The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea - Kerrelyn Sparks Page 0,112
meant the only guard left was the one on the lookout tower. It was best, Brody believed, to leave that guard in position so he could sound the alarm as soon as he sighted the armada. That distraction was needed if Brody was going to deal with the Sea Witch.
It was nearing noon and time for Cahira’s luncheon party, so Brody and Maeve rushed toward the balcony. Ruth was expected to help in the kitchen so she headed there, while Gabby went in search of her brother.
When Brody reached the last hallway, he slowed his walk, his arm linked with Maeve’s, in case Cahira or any servants saw them approaching. He noticed all the doors to the balcony were open, and a breeze from the ocean was fluttering the purple curtains.
“Green and purple,” Maeve whispered.
“What?” He leaned heavily on his staff and made sure his robe was closed and his sword hidden.
“Those were the colors of my Telling Stones,” she explained. “And the colors of my mother’s flag and throne room.”
“Those stones have a creepy way of being right,” he muttered.
“Can we stay away from the throne room?”
“Why?” He noticed the glint of fear in her eyes. The Telling Stones weren’t the only ones with the power to predict the future. “Did you see something in a dream?”
She gave him a worried look.
“Ah, there you are!” Cahira breezed through a doorway and smiled at the Seer. “Everything is ready, Burien.”
“I’ve arranged for some entertainment,” the Chameleon announced as he entered the hallway behind them.
Brody stopped and turned as the Chameleon strode past him. Maeve stayed by his side, holding his arm as if he needed her support to stand.
“What a delightful surprise.” Cahira clasped her hands together. “What could it be?”
The Chameleon joined her as they strolled onto the balcony. “The soldiers of the Embraced army are going to display their skills.” He stopped at the balustrade. “They’re warming up now.”
“Oh, Burien,” Cahira called to him. “Come and see!”
Brody passed through the nearest doorway with Maeve at his side. When he reached the balustrade, he saw the seven members of the Embraced army below. Damn, he couldn’t kill the Chameleon or capture Cahira with the soldiers so close. He would have to wait until the armada showed up to keep the army busy.
Did this also mean that the guards stationed at the front door were still there? They had to be, or the soldiers below would have noticed them missing. No doubt Nevis’s plans had also been derailed by the appearance of the Embraced army.
Brody glanced at the woods in the distance. Were Nevis and his Spiders there? They were probably waiting for the armada to arrive. He moved his gaze to the ocean, squinting his eyes in the noonday sun. Was that the dim outline of a ship?
A crack of lightning drew his attention back to the Embraced soldiers below. Alfred had just split a log in two.
Cahira clapped, and Alfred bowed to her. Meanwhile, servants began carrying in trays of food and pitchers of wine.
“Shall we eat?” Cahira took a seat at the head of the table and motioned to the chair on her right. “Burien, come sit by me.”
“Yes, my dear.” Brody hobbled slowly toward her, pausing to let servants rush back and forth.
Suddenly, a horn blasted from above. Everyone froze for a few seconds, and then the Chameleon rushed to the balustrade.
“I think I see a ship.” He shielded his eyes with his hand.
“Three ships!” the guard above them shouted. “No, six . . . Ten ships!”
Cahira dashed to the balustrade. “Ten ships?”
“Fourteen!” the guard yelled.
Only fourteen? Brody thought. Then the elfin ships hadn’t arrived yet.
“So many?” Maeve helped Brody hobble back to the balustrade. “Could it be a merchant fleet?”
The Chameleon snorted. “I don’t think so.”
“Why not?” Maeve asked in an innocent voice. “I thought merchants liked to travel together for safety purposes. There’s the danger of pirates or—”
“Enough!” The Chameleon slanted her an annoyed look. “It’s an attack, and you know it.”
Cahira gripped the stone balustrade, her knuckles turning white. “Our enemies are attacking? I don’t understand. I’ve always destroyed any ship that came close to us. How did they know our location?”
The Chameleon scoffed. “No doubt it was your daughter—”
“What?” Cahira turned toward Maeve, her expression going quickly from shock to rage. “You. Did you betray me?”
“No!” Maeve raised her hands. “I’ve been under guard since I arrived. How could I—”
“There’s no point in arguing about it,” the Chameleon interrupted. “We just need