Page 101 of The Shadow Path
The red-coated messenger spoke. “Over two hundred children have been reported missing so far. Dozens of barrows are popping up all over Anglia.”
“Oh my God,” Laura said. “Why children?”
“Children are the most precious thing in the Shadowlands,” the messenger said with a bleak face. “I imagine they know we will do anything they want to get them back.”
“Hostages,” Carys murmured. “They’ve taken over two hundred hostages.”
Duncan crossed his arms over his chest. “What do they want?”
“There have been no demands as yet.” Dafydd looked up with a grim stare. “Just the pamphlets the crows dropped from the sky.”
He pointed to the map. “Carys, the dragon nestlings have already been moved. Make sure you tell Cadell so he doesn’t panic.”
Cadell, the king says the rest of the children have already been moved.
Mared has told me.
I’m still with the king now. Anything you want me to share? Anything you need to know?
Mared is speaking with me now.
Carys was nothing but a green soldier when it came to any kind of combat. She was a decent shot with an arrow, but her main strength as a new nêrys ddraig was simply being the human voice for a big, bad dragon.
But her people had been attacked.
Her people. Cadell’s children.
“What do you want us to do?” Her heart was racing. “I don’t know if I can help, but?—”
“You can help.” Dafydd pointed to Duncan. “And you too.”
Duncan frowned. “Has Lachlan called?”
“Not yet. I imagine he’s trying to communicate with his father right now. Probably trying to find out what is happening in the north.”
“Ravens have been sent from the palace,” the messenger said. “But Harold and Lachlan have not heard back from Robb, and there is a fear that any raven or crow could be loyal to Cian.”
“I’ve sent Dylan and his dragon Tamsin to Alba to coordinate with Robb and Rory.” Dafydd looked at Carys. “One of the dragon young taken was from Demelza’s last clutch. Anwyn and Demelza are flying to Cymru immediately.”
Her clutch? What does that mean?
Cadell’s voice ached.All children are our children, but that means one of the missing is Demelza’s own blood.
Dafydd was speaking with Harold’s messenger. “Once Dylan and Tamsin are close enough, they will be able to communicate with the dragons in the north. My niece Carys and her dragon Cadell will remain here in Anglia. I need to fly to Caernarfon, but my niece will remain in Anglia to communicate with Harold’s people and be my voice here. Please let your master know.”
“You have our gratitude, King Dafydd.”
It wasn’t as good as a mobile phone, but dragon’s mental communication was surprisingly far-reaching.
Dafydd continued, “I’m sure Lachlan will stay here in Anglia with the Alban troops already in the south to coordinate with Harold and back up his armies.”
“Armies?” Laura’s voice was quiet, but everyone turned to listen. “They’re not attacking with armies, Your Majesty. They’re taking children.” Her eyes were wide and tear-filled. “Armies are not going to get those children back.”
“You’re absolutely right,” Dafydd said. “But we can surround the gates. Keep the fae from taking any more. Keep them contained.”
“They’ve brought old gates back to life,” Carys said. “Remember? That’s what Godrik was worried about. Do we even know where all the fae gates are?”
“No, and that’s why I need you.” Dafydd pointed to the map spread out in front of him. “Every fae gate, fort, and barrow we know about is marked on this map. I have charged my personal scribe with making you another copy of this map as we speak.”
