Page 16 of Spring Guardians & Songbirds

“Thank you for coming, Albius,” I said, taking a seat at the head of the table.

“Of course, Your Majesty,” he offered politely. Before, he’d regarded me as a grandfather would, with endearment and adornment, now he stood tall and straight, polite and careful, as he often regarded my father. Oddly, he’d not been surprised to know of my magic, not as much as he’d been to know of Olympian. According to Nia he’d been more impressed and fascinated than worried or afraid.

“Bash,” I greeted. “You look eerily pale.”

He gave me a crooked smile. The Dravan born was Alaric’s nephew and one of my most trusted men. His mother, Alaric’s sister, was one of the fallen Skye warriors during the night of Draugr, and according to many he’d inherited her sharpness and astuteness. Both qualities that would deceive and please Silas. “You’ve done a number on your father and now he is doing a number on us. He’s got in him that Adriata has been manipulating Isjord just the same. The city walls are all armed to their teeth.”

I smiled. “The best thing I’ve heard today besides all the screams.”

“Both our cities are also looming with Aura of all sorts,” Albius added. “It seems they are seeking any opportunity to pass through the Highwall into Adriata. Some have even crossed the Arynth mountains, seeking a path through the Sea of the dark. Of course, I’ve managed to delay them and made Kilian aware, but I am afraid it won’t be long before they figure out another path through to Adriata.” He cleared his throat, somewhat hesitant to say what he wanted to say. “Your Majesty, will you plan to aid Adriata permanently?”

“Not aiding them, Albius. Keeping Isjordian paws out of my toys.” The answer didn't seem to satisfy him because his mouth pursed almost regretfully.

Sebastian tapped his fingers on the marble of the table and the sound pinched my nerves. “Bash, say it before I round your fingers to the knuckle and feed them to my morph. You know how she has been eyeing you for years.”

His fingers stopped and he pulled them over his lap instead. “Silas has it in his head that Aryan is alive. Given the silence from Adriata’s part after the battle. Considering the past, the winning party usually waved a sign of victory to the enemy. It is thought that perhaps your…uh, the Night King is keeping him prisoner.”

“Heavens, spit it out,” I sneered.

“I have reason to believe he is trying to infiltrate Adriata to search for him.”

That made me laugh. “He can keep searching. Maybe I’ll throw him the bones after the crows stop digging for flesh. Anything on the sceptre?”

Albius said, “Freya sent news that more war camps have been raised northwest of her land, near Hanai.”

Moriko nodded. “The Brisk Lord has confirmed that he had to let two dozen Umbra toward Hanai. Silas already doubts Ibe, so he didn’t risk it.”

“It seems they are aiming for your piece next,” Sebastian remarked, and I nodded in agreement.

Her expression hardened. “We have tripled our guard on each of our temples. From Koy to Aru, we’ve secured them all. Hanai is ready for your father.”

“Nia,” I said, turning to my friend. “Let Cai know to spare soldiers toward Hanai.”

My friend blinked a bit surprised. “Why don’t you tell him?” Her brows furrowed as she looked around. “Actually, why is he not here in the first place?”

Yes, Snow, why is your best friend avoiding you and doing just about anything else besides being near you? I cleared my throat and turned to Sebastian. “Is Grasmere still Lordless?”

He rubbed his temple. Seems like my father was really wearing him out. “Silas has chosen someone to take Lord of Grasmere duties, a hand Malena had under training—Gara. A little vicious thing almost as bad as Malena was,” Sebastian said, irritated. “People say she and Reuben Krigborn were planning to announce their engagement this summer.”

That got my full attention. “My, how did I miss such news?”

“You will never be able to sway this one,” he said, noting my smile.

“Little time to sway when they are on their knees, Bash.”

“Not sure what method you will use but we might need to use it fast. Grasmere is the only city we still don’t have in our grasp and if I might say, one of the most important ones. Ships have stopped leaving their port for a couple of days now. I don’t know if that is a good or bad sign for us.”

“Both,” I said, running a tired hand over my eyes. “No more ships for us and indicating a possibly a new route for his travels to search for the sceptre pieces in Seraphim and Vrammethen.”

Moriko faced Visha who’d quietly observed the whole gathering. “Did you have a look at the trace craft I gave Snow in Arynth?”

She nodded. “It drew a familiar bond with me. The magic definitely belonged to my cousin, but I am certain it was not to trace the sceptre itself. The magic laced to it was pretty simple, something a Crafter in their teens could do. They could be tracing something associated with the sceptre, so it led me nowhere.”

The Autumn Queen scowled somewhat doubtfully. “What if your mother truly has a hand in this?”

“That has nothing to do with my witch, Mor,” I said. My trust was very limited, but I trusted Visha.

Moriko nodded. “If you believe that, so do I. I trust your judgement.”