Page 66 of Broken Veil
Cadell let out a spurt of fire, a warning shot, then lifted up over the forest, turned, wheeled around, and flew low over the edge of the trees, laying down a precise line of fire where the imps were still swarming.
The trees exploded, and the branches popped. Carys hid behind the boulders, looking through a crack in the rocks as Cadell exterminated the nasty crowd of imps and sent small creatures with blood-red hats disappearing into the safety of the forest.
“What are those?” Laura pointed to the small, gnome-sized creatures.
“Redcaps,” Lachlan said. “I’ve never seen them so bold before.” Despite the fire, the blood, and the imps, he grinned at Laura. “Welcome to Alba.”
Laura laughed a little bit. “Thanks?”
Duncan poked his head over the wall. “The ruins of the old castle exist on this side of the gate too,” he said. “The redcaps usually hang out there. I’ve never seen them in this part of the forest before.”
Cadell was flying overhead.Ask the fae woman.
Carys turned to her. “Naida, what’s going on?”
Naida still had her eyes closed. “I feel no high fae here. The only presence are the small wild ones, and they can’t control the imps or the redcaps.”
Lachlan’s face was sliced by scores of tiny cuts the imps had inflicted on him. “Algar of Dalriaden is the nearest fae lord,” he said. “His patrols are the ones that guard this gate. He’s an ally of my father’s.”
“That explains it then,” Naida said. “Lord Algar always hated Dru. It’s possible that since Dru is king now, he is refusing to patrol the gates to keep the wild fae in check.”
“That’s the last thing we need,” Duncan growled. “Fucking fae politics when the Morrígan is already making life complicated on the other side.”
“I’ll talk to him. Tell him the gates are already under threat from the Brightlands.” Lachlan stood and looked at the smoking black line of forest. “Duncan, you take Carys to see Angus, and I’ll go to Algar’s fort and tell him that now is not the time for petty resentment.”
Nêrys, I will fly you to Duncan’s cottage to make sure you arrive safely, but I can only take two of you. The rest will have to walk.
“Do you need a fae escort?” Naida was looking at Lachlan. “Algar doesn’t hold me in any particular esteem, but I am fae and a healer. And I am known as the king’s former lover. Whatever else Algar is, he is not immune to storing up favors when it might benefit him.”
“Your help would be… good,” Lachlan said. “I am Robb’s son, but you make an excellent point.”
“Plus I can help you with those wounds.” Naida winced. “They look painful.”
Laura was looking around. “What happened to Godrik?”
Duncan shook his head. “I don’t know. Something in the woods must have spooked him. I saw him shift and disappear.”
“I have a feeling he’ll find his way back to us,” Naida said. “Wolves can track at great distances.”
Nêrys, who do you want to take with you? I would prefer Laura, but I realize that Duncan may be the better choice.
Carys looked at her friends. “Where are we going?”
“Should we wait for Godrik to find us?” Laura asked.
“I should get a salve on those cuts now.” Naida was digging in her pack. “Or they’re likely to scar.”
Nêrys?
“Okay, wait!” Carys pressed her fingers to her temples. A fae lord absent from duties, a missing wolf, injured Lachlan. There were too many voices. Too many moving pieces.
She pointed at Lachlan. “Where is this Lord Algar?”
Lachlan glanced at Naida. “It’s several miles, but we can go to the village, procure mounts, and?—”
“Too much time.” She pointed at Duncan. “I know the way to your cottage and the forge from there. It’s walking distance.” She pointed at the sky. “Cadell can take Lachlan and Naida to this fae lord, then bring them back to your place.”
Cadell had other opinions.I am not leaving you.
