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Finally, Ben said, “I don’t know. It’s taken two decades to amass all of these dragons and their Mates. Almost twenty years since the start of the JE’s quests. It could be another ten before the war comes. Or it could be tomorrow. After all, time doesn’t pass the same way in every realm.”
“You got it, Benji,” Annie said, sharing a long look with Merlin across the crowd gathered on the terrace.
Her Mate narrowed his eyes, reading her mind.
“We’ll be back soon. Stay out of trouble until we get there, yeah?”
There was a chuckling huff on the other end.
“Yeah. Stay safe.”
“You too.”
Merlin came to her as she ended the call.
She looked up at him and quirked her lips in a saucy smile.
“I’m hankering for some hot, desperate, this-may-be-the-last-time-we-have-sex sex tonight,” she said.
“How about you, Big Red?”
His bright citrine eyes crinkled at the corners as he looked down at her. He asked no questions, completely in tune with her emotions and desires.
“Lead the way, Little Flame.”
Chapter Seventeen
“It is always by way of pain one arrives at pleasure.”
—Marquis de Sade
Three months later, Yukon Territories.
In the weeks since Arthur and Lancelot’s return to the Yukon, Ben, in consultation with Tal-Telal and Goya, decided to set up three separate strongholds to defend the surrounding territories from potential threats.
The first was Goya’s enclave at the base of Mount Wilson, guarded by the Beasts.
Maximus, Goya’s son, and Ariel, his panther Mate, joined them with the Dark King Ramses’ approval. Ere and Sorin resided in their nest on the mountain peak so that they could keep an eye out for aerial threats, along with Goya’s raptor Beasts. Tal-Telal, with Ishtar, Gabriel and Inanna, ensured that the nearby town was protected.
The second stronghold was in the north toward the Beaufort Sea.
Sai and Brigid were in charge of the coast, reinforced by Sin and a pride of Beasts on ground, and Zai and Shai in the air.Aella and Cloud from the Pure contingent and Rhys from the Dark Chosen warriors added to their numbers.
The third fortress was built in record time toward the south, abutting the Gulf of Alaska.
Lancelot and Rui had control of the waters, while Arthur, Wolfe and Merlin ruled the air. Divina wasn’t a fighter, but she could help scout in a pinch. Her Mate, however, led a large troop of centaur warriors on the ground (most of whom were related, as Divina and Andros were quite prolific in the begetting of progeny), along with Kai and Eir.
In addition, they had the support of Eli, the post powerful air Elemental in existence, on loan from Ramses, and his Mate Clara, a fire witch. Tristan was here with his Mate Ayelet from the Pure Elite warriors, as he insisted on joining the fight at Arthur’s side.
The two coastal strongholds were critical for protecting the interior of the Yukon, while the jagged mountain range defended the heart of the valley from threats along the eastern border. While the shadows could come from anywhere at any time if they traveled across realms, a “traditional” invasion by sea, land and air couldn’t be ruled out.
Splitting their troops into three contingents not only helped to fortify defenses, but also made it more difficult to capture or trap all of the dragons at once, assuming that was their enemy’s plan.
Ben and Ere were in charge of overall planning, in consultation with Aella, the Pure Ones’ Strategist. Ben divided his time amongst the three strongholds, but stayed mostly in the village base at the home of his parents and grandparents.
Though they prepared for war, they weren’t about to put their daily lives on hold. All of them had roles to play in protecting the Universal Balance, but they also needed tolive.
Hence, these modern “fortresses” were far removed from the impenetrable stone castles Arthur was used to. The sturdy constructs he helped build were armed to the rafters, aye, but also equipped with every convenience, including satellite connectivity and “wifi.”
