Page 24 of Cast By Flames (Dragon's Breath)
Javier—the head sorcerer in Norman—promised that his protégé was manufacturing a potion for human fighters to become fireproof. Only one ingredient eluded him from making it work, but he assured everyone it would be ready before the start of the war. His confidence knew no bounds, but they needed a positive attitude right now.
“Excellent progress,” Aidan praised Donar, understanding his cousin needed to hear such words with the long hours he’d been working. “And the blocks for the bunkers?”
Donar shifted on his feet. “We’ve almost completed all the ones we need for the front lines ofourwestern border, andthe Faegud are making their own. The trouble is constructing enough extras for the pure dragon areas where humans will also fight and need them.”
Aidan had already designated locations for the bunkers farther apart than he liked, approximately every five miles from the Oklahoma-Texas border to Interstate 40. None were built yet since they’d be stationed on the other side of the shield wall, but the supplies would be placed as close to the border as they could get them without risking the Kandoran discovering and destroying the setup before they were ready.
Once they knew the battle loomed close, pre-designated teams would race across to construct the buildings. The plans were simple for the bunkers, so they’d have them finished in less than two days. Each would have a large front room to treat the wounded and two back rooms—one for provisions and another to store medical supplies.
The Faegud would also send their swiftest diggers to each shelter to assist in digging and excavating tunnels that would act as escape and resupply routes. Those would be too narrow for the larger pure dragons to fit, but the shield magic would extend deep enough into the earth to prevent smaller Kandoran operatives—humans and sorcerers—from using those routes to infiltrate their territories.
“Do the best you can,” Aidan said, tapping his fingers on his desk as he considered the issue. “Everyone will work full schedules until we have an estimated attack date. After that, I will call for workers and fighters to take two days to prepare themselves and spend time with their families. You can look forward to a brief rest then.”
Donar let out a breath. “That’s an excellent idea, milord.”
Aidan couldn’t miss the exhaustion on everyone’s features. The dark circles under their eyes and anxiety they couldn’t hide in their stiff postures. Even the idlest shifters—old and young—had been given tasks over the last two months to keep progress moving forward. They understood this was a matter of life and death, and everyone worked to their fullest ability. He needed to give them a gift to keep them motivated, and a break before the war began would make a difference for everyone.
“Ruari,” Aidan turned toward his second-oldest brother. What do you have for me?”
“All of the high-priority repairs on the castle and keep have been completed. There are a few remaining issues with shifter housing, but those should be finished within the next week.”
That was exactly what Aidan had hoped to hear. “You’ve done good work, brother. Your organizational skills have proven far beyond my greatest expectations, and if we survive this war, I will invite you and your mate to move into the castle.”
Ruari and Freya grinned broadly. Living there would elevate their status and provide comforts they did not have residing beyond the fortress. Their cousin Donar already had a room but often spent the night at his parents’ house since he enjoyed his mother’s cooking.Aidan wanted everyone within his inner circle to know that he appreciated their hard work and dedication.
“Thank you, milord.” Ruari gave him a short bow. “You honor us and will not regret it.”
“Of course, but I’m afraid you’ll have to divide your time from this point. Now that Donar and his team have finishedmost of the blocks for our front line, I need someone to begin staging them. Kade and I have already chosen the locations where the bunkers will work best and can provide you with a map. You’ll put the supplies at our designated points and be prepared to move them across when the time comes.”
Ruari swallowed. “Is it safe that close to the border?”
He referred to the random Kandoran attacks they and their allies had suffered over recent months. Their enemy enjoyed taunting them and keeping them on their toes even before they launched a full-scale war. Most humans and shifters avoided getting too close to enemy territory these days.
“There are no guarantees.” Aidan shook his head. “But you’ll be within sight of our border guards throughout the process and working with a team, so you won’t be alone. While it will be difficult, I have every faith that no one else could do it better in the time we have remaining.”
Ruari’s gaze stayed conflicted. He could behave with an annoying amount of bravado when he wasn’t facing true danger, but his inner cowardice surfaced anytime he had to put himself in harm’s way.
During most battles, he avoided fighting as much as possible while appearing to be in the thick of it. He’d made it into an art. Aidan was surprised when his brother actively participated in their clash with the Ghastanan in Texas years ago. Perhaps Freya had something to do with that and would help him find courage again.
She was patting his arm now and speaking encouraging words in his ear that Aidan barely caught. “As soon as Bailey and I have handled the rebels in Norman, I will join you and help. You can handle this.”
“Very well.” Ruari lifted his chin, bolstered by his female’s reassurances. She truly was the best thing that ever happened to him. “I will do this, and they will be the finest bunkers you’ve ever seen.”
Aidan suspected that if anyone could build protective shelters, it would be someone who excelled at avoiding danger. That was why he wanted his brother to do it, and it needed to be done soon. Ruari had proven he could complete his projects swiftly—even more so knowing the Kandoran could be lurking nearby.
“And finally, my own update,” he said, glancing down at a list he’d written in the dragon language. Bailey stared at it, frowning since she hadn’t learned to read their writing yet.
Edythe stepped closer to him, and the rest of the elders crowded behind her. “Yes. Where are we with our allies?”
“As you know, we have the Faegud. The Bogaran and their southern neighbors, the Takaran, have also agreed to join us. Hildegard has assured me the Ghastanan will fight with us after suffering considerable losses recently. They’ve begun flocking near her border.”
A male elder on her left pointed at the list. “I see the Pradowan, Vataran, and Nazaran on that list with a question next to them. Do you truly believe you could get them to our side? In my experience, they’re the least tolerant of us.”
“We’ll see when I meet the Shadowan pendragon tomorrow,” Aidan replied, pointing at the toriq names. “Our northern neighbors have also been attacked by the Kandoran—except the Pradowan since they’re farther away. Having said that, I believe the Shadowan will have sway with them, so if we get them, we should get the rest.”
He left out his hope to obtain help from the West Coast in a place the humans called California. Most people in the room didn’t know about that, and it would remain a secret until after the spy’s mission concluded. It was his riskiest move, but they needed every advantage to win this war, and that plan could be the defining difference.
Bailey cleared her throat. “Ahem, I want to add that I spoke with the coalition recently. The leadership has approved a large contingent of their soldiers, slayers, and weaponry coming.”
