Page 180 of Blood of the Stars

Aeliana’s hand tugged at her collar, the heat of all the bodies in the tent finally getting to her. That wasn’t exactly where she’d thought he was going with that look, but she supposed it made more sense.

Half the group stared at Gaeren incredulously, but Sylmar let out a raspy chuckle. “Couldn’t have described her better myself.”

Gaeren grinned. “The benefits of sitting in on horribly boring council meetings.”

Holm and Velden shifted from their spots at the table, leaving room for Aeliana, Iris, and Gaeren to step forward while the older men crossed to the other side and flanked Sylmar. In the opposite dark corner, Aeliana thought she caught a glimpse of Orra’s crossed arms, but she couldn’t make out her face to know for sure.

Velden and Sylmar went back to debating something on the map, and Marnok slid between Aeliana and Iris, his gaze on the map but his thoughts clearly far away.

“Everything all right?” Aeliana whispered.

He hesitated. “They didn’t recognize me. None of the people here recognize me.”

Aeliana patted his arm. “We’ll just have to try another town after this. Keep trying until you find someone.”

He shook his head. “If I was on your side, if I was an enemy of Mayvus, don’t you think at least one person here would know me?”

The pain on his face made Aeliana’s gut twist, but his words sent a shot of alarm through her.

Maybe he was right.

No. He couldn’t be. There had to be thousands of people in Vendaras who were either ignorant or ambivalent about this war. Maybe even more who wanted to be rid of Mayvus but weren’t ready to fight for it.

“One man thought he recognized me,” Marnok said. “Asked if I had a starlock. When I told him no, he said I wasn’t the man he thought. Said I should have a sprite starlock around my neck and at least twenty more years on me.”

“Maybe you’re that man’s son,” Aeliana suggested.

“The man he knew had no children.” His eyes took on a hopeless stare.

“Even if you’re right, which I don’t think you are,” she said, “you’re on our side now. And that’s what matters.”

He nodded and turned back to the map, but his face remained bunched with worry.

“General Nels, if you send your troops east and west,” Velden asked, “who’ll be taking the center?”

The bald soldier frowned, bending closer to the map. “I’d planned to have a contingency troop in the center, but it was going to spread us thin. Gaeren’s men have volunteered to take that role, but we don’t expect them to actually hold off Mayvus’ army.”

Gaeren nodded, his jaw clenched. Fifty sailors would hardly put a dent in her forces.

“And Gaeren’s men—what happens when they’re not able to hold off the Zealots?” Aeliana asked, following the line traced by the general’s hand. If she was understanding the notes he’d scratched on the map’s surface, there would be dozens of troops on the edges, leaving Gaeren’s men in the center exposed. “Are they being sacrificed for the rest of us to gain entry?”

“Of course not.” The general stood straight as if offended by her question. “We want them to lure her men away from her fortress, leaving it vulnerable to our attack. We’ll have them safely retreat, over and over, drawing Mayvus’ troops back with them. They can bring them all the way back here and let them raze our camp, so long as the rescue team gets through.” He glanced at Sylmar, deferring to him for the next phase.

“That rescue team includes most of us,” Sylmar said. “What’s discussed in here cannot leave this tent in case Mayvus’ progenies catch wind of someone’s memory or motives.”

“Should I leave?” Aeliana asked. “If she brands me, she can control me. I could tell her anything.”

“I’m not sure it matters. By the time she feels threatened enough to brand you, we’ll be riding on luck and chance.” Sylmar paused. “Several people have suggested we leave you behind.”

Aeliana stiffened, and a murmur spread among the others. She’d expected him to have protective measures in place—her involvement hinged on him having contingency plans. But he hadn’t talked about leaving her behind for months. “You said my mother might need to see me to escape the prison her mind has been in for so many years.”

“We can break her out of the physical prison in the fortress. Then we can bring her to you.”

The fear she’d tamped down for the last few days broke through the surface. She couldn’t stand by and wait for everyone else to risk their lives to save her. “But I’ve been training. I’ve progressed so much.”

“We can’t leave her,” Jasperus said. “Who will cut out her brand if Mayvus does the branding ceremony early?”

“Anyone could stay and watch her,” Kendalyhn said. “She’s a liability who’s more likely to turn on us if she’s branded than to be helpful.”

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