Page 15 of Feral Gods
Her face pales, but she doesn't cower or weep as I might have expected. Instead, her spine straightens, her chin lifting in defiance. "King Kres doesn't tolerate defiance, especially from humans. I'm not surprised he'd send forces to retrieve me."
"This goes beyond standard retrieval," Ravik says, studying her with intense amber eyes. "Elite guards and purna witches represent a significant commitment of resources. Why would the king deploy such force for one human slave?"
Kaia shakes her head, genuine confusion in her expression. "I don't know. I was just a house slave, nothing special. Personal maid to Lord Vathren's daughter. I had access to the family quarters, but nothing of true importance."
"Access," Zephyr repeats thoughtfully. "To private quarters. Where sensitive discussions might be overheard?"
A flash of understanding crosses her face. "There were...conversations. Between Lord Vathren and King Kres. Behind closed doors, but the walls in that house carry sound in strange ways."
"What did you hear?" Ravik demands.
She hesitates, clearly sorting through memories. "Something about 'the awakening.' A weapon or power of some kind that the king sought. Lord Vathren seemed skeptical, but the king was insistent. He mentioned consulting with his personal witch, Morwen."
The name sends a chill down my spine. "Morwen still lives?" The purna witch had been ancient even in our time, renowned for her cruelty and ambition. She, herself, betrayed her own kin for power.
"She serves as the king's chief magical advisor," Kaia confirms. "Feared throughout Liiandor. They say she extends her life by consuming the essence of those she sacrifices in the king's rituals."
"Charming," Zephyr murmurs, though I detect genuine concern beneath his dry tone. "If Morwen is involved, the situation is more dire than we anticipated. She was instrumental in crafting our curse."
I turn to Ravik, frustration building. "We should attack now, before their main force arrives. Strike while they're still establishing position."
"And leave the temple undefended?" Ravik counters. "Exactly what they would expect. No, we fortify here, make them come to us. The sanctuary's magic gives us advantage on defensive ground."
"A siege favors the larger force," I argue. "They can rotate troops, maintain constant pressure while we exhaust ourselves.We should take the fight to them, scatter their advance team before reinforcements arrive."
Ravik steps closer, using his slightly greater height to loom over me. "I am still commander here, Thane. We defend the sanctuary."
"Your caution will be our undoing," I snarl, refusing to be intimidated. "We didn't escape stone sleep just to cower behind walls!"
"Enough!" Zephyr interrupts, physically inserting himself between us. "This discord serves only our enemies. Ravik speaks wisdom regarding the sanctuary's defenses, but Thane's concern about being besieged has merit."
"Perhaps a compromise," Kaia suggests quietly, drawing all three of our gazes. She flinches slightly under the intensity of our attention but continues. "The temple has hidden passages, yes? Ways to move without being observed? One of you could disrupt their position while the others maintain the temple's defenses."
I stare at her, surprised by the tactical acumen in her suggestion. The human continues to defy my expectations.
"The eastern tunnel," Zephyr confirms, nodding thoughtfully. "It emerges in a ravine beyond their observation points. A small force could exit there, circle behind their position."
Ravik considers this, his expression unreadable. "A diversionary attack," he muses. "Draw attention away from the temple while we complete the magical defenses." His amber gaze shifts to me. "You want blood, Thane? Very well. Take the eastern tunnel at dusk. Create chaos in their ranks, but do not engage their full force. Distract, delay, then return."
The compromise satisfies my immediate bloodlust while acknowledging the strategic necessity of protecting our sanctuary. I incline my head in reluctant agreement.
"And the human?" I ask, gesturing toward Kaia. "If they want her badly enough to commit such forces, perhaps we should consider whether protecting her serves our interests."
The temperature in the room seems to drop at my words. Ravik's eyes flare with golden fire, his wings extending in a clear display of dominance. "She broke our curse," he rumbles, each word like thunder. "She is under our protection. That is not open for negotiation."
The vehemence of his response intrigues me. Ravik has always been protective of those under his command, but this seems...personal. I glance at Zephyr, who watches the exchange with scholarly interest, clearly noting the same anomaly.
"As you command," I concede, though not without a pointed look at our human charge. "But I suggest we learn exactly what makes her so valuable to King Kres before his forces arrive in full. Her ignorance may be genuine, but it doesn't explain the king's extraordinary interest."
Kaia meets my gaze unflinchingly, her hazel-green eyes filled with a surprising resolve. "I've told you everything I know. But I'm willing to help however I can. I've no desire to return to Liiandor in chains—or to see you three imprisoned in stone again."
"Your assistance has already proven unexpectedly valuable," I acknowledge, thinking of her tactical suggestion. "Perhaps you're not entirely useless after all."
A smile tugs at the corner of her mouth—a quick, fleeting thing that transforms her face in a way that momentarily captures my attention. "High praise, coming from you."
"Don't get used to it," I grumble, turning away to hide my own involuntary response to that smile. Ridiculous. She's a human, a temporary ally at best. That she shows occasional glimmers of intelligence and courage changes nothing.
Ravik assigns tasks with his usual efficiency. Zephyr will continue strengthening the magical defenses, focusing on the most vulnerable areas. Ravik himself will prepare the physical fortifications, reinforcing the temple's ancient stonework with his considerable elemental magic. I am to rest until dusk, conserving strength for my night raid on the dark elf position.
