Page 145 of The Shadow Path
Cadell, are the soldiers fae or human?
They appear to be mostly human with fae commanders. Crown Princess Finola is leading the Éiren army with Cian.
“Mostly human,” Carys said. “Fae in command, Finola leading the human army.”
“She did it,” Winnie muttered. “There goes the pact. Cian is with her?”
“Yes, she’s with Cian.”
Lachlan and Winnie both cursed as they began to climb the road that led from the river to the edge of the plain.
“The soldiers we’ll be fighting will be likely be Éiren even if they are few in number,” Dru said. “Cian won’t want to waste fae lives if he thinks he can win with human soldiers and magic.”
Winnie’s face was grim. “That means we’ll be fighting against humans who are supposed to be our allies.”
“People we’ve trained with,” Lachlan said. “Cian and his fae started this war, but he’s using Éiren people to fight his battles.”
Dru kept his eyes on the horizon. “The quickest way for us to win is by using the dragons, and he knows that.” He glanced at Carys. “But if we butcher the Éiren armies, the Queens’ Pact will be well and truly dead. There will be no peace with that much blood spilled.”
“And the fighting in Briton will return.” Lachlan looked at Carys. “Would Anwyn order a dragon attack on Éiren troops?”
Carys shook her head. “I have no idea. She might wait for orders from Dafydd.”
“And King Dafydd will want to preserve the Queens’ Pact if he can,” Lachlan said. “This should be a fae battle, not a human one.”
Dru shook his head. “I will try to reason with them, but I can make no guarantees.”
“What’s your strategy, Dru?”
“I will send a messenger to Cian’s people.” Dru nodded at a large walking tree at the front of the company. “Alafair will tellCian’s fae that I am asserting my claim to the throne of Temris and that they may choose to back me if they do not want to fight.”
Carys said, “So you’re going to just ask nicely for them to pick you as their king instead of Cian?”
“I have to try.” Dru surveyed the wild fae at the front of their company. “I am hoping that if Cian’s people see that the wild fae of Briton support me, they may decide it’s time for new leadership.”
Winnie was already thinking ahead. “I hope they take your deal, because Anwynwillorder a dragon attack.”
Lachlan frowned. “Why are you so sure?”
“She’s pragmatic,” Winnie said.
“It’s pragmatic to kill humans who are supposed to be our allies?” Lachlan said. “It’s pragmatic to decimate an army we drilled with two weeks ago?”
“It’s pragmatic because a dragon attack will be decisive and will likely end this quickly,” Winnie said. “Think, Lachlan. The worst thing that could happen would be for this battle to turn into an extended war. That’s what happened last time, and it led to centuries of fighting and death. The Anglian people are already starving because of Cian’s plagues.”
“But there will be no peace with Éire.” Lachlan’s voice rose. “And my kingdom, having the closest ties, will suffer the most. The Éiren people are linked with Alba through blood and history. Alban troops will not want to fight against Éiren soldiers.”
Winnie lifted her chin. “The Éirens have allowed the fae to drag them into this. They’re not innocent.”
“They’re following their queen.”
“Who has handed over her authority to her fae consort! They took your children too.”
Carys knew there was a rift swiftly growing between Alba and Anglia.
“Have you ever seen war?”Eamer’s voice of caution whispered in her mind.“Do you know what happens when society breaks?”
Carys knew this was exactly the situation her aunt had been speaking about. Alliances were cracking. Loyalties were already being tested.
