“I thought I might find you here.”
Brea looked up from her spot on the grass to find Finn sitting on the paddock fence, watching her with the young ponies.
“I tried to get back to work today, but Master Arturo said there was no point if I’m just leaving again in a few days. Apparently, the man knows everything.”
“He’ll outfit Loch’s unit with fresh mounts. The stables master always knows what’s going on before the rest of us do.” Finn came to sit with her while the young foals tested out their gangly legs in a wobbly game of tag. “What are their names?”
“Dawn and Dusk.” Brea smiled at their innocence. “I thought when they’re full grown, Dusk could be mine, and Dawn could be Alona’s.”
“She would love that.” Finn’s voice sounded far away. About as far away as the Gelsi dungeons.
“You’re as torn as I am, aren’t you?” Brea picked a wildflower and wrapped the stem around her finger like a ring. For a moment it reminded her of that time with Griff when she’d almost picked a poisonous flower. Everything in Gelsi was poisonous, but she never had to worry about that in Eldur. Here, nature was always exactly what it seemed. The people, sometimes less so.
“I feel trapped. Like I can’t possibly split myself in half to help the two most important people in my life when they need it most. The moment I heard the queen sent her army to the Fargelsi border, I wanted to go. I need to do my part. I need to be there when Alona is freed. But Loch needs me too. I can’t abandon him now.”
“Loch will understand, Finn. Alona needs you. Let me be your other half. I’ll be with Loch.”
“You’re right.” Finn rubbed a tired hand over his eyes. “The queen is sending fresh troops to the border in two days. I will leave with them after I talk to Loch.”
“Milord?”
Brea and Finn turned toward the weak voice. They saw her just as she collapsed.
“Who is she?” Brea asked as they raced toward the young girl.
“By the looks of her she’s from Eldfal.”
“Isn’t that north of Loch Sol?” Brea was proud of her growing knowledge of fae geography.
“Yes.”
“Did this kid just walk across the desert by herself?”
“Barefoot by the looks of it.” Finn examined her blistered feet. “She needs water.” Finn grabbed his canteen and propped the girl’s head up.
“Need to see the queen, milord,” the girl murmured.
“We’ll take you to the queen soon. Drink a bit of water for me first, and then we’ll go.” Finn tipped a trickle of water into her mouth, coaxing her to drink slowly.
“How could she survive such a journey? She can’t be more than ten.” Brea checked her pulse. It was strong but much too fast.
“Sheer willpower.” Finn picked her up. “Let’s get her to the healers.”
“I need to see the queen,” the girl insisted. “I have an important message for her.”
“How about you tell me your message, and I’ll deliver it to the queen myself while you get some rest?”
“No. None but the queen herself should hear this news.”
“She has every right to bring her grievances and concerns to the queen like everyone else who comes to the palace.” Brea examined the girl’s feet as they made their way back down to the palace. It was a miracle she was still walking when she found them in the paddock.
“Then let’s get some more water into her so she can speak to her queen.”
They paused every few minutes so the girl could take slow sips of water.
“What’s your name, sweetheart?” Brea asked.
“Bailee.” With each sip, she seemed to grow stronger. “I think I can walk now.”
“Not on those poor feet, you can’t.” Finn refused to set her down.
“Are you sure you won’t let us take you to the palace healers first? Some mud from Loch Sol would give you instant relief for your feet.”
Bailie’s eyes misted with tears. “No, milady, I must see the queen. Even if I have to wait in line all day.”
“Well, you’re in luck. We have a move-to-the-front-of-the-line card with your name on it. And when you’re done giving your message to the queen, you can have all the pastries you want from the table in the throne room.
“And then you’re going straight to the healer’s, young lady.”
“Oh, I’m no lady, milord. Just a village girl from Eldfal.” Her lower lip trembled, and her face filled with a soul-crushing grief. This poor girl had been through something awful.
As they entered the palace courtyard, Brea jogged ahead to retrieve a bundle of cooling towels and berry-infused water for Bailee.
“Drink this,” she ordered while mopping the girl’s dirty face with a cool towel.
“Oh thank you, milady. That feels nice.”
Brea wrapped the other cloths around Bailee’s feet.
Making their way into the throne room, Brea groaned at the line of villagers come to seek audience with their queen. She hated to steamroll over them, but Bailee needed rest.
“Your Majesty.” Finn approached the throne. “Pardon the interruption, but Princess Brea and I found this child up near the North Road. She’s come from Eldfal with a message for your ears alone.
“She walked all that way on her own?” Faolan stepped from her throne to greet the girl. “She should go straight to the healers this instant.”
“She won’t hear of it, your Majesty,” Brea said, hoping for once her mother would act like a genuine person with a conscious rather than the queen.
“Set her down, Finn.” Faolan guided them to a chair meant for the nobles.
“Her name is Bailee,” Brea whispered.
“Bailee.” Faolan crouched down so she was on a level with the girl. “What message have you brought for me from Eldfal?”
“Oh, Majesty, it was awful.” Bailee’s eyes filled with tears. “It was Mount Eldfal, madame. It erupted four nights ago. I came as quickly as I could.”
“And you were such a brave girl to do that all on your own. Mount Eldfal hasn’t erupted in centuries. We’ve had no reports of any sign that it might no longer be dormant.”
“It was the soldiers, Majesty,” Bailee said. “They came, just a few of them. They did it at night so we couldn’t protect ourselves with our magic, ma’am. We’ve all been taught since we was young how to shield ourselves against the mountain if it should erupt. I’ve never seen it happen in all mi life, ma’am. I was with the flock when it happened. I have a pregnant ewe about to give birth, so I’ve been staying the night out on the plains in case she needs help in the night.”
“These soldiers, where did they come from, Bailee?” The queen asked. “Did you recognize them?”
Bailee nodded. “They came from across the sea. I seen their ship when they came from Iskalt. They headed straight for the mountain at dusk, ma’am. They made the mountain rumble with their magic.”
“What happened when Eldfal erupted?”
“It happened so fast, mi Majesty.” Bailee dropped her head, great big tears splashing on her hand. “The lava moved quick as a flash, ma’am. It destroyed everything and everyone in its path.”
“What of the village?”
“There’s nothing left, mi Majesty,” Bailee said in a choked whisper. “Nothing at all. Just me.”
“Oh, my darling girl.” Queen Faolan swept the girl up into her arms ran a comforting hand over her hair. “You are so very brave and smart to come straight here. Don’t you worry about it anymore. I will take care of it from here. I want you to go with my good friend, Finn and see the healers and get some rest. I will come visit you soon.”
“Yes. Thank you.” Bailee tried to stand, but Finn picked her up and headed for the exit.
“Loch was right,” Brea said, turning her attention on her mother. “This is Callum’s doing. He’s destroyed an Eldurian village.”
“Is it true?” Lochlan stormed into the throne room, scattering the citizens waiting in line to speak with the queen. “Eldfal is no more?”
“We don’t yet know the extent of it,” Faolan said, returning to her throne. “At this time, I will ask our citizens to please return tomorrow. We must clear the throne room immediately so we may discuss this threat on Eldur and decide our next moves.”
Lochlan waited impatiently for the commoners to leave. As he paced like a caged lion, Brea knew he was at his breaking point.
The moment the double doors closed, Lochlan turned on the queen. “I told you it would come to this, but even I didn’t realize it would happen so soon. Callum must be stopped, your Majesty.”
“I did not think he would have the gall to make such a blatant move against me.” Faolan sat back against her throne, unable to meet Lochlan’s beseeching gaze. “I stand by my decisions, Lochlan. I believe Callum and Regan mean to distract me and divide my forces, knowing I cannot sit by while Eldur burns.”
“Then do something,” Brea begged.
“I will not recall my army from the border. Regan still poses the greatest threat against us—and by us, I mean Eldur and our Iskalt brothers and sisters.”
“We must do something for Iskalt and for all those Eldurians who died.” Brea shared a desperate look with Lochlan.
“And we shall.” Faolan stood from her throne, crossing the room to a desk against the wall. “I will call in our militia on a voluntary basis. Give me two days to gather what forces I can, and you may lead them against Callum along with your seasoned unit of three hundred volunteers. That is the best I can do.”
“It will have to be enough.” Lochlan nodded. “I will gather Iskalt soldiers and militia along the way.”
“Where will you attack?” Brea asked.
“This is not a mission that will lead to battle right away,” Lochlan said. “This is a campaign to gain the support of my people and grow my army before I seize the throne from my uncle once and for all.”