“Seven,” Carlile answered, ignoring the quip. “There will be two carriages sent for you, though—” He looked at Vayden, Isla, and Brea as he said, “I’m afraid the invitation is only extended to the Order of the King.”
“I can’t say I’ll miss meeting His Majesty,” Brea said flippantly.
“It bodes well that you’ll be staying here,” Carlile continued, “as we’ll require Mr. Calder to carry the Relics while Highlady Freye and Lieutenant Lohen act as his guard.”
Evylin glanced over her shoulder at Deckard with wary apprehension. Being in Ephria once again, where magic’s very existence was touted as a heretical legend, the Relics were far safer than before. But leaving them with only two guards made her uneasy.
Deckard cleared his throat and asked, “His Majesty didn’t consider delivering this message to be a waste of your time?”
Carlile’s eyes glimmered with humor. “Not when I suggested I should bring his most honored guard a few gifts.” He gestured to a medium-sized trunk that could be seen in the entry. “After so long on the road, His Majesty thought you’d appreciate some grander clothes for the occasion.”
Ilain brightened. “You brought me a gown?” she asked excitedly.
“I did, Highlady.”
She failed to contain a squeal, pressing a hand to her lips and looking very much like she was ready to bolt off the sofa to peruse the trunk.
“But my real reason for coming,” Carlile said, “was, of course, on behalf of the Alliance. I’d like to hear your plans and offer what advice I can. About this evening and beyond.”
He looked at Rafferty then. “My first bit of advice is to keep that tongue in check. King Ephren is fond of jokes but not at his expense. We don’t need to offend the king or alert him to our cause.”
The setting sun cast shadows across the wooden floor, marking the short period remaining between the present and their dinner. Deckard spoke again, hastily suggesting, “Perhaps we’d better inform you of our plans quickly, as it will take some time to make ourselves presentable for His Majesty’s company.”
“Certainly,” Carlile said, prompting Deckard to begin his explanation.
With steady progress, Deckard went through the plans. They would seek out the Space Keep in the morning, retrieve the Relic, and begin their journey to Estshire posthaste. He explained how they hoped to subvert Blount by obtaining both Relics before him, even at the risk of going out of order. Once they accomplished that phase of the mission, they didn’t have much of a plan in place, hoping the Alliance would give them directions on the best way to recover the remaining four Relics from Blount himself.
Carlile tapped a finger on the chair arm in thought. “It’s certainly daring,” he noted. “I am awaiting an update from the Waulden Administration on Blount’s movements, but last we knew, your plan is viable. The prince was in Carrickbrack,waiting for his allies to join him. Where he is at present, I cannot say until I receive further updates. Birds can only fly so quickly.”
Evylin wasn’t sure if Carlile meant actual birds like carrier pigeons or if he was using a code.
Behind her, she could feel Deckard’s discomfort as he continued, “Even with our delay, if our calculations are correct and Blount does go for the Terrae Relic first, he should arrive in Olbury shortly after us,” he said. “Which would mean we could wait for him there and hope to ambush him as he’s done to us. With the Night, Wind, Terrae, and Space Relics, we should be able to accomplish that, yes?”
“Oh, yes, I should hope so,” Carlile said, though his expression belied uncertainty. He hesitated, then sighed. “It is hard to know how to proceed in matters such as this when men like Blount are involved. He’s dangerous. He’s cunning. He’s been trained under the most powerful and cruel Night Mages for over four decades. Underestimating him and his abilities is a mistake.”
Ilain glanced at Brea as though to impress the statement on her.
Brea ignored the woman.
“However,” Carlile continued, “with four Relics, a Bonded couple, the highest trained soldiers in Ephria, the Alliance’s most impressive spy, two additional Warriors, and three Mages, including the most powerful to be born in the last two centuries who is also a purported goddess—” He grinned, scanning the whole of the troop before turning back to Deckard. “I have little doubt that you will succeed, Colonel.”
Evylin shared a hopeful look with Deckard, feeling his anxiety diminish in the air around him. Brea’s planwouldwork, and they would win this war once and for all.
Yet, she felt a sudden shift in Deckard’s emotions once more, the worry returning. “We’ll plan for that then and pray to Allorethat Blount is days behind us,” he said in a tense tone. “Do you have any other advice?”
“I do,” Carlile said. “Though more in line with the evening’s festivities. First, don’t mention the Space Relic. Remember, Ephren doesn’t know it exists, believing there are seven Relics. In fact, should he mention magic of any sort, it’d be best to keep your conversation vague. Ephren is a distractible man. If you bore him, he’ll move on to something more diverting.”
“We’ll just let Audy handle the magic talk then,” Rafferty said. “Anytime he gets going, people are bound to be bored.”
Brea snorted while Auden glowered at the man.
“Speaking of the Calders,” Carlile said, turning to Ilain. “Congratulations on your betrothal, Highlady. And to you, Corporal Loxley.”
Standing at the far end of the couch, Ethenn dipped his chin in thanks, his expression tightening at the room’s attention. At his side, Ilain patted his arm placatingly as she replied, “Our thanks, my lord.”
He raised a knowing brow. “That said, I’m afraid it would be best if His Majesty doesn’t discover your relationship. Ephren won’t take well to one of his soldiers falling in love with a Waulden Mage. It doesn’t make for a good story on his part, his personal guard switching loyalty to a dangerously suspect ally. It’d be best if you didn’t show preference to one another tonight.”
“We can do that,” Ethenn said readily.
