Page 102 of The Shadow Path
Carys nodded. “Okay.”
“You and Cadell will take a surveying trip over the southern part of Anglia. Cadell and Seren were well trained in mapmaking and surveying. He’ll know what to do. We must identify any new gates so we can surround them.”
“I’ll do my best.” She couldn’t draw to save her life, but with Cadell’s help, she was certain she could mark any new fae gates on an existing map.
“And you” —Dafydd pointed at Duncan— “will go with her. I know you have an iron sword, and I expect you to carry it.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Duncan said. “But I’ll send a message to Lachlan, let him know I’ll be staying here.”
“How can I help?” Laura spoke again. “I’m probably not supposed to get involved in foreign conflicts, but I feel like I have to help somehow.”
“The fae that you called have disappeared,” Dafydd said. “You probably didn’t even notice in all the commotion, but the mound in the courtyard is gone.”
Carys blinked. “Dru and Naida left us?”
“Fae are disappearing all over Briton,” Dafydd said. “We don’t even know if household spirits have remained.”
Duncan said, “Brownies and other household fae should have protected any children of a household they watch over. How could they have been taken?”
“Maybe they did,” Carys said. “Not every house has a brownie.”
“The disappearance of friendly fae means that human mages are more important than ever.” Dafydd nodded at Laura. “If you are willing to stay and ward this house in some way, I would be grateful.”
“Of course,” Laura said. “And I could never leave Carys.”
“The fae cannot all be on Orla and Cian’s side,” Duncan said. “I know more than one fae, and they would never?—”
“They may not stand with Orla and Cian,” Dafydd said. “But the wild fae may not feel strong enough to stand against them either.” He looked at Laura. “If you can call Naida and Dru, call them. I know who Diarmuid ap Lirtrulyis. If there’s anyone who might be able to get these children back, it’s him.”
Cadell was nearly crawlingout of his skin with his need to go to his children, so Carys released him to fly to the mountains for the rest of the night while Duncan dragged her away to get a few hours of sleep.
“There’s no use trying to survey fae gates when it’s dark, and Cadell needs to comfort the young dragons.” Duncan dragged her up the stairs, her hand firmly wrapped in his. “You need to rest while you can.”
Carys still couldn’t wrap her mind around what was happening. Days ago they were dancing under torchlight and celebrating King Harold’s coronation. Prince Cian and Queen Orla had been there!
And now the most vile crime had happened, children were missing, and the country was in confusion.
“Is this always what happens when a war starts?” Carys asked. “You feel really confused and nothing seems real?”
Duncan put his arm around her shoulders as they walked. “I don’t know. We’ve been lucky, haven’t we?”
Peace is not natural to the Shadowlands. We are magic and myth and every dark impulse that exists inside you. We must claw civility from the mud with power and domination. Because when peace breaks, good people become animals to survive.
“Eamer told me once that peace wasn’t natural here. That when the world breaks, it’s women and children who pay the price.”
“Spoken like a woman who has studied history,” Duncan said. “She must be heartbroken right now, knowing that her own mother is the one who planned this.”
“Did she though?” Did Queen Orla have it in her to provoke a war? What could be the motivation? Did the Queen of Éire really want to rule the whole of Briton? “Was it her or was it Cian?”
Carys was thinking aloud. She didn’t really know anything. But Orla’s fae consort was the closest thing to a king that the fae in Briton had, and he wasn’t well-liked.
“Do you think Cian knows that Dru is back?”
“Yes. I think he does.” Duncan opened her bedroom door and walked inside. “Stay here.” He left her by the crackling fire and inspected under the bed and in the dressing room before he returned. “I don’t see any danger.”
“I’m sure we’re safe in Dafydd’s house.”
“For now we take nothing for granted.” He frowned. “I’m going to check Laura’s room too. I’ll be right back.” He reached to his waist, grabbed a thin scabbard, and shoved it toward her. “Stab anything you don’t recognize.”
