Page 117 of Vale of Dreams

“Three dragons attacked the logistical base,” Nivene says, pointing at another section of the map. “Because of Nia’s intel, we were prepared with an enormous battery of Anti-Dragon Guns. Even with those, they were nearly successful in demolishing our base. But we wounded one dragon, killed another.”

Her arm is bandaged. When I asked about it, she waved it away as a superficial burn. But I can see how she winces every time she shifts her arm.

“First time we managed to kill a dragon in this invasion,” Sir Kay points out. “Ever since Auberon made them resistant to iron.”

“Still,” Nivene says, “if the Fey decide to attack us with all of their dragons, there’s nothing we can do to stop them.”

“Hopefully, the loss of one dragon and the crippling of another will make them hesitant,” Raphael says. “And hopefully, they don’t know how limited our capabilities are.”

Raphael looks pale, haunted. After the battle, his healing powers were in high demand, draining him completely. And he’s still injured, since the one person he can’t heal is himself.

“For now, this failed assault of theirs bought us valuable time,” Sir Kay says. “We’re evacuating Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as the surrounding towns. And we’re amassing more allies. Denmark and Italy are sending reinforcements.”

“But it won’t be enough,” Nivene says grimly.

“No.” Sir Kay sighs. “This is what we’re here to discuss.”

A soldier hurries into the tent and hands Sir Kay a missive, then quickly slips out. He unfolds it and reads it carefully, his brow creasing.

“What is it?” Nivene asks.

“An update from our Seneschal,” Sir Kay responds shortly. When he raises his eyes from the message, his face is even grayer than before.

“Is Avalon Tower all right?” I ask.

“It’s fine. Things there are strained but…under control. For now.”

Nivene and I exchange glances. We both know how much things are “under control.”

“But this,” Sir Kay continues, raising the missive with his hand, “is just another reminder that we need to move quickly. If the war doesn’t end soon, Avalon Tower will find itself in its own civil war. Tearing itself apart. And without us, the human allies don’t stand a chance.”

“So, what’s the plan?” Raphael asks.

“I go back to Brocéliande,” I say. “Get closer to Prince Talan. Cooperate with a team of assassins to take out the prince and the king. The loss of both of them at once will sow complete chaos.”

“What?” Raphael snaps. “You told me you thought that he might have sensed you on the battlefield. You said he knows there’s a spy in the fortress. He’ll execute you as soon as you step back in Brocéliande.”

“I think he sensed my magic. I don’t think he knew it was me. He thinks I’m a harmless farm girl. What he sensed was the Avalon Tower agent he’d encountered before. He hasn’t connected us.”

Raphael’s fists tighten. “And how long until he puts one and one together? Sir Kay, we can’t allow this to continue. Nia isn’t properly trained for this kind of undercover mission. There hasn’t been time.”

“I’d argue that she’s already demonstrated quite the opposite,” Sir Kay says softly. “Dame Nia has met our expectations and even exceeded them. She is truly worthy of her Avalon Steel rank. But yes, it’s risky. Nia, are you sure you can pull this off?”

“Is there any alternative?” Nivene asks impatiently.

His eyebrows knit together, and Sir Kay glances at the missive in his hand. Then he folds it and pockets it away. “No. Nothing that I am willing to consider right now.”

“I can do this.” I glance at Raphael. “You’re right. Talan will put one and one together, but only if I don’t go back. If I’m there, I can convince him otherwise. I have a connection with him. I’ll deepen the bond, make him trust me.”

“The man is a killer. He doesn’t trust anyone,” Raphael says.

I ignore him. “Get the assassination plan ready. Nivene and I can go back through the portal we used before.”

“This is insane.” Raphael’s voice is pure ice, and his silver eyes bore into me.

I shake my head. “Not insane. Desperate. We have no other options.”

Back in Brocéliande, Nivene and I have been riding for days in the cold, our journey slowed by storms. As we draw closer to Corbinelle, lightning sears the sky, illuminating Perillos rising in the distance.

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