Page 37 of The Queen and the Half-blood
Lara nodded briskly, even as misgiving clutched at her. She’d deliberately avoided issuing a draft, but they were getting to the stage where one might be necessary. “See it all done then.” Surprise rippled over Cailean and Roth’s faces, as if they’d expected her to argue, and irritation spiked through her. “Don’t you think I understand the risks that come with allowing an army of wulvers to reside within Duncrag’s walls?”
Both men frowned, making it clear they had indeed doubted her.
Sucking in a deep breath, Lara resisted the urge to rub her temples. Another headache loomed.
“I suggest sending word to the Isle of Arryn,” Ren added, a trifle timidly, for she wasn’t one to speak up at meetings. “We require more enforcers and bards for the fight ahead.”
“I shall,” Lara assured her. She didn’t hold out much hope though. The Arch-druid had warned just a year earlier that they weren’t getting enough initiates these days. There weren’t as many druids being trained as before.
A brittle silence followed before Annis spoke once more. “All of this is sage counsel, My Queen … but I was referring to something else when I said we shouldn’t ‘rely’ on the wulvers.” Her gaze was sharp as it met Lara’s. “If you find more allies, then you won’t be so dependent on the Half-blood and his army.”
The chief-counsellor was right, of course. Depending wholly on the wulvers would give her husband too much power. She couldn’t let him think he was indispensable. And she had to be ready, if he tried to overthrow her.
“Go on,” Lara murmured.
“For centuries, the rulers of Albia have relied on the might of The Uplands to fill the ranks of their armies,” the chief-counsellor replied. “The hill-tribe warriors are fierce fighters. You need them on your side.”
Lara stilled. Aye, she did.
“The Circines serve the Raven Queen now, not the High Queen of Albia,” Gregor reminded Annis sourly.
Lara’s pulse quickened. “Aye, but don’t you wonder what she promised them?”
Gregor frowned.
“Didn’t the Raven Queen assure the faerie creatures they could re-enter Sheehallion after five years of service?” Ruari asked.
“Aye, but that’s no good to the Circines,” Gregor replied. “Since our kind can’t pass through the barrows or the stone circles.”
“And nor would we want to,” Ren murmured.
“We must learn what Mor has promised them … so we can offer something better.” Annis drew herself up then, her gaze sweeping over the circle of men and women gathered in the meeting pavilion. “I have an idea.”
Lara observed her warily. “Aye?”
“Let me choose two of my most able counsellors. They shall travel to The Uplands and track down the Circines chieftain. They will then assure him that the High Queen of Albia will better any terms the Raven Queen has offered.”
Lara considered this plan for a few moments. It had merit. Unlike her father, who’d ill-treated the hill-tribes and ended up earning the resentment of their chieftains, she’d gain their respect. Their love.
“That could work,” she murmured. “Although they can’t go on their own.”
“You’ll need some enforcers,” Cailean said gruffly.
“And an escort of warriors,” Roth added.
Lara drew in a deep breath. She was pleased they were all working together again—instead of arguing—although her chief-enforcer and captain’s grave expressions were yet another reminder of their dwindling resources.
Encouraged, Annis folded her arms across her chest. “The Shee took The Uplands because they understood the power of alliances, My Queen. We need to do the same … and I’m not talking about wulvers.”
“It’ll also weaken the Shee’s hold on the North before we get there,” Gregor flashed Annis a grudging smile. “Well, done.”
Annis’s lips curved in response. The chief-sacrificer wasn’t one to hand out praise.
Moments passed, and Lara surveyed the faces of those gathered around her. They were watching her keenly, waiting for her answer.
“Very well,” she said after a pause. “A peace envoy shall leave for The Goatfells with the dawn.”
14: A GREATER GOOD
