Page 81 of Path of the Dark
27
Council of War
THE KING ROLLED out a map upon the table, placing stones at each corner. “This will be familiar to two of you here, at least,” he announced.
Ninia’s gaze settled upon the intricately-drawn map. “It’s one of my uncle’s drawings,” she murmured with a smile. “I’d recognize his hand anywhere.”
Nathan glanced her way. “He died in the siege?”
“No … around five years ago, of a heart complaint.” She looked back at the map, remembering how she’d perched upon a stool in her uncle Phelan’s studio, watching him work. He’d been a gentle man with a dry sense of humor; she’d spent more time with him than her own father.
Across the table Mira peered forward. She reached out, tracing the familiar coil of The Spiral Way with a finger-tip. “Veldoras,” she said with a smile. “There’s no city that resembles it. I used to mudlark on this canal.”
“Aye, the city’s layout has thwarted many attackers over the centuries,” Nathan paused there. “Until Reoul of Anthor.”
“Until last year, no one had breached The Swallow Keep since the time of Valgarth,” Mira confirmed, her brow furrowing. “Reoul will have it well defended.”
“How quickly did Anthor take the city?” Nathan asked.
Mira’s gaze clouded. “They breached the city gates within a matter of hours,” she replied. “After that it took them a day to get to the keep.”
Ninia frowned at the memory. She would never forget venturing out onto the swing bridge between the East Tower and The Swallow Keep to see the city aflame. Noise had assaulted her in a deafening roar. The Anthor army had swept through her city like a violent storm.
“Won’t Reoul ride out to meet us?” Asher spoke up. “Surely he isn’t a man to let his enemy come to him.”
Nathan huffed out a breath and straightened up. As always, he wore his magnificent mink cloak—the plush fawn-colored fur gleamed in the light of the braziers illuminating his tent. “I’d wager he is not yet ready to launch a full-scale attack on the north … hence why he sent Elias to kill Ninia in the meantime.” The king’s mouth compressed into a hard line. “Veldoras is his prize … he’ll not yield easily.”
“Of course, there is another way into the city,” Mira reminded them all. She met the king’s eye across the table. “There’s the tunnel that leads from the Marsh Hills under The Swallow Keep.”
Nathan’s brow furrowed. “Ninia told me how you escaped last year,” he replied, “but with all those iron gates to open and the narrowness of the tunnel, I would only use it as a last resort.” His frown deepened. “We need to face Anthor, army to army. I’ll not take the back door in.”
Listening to these words, a blend of excitement and trepidation prickled Ninia’s skin. It was getting ‘real’ now. The attack on the leaguefort had gone well—better than she’d expected. Even so, seeing the leaguefort go up like a torch had been a shock. Before beginning her training, Ninia’s power had been raw, uncontained. To be able to harness it, if not always faultlessly, both thrilled and unnerved her.
Unleashing the Light like that had been intoxicating. She could see how such power could be misused.
A shiver rippled down Ninia’s spine at the thought. Straightening in her chair, she shrugged it off.I’m not Valgarth, she reminded herself.And I never will be.
Her thoughts turned then to their destination, to Veldoras. The leaguefort was just a taste of what was to come, of what would be expected of her.
“And what of the attack itself?” she asked finally. “Do we have a plan?”
Nathan raised an eyebrow. “Aye, princess. I always have a plan.” He stepped closer to the table and placed a row of grey markers outside the gates of Veldoras. “At our current pace, we will reach the city in just under two days. Once we do, I will keep the parley brief.”
“Aye, sire,” Captain Jonas agreed with a nod. “Reoul won’t surrender.”
“The exchange will be a formality only,” the king confirmed. “Even if we arrive late in the day, I won’t delay the attack.” He shifted his attention to Asher. “Have you chosen a new Head of the Dark?”
Asher nodded. “Erina is younger than ideal, but strong. I believe she’ll lead the enchanters of the Dark well.”
“Very good.” Nathan dropped his gaze to the row of counters once more. “Your enchanters will form our front line. Then, as soon as the gates are breached, I’ll send my cavalry in. I don’t want to give Reoul time to rally. If he has a host of powerful enchanters at his disposal, we need to hit them hard from the first.”
Ninia walked out of the tent and glanced up at the overcast sky. It had been a humid day, and now storm clouds rolled in from the south-west. The air felt charged. Ninia’s mouth curved, and she flexed her hands at her sides. Both the Stars of Darkness and Light on her palms prickled. After the council of war, she felt restless and on edge. More than one type of storm was approaching.
Asher and Mira walked away toward the nearby enchanters’ tents, while Captain Jonas and his lieutenants wandered off to get some supper.
Ninia wasn’t hungry.
She trailed Asher and Mira for a few yards. They paid her no attention, for they talked quietly together, heads bowed close. Slowing her pace, Ninia veered right, heading toward the perimeter of the camp. The High Enchanter and his lover didn’t see her go.
