.”
“Come along, Your Majesty,” said the Lochlan soldier. “We’ve readied a horse for you. We must move quickly.”
The sight of Lochlan and Ascomannian ships together in Parryhorn Bay filled Aerity with immense joy. She let herself be ushered onto the grandest Ascomannian vessel with Harrison and two other high-ranking Lochlan officers. Liefstood at the end of the gangway, awaiting her. He took her hand to help her aboard.
“Thank you, Lord Alvi,” she said. He held her hand for a moment longer, appearing relieved to see her.
“My pleasure. Follow me.”
They took steep steps belowdecks. King Dagur stood with his arms crossed in the low-ceilinged cabin, watching intently as one of his men ran his finger along a map. His eyes came up to her as she entered, and he grunted.
“You are safe, then.”
“Aye, thanks to you.” She went to him, and though he was unsmiling, he reached out and took her hands. Aerity swallowed hard, unable to speak. She tried to convey her gratitude with her eyes, and he nodded.
“Very well. Enough of that.” He released her hands and motioned to the map. “Here is our plan. We must get them to leave royal lands and come north to this strip.” He pointed to a stretch of land between Loch River and Crescent Stream. “If we can get them here, it won’t matter if they outnumber us, because we’ll have them in a pinch. Only limited numbers of their men can get through at a time to battle us.”
“How do you propose we get them to leave the safety of royal lands?” Harrison asked.
“Well, what are their weaknesses?” Aerity asked. “Lashed Ones, aye? What if they caught wind of Lashed Ones being rounded up and killed in Craw Coorie? And that the townspeople there are revolting? Knowing his pride, the prince willwish to show his power by putting a stop to it immediately and using them as an example.”
The king nodded. “We’d thought about the town-revolt idea, but I like the addition of the Lashed abuse.”
Loud footsteps outside made them turn their heads toward the stairs. An Ascomannian warrior hurried down and bowed to his king.
“What news?” King Dagur asked.
“Your Majesty, a Lochlan soldier riding from the town of Dovedell says they have amassed people to fight. And more, Torestan and Zorfinan troops have joined them.”
Blessed seas!
The king chuckled heartily and winked at Aerity, rubbing his thick hands together. “Good news, that. Anything else?”
“Yes, my king, the details of their plans. Half their Lochlans and the entire Torestan army are marching north as we speak to join our forces. The other half of the Lochlans and the Zorfinans will remain in Dovedell to attack the southern entrance of royal lands. They will arrive by tomorrow midday. Their plan is to attack tomorrow at sundown. They said if this plan does not work, for you to send notice at once.”
The king grunted. “Waiting nearly two days is not ideal, but I suppose we have no other choice. Send a messenger on a fresh horse to respond with our plans—”
He was cut off by yet another sound of stomping boots and another Ascomannian rushing down into the cabin andcoming to stand before the king with a bow. He panted.
“Speak,” the king commanded.
“Your Majesty, our land spies have spotted mass movement through Kalor and over the border of Lochlanach. More of their troops are coming.”
The king cursed. He looked at the first messenger. “Send a rider at once. Let those in Dovedell know of the additional Kalorian troops coming from the south so they’re not taken by surprise or trapped. Go.”
The warrior bowed and rushed out. King Dagur looked at Aerity.
“Seems we’ve got ourselves a verifiable war on our hands, Queen Aerity. May as well start your reign off with a bit of a boom.”
Aerity stared at him, horrified. Lief chuckled behind her.
“Ah, Uncle, if there is one thing I can tell you from my time in Lochlanach, it’s that their people prefer to avoid the booms at all cost.”
