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“The question becomes, is that a good or a bad thing?” Braxton offered, ignoring my old friend’s response, and Lachlan’s nostrils flared.
“He came at us the last time we went hunting. It did not end well, even for him,” I briefly informed, and turned to face Braxton. “What are you thinking?”
“Well, the four-headed beast is always enraged, that I know for certain so it makes no difference, but him not being under control might actually work to our advantage. Especially considering that—”
“The only one who controls him is the Warlock King,” my guardian concluded.
Braxton nodded, and I exchanged a glance with Kingston.
“Meet us in the war room in two hours,” I ordered Lachlan. “Our strategy must be finalized at once. We will leave at first light.”
* * *
“You were right,” I offered to Kingston as we entered the war room on the second floor of the castle, followed by the guard. “The extraction point is exactly where you anticipated.”
He nodded, stopping by my side along the massive table in the center of the room. Our gazes fell to the living map that spread over the surface, depicting an exact replica of our lands, especially the ones that surrounded the Hollow.
“Based on the pattern of the ten rescues we have been able to perform, I surmise this is the best point not to rouse any suspicions. That is assuming that he hasn’t been discovered by anyone who is still loyal to the crown. Otherwise, his statement ‘it’s not safe’ could mean a very different thing.”
“So, we will continue as planned?” I asked, leaning over the map to inspect the area closer while Asher, Harrison, Hanna and the rest of the guard fanned along the table. Braxton’s eyes grew wide in admiration of the sculpted landscape before him.
“Yes, I believe the strategy we have developed will make us the most victorious.” Kingston’s hand rose over the mountains to signal the entry point for our group, calling his warriors’ keen attention to our established plan. “The sky riders will sneak into the Hollow through here—"
“Whoa, did that mountain just move?” Braxton whispered in shock, placing both hands onto the wood.
The guys chuckled while Kingston and I glanced at him, amused. We knew it was the first time he had seen anything like it.
“Yes,” my guardian answered. “We call it the living map. It is an exact replica of Caelisium, created by the most skilled cartographer the Lost Kingdom ever had.”
“I’m not sure if the practices remain the same for the Dark Empire as of late, but certain professions among our kind require magic,” I explained, trying my best not to make the reason why Braxton didn’t know that obvious. “The individuals in these trades, either have magic blood in their family lines, or use spells and potions crafted for them by an enchantress. The man who created this map, imbued his magic into it, so it responds to the wielder’s intentions. We retrieved it from the Lost Kingdom when we settled here.”
“It’s impressive.” He shook his head in disbelief. “I’ve never seen such an exact, three-dimensional representation of land. Especially one hand made,” he rambled on, admiring its every tree and lake, and causing the others to frown. “Sorry. Please continue,” Braxton mumbled just as the door opened behind him, and Lachlan entered with two of his men by his side.
“Princess, Chief…” He tipped his head to us in respect, his men offering a full bow, and stood on the other end of the table—directly across from Braxton, who was next to Asher on my right.
“You are just in time,” I greeted. “We are about to lay down the plan for the rescue of our brothers and sisters.”
Confusion and a hint of insult flashed across his face. “You laid down a plan without me?”
“We were supposed to lead this rescue two days ago, so yes, our princess and ruler laid down a plan, relying on my experience and knowledge of the Dark Empire,” Kingston answered, clearly bothered by Lachlan’s statement.
“I was not aware the princess required your permission to act,” Braxton added.
Here we go...
Jaw tensing, Lachlan exhaled. “I apologize for my disrespect, Chief,” he answered, disregarding Braxton’s comment. “I am not quite used to not being part of your guard yet.”
“I could remind you of the disgraceful actions that caused your expulsion, if that will help.” Asher crossed large arms over his chest in challenge, muscles shifting as they tensed, and I internally rolled my eyes.
“Gentlemen, if this mission is to succeed, we must move past this. I need you all to work together,” I reiterated, sending a pointed glance at our legion’s commander.
Dropping his arms, Asher nodded. “My apologies, Princess.”
“The sky riders will enter the Hollow through this point,” Kingston resumed, indicating a large trench on the west side. The mountains on the map moved slowly, revealing the unknown path he had assessed as our best option. “We will fly along the curve of the valley towards the back of the castle, each sky rider perching themselves along the hills that surround it, to serve as support in case things go wrong and the sentry is alerted of our presence there.”
“Once you are in place, Kingston and I will continue with Luna and Spartan to the extraction point, meeting Nikau for the exchange of our people,” I concluded, glancing at the members of my guard with Dragons. My attention then shifted to the land riders. “You will meet us along the woodlands on the way back, with food and water, clothes, and any other provisions our kin will need to make it all the way here.”
“Any questions?” my guardian inquired, glancing at everyone present.
