Chapter 24

Ian stood at the head of the long table in the great room. The morning meal had been cleared away, and he, his brothers, and his first, stood over a map. “If they come from south of the castle we can meet them here at the woods,” he said, and put his finger on the large map.

Connor looked at where he pointed. “If we place one team here—” he pointed to a spot farther south, “cross the river here, we can have that team blindside them. We can have another waiting at the cliffs, here—” he said, pointing to another spot. “Then the other two can ambush from both sides out of the forest, forcing them toward the cliffs where they will be cornered. That way they will be surrounded. We can call the dragons and hopefully together we can stop it before it gets started.”

Lysanthir spoke up. “But if they veer off and come from this direction,” he said, pointing to another spot, “coming in the back way toward the castle, we will miss them and they have free rein to attack. It leaves this opening vulnerable.”

“Yes,” said Connor. “But this is the only route that is feasible for them to take. I agree, though, they could veer off there. Good point. Weel, we’ll have to split all the teams up and put one group here to make sure they take the first intended path, we have to get them to the cliffs. Split the one group equally on both sides of the road in the forest, the one team cross the river, and the other at the cliffs to block them in, while putting a team where Lysanthir mentioned.”

He looked up. “Now we ken that Drakkor and Athdar have their sights on kings and their armies. We ken Merlin has been taken and in all likelihood the protection Merlin put around his kingdom is gone, leaving King Arthur vulnerable. He probably doesn’t ken. King Arthur has the largest, and he’s the most important king, we knew it would only be a matter of time afore they tried to capture him.

“They must have made enough and think they are sending enough to do the job. We canna have him captured. We all agree on that. We have tae have a fool proof plan. What you’re saying makes sense. Good job Connor and Lysanthir. I’m glad you are my first, Lysanthir. You are proving worthy.”

He motioned toward a piece of parchment next to the map. “I went over your list and split the men up with four in each group. Since so many came from Angus’ Axuard Squad, we’ll have tae pull some of the men from other squads. We kenned we’d have tae regroup them eventually anyway. We’ll just have tae just do it faster than we’d like. Make sure all squads are equal.”

He looked at his brother. “Lauren, with Angus away at Mystic Kingdom, you have the Axuard Squad tae lead. Put them here at the river.

“Connor, I want you and the Xiann squad at the cliffs. Finn, you and the Sanguine squad take the woods since that’s where we attack

“I’ll be with you.” Ian looked at Finn. He was a good soldier, but maybe not a strong enough leader. After the incident at the longhouse, he’d worried about him.

Ian continued, “Taryn, you will take the Qruhr Squad and wait at the point where they can veer off. Stay quiet though. If they continue on the direct path move ahead of them and meet Finn and I at the woods, if they are faster getting there, just meet up with us.

“If by chance they do veer, attack at that point to force them back tae the road. If you need help, I’ll have Ator have a dragon ready to get Finn and I tae help. There will also be a dragon hidden with each group.

“Ator and the rest of the dragons will be in the cliffs waiting for the fight. Remember, these new demon’s, have incredible power. We’re facing demon/fae and demon/vamp. I’m unsure what these combined powers can do but keep watch. We aren’t goin’ after something we are used tae fighting.

“Conall, since I’ve pulled you from the upstairs, I need you tae go to King Arthur’s. Mist tae the Wattingham portal east of here and take it tae inner earth, it’s an hour travel for you, but will be a day’s ride from Wattingham Fort for the troops. The Kearal started from mystic mountain, we should have an extra day tae prepare after we get there.”

He took a deep breath. “You can mist, but the rest of us will garner a change of horses at Wattingham Fort. The dragons will take Mystic Mountain portal, it’s their safest and most unobtrusive way tae travel. They will fly ahead of us and wait and settle in the cliffs. I talked tae Ator last night, I’ll mention the new plan this morning.

“Conall, explain the situation tae Arthur and have him ready for battle. Get his people tae safety as much as you can. The castle would be good. Have them evacuate the inner city and make sure they get them inside the castle.

“From where Lauren showed us the Kearals are, we have approximately a day and a half ahead of the Kearals and a day there tae get situated if we leave this morning with very few stops. The journey will be arduous, and we need tae let the men know the seriousness of this mission.

“Athdar isn’t sending all his men, he’s smart, but we can put a dent in his army. I ken the men will hate killin’ their own kind. If we could get the ether and open those jars these Kearals would get their souls back and be like afore. But you have tae let these men ken…they aren’t dealing with their kind, they are dealing with hybrid killers, and they have tae be stopped. You each gather your squadrons then explain everythin’. I will talk tae them all afore we leave this morning.

“Conall you can leave now for King Arthur’s. You will be there within the hour from Wattingham Fort. Dismissed. Finn stay for a moment we need tae speak.”

When all were gone, he cleared his throat. “I ken you are havin’ trouble leading these men, not everyone was born tae do this job, it’s hard, you have tae be firm and resolved in your decisions and sometimes quick thinking.”

He smiled at his brother and then turned serious again. “You are the baby of us boys, but you aren’t dumb, in fact your kind heart gets you in trouble sometimes. If you feel uncomfortable going it’s okay, I’ll go in your stead. But if you want tae do this, you have tae have a clear head and when you say something tae your men, mean it, and back it up with force. You’re a damn good soldier, when you fight you doona think twice. You fight like a hungry lion. Lead like a hungry lion. Now the choice is yours, but once made, it canna be changed.”

Finn looked at his brother, first anguish flashed his face then surprise. “Ian you’re a hundred percent right. I can do this. I’m not in this to make friends. Leaders are leaders, sometimes friends happen, sometimes not. A job, an important job needs done. I’ll be damned if I quit now. I’m a McGregor, we doona shirk our responsibilities. Thank you, Ian, you just opened my eyes. I was looking at everything wrong. But, I’ll be damned if I quit now. I’m in, I’ll lead. And Ian thanks for not mentioning the other day, with the men, you ken.”

He laughed and put his hand on Finn’s shoulder. “Let me tell you how I overcame my first time as a leader. You aren’t going tae believe my story.” He shared the story as they walked out to the training yard, both laughing all the way.

It was chaos in the yards and Ian watched Lysanthir closely. He admired his forthrightness in organizing men. He had a detailed list and he was directing each man to stand in a particular squadron. There were four groups and he watched as men changed places quickly.

Then he called the four best from each squadron forward. “You men that were chosen by Lysanthir are the best in your teams. I expect you tae watch oot for the men in your squad. Each of you, take on two men within your squad and stick together. Now your commanders will take their new squadrons from here. Lauren is taking the Axuard Squad as Angus is called away. Connor for the Xiann Squad. Finn, you have your Sanguine Squad, and Taryn you have the Qruhr Squad. Take over.”

He was impressed with Lysanthir. Usually his intuition was right, maybe it had to do with knowing when someone lied or told the truth, he didn’t know, but Lysanthir was proving to be a great first.

He heard Finn shouting at his squad and walked closer to listen. “These Kearals aren’t what you think. They aren’t your comrades, brothers, or friends. They lost everything good aboot them. Doona think twice aboot killin’ them, because they willna think twice aboot killin’ you.”

Ian smiled. Finn would work out after all. He watched the rest of his brothers giving their speeches to the squads, then watched as Lysanthir walked up beside him, stood and paused. Ian flashed him a wide smile. “You did a good job Lys, quick and efficient too. I’m glad I chose you,” said Ian.

“Thanks, sir.”

“Call me Ian. Tell me, Lys, do you think we can take on these new demons? I mean you are demon, you ken your powers, and you ken aboot fae and vampire powers. If you were like yourself, and say mix in Waythe and Vander, think we could beat them?”

Lysanthir snorted, “absolutely with those two…but no, I know what you mean. The combined powers of demon and fae or vampire, it’d be hard, but yes, I think we have a good chance of beating them. Especially with the help of the dragons. You want me with you on this? You didn’t mention where you wanted me.”

“Lysanthir, you are my first, you are tae be at my side at all times unless told otherwise. I like you Lys, you have great potential, you are smart, a born leader, but most of all I trust you.

“You see I have this gift of kenning people, when they lie I hear the truth. I have feelings aboot people and I somehow ken who they are and what they’re like. When I said you were a good mon the other day, I meant it. You are in this tae stop evil.

“You could have done a dozen different things, but instead you offered yourself up for a position on a squadron with ones you knew would be against you from the start. I’m impressed with you, Lys.”

“Thanks, Ian, it means a lot to me. You weren’t the only one to lose a loved one by the hands of Asurad demons. I lost my wife and unborn child by their hands. I hate them as much as you.”

“I dinna ken, Lys. I’m verra sorry tae hear that. It must be painful. I almost lost Els. I went crazy when I saw Rulm atop her and her courtin’ a swollen bloody eye. I wanted tae bring him back tae life, just so I could kill him again. Did you get the bastard?”

“Not yet, that’s part of the reason I’m here. I hope to see him and kill him with my bare hands.”

“That’s what I did. Beat him to a pulp and before he could pass out I dropped my fangs. I had the most pleasure ripping oot his neck at the end. When this is over, and if you doona find him. I’ll help you locate him. I suppose you ken his name.”

“I’d never forget it or him. He had me frozen watching him kill my wife. I’ll never forget her face as she said good-bye to me. I will never forget his pure look of evil or his laughter and smile. He enjoyed it Ian. The bastard enjoyed it. Zoflauc, is his name, I hope to annihilate him and his name along with it.”

“We’ll get him, you have my word. Come let’s go to Pendragon castle and get food for the journey. Dried meat and hard bread, dried fruits, bare minimum but we’ll survive. The cooks been puttin’ it together all mornin’.” They walked in silence to the castle. After collecting the food, they went out to call Ator. He was there in seconds.

“Ator change in plans. Lys found a bit of a problem in our plan, I need you to have another dragon watching at a small path about a mile from the forest for back up. One of the teams will be watching from the forest so they can keep them from veering off the road. They will only attack if they leave the main path. So, have your dragon stay as far back as he can and watch for any trouble, if the team attacks there, I need your dragon’s help.

“If things go as planned, my men will then move forward to the forest and he can return to the cliffs. If there’s trouble he needs to come and get us, so we can help.”

“No problem Ian. We are ready to leave, at your word.”

“You can leave now, and thanks, Ator, for all you’ve done in helping us.”

“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. Saphira wouldn’t be here without Elspeth. How is she?”

“At Mither’s until this is over. She’s healing. She’s a fighter. I’m proud of her.” He smiled thinking about their time at the beach.

“I’ll ready my dragons,” said Ator, bringing him back to the present. “Then we’ll be off. Good luck Ian. See you there.” Ator dipped his head in a nod toward Lysanthir, backed up and spread his wings and took off in flight.

He gave a short support speech and reiterated what their commanders had said earlier. His brothers were good so he didn’t have to say much. He wished everyone luck then dismissed them.

The trip to the stationary portal that would take them to Wattingham Fort was hectic. The men talked a lot. Ian figured after a while they would slow down, but they didn’t. They were talking and laughing the whole way there.

Once they reached the fort, a change of horses was gathered, saddled, and packed. Food had been split up between squadrons and the carriers were packing it on the new mounts. Surprisingly the job was finished quickly. All mounted, they started their trek to King Arthurs.

****

Conall was fast as well. He appeared directly in the throne room stepping through Merlin’s stationary portal. Arthur was surprised to see him appearing in the middle of court with all looking on. He knew whatever was happening Conall didn’t have time for secrecy. The place went instantly quiet.

“Conall to what do I owe this visit,” he asked, interrupting a man stating his complaint.

“Please, King Arthur, clear the courts. I have important news that canna wait.”

Knowing the McGregors as he did he quickly ordered the court cleared. Once all were gone, but the two knights by his side, Conall began to speak.

“Arthur, it is imperative that the kingdom be evacuated and the people brought inside the castle. A league of Kearals and Asurads are on their way here. They will kill men, women, and children tae get you and your army. They are two tae three days away. Ian and the squadrons are on their way. There’s things you doona understand.”

“Merlin explained everything. All about Athdar, or Seamus, whoever he really is, and Drakkor and everything they’ve done and are planning. That’s why we are cloaked. We don’t need protection.”

“Athdar has Merlin. He’s in bad shape and you are no longer cloaked.”

He felt himself pale. He pulled his hand over his face. “Oh, my Gods…” He sat down, still trying to process the sudden news.

“You’re right I have to evacuate. How can you and l fight the Asurads and Kearals? There’s not much that can stop them if Merlin is right. Even with demons working in your squadrons there isn’t enough single power.”

“We do have a secret weapon…hordes of dragons are on the way to help.”

“Help? They’d likely eat us!”

“Nae, Ian saved the life of the dragon king. He wears the mark and they communicate. Ator, the dragon, has his dragons flying in now to settle in Haersley Cliffs. They are waiting on Ian and his orders. We stand a good chance with their help.”

He put his fingers to his lips. “I must ready my army. With all of you, us, and the dragons we could win this.”

Conall held up his hand to get his attention. “Lauren’s dream showed Athdar didn’t send all the Kearals, just half of his army, but the league is about half Kearals and half Asurads. Athdar has maybe a few hundred altogether.

“We can fight Asurads easily, but we willna ken who is what. I mean we can get an idea, because fae, vampire, and demons smell different from each other, but I’m not sure what the Kearals will smell like. We have tae hurry.”

He turned to his knights. “You! Call my general have him see me now. You! Send my men out too evacuate the city and return to me. I want all men, women, and children in the castle at once and take help with you. Let it be known that no one is to be left behind. Even if you must carry them here. Now go.”