Page 117 of Bane of the Wild Hunt

“I would pit Riordan’s battle strategy against anyone,” Ares declared dismissively, but I knew it was not that simple when the Autumn Prince had such dark power.

“Uruk also mentioned there was talk of a conflict with two of the nations on either side of the army. He said it was unclear if the Autumn Prince started the conflict or if he is mediating it,” said Olirik.

“Possible allies if we want to infiltrate?” I suggested.

“I want maps of the Autumn Court: detailed ones that include altitude and the usual wind patterns. There must be winged fey in Ahnnaòin who have such information,” Riordan said, and the orc nodded. “I also want to know everything about the two nations at odds with Rian.”

“Any idea yet what it is he wants?” asked the witch.

“Uruk heard talk of a rot that is set in. Some kind of magic that made all the orc tribes join with the Wild Hunt. He did not know what the army had to do with it, but they do plan to come and take more fey,” Olirik confirmed.

“Did he see the dryad?” asked the witch, sounding as if she could not withhold the question any longer.

“Aye, briefly from a distance,” the orc spy confirmed. “He said that she was with the riders so he could not get close enough to deliver a message. The rumour around the camp is that she must be fucking at least one of them. Non-riders are not usually allowed into their inner circle,” the orc explained with a shrug.

“So she might be switching sides?” I pointed out.

“No,” the witch asserted and shot me a glare. “She is staying safe in whatever way she can,” she insisted, looking sick and angry.

“Regardless, Rian is keeping her awfully close to him. Especially for someone who is typically very difficult to get close to,” I insisted to Riordan who seemed to agree as he began to nod distractedly.

“Did she look alright?” the witch wanted to know.

“Uruk said she looked tired, and she was covered in black blood,” said Olirik.

“They are fighting Fuath there too,” Riordan deduced easily enough as he leaned over his desk. He laced his fingers under his chin in the way he did whenever he was absorbing informationand processing. “Alright, Olirik, please tell me what you learned in the Spring Court.”

“The Autumn Prince has been searching each of the Four Courts looking for the fey monarchs. Word is that he plans to… consume them,” admitted Olirik quietly.

“Can he do that?” demanded Ares in alarm.

“What would that mean? What could he do with that kind of power?” the witch asked Riordan.

“It is hard to estimate, but the fey monarchs have all been in decline since the Summer Queen was murdered,” Riordan began thoughtfully. “Rian is not weak, and he already possesses such immense power. Should he acquire their magic as well, then I am not sure there would be any reasonable checks against him,” Riordan admitted.

“Is he close to finding the Spring King?” I asked.

“He is actively searching and has even recruited some Spring fey to turn against King Balor and help find him for the Wild Hunt,” revealed Olirik.

“Rian sounds rather… charismatic,” noted the witch with a hint of suspicion.

“What do you mean?” I demanded, but Riordan was nodding at her in agreement as if he understood a deeper meaning to her words.

“It seems odd the fey are siding with an outsider from another court against their own king,” she pointed out. “Rian has either frightened them beyond all reason or he has something that they need,” she explained.

“Maybe they are tired of a declining and decrepit king and long for one who they think can serve them properly,” suggested Helena.

“But an Autumn fey?” the witch asked.

“I want you to return to the Spring Court and try to find the king before Rian does,” said Riordan to Olirik. “Find a way tomake it known that we will offer him sanctuary in the Vale. That might finally bring him out of wherever he has been hiding. But I want his alliance.”

“You want to bring a fey king backhere?” I verified. “What if he challenges your power or undermines your authority in the Vale—”

“If he is willing to come and bring an army with him to help us repel Rian, then that is an alliance I cannot afford not to at least contemplate. I want a chance to talk to him,” Riordan insisted to Olirik who nodded.

“I will see to it and ensure Uruk gets his orders as well. Do you have a message for the dryad should he get the opportunity, my lady?” Olirik asked the witch.

I wanted to bare my teeth at him.

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