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‘Tangra?’ I asked, fighting the urge to shake the information out of him.

He noticed me staring, and his lips stretched into a bloody smile.

‘Oh yes. Get ready, King of Dagome. More of them are coming. The Hierophant himself is leading several thousand men. They’re coming from the east, and they’re ready for blood,’ he said, and I cursed.

‘How long?’ I asked.

‘A day at most, shorter if they march all night,’ he answered, and I nodded, adding the timeline to my planning. ‘I stumbled over their rear forces and only survived because the forest undergrowth was so thick.’

If I’d known about this force, I could have planned for them. My ignorance could’ve cost us many lives. Fuck, it could even cost us the victory.

‘The Gate?’ I asked. A sliver of a chance remained that it could’ve been destroyed. Then I could bring my mages here and send the dragons deeper into Tivalaran’s territory to attack the approaching army.

‘Still active. We have the keys. Tova is heading there with a Dark Fae unit courtesy of our irrepressible queen, who somehow gained command of them,’ Irsha answered. He was swaying in the chair, and I gestured for Orm to hurry the healer.

‘What’s she planning?’ I asked, then passed Irsha more water.

‘I don’t know.’ Irsha shook his head. ‘She issued our orders and then rode off into the swamp on a fucking bies. She had a message for you. Dagome will have your back. Whatever the fuck that means. I hoped she’d be here with her Tangrian pet.’

There was no point in questioning him more. Irsha was deathly pale, and Sana’s message sounded like a fever dream. I wondered how many bodies he’d left behind on his journey to warn me.

I stayed with him until the healer arrived. The man confirmed that despite several cuts and significant blood loss, the damage wasn’t dangerous. When the healer finished, the assassin lay back on my bed with a sour expression, stitched like a festive ham.

I sent Ivar for my officers. Our plans needed to change. It was still hours until sunset — time of relative peace before the carnage, but all I could think of was Sana riding away on a bies.

What insane idea do you have now in your head, my love?

I can fly to the swamp. I know where this creature lives. Cinared’s thoughts echoed in my head. His desire to retrieve her warring against weariness and the pain of his Aether draining away. This strange pulling was like a haemorrhaging wound, irritating at first but deadly if left untreated.

You can’t fly closer. No dragon can. Sanika has a plan, and we must trust her, I told him.

I’d said it for both of us, and even if I could convince my dragon, I wasn’t sure how long I could hold my berserker at bay.

My officers arrived one by one, and I waved them to the map.

‘Where’s Amala?’ I asked because the girl had proven herself to be a successful spy, able to blend with any crowd.

‘Here, Sire. What do you want me to do?’ She pushed past the men, her shoulders squared in her mismatched clothes.

‘Tangra’s army is killing everyone to remain hidden. Warn the local people. Take them to the cliff caves or the forest. Anywhere but here.’ I deliberated. ‘And if you have anyone you trust in the castle who has the means to escape, tell them to run. The next few days will be bloody, and I can’t protect them.’

She nodded, looking like she wanted to say something. In the end, though, she snapped her mouth shut, bowed, and moved back to the corner.

‘Ormond, your dragon squadron will attack the camp. Take Tova’s green fire. We have just enough to cause a panic and push them away from the walls. Once you drop it on the camp, use the dragons to harry the ships. The darkness should scupper their aim.’ My brother smirked and saluted. Vahin was already testing the air currents, and even now I heard the distant rumble of thunder.

‘Our men report traps and trenches around the camp. Cavalry will have trouble building enough speed to charge.’ Ivar bit the end of his moustache, concern about our main force etched into his creased forehead.

‘Let’s see if they run out past them first. If not, send the infantry first. The heavy charge will come from the flank once we have lured them more to the field.’ I looked at the castle looming over the battlefield. ‘Order the archers to engage the castle. That will disrupt the enemy’s bowmen and save our men from any accidents. I don’t want anyone able to operate the ballistae or crossbows, or to even remain on the walls.’

The officers murmured their agreement. Gniev stepped forward.

‘And what do you have me do? Ride with your men or…’

‘Guard our rear. When the Hierophant arrives, I want you to harry his army and force them into the valley near the river. If that doesn’t work, push them into the forest instead. Let’s see how well they stay organised moving through the trees. Cinared, you stay above them and offer what assistance you can.’ I spoke Cin’s orders out loud for my men’s benefit. Anger burned in the dragon’s thoughts.

You want me to stay behind. To not fight when the castle is still standing? His furious roar shook the tent.

I want you looking for Sana. Call it a gut feeling, but I know that woman. She won’t retreat to rest in the forest. That calmed him. Not much, but enough for him to agree to my plan.