Chapter 207: Fracture XIV

Chapter 207: Fracture XIV

Sevran and Maya were quietly conferring, while Zin looked up first. For someone so consistently unflappable, he looked unnerved. He pointed to a long dark ear with a grim expression. Heard everything, conveyed it to the others. Were trying to come up with a strategy.

Caught the bit about runners? I asked, my mind racing.

Sevran nodded. Sent my personal servant off the moment that was confirmed. The regiment should be assembled shortly.

Wheres Atherya? I asked after the half-elf banner lieutenant. Shed been the least pleased to serve under me, and her silent refusal to take part in the spar was a way to remind me of that. As if the gods themselves had heard me, a silhouette plummeted from the high wall behind us, and she landed gracefully a few feet away.

Out of everyone, Maya and I were the only ones who jumped.

Present and accounted for, Aetherya announced, sounding awfully put upon for someone who had only just been bothered to show up.

Lord below. Maya breathed.

I stared at the elf. Despite her thoughtless entrance, she was dressed for combat, bow and full quiver on her back. What? So you were just up on the wall, waiting to be summoned?

Aetherya nodded minutely, not bothering to offer any further explanation.

She does that. Zin said. Think of it as functional brooding.

And unnecessary theatricality. Sevran sighed.

You had need of me. I am here. What then, is the problem? Aetherya asked, panning the other lieutenants with a dull look.

Yes, your grace. Gratitude for deigning us with your presence. Only us being down one lieutenant instead of two wont matter with that feckin war elephant in the room. Mari chucked a thumb behind her. Hes clearly planning to wade in as soon as theres an excuse. Sevran and Prince Inferno in the mix, we might stand a chance if we attacked all at once, holding nothing back.

Not the wisest move, politically. Zin murmured. If we set that pace he will meet it. And if against all odds we survive, we will gain the reputation as the regiment who attempted to turn a contest into a coup.

Doesnt matter if its the only move we got. But theres a problem. Mari looked behind her at my fathers personal guard, lingering in the back. The Black Shields holding up pillars behind him are doing a good job of looking casual, I got a strong feeling they aint.

Sevran nodded agreement. We were just discussing that. The Black Shields loyalty exceeds their discipline. His men will interfere if the odds turn against him, even if they have direct orders to the contrary.

Maya bit her lip, then spoke. What if I get in close? I can incapacitate him without causing more harm than necessary and fix him after we find Annette.

It was one of the first ideas I thought of and, unfortunately, discarded. I shook my head. Good idea, but with his experience, hes aware how much of a threat a life mage poses. He called you out specifically. My guess is, of everyone here, youre the one hes least likely to lose track of.

And the most ready to put down.

Were not talking about besting him in single combat. All it takes is a single touch. Maya argued. I can do it.

I rubbed my face. First, consider his build and choice of armor. Hes tall enough that he towers over most of us, excepting Sevran. Training leathers cover him from foot to neck. Meaning not only will he be considerably faster than usual, youll also have to touch his head. Now think back, hard, to our skirmish outside the Enclave. How fast he was. He was wearing plate then. Are you faster? When Maya looked discouraged, like Id shot her down out of turn, I amended. Its not rhetorical, Maya. I honestly dont know. We havent sparred, and you saw plenty of combat in the Sanctum that I wasnt there for. Are you fast enough to land a touch, knowing we may not be able to pull his attention away from you?

Her brow furrowed, and she spoke aloud, as much to herself as to us. If he was in plate maybe. I have my staff on hand, and the mana conductivity of xescalt isnt widely known because of the shortage. That would make up for the lack of reach but if hes faster than he was then? This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

Sevran put a hand on her shoulder. Theres wisdom in knowing ones limits. He looked back towards where King Gil waited for the challenge, like a barbarian in a foreign land. But if he engages us the way I suspect, this avenue is moot. The infernals mouth thinned.

Care to share with the group, Sevran? Mari goaded.

The king will resort to insurgent tactics. The rational choice when outnumbered.

Hes right. I realized, slightly horrified at my oversight. It was right there in his lessons. Hed hammered into me that If you found yourself taking on a superior force, you needed target the supply lines and healers first, skilled mages and casters second, whittling both groups down until they could no longer service the army you intended to undercut. If he succeeded, leaving us with no quick method of tending injured troops, the already difficult situation became an order of magnitude harder. Shes our only healer relevant to such a short timeline. The king will target Maya immediately, aiming to incapacitate. I stepped away and paced, irritated with myself for missing such an obvious detail. None of this would be a problem if we had greater numbers.

Aetherya shifted uncomfortably.

But the moment we call for troops he descends on us. Zin finished.

Whats that? Mari sniffed at the air. Smells like treason in here.

Before the half-elf could rise to the provocation, Sevran held out a hand. Enough. Speak plainly, Atherya.

Atherya glanced at me, genuine fear in her eyes.

I fought through the malaise threatening to drown me, struggling to speak. Whatever you did. If If it helps us here? Gives us an advantage we wouldnt have had otherwise? All is forgiven.

There are a number of archers embedded on the walls and the surrounding rooftops. Atherya admitted.

How many? I asked.

Fifteen of my best. Atherya stared down at the ground. They were only to take action if the exercise escalated.

What shed said before finally clicked into place. When Id invited them to spar, my banner lieutenant had feared the worst. Shed set up archers around the sparring grounds in case she needed to interfere, in case I shared my fathers penchant for taking things on the training field too far. On one hand, it stung. I thought Id demonstrated considerable competency and restraint during the mock battle, enough to dissuade this sort of fear.

On the other hand, I couldnt be happier with the result.

Thank you, Atherya. I said, truly meaning it.

She looked up, her visage noble and proud. Am I to be relieved of command?

Even if itd come from a place of fear and treason, shed given us the piece we needed.

Finally, I shook my head. No. Even if I hadnt promised. You took action out of loyalty to your fellow lieutenants. Ill never punish loyalty. Though I hope that one day, Ill be on the other side of it.

To her credit, Atherya seemed to acknowledge the statement as genuine, absorbing it silently, without an air of hostility.

Five minutes later, I strode toward my father, pace accelerating the closer I drew.

He watched my approach, unimpressed. Seeing how you left your troops behind, I assume youre here to negotiate.

No.

No? I was pleased to see the clipped response had thrown him off.

Need to make him angry.

You know what I think? I stalked towards him furiously, fists clenched at my side. I think you had this planned from the start. And I think you pushed me towards it. Because youve seen what I can do. And youre too much of a coward to risk your dignity in a straight fight.

He squared up, yanking his sword from the dirt and holding it at his side. Spineless provocation accomplishes nothing, boy.

Maybe I learned it from you. Least I didnt pick up your habit of hiding behind the skirts of innocents and threatening the weak as a bartering tactic.

His eyes narrowed.

Hit.

If you need to be reminded of why I am king, that is a lesson Im happy to administer. He growled.

Well? Go on then. Teach me.

I drew my sword, igniting it with violet flame, heating the blade until it was almost white.

And charged.