Page 78 of Lord of the Lone Wolf
Maseo’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What use are dragon bones to my father? And where would he have found them? Kunushi has never been dragon territory.”
“We believe it is so his necromancer can create necrowings,” Jaega replied. “Nasume likely intends to raise undead dragons powerful enough to devastate entire battalions.”
Maseo stared at the map, horror and shame warring within him. How could he have been so blind to his father’s true nature? He had always known Nasume was cruel, but that level of evil depravity exceeded his worst expectations.
“We need to approach and destroy as many of these platforms as we can without engaging in all-out warfare,” Jaega explained. “Once the Deathward is complete, conventional assault becomes impossible. Do you have any insights that might help us, given your knowledge of Norello and Nasume’s castle?”
Maseo pointed to an area. “The sewers. My father considers them too far beneath his royal dignity to concern himself with,so it is a blind spot of his I have exploited in the past. They run beneath the entire city and connect to the castle through multiple access points.”
Jaega nodded thoughtfully. “Do you recall their layout well enough to guide our forces?”
“I do, but we would need more detailed maps. Unfortunately, drawing is not one of my skills.”
Kitsuki exchanged a glance with Jaega before pulling out a rolled parchment. He unfurled it across the table, pinning it down with blue crystal paperweights, revealing a detailed blueprint of Nasume’s castle. “Our intelligence division prepared this based on historical records, but it may be outdated.”
Maseo studied the blueprint. “Impressive. This is quite close to the current layout.” He traced his finger along the lower level of the castle. “Here, here, and here. These are the main sewer access points. If small teams entered through here, they could approach the platforms from below, avoiding detection. I used this route here to escape the castle without drawing attention.”
“Are the tunnels large enough for soldiers to navigate?” Kitsuki asked.
“Yes, even tall shifters can stand upright, and they’re wide enough for four to walk abreast.”
Jaega nodded. “This could work. While destroying all the ritual sites is unlikely, we could send a series of small teams to target the most critical platforms, disrupting the constellation before completion.”
“I can help,” Maseo offered. “Nobody knows those passages better than I do. I could guide a team.”
“No.” Kitsuki’s voice cut through the tent, sharp and sudden. All three men turned to him in surprise.
“Your Majesty, I often used these tunnels to escape the castle. I know every turn and dead end.”
“I said no.” Kitsuki’s tone brooked no argument. “It is too dangerous. If you were captured, Nasume would show no mercy. He almost killed you once. I will not give him the opportunity to do so again.”
Maseo wanted to protest further, but Kitsuki’s expression stopped him. Behind the king’s firm refusal lay something that resembled fear.
“Your knowledge has been invaluable,” Jaega said, breaking the tense silence. “I will gather the Enchanters we need for this mission. Lieutenant Norkon, please come with me. We must select the warriors who will accompany them. Afterward, we will reconvene here.”
Rylan bowed to Kitsuki and then saluted Jaega before following the older dragon shifter from the tent.
As the tent flap closed behind them, Maseo remained standing before the war table, alone with Kitsuki. The silence stretched between them. Maseo wanted to argue his case, but uncertainty held him back.
Kitsuki was the first to speak. “Please forgive me. It is hard enough seeing you fight on the front lines while I am present. To have you so far away, in the heart of enemy territory where I cannot help if things go wrong, is something I cannot bear.”
The admission caught Maseo off guard. He touched the silver ring Kitsuki had given him, feeling its cool weight against hisskin. “This would save me, would it not? You said it alerts you if I’m in danger.” Now that it was only the two of them, he reverted to speaking normally.
“I fear it would not be enough,” Kitsuki replied. The blue of his irises seemed darker than usual, ringed with a thin line of silver that Maseo had never noticed before. “If it cannot protect against Divine weapons, I doubt it will survive an onslaught of necromancy.”
Warmth spread through Maseo’s chest at the concern in Kitsuki’s voice. Why would the king care about his safety? Maseo was a single soldier among many, a halfling with no magical abilities, useful only because of his knowledge of the enemy.
Kitsuki moved from behind the table, circling around it with slow, measured steps. Each movement seemed controlled, as if he were fighting some internal battle with every step he took. He stopped a few feet from Maseo, maintaining a distance that felt deliberate.
“But Kizoshi said I would face off against my father,” Maseo reminded him.
“Yes, but not like that,” Kitsuki protested. “Not when I am not present to ensure your safety.”
“With respect, Your Majesty, I have survived my father’s cruelty all my life. I know how to avoid his attention when necessary.”
Kitsuki’s hands clenched at his sides. “This is different. You were not a direct threat to him before. Now, you march with his enemy, bearing knowledge that could undermine his plans. If captured, you would face far worse than what you endured in the past.”
The truth of those words sent a chill through Maseo, but he stood his ground. “I understand the risk. But I also know those tunnels better than anyone. I could help ensure the success of this critical mission.”
