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Claire was grateful to see that Toan seemed to escape with no injuries and gave her uncle a small nod.
“Did we lose anyone?” she asked, bracing herself for the answer.
“No,” Toan said, easing her worries. “A few injured but nothing severe. The healers will sort everyone out. Do you need one?”
Claire shook her head. “I’m fine. Just exhausted. I wish I could have done more.”
“You did plenty.” Desmond assured her, adjusting her in his arms so he could run a soothing hand over her back. “If you hadn’t pulled the Fortis from them, they would still be attacking.”
Claire knew that but they would also still be alive. As it was, there were multiple injuries and four Felua deaths today. She needed to get stronger, to master her magic completely. She was tired of death and these attacks. She needed to put an end to all of this. No matter the cost.
A contingent of Elven warriors burst into the far edge of the clearing causing Toan, Everett, and Malcolm to whirl to their feet, weapons drawn. Toan must have recognized the warriors and relaxed his stance, her men following suit.
“Aeris and his squad went to check on the Fortis plant groves in the deep Forest,” Toan said as the warriors approached.
“We just got back. What happened?” The lead Elven warrior, Aeris, asked, his eyes scanning around the clearing and landing on Claire briefly.
“Another attack,” Toan responded. “Someone tried to stop the coronation ceremony and kill the Princess.”
Aeris’s eyes widened before his face fell back into his warrior mask. “The northeast grove of Fortis showed signs of disturbance.”
That meant whoever it was had more Fortis to fuel their dark magic. Shit.
“We have to go. Now,” Claire decided, looking at her Triad. “We need to go back to the Academy and then to the Dragon Mountains if we can. We have to find out who did this and hopefully with me gone, they leave the Elves alone.”
She couldn’t risk any more attacks on her people. This was all her fault and until she got stronger and able to end it all, she couldn’t make her people targets.
“I don’t like it,” Toan said. “What if that’s exactly what they want you to do? Leave the protection of the Forest?”
“That’s a risk we’ll have to take,” Claire said. “But if I stay, our people will be in more danger.”
Toan’s face softened slightly. “What?” Claire asked.
“You called them our people,” Toan replied, his eyes proud.
Claire looked away briefly before replying. “They are. My people that is. But I also have more people outside the Forest—” She waved her hand around, “—And they need me too. Everyone needs me to figure this out.” The weight of the responsibility pressed heavily on her shoulders. There were so many people counting on her and she felt like she was being pulled in all directions.
Toan rubbed a hand over his face. “I don’t like it,” he repeated. “But I understand.”
“Can Claire communicate to you through the trees?” Malcolm asked, his eyes bright with the beginnings of a plan.
Toan nodded. “That’s good. She can keep you updated through that pathway.” Malcolm said, “I also have a feeling we will need to call on the Elves before this is over. Can we count on your warriors to answer the call?
Claire held her breath. She didn’t want that for her people. Not the Elves nor anyone. She was responsible for them now. It was her job to face any danger, not to put her people’s safety on the line.
Toan must have read her face as he knelt in front of her. “We will answer your call,” he said quietly but firmly. “We are your people and we offer ourselves to your service. It is our greatest honor to be called into battle alongside our Queen.”
Claire didn’t want to accept his thinly veiled oath but she knew she would insult him if she didn’t. “I accept your service,” she said, internally determined to not have to call. The Elves had already been through so much.
Toan smiled as if he could read her mind and reluctance. “And that’s why we’ll answer. I know you would never put your people in unnecessary danger but if it meant finishing this once and for all and being able to avenge Winona and our loved ones, we will gladly answer.”
He had her there and she knew it. If it gave Synora and other Elves like her a chance to avenge their families and bring closure to some of their hurt, how was Claire supposed to deny them that?
“Okay,” she nodded. She would still hesitate to call on them but if she absolutely needed to, she would.
“We will leave first thing in the morning,” Everett said. Claire wanted to leave tonight but she knew she was too exhausted and her Triad needed the rest as well.
“A contingent of my troops will accompany you to the Academy’s gate,” Toan said, his tone broking no argument.
