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The Wolfmark prince severed the connection. In a second, River had a scrying mirror and found Anelise, telling her to send some soldiers to Wolfmark.
“Won’t they be hurt?” Naia asked.
“No. Kisilis are easy to kill. Once you know the right spell. I don’t think any humans can do it.”
“The dragons could help.” She realized she was saying something foolish. “But I guess the humans will be terrified if they see dragons.”
“I’ll contact other kingdoms,” Azir said. “And ask if they’re having issues.” He turned to River. “Do you think you could send more men to other kingdoms?”
“Soldiers, yes, I can send them. But I need a guarantee they won’t be harmed.”
“You could have bargained for more,” Naia said.
River shook his head. “Then they would think we were behind the kisilis. If we don’t ask for anything, it will be harder for them to claim that.”
Azir shook his head. “If people want to blame you, they will.”
“I know.” River shrugged. “But I’m not going to make it easy for them. Bargaining is an art, and sometimes it’s subtle. Also, I don’t want these things all over Aluria.”
They contacted a few kingdoms who reported nothing, and where everything seemed to be fine. A few of them gave no answer, which could mean many things.
“Could you send glamoured fae?” Naia asked River.
He shook his head. “Few of us are good at glamour.”
“They could wear hats, hide their hair and ears.” It was a silly suggestion, but Naia found it hard to let people die and do nothing.
“Naia,” Azir said. “You can’t ask River to risk his people, especially without anything in return.”
“No.” River’s eyes were unfocused, lost in thought. “We could try the hats. Reveal ourselves later.”
“King River,” Ursiana said. “Could you please send some of your soldiers to Greenstone?”
It was one of the kingdoms who wasn’t answering, the kingdom where she’d been born.
“Of course,” River said, then contacted Anelise again.
The Vastfield King then contacted them, reporting those kisilis, followed by the Varana prince. The king was already dead.
Naia covered her face in horror. This was all so fast. Finally River ended up sending soldiers to every kingdom, except Ironhold and Umbraar. He claimed Umbraar was safe. As for Ironhold, considering it was the kingdom where Cynon himself had established his throne, there was no reason to worry about it.
That until the mirror shone again, displaying Prince Venard, sweaty and pale.
“Is River helping the human kingdoms?”
That prince knew him?
River stepped in front of the mirror, arms crossed. “We are. Why?”
“I need help. Please.” He was crying. “They’re here too. Not only here, in my aunt and uncle’s castles. They’re killing everyone. I’ll do anything you want. Just help us.”
River looked down, silent.
Naia thought she had to say something. “Prince… Venard?” the prince nodded. “I’m sure you’re aware fae can’t—”
“I can help you,” River told the prince. “But I will ask you a few things once it’s done.”
“It’s fine,” the prince said.
