shook her head. “She’s probably trying to hear the birds.”
“They do seem very noisy today,” Nevis said as he followed Bettina outside.
She was standing still, gazing up at the stars. Suddenly, she turned toward Nevis. “Twelve ships have arrived at the Isle of Moon. Warships.”
Nevis blinked. “Already?” Damn, Leo and Rupert had worked fast to get their navies ready.
“And six more warships are rounding the southern coast of Eberon,” Bettina continued.
That had to be the elfin navy from Woodwyn, Nevis thought. They would be moving much more slowly since they didn’t have Rupert with them.
An eagle swooped down and landed beside them, then shifted into a dog.
Nevis leaned through the wide opening to the blacksmith’s shop. “Brody’s here. Can I give him some of your breeches, Elam?”
Elam nodded, while Elinor rushed outside. She gave Brody a hug, then the dog trotted off with Nevis to the boys’ cottage.
“You won’t believe this,” Nevis told him as he tossed Brody a pair of breeches. “The Eberoni and Tourinian navies are—” He stopped when Brody shifted into the Seer. “Damn, I don’t believe this. You look just like the Seer.”
“You wouldn’t know.” Brody pulled on the breeches. “You’ve never seen the Seer.”
“I have, too. When Maeve and I went to the Isle of Mist, we saw—”
“Me.” Brody buttoned the breeches. “You saw me.”
“What?” Nevis stepped back. “You . . . you tricked us? What an asinine thing to do!”
Brody gave him a wry look. “I was trying to convince Maeve to go back to Eberon. I didn’t want her doing anything dangerous or finding out that Cahira is her mother.” He opened the door and strode outside.
Nevis followed him. “Does she know that her mother is the bitch who cursed you? And murdered your father and brother?” He stopped with a wince when he realized that Elinor had been waiting for them and had heard every word.
A pained look crossed her face.
“Oh, crap,” Nevis muttered. “I’m sorry.”
She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “I’m all right.” She turned to Brody with a curious look. “Is that really you? Ye can impersonate people?”
“Aye.” Brody touched his sister’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. We will have justice soon.”
“Sooner than you think,” Nevis said, motioning to Bettina, who was still listening to the birds. “She just heard that twelve warships have arrived at the Isle of Moon.”
“That quickly?” Brody’s eyes widened. “It was after midnight when my mother sent Captain Chapman. He couldn’t have arrived at Ebton Palace until this morning.”
Nevis nodded. “But two days ago, I sent Captain Shaw with a message for Leo and the other kings to prepare for war. They must have started preparations immediately.” He turned to Elinor. “We’d better practice some more with the Spiders.”
“I agree.” She nodded.
“Spiders?” Brody asked.
“That’s the name of our Embraced army,” Elinor explained.
“I have more news.” Bettina approached them. “The birds say that a dragon is flying south from the Isle of Moon.”
“Headed here?” Brody asked.
Bettina shook her head. “Toward the south of Eberon.”
“Silas must be looking for the elfin navy.” Nevis turned to Brody. “Woodwyn is sending six ships. After sailing all night, they might catch up with the other ships by morning.”
Brody nodded. “I’ll fly to the Isle of Moon to see if Leo and Rupert are ready to come here.”
“Dear goddesses.” Elinor made the sign of the moons. “If they leave in the morning, they could be here by noon.”
“And then the war would begin,” Brody concluded.
Nevis took a deep breath. He would have his Spiders do some practice runs in the morning. “Do you have a plan yet for eliminating Cahira and the Chameleon?”
Brody shrugged. “I’m working on it. Obviously, I have to capture Cahira, so she won’t have a chance to blow up the ships coming in.”
“Does Maeve know about her mother?” Elinor asked quietly.
“I . . . I just told her.”
Nevis winced. “That must have been awkward.”
He nodded. “She tried not to cry, but I could hear . . .”
Elinor rubbed her brother’s shoulder. “It will be all right. We’ll have justice for Papa and Eddy, and ye’ll be rid of the curse.” She gave him a wry look. “Ye realize ye won’t have any more excuses, then? Ye’ll have to come home and be our king.”
Nevis snorted. “Everyone gets to be a king but me. I’ll have to find a deserted island somewhere and declare myself royalty.”
“Why?” Elinor gave him an amused look. “There’s nothing wrong with being a colonel.”
His heart expanded, and he took a step closer