Keeper of Storms (The Fallen Fae #3) - Jenna Wolfhart Page 0,77
they should surrender to the wood king while Commander Segonax wanted to wait it out.
Lorcan sighed, closing his eyes. “Seg, I’d love to do things your way, but I need more than that. If we wait this out, where will we find food?”
“I’m not sure, Your Grace,” the old commander replied. “We considered a few options, but none of them are particularly palatable. No pun intended.”
Lorcan turned to Nollaig. “Have you come up with anything none of us have thought of?”
“Actually, I have.” Her voice held the hint of a smile. Likely, a smug one. “You remember what I mentioned the other day, Your Highness? About the coastal lords?”
He nodded. “The lords of the twin towers in Caraid.”
“Those are the ones.” She shifted on her seat, tracing a line down the realm’s map with her gloved finger. “They’re only three days from Findius. I wonder if we might be able to call on them for aid.”
Lorcan sat up a little straighter in his chair. Now this was the kind of idea he could get behind. “Go on.”
“They didn’t come when Bolg called them because they’ve turned away from Unseelie. And so have you. If you could convince them to march their army to Findius, we might have enough warriors to protect ourselves. Plus, they have fish.”
It almost sounded too good to be true. Caraid had everything they needed. Food. Warriors. Hope.
“I don’t like this, Your Highness.” Priest Tighe leaned forward, his palms flat against the wooden table. “The wood fae army is strong. Caraid will not have enough fighters for it to make a difference.”
“You would still have us surrender,” Lorcan said evenly. “Even though we’ve found an alternative, one that means we will not need to bow before a corrupt king.”
Priest Tighe’s eyebrows slammed down. “You speak as though you believe followers of Unseelie are corrupt.”
Nollaig snorted. “You said it, not us.”
Priest Tighe whirled on her, clutching that same ancient tome to his chest. “Be careful, Nollaig. You do not know who you speak to.”
“Actually, you don’t know who you speak to.”
Commander Segonax palmed the pommel of his sword.
“Alright, that’s enough.” Lorcan pushed up from his chair and glared at the lot of them. “We’ll have no bickering amongst ourselves. Let’s save our anger for the enemy.” He turned to Seg. “Nollaig and I will ride to Caraid at once. I’ll need you to take command of the castle. The city is in your hands, Seg. Take good care of it while I’m gone. With any hope, it will be the last time you’ll need to stand watch on that wall.”
Commander Segonax gave a solemn nod, relief churning in his eyes.
“Your Highness,” Tighe said. “I can’t convince you to surrender?”
“No, Tighe. I’ve made up my mind.”
He huffed. “Very well. Can I at least assist Commander Segonax in your absence? I could work with Heremon on the food rationing.”
Lorcan met Priest Tighe’s dark gaze. The Unseelie worshipper did not even blink. He should likely turn the priest away. He’d been so insistent about surrender that Lorcan did not think he would stop prattling on about it even if he did return with an army. But he could not forget all the lessons he’d learned from Thane. Keep your enemies close to you.
“Very well.” Lorcan nodded. “You can help Seg with the food rationing. But that’s it. And I don’t want any more talk of surrender.”
Lorcan and Nollaig arrived in the coastal town of Caraid three days later. Like Findius, Caraid had been built from black stone that glistened beneath the shaded moonlight. They’d considered waiting until morning to approach the gates, but then thought better of it.
They needed the army as quickly as possible.
When the shadow fae guards spotted him striding up the dirt street they bowed low and welcomed inside with little fanfare. Fine with him. He’d never been a fan of all Thane’s pomp and circumstance. Lorcan would rather be one with his people, blending in rather than standing apart.
“Your Highness.” One of the guards, a short male with stubby legs, smiled up at him. “I assume you’re here to see the lords?”
“That’s right. I realize it’s late, but the matter is of great importance.”
“Of course.” The guard nodded. “Come with me. I’ll take you to the castle and wake the lords.”
They trailed through the silent city. Squat black stone buildings lined the tangle of winding roads that spun toward the churning sea. Lorcan breathed in the scent of brine through flared nostrils. The scent took him away