AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Regan will send the coordinates to Angus’s cell.” Angus led the squad. “It’s also critical that you don’t tell anyone what I’ve asked of you, including Mastyr Ben or the communication center or even Mastyr Stone. I have reasons for this.”
Angus frowned. “Will there be others doing recon as well?”
Again, Ian hated lying, but he knew this mission had to proceed in secret. “A couple of others, but if you meet anyone along the way, I don’t want any discussion between squads. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Mastyr.” Angus spoke for the entire team.
“Just be sure to be at your assigned location at least fifteen minutes before three. The disguising mist should disperse at three sharp. Any questions?”
“Only one.” Angus’s eyes glowed with a familiar battle fervor. “When the mist disappears and we sight Invictus, do we engage?”
At that, a smile overspread Ian’s lips. “At will.”
Another shout went up.
Angus added. “We should do more of this, be on the offensive.”
Ian clapped his shoulder. “I agree. But because I’m not sure of the numbers you’ll be facing, if at any time it appears the squad will be overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to retreat. Keep your heads. Think of this as a foray, not an overt battle. Understood?”
Each head bobbed.
“Good. And I want one of your team to remain behind to work with the local defense leaders of the communities assigned to your squad. Have these communities on the alert in case the Invictus show up.” Ian met each warrior’s gaze. “Again, be at your coordinates by two-forty-five and I’ll be in touch with Angus before three.”
Keeping Regan close, he headed to the next sector farther northeast along the foothill communities and received a similar, enthusiastic response. All the Guardsmen were ready to take charge and end the Invictus misery for good. With luck, tonight’s effort would take them a good piece down the road.
Regan used her cell to establish the next set of coordinates and to keep a record of which team of Guardsmen would go where. Ian knew the names of all his men, so she made lists. She did this while he flew between sectors, at ease in his arms as though they’d flown together for decades instead of two nights.
Once all the squads took up a position near the fortress, each team would only be fifteen yards from the next. The warriors would no doubt start getting a picture that something big was going on. When the hour advanced to three, he’d begin pathing with the leaders to let them in on what he hoped to achieve. Once the squads were in position, his combined Vampire Guard and Shifter Brigade would surround Margetta’s camp.
Ian knew his force wasn’t near big enough to defeat such a large army. But by the
time the battle ended with a strong retreat, he felt certain the Camberlaune warriors would have made a dent in the number of wraith-pairs ready to make war.
It would be one helluva a beginning.
~ ~ ~
Regan knew from various newspaper articles and blogs about Ian over the years that one of his favorite eateries was the Hungry Troll in the central city of Hocklin. At midnight, he flew her there having made a reservation. The restaurant served specialty beers, several of them imported from the States through the Harrisburg Access Point.
When he touched down on the cobbled street, and she stepped off his booted foot, she became aware he was instantly the center of attention. He received many well-wishes from passing vehicles and a number of friendly back-slaps from pedestrians in the area.
Regan loved the good-naturedness of Realm-folk generally. And it pleased her that a man who sacrificed his personal contentment for his people, was appreciated so very much.
When a troll hurried to open the door for them both, she wasn’t prepared for the sudden standing ovation and applause erupting from every single table of the pub-like establishment.
She looked up at Ian, wondering how he would take the adulation and she could see by his smile it pleased him. He lifted a hand, then graciously gestured to Regan.
If she’d been surprised before, she was astounded that she, too, received an incredibly warm welcome. When she glanced at Ian with a questioning brow, he pathed, Everyone knows the part you played in the Swanicott victory. You’re as beloved here as you are in your own realm.
Tears started to her eyes. Sure, she’d helped out by getting rid of the disguising mist so that the Swanicott army could see the enemy, then engage. But she hadn’t actually participated in the battle so she wasn’t sure just how much adulation she deserved. But it meant a lot to her that her service had been appreciated.
She also lifted a hand and waved, then felt her cheeks grow warm as the applause continued. She wasn’t used to so much attention.
A troll approached them. He wore a white apron, black vest and white shirt, had two menus in hand and a large belly. The latter was his best advertisement for the quality of the food.
He held his head high, beaming as he led them to a private booth at the back. To her surprise, she saw Ben standing against the wall near the bathrooms, scrolling through his cell.
For a moment, though, she got a very strange fae-ish feeling about Ben, as though something wasn’t right. She focused on him, but the odd questioning response dissipated swiftly.
