The Last Bell: Great Falls Academy, Episode 9 by Alex Lidell

Author:Alex Lidell [Lidell, Alex]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Danger Bearing Press
Published: 2020-01-02T16:00:00+00:00

10

Lera

“What do you mean they have no interest in working with us?” Tye asks River five minutes later. The rain that started with sudden violence earlier is finally pattering off to a slow drizzle, the droplets snaking down the glass like tears. “Have the human royals lost what little wits they had to begin with?”

Taking off his jacket, River hangs it on the back of the chair by the fire to dry and runs a hand through his short dark hair. From what I saw through the window, the male was barely allowed to enter the humans’ command tent, much less listened to.

“They fear getting caught between two warring immortal armies.” River drops into a chair, tapping his finger on the wood. “The Fothom king kept pointing out that Owalin is creating enough problems without anyone wanting to worry about our hidden intentions.”

“Such as our intention to protect their arses?” Tye says. “Aye, I’m starting to find that suspicious as well.”

“So what’s their plan exactly?” Coal’s voice is dark. “Give in to Owalin’s demands like good little lapdogs and hope he gives them proper scraps going forward?”

“He has their loved ones trapped,” says River, pausing to look out the window, where the Fothom king’s line of attendants and clerks files slowly into the Great Hall, the latter carrying oiled satchels filled with paper and ink needed to draw up the agreements that will cede all the thrones to the Night Guard. Behind the clerks, several servants are ready with trays of food. The Fothom king himself, a blurred form through the drizzle, prepares to follow. River shakes his head. ”They’ve bought themselves some leeway, but it’s only a matter of time before the final five kings follow suit.”

“Fine.” Coal crosses muscular arms over his chest, his blue eyes flashing. “If the humans won’t help themselves, we’ll do it for them. Make entry after dark, take out the leadership cadre. With Owalin gone, the rest of the beasts will be easier to slay.”

River shakes his head. “There are two dozen fae and who knows how many human supporters in the Night Guard. The five of us can’t take that on without resorting to significant magic—and a battle like that is likely to bring the whole keep down. It doesn’t count as a victory if we kill all the hostages.”

“Isn’t the Night Guard under the same constraint?” I ask. “Killing a hostage here and there is one thing, but if they explode the whole keep, they have no leverage anymore.”

“Exactly right.” River nods. “Magic isn’t the answer since such combat would lead to mutual destruction. And when it comes to melee, the Night Guard has too many people for us to face down alone.”

My hand tightens on the table’s edge, the males’ conversation suddenly taking on layers I hadn’t noticed earlier. Magic isn’t the answer. My heart quickens, the fledgling strands of realization injecting energy into muscle. I only realize I’ve spoken aloud when the males turn their gazes to me in question.

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