Chapter Thirty-Six

A week later, I had a team of magic-users in my army. No, they hadn't enlisted exactly, but I was paying them. A magic-user of any race was special. It meant that they could cast magic beyond what they'd been born with. That took great determination, possibly the right bloodline, and often, a bit of luck. Maybe even more than that. I didn't know much about them. Mossemas had found the best of those elite individuals in my kingdom and a few from other kingdoms who'd been willing to travel for the right price. Thus the reason it took a week to gather them all.

Among those magic-users was someone even more rare—a sorcerer. Sorcerers could harness the power of nature, spirits, and even some of the weaker gods. Their power was limited only by what they commanded. And the Eljaffna sorcerer on my team commanded several spirits who worked exclusively with him as well as natural forces. His potential to help our side was unlimited. But it was his race that made him especially valuable to me.

The Eljaffna soldiers in my army were going to pair up with Dragons so they could reach the attacking dragons and drink from them, thus taking control of our enemies. But that would have been risky. Even with the confusion of battle and the explanation I planned to offer, those Dragons could get suspicious. That precious secret might get out. But the sorcerer, being an Eljaffna, already knew what his people could do. And he could make them fly. No dragons necessary.

The training continued as usual but along with it were experiments with the magic-users. We needed to discover exactly what they could do for my soldiers, especially the Dragons. Luck was with us and most of the spells worked on Dragons, doing everything from increasing their agility to making them temporarily invisible.

“Perhaps we won't have to call on the Sea King,” Aras said as he surveyed the training yard with me.

I grunted. “They're doing remarkably well, but it would be foolish to not avail ourselves of every—”

“Your Majesty!” one of the castle guards came running out of the castle and over to me. “They've been sighted!”

The entire training yard went still, everyone turning to face us.

“How far away are they?” I demanded.

“They're on foot,” he said.

“On foot? Why?”

“They've brought siege weapons with them, Your Majesty.”

“Siege weapons,” I murmured. The possibility had occurred to me, but I thought the nobles would put more stock in their power as Dragons than any equipment. And that equipment would slow them down. “Good. That gives us time and opportunity.” I turned toward the yard to call out, “Risarren!”

The Eljaffna sorcerer came over to me and bowed. “Your Majesty?”

“I have another job for you. One moment.” To the rest of the soldiers, I said, “Cease training. You need to rest now. Gather your strength. Magic-users, prepare your spells. And you.” I turned to look at the guard. “Send word to the Horns.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” the guard said.

“Does Commander Fravar know?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Good. Send him to my war room before you go to the Horns. And have the General evacuate the city. It's not mandatory that the citizens leave, but I want them to have the option. In fact.” I paused and chewed at my bottom lip, considering my next words before I spoke them. “Tell him that anyone under his command may evacuate with the civilians without reprisal. This is not a normal war, and I don't want anyone fighting for me if their heart isn't in it. The same goes for the Castle Guard.”

“Yes, Sire!”

“Come with me, Risarren.” I took my mate's hand and headed into the castle.

We passed a few Dragons, all of whom bowed to me and my mate. There had been a celebration feast the night after I announced our mating and my decision to make Aras a duke immediately. All of my people supported us, celebrated with us, and now gave Aras his due.

“The army has been sighted,” I said to everyone we passed. “Rest and prepare yourselves.”

In between those encounters, I spoke to the sorcerer. “Can you dismantle those siege weapons without being seen, Risarren?”

The sorcerer grinned, his stare sliding to my mate and back to me. “Even better than that, I can sabotage them so that when your enemies attempt to use those weapons, they will backfire, either exploding or firing upon them, depending on the machine.”

I made an amazed sound. “You are invaluable. I will fly you to the army myself.”

“Not necessary, Sire,” Risarren said. “I can go alone.”

“No. No, I want you protected. Someone needs to watch your back as you work. As I said, you are invaluable.”

“And you are even more so, Ly,” Aras said. “Send one of the other Dragons.”

“I'd rather have a magic-user,” Risarren said. “No offense.”

“None taken. I understand completely,” I said. “Take your pick. Tell them it's my wish that they accompany you.”

Risarren bowed and turned to head back to the training yard.

“Mossemas!” I shouted and kept walking.

The steward was with me before I reached the war room. “Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Find me Ellas,” I said.

“I'm here,” Ellas said from inside the room. “I heard they've been sighted.” He came up to me. “Are we ready?”

“We have to be,” I said. “Mossemas, have some refreshments brought here and send the officers in.”

“Yes, Sire.” He bowed and hurried away.

“Ellas, I have a special mission for you,” I said. “You're the only one I can trust with this.”

“Anything. What do you need?”

“I need you to go to Morilren and bring back an army.”