Page 86 of Fate of Echoes and Embers
“He is a Gyorian artifacts dealer,” I said, remembering our last conversation. “And owes me a debt.”
“Seems as if he’s paid it,” Rowan said. “Apparently, he’s been making inquiries about you, and Issa, as well as Lord Draven’s movements. I have no notion of how Ilyas and his network knew you were here, but the message found its way to the palace.”
“Gyorian smugglers,” I said, “and black-market traders use enchanted trade gems to signal movement of important cargo, and sometimes people.”
Nerys’s mouth fell open. “Trade gems? I’ve never heard of such a thing. Marek?—”
“Perhaps not the time to be properly educated about dark magic, Nerys. You’re better not knowing.”
“I beg to differ,” she said, looking as if she were about to strangle me.
“However he learned of it,” Rowan interrupted, “Ilyas has relayed a message to you.”
As expected. I had asked him to report to me, by any means necessary, about Draven’s movements. Of course, we thought to return to Grimharbor, and I couldn’t help but be impressed by Ilyas’s tenacity.
“What is the message?” I asked, knowing already it would not be good.
“Draven has proclaimed himself Lord of Hawthorne Manor.”
Issa gasped.
I would kill him.
“There is a contingency of Aetherian warriors outside the manor’s outer defenses, along with those of Hawthorne’s own men who managed to escape before the gates were closed.” My stomach turned as I watched Rowan address Issa. “There were casualties among those who opposed him.”
I ran to her, holding Issa as her knees buckled.
“Warren,” she gasped. “Please, no.”
“We do not have the names. But apparently, he was supported by Gyorian warriors who are now threatening King Galfrid’s men to stand down.”
“Draven’s working with our enemy,” Issa said. I held onto her even though she’d regained her footing, standing tall.
“This has the potential,” Nerys said, “to spark an all-out war. Two clans and ours will make three. There’s not been a battle between all the clans since the Gate was closed.”
“Four,” Issa whispered.
Everyone looked at her.
“Four clans. We are as Elydorian as the others.”
“You are.” Nerys sighed. “Four. Though I am determined to help you fight back this usurper. It is our fault, taking you from Hawthorne, that he was able to exploit his advantage.”
“Nay,” Issa said, gathering the strength I knew was within her. “I was blind to his ambitions. He would have taken another opportunity to seize control. Are you certain,” she said to Nerys, “that you wish to involve your people in my fight?”
Nerys did not hesitate. “Your fight is Elydor’s fight, even if I did not owe you a personal debt for aiding Marek. Thalassaria cannot both remain neutral and claim to care for the fate of humans. Inaction is also an action. Rowan,” she said, “find Caelum and have him double the size of our contingency.” Then to us: “It will take us some time to prepare, but they should be ready within the day.”
“We leave at once,” I said, knowing Issa would not want to wait. “Have them meet us in Valewood Bay.”
“And Marek, I do not accept your resignation.”
Startled, I let go of Issa, who no longer had need of my assistance. “Why do?—”
“Until after this battle. You have the immunity of a Navarch,” she said, and I understood her meaning. Nerys was protecting me by keeping me under her command for the time being.
I nodded and turned my attention to Issa. Her face had gone pale, worry for her commander, and the people of Hawthorne, evident.
“We will prevail,” I promised her, prepared to fulfill that promise.
