Page 86 of Rise of the Phoenix King (Crown and Crest 4)

I brush off my skirt, preparing myself for more bad news.

“Our scouts have spotted an army in the distance,” the young duke says, his voice devoid of its usual cheer. “Necromancers. Humans. Golems.” He pauses. “A large number of High Vales.”

“How many soldiers total?

“The scout estimated a thousand or more.”

“Which way are they headed?” Henrik asks, immediately starting down the path, his pace so fast Bartholomew and I must hurry to keep up with him.

Bartholomew glances at me before he answers, “Toward Cabaranth.”

20

HENRIK

Three days—that’show long the scouts estimate we have before Camellia’s army reaches us. Even with the bands I sent out, we easily have the manpower to stop them, but Camellia knows that.

Why would she make such a bold, seemingly foolish move?

I don’t like it.

The soldiers stationed in Cabaranth prepare for battle under my command. Strong spring winds whip through the bailey, ripping at flags and clothing, putting everyone in a worse mood than they were already in.

I stand in the courtyard, watching a dozen couriers ride through the main gatehouse. They carry call-to-arms they will deliver to nearby knight commanders. By tomorrow, we’ll have three thousand men. The day after, five thousand.

Agitated, I drum my fingers on my crossed arms, nodding to Lawrence when he joins me.

“How are the preparations going?” he asks.

“We have eighteen hundred men right now,” I tell him. “More arriving in the next few days.”

“Then why do you look worried?”

I turn to face him. “Camellia isn’t a fool. She at least has a rough idea of how many soldiers we have in Cabaranth. Even right now, we outnumber her almost two to one.”

Lawrence nods.

“Is it a distraction?” I ponder aloud. “Is she hoping to lure our army here so she can attack somewhere else?”

“Perhaps she has more faith in her golems and blood mages than she should,” Lawrence says darkly.

“And why would so many High Vales defect to her?” I ask. “Those who followed Augmirian should hate her—she murdered him.”

“But they share a common foe,” Lawrence points out.

“They’re using her to bring you down.”

He nods. “That’s what Audra suspects, and I’m inclined to believe she’s right.”

“It would explain how she got her hands on the golems.” I stretch my stiff neck. “Do you think she’s traveling with them?”

“I’m sure she’s there, but in the flesh?” He scoffs. “I doubt it.”

“Where is she hiding?” I ask with a frustrated growl. “If we can’t find her, this could go on for years.”

“We’ll find her.” Lawrence slaps my shoulder. “Have a little faith. One of the search parties will sniff her out.”

“I’ve studied the army’s current path,” I say, returning to the matter at hand. “I’ve chosen a location to intercept them that should give us the higher ground.”

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