by LJ Rivers
I quelled a smile; I loved how Taryn seemed embarrassed to question the queen’s choices. Even now. “Let me guess. He didn’t bring as many soldiers?”
“Dewinians are known for thinking highly of their abilities, be it at war or anything else.” Taryn’s voice carried all his disgust at the northern enemy. “As he had successfully taken Isolden, he probably thought Avalen would fall just as easily.”
“It would have,” Pullhelli interjected, “had Morgana stayed in her castle and let her soldiers guard the walls and gates.”
“Maybe, maybe not.” The eagle Shifter shrugged.
“So, what’s your advice this time, Master of War?” I asked.
“Depends on many factors, the main one being how many soldiers will ride under your banner.”
“It's settled, then,” I said. “We focus on recruiting first, then decide our tactics based on that.”
“As you command, My Queen.”
“Speaking of which,” I said. “I expect you to follow my orders, of course. That is the nature of a chain of command. As we both know, Commander, you have forgotten more about war tactics than I will ever learn. I need you to tell me when I am wrong, even if you think you are being disrespectful.”
He narrowed his eyes at me but said nothing. It was as if the cogwheels in his head had to find new ways of connecting.
I took his hands in mine. He flinched slightly but didn’t retract them.
“Far too much is at risk, Taryn.” I lowered my voice. “You are my Master of War, and I can’t have you run around respecting my title so much that you forget our objective. I promise you, by the blood of Morgana, you will never be punished for speaking against me if I’m about to make a bad decision.”
The right corner of his mouth slid up, and he let a tiny puff of air out from his aquiline nose. “If anyone should ever doubt your heritage, Ruby, I will knock the sense into them so hard they will never forget it.” His smile broadened. “As we realised war was unavoidable, Morgana summoned her war council to the throne hall. She told us the same you did now, albeit with different words here and there.”
My heart pounded in my chest. “I take it you’ll speak your heart, then?”
“Until my last gaze upon fair Avalon.”
Chapter Eleven
There were twenty-five households on Crochan Island, including Halwyn’s and Goff’s. They were all Goblins and not a single one untouched by Bellion’s slave raids. As they arrived on Halwyn’s farm, my cropkeeper gave me a brief summary of each family’s story. There were those who had lost a child, some had lost two. One after another they bowed to me and gathered outside Halwyn’s house, where Jen, Charlie, and the others also greeted them.
“That is Fionulla.” Halwyn gestured at a woman who walked alone across the field. “Her husband and three sons were all taken.”
“Oh, no,” I breathed. “How is she even able to live on, let alone move with such pride and grace?”
“Not to be disrespectful to you or Morgana, but Fionulla might be the strongest woman I have ever met.” He coughed. “Let me say that again. She might be the strongest Avalonian, man or woman.”
Fionulla stopped five feet in front of me. She was about Halwyn’s height, maybe an inch or two shorter, but her stature made her look a foot taller. All the other Goblin women I had met so far had long, unruly hair, much like Tabitha and her sister, Mari. Fionulla, on the other hand, had short, almost spiky hair, which—in contrast to her more grey-haired neighbours—was pitch black. Somewhere in the deep crevasses of my mind, an image of Charlie and a punk girl appeared. They had argued, and thrown fists, over some bloke back at Freshers’ Fair.
“This is her?” Fionulla crossed her short arms, her voice not exactly filled with respect.
Halwyn opened his mouth, most likely to scold her for her manners.
“I’m Ruby,” I said. “And your name is Fionulla, Halwyn tells me. Thank you for coming.”
There was a slight twitch in the corner of her eye, but she still didn’t move her gaze from Halwyn to me.
“I understand you have suff—”
“Listen, child,” she said. “You’re Ruby of Morgana, which makes you the queen. I get that. You’ll have to excuse me, but I can’t see how a young girl like you, who has been here for what—two, maybe three dark moons—can overthrow the Dewinian king.”
Halwyn gaped, but I ignored him, and instead gave Fionulla what I hoped was a warm, and not condescending, smile. “You are very much excused, and to be completely honest, I can’t. Not alone, at least. The reason I have called you here today is to meet everyone, and hopefully devise a plan.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “You don’t even have a plan?”
“Please, Fionulla,” Halwyn hissed. “Show some respect.”
The Goblin woman cut her laughter short just as easily as she had released it. “I think this one,” she nodded at me, “knows I have nothing more in life to lose. It is not my intention to be disrespectful, but I simply don’t care about such things as titles, nobles, and royalty anymore.” She bit her lower lip. “I’m sorry if I have offended you. It’s not how I taught my children to behave. It’s just that I can’t see what plan you can possibly have.”
Her face changed before my eyes, as the bitterness seemed to fade and give way to something else. Resignation, perhaps? The angry wrinkles around her eyes and mouth were gone, and she sighed deeply.
“I have lost people, too,” I said. “I won’t try to compare the value of those we have lost, but to me, losing my ma only a few dark moons ago felt like the end of my life, just as it did when I lost my da when I was twelve.”
“I—I didn’t know.”
“You had no way of knowing,” I said. “Besides, even if you did, your loss would be no less painful. My point is that I did go on. I managed to get back on my feet. Now I have a chance to do something good for the people of Avalon. Maybe, just maybe, there is a way to take back what Auberon has stolen.” I pointed at my heart. “That’s what I use, Fionulla. Then perhaps I can find meaning in going forward, even if I have lost so many loved ones.
“As for the plan—any plan. Well, it’s not nearly finished and by no means something I will conjure up in my head without input from those who know warfare in general—and Avalon in particular—far better than me, that much I can assure you.”
Tipping her head, she gave me a brief but convincing smile. “I will do whatever I can to help.” She started towards the others, but turned after only a couple of steps. “My Queen.”
“I told you she was strong,” Halwyn said when Fionulla was out of earshot.
“And she’s alone.”
Halwyn coughed. “Yes, uhm. Right.” He craned his neck, suddenly very eager to check on something up the road. “I think someone’s coming.”
There was no one there. Was he blushing? I bit my lip. “Halwyn?”
“Highness?” He tried to appear calm, but his cheeks were indeed flushed.
I decided not to press the poor man. For now. “Nothing,” I said, hiding my smile.
The remaining Goblin families arrived during the next half hour or so, with Marchyn from the northernmost farm being the last. He brought his wife, Suhelen and their infant twin daughters, born only a month earlier. Marchyn looked ready to burst with pride when I commented on the beauty of his little girls.
“You bestow a great honour on my family, Your Highness.” Beaming with pride, he inclined his head and stroked his daughters’ already thick hair while their tiny hands grabbed at his beard.
Halwyn had already told me about how Suhelen and Marchyn had to watch as Bellion the Satyr killed one of their sons and took the other to the mines. The Goblin couple were convinced The Lady of The Lake had taken the boys’ essences and placed them in little Leah and Norah, and thus felt no need to grieve their loss any longer.
“It is you who honour me,” I replied, “by showing up here tonight.”
The little family joined the
quite large crowd outside Halwyn’s cottage. I nodded at my cropkeeper, and we went over to get the meeting started.
I stood on a chair, looking at the assembled families, soldiers, and my trusted friends. Brendan, Jen, and Charlie stood next to me on my left, while Taryn and Pullhelli were on my right. At the back, ten yards behind all others, stood my grandfather, with Kit and Bailey at his feet. He smiled at me and gave me an encouraging nod.
“Thank you for coming,” I began. “I take it as a sign of hope. There isn’t much in this world—or in the world I was born in—that is stronger than hope. It carries an energy within that can give new life to our dreams. A wise leader in my world once said that hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.”
A few nods and a slight murmur spread among the listeners.
I peeked at Charlie, who smiled approvingly back at me. She knew the quote well, as it was printed on a poster of the South African bishop Desmond Tutu, which hung on her wall back in Craydon Court.
“I understand that you’re afraid,” I continued. “So am I.” I felt ridiculous standing on the chair, so I jumped down and took a few steps closer to the crowd. “Listen, I know how strange it must sound to you when I speak of our land and our enemies. I’ve only been here a short while, but Avalon is in my blood. It’s in my heritage, and I have learned to love and respect the Avalonians. I am your queen by blood, but if you let me into your hearts and minds, I promise you I will be your queen in essence as well.”
“She has no wings,” said a small voice from inside the crowd.
“Shh!” a man hissed, presumably the child’s father.
“No, that’s fine,” I said, smiling. “Where are you, little one?”
“Please forgive her, Your Highness,” the man said. “She’s only four.” The crowd parted so he could come forward, holding his daughter’s hand.
“There is nothing to forgive. Wendell, wasn’t it?”
He gave a quick bow. “Wendall, but that’s practically the same.”
“Wendall, of course. Your daughter is absolutely correct.” I squatted so I could look her in her big, jade-coloured eyes. “What is your name, love?”
“Polly.” She sniffled and wiped her nose with the back of her palm.
“What a beautiful name for a beautiful girl.” I tapped a finger to my lips and regarded the girl with exaggerated curiosity. “You’re twelve years old, right?”
She giggled. “No, silly! I’m this many!” She held up four dirty fingers, tucking her thumb inside her palm.
“That’s right! Four. Silly me. You’re also right about me not having wings.” I raised my voice. “But I can promise you I still have magic inside me. Maybe I’ll show you some day.”
“Samuel was twelve when they took him.”
My heart almost stopped. “Wh—when they … was Samuel your brother, perhaps?”
“Mhm,” the little girl said.
I looked at her father, expecting to see a sad pair of eyes. Instead, he smiled broadly. “I was planning to thank you later, but as this one can’t keep her mouth shut, I might as well do it now.”
“Thank me?”
A boy stepped out from behind Wendall. He was the spitting image of his father, only slightly less facial hair and none of the wrinkles around his eyes.
“I never thought I would see my family again,” the boy whispered. “Thank you.”
His father nudged him. “My Queen.”
“Oh, right. My Queen, sorry.”
“That’s quite all right,” I said, almost dizzy from the rush of relief. “I’m glad you’re back where you belong.”
“Me too,” said his little sister.
I got back up, and ruffled her hair. “Now, my royal cropkeeper, Halwyn, has suggested that the best way you can contribute to overthrowing Auberon is to stay right here on Crochan,” I said. “My Master of Goblin Arms, Goff, will need all the help he can get in producing weapons, poison, and any other herbal magic you can come up with.”
A collective sigh spread among the Goblins. Halwyn had predicted they would be too scared to take part in any campaign towards Auberon’s army. By utilising their herbal magic right here, I might be able to keep them safe.
“The sentries will stay, too, guarding the island with you.”
A Juniper stepped forward. “As you command, My Queen.”
“Thank you, soldier. You will report to Halwyn on a daily basis, keeping him up to date on any matters you deem necessary.”
I looked out at the crowd again. “Halwyn and Wadyan have prepared ale and wine as well as fruits and vegetables, so feel free to stay for a while if you like.”
The crowd dispersed, and while some families chose to begin their walk back to their farms, about half decided to stay. Taryn and Brendan soon became the most popular among us, which I suspected had something to do with Halwyn announcing their titles as Master of War and Swordmaster.
I passed Brendan and three Goblins a few minutes later and winked at him. The Goblins seemed eager to discuss various ways to enhance a sword or a spear, and Brendan listened with genuine interest.
“Wine?” Wadyan asked, holding a cup out.
“Sure.” I accepted the cup and took a sip. “Thank you.”
He started to walk off when I grabbed his arm.
“Hold up. How are you feeling?”
He tilted his head. “What do you mean? I feel fine. Unless you count the images of our impending doom spinning in my head, that is.”
“The beads,” I said under my breath. “Did they do anything other than show you my vision?”
“Like what?”
“Your memories. Did you lose one? Anything feel different?” It was probably a silly question, as he wouldn’t know what memory he had lost if he couldn’t remember it.
“I don’t think so.” He scratched his head for a moment. “Let’s see, I’m Wadyan of Crochan, son of Halwyn. I was born here, brought up as a cropkeeper, and I can name just about every plant and herb in existence.” His eyes fell. “I remember that my ma was killed by Bellion, and that I spent years in the dark mines of Dewmas before I was rescued by a queen and a princess.”
“Sounds like you remember the important stuff.” I smiled.
“My only regret is that Bellion is still out there.”
I frowned. Bellion was dead, by young Wadyan’s own hand, no less. “You don’t have to worry about that Satyr anymore. He’s gone and can never hurt anyone ever again.”
“He is?” A smile touched his lips. “Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“Well, then, if you’ll pardon me, I have to tell my da the good news.” He wobbled through the garden to where Halwyn was chatting with Fionulla.
I watched him go. The beads of reverie certainly worked, and though Wadyan’s price might not have been too steep, who knew what others might lose? I could only hope that whoever chose to take the risk wouldn’t forget something vital.
“What awr is it, Halwyn?” I asked when the last visiting Goblin family had left.
“Halfway into the first of the new day.”
I stretched and yawned. “Before we call it a night, I think we should have a quick talk. Could you gather everyone around the dining table, please?”
“At once,” he said and disappeared around the corner.
Kit strutted across the garden and stopped by my feet. He purred and rubbed against my legs.
“What do you think, you giant furball? Did you know about all this when you tricked me into saving you from that bus?”
He looked at me, and I could swear there was a hint of a smile in his eyes. His ears pricked up. As quickly as he had come, he scurried out the gate to hunt whatever prey had made the noisy mistake. I had to laugh at the sight of Bailey, who was much quicker than I could have imagined, his size taken into consideration, but who still couldn’t keep up with the lightning pace of my Faeguard. I’d give him points for trying, though.
I went inside
and sat on what had more or less become my makeshift throne in this Goblin castle. One by one, the others entered; Jen came first, then Charlie, and Brendan. Alun and Taryn sat down too, and Pullhelli came strolling in together with Goff, and Wadyan. I was glad to see my grandfather at the table, too.
“My father will be right here,” Wadyan said with a hint of laughter in his tone. “He just wanted to make sure Fionulla got a couple of loaves and some fruit.”
“Did he now,” I said, doing an equally bad job of hiding my amusement. “I think that’s a good idea.”
“So do I,” Wadyan agreed.
A few minutes later, our cups were filled with ale again, although I had opted for water myself, and Halwyn entered through the front door.
“Excellent,” I said as he found his seat. “Then we can begin.” I motioned at the group around the table. “My War Council.” My voice came out much more dramatic than intended. Before anyone could laugh, I continued. “That’s what you are, in case you wondered.”
“No, we kinda figured,” Charlie said.
“Good. So, let’s get down to business. First, I want you, Taryn, to start rounding up as many allies as you can. Begin with your contacts within the army.”
“I’ll go with him,” Alun said. “I mean, if he would like me to.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” the eagle Shifter replied. “I have seen first-hand what this beast is capable of.”
Alun grinned.
“In fact,” Taryn continued, “there are quite a few manticores in Ygrenya. Maybe we could fly there and see if you can persuade them to join us?”
“I’d be happy to, if they would accept an outsider like me.”
“Worth a try,” Taryn said.
“Carolina and I can go to Nidra,” Rowan offered. “I know a lot of people there who would be of great help.”
“That’s in Mynydd Dewin,” I said. “Surely you can’t go there?”
“Goff has a boat,” Charlie said. “And we’ll disguise ourselves as Dewinians. Don’t worry, I’ll protect your brother.” She nudged him. “Oh, and don’t call me Shirley.”