Keep the device safe, Sophia said. If we lose it
Lucas nodded. I have protected it this far. Im more concerned about keeping you and Kate safe.
Sophia hadnt thought about that. The three of them were about to head into the middle of a battle. If one of them were to fall in that battle, they might never find their parents. It would be a double blow, losing the promise of their mother and father even as they mourned a brother or sister.
You have to stay safe too, Sophia said. And Im not just saying that because I want to find our parents.
I know, Lucas said. And I will do all I can. Official Ko had me trained well.
And Kate learned plenty from the witch who tried to claim her, Sophia said.
If shes half as deadly alone as she was when she was throwing me around the castle, shell be fine, Lucas said. The question is you, Sophia. I know you have Sienne, but will you be safe in the middle of a battle?
I wont be in the middle, Sophia promised. She put a protective hand over her belly. But Ill do whatever I have to do to make sure my child has a father.
She will, Lucas said, and there was something about the certainty of it that made Sophia look at him. She knew that shed seen glimpses of things in her dreams. She wondered if Lucas had too.
Did you see something? Sophia asked.
Lucas shook his head. I have some talent for it, but I think you got more of it. What I mostly see for tomorrow is blood.
That was easy enough to see even without the magic that brought dreams to both of them. Sophia looked out again, and now there was a coastline on the horizon, a speck of a city sitting in it.
Ashton, Sophia said. She hadnt seen it in what seemed like forever.
The city spread out like a stain on the landscape, its buildings old, its expanse sprawling beyond its walls. Part of their fleet was already breaking off, Hans moving to land further along the coast and take the outskirts.
The rest of them moved closer, signal flags flying to coordinate their movements. They anchored well out of cannon range, and small boats lowered, complete with messengers and the demand to surrender. Sophia knew that Ulf and Frig would be preparing their own small boats to sneak close to the city before the battle started, ready for the river gates to open to them.
Sophia could see the ships waiting there, ready for war in response to whatever messages had reached them. Not enough to stop a fleet their size, not pinned against the shore like that. As they approached closer, Sophia could hear trumpets sounding, see signal fires being lit.
She looked past it all to the palace and the noble quarter. Sebastian was somewhere in there, held in a cell, waiting for her rescue.
We could still charge in, the way Cousin Ulf wants, Lucas said.
Sophia looked at the sky. The sun was already falling, sending red fingers across the horizon. She had to force herself to shake her head. It was one of the hardest things shed ever done.
We cant risk a night attack, she said. We need to stick to the plan.
Then we attack at dawn, Lucas said.
Sophia nodded. At dawn, everything would be determined. They would see if she got her familys kingdom back, along with the man she loved, or if they were all condemned to death.
We attack at dawn, she said.
CHAPTER FOUR
Kate stood with the sea breeze running across her face, feeling truly free for the first time that she could remember. Seeing Ashton approaching in the distance brought back memories of the life shed had there for so long as one of the Unclaimed, but those memories didnt own her anymore, and the anger that came with them felt more like a dull ache than anything fresh.
She felt Lord Cranston approaching before he reached her. That much of her powers had come back. That was hers, not something that Siobhan or her fountain had given her.
Were attacking at dawn, my lord, she said, turning.
Lord Cranston smiled at that. A traditional time for it, although theres no need to call me that now, Kate. Were the ones sworn to serve you, your highness.
Your highness. Kate suspected that she would never get used to being called that. Especially not by the man who had been one of the first to give her a place in the world where she fit in.
And theres really no need to call me that, Kate countered.
Lord Cranston pulled off a surprisingly elegant courtiers bow. Its who you are now, but all right, Kate. Shall we pretend that were back in the camp, and youre learning tactics from me?
I suspect I still have plenty to learn, Kate said. She doubted that shed learned half of what Lord Cranston had to teach in the time shed been a part of his company.
Oh, undoubtedly, Lord Cranston said, so, a lesson. Tell me, in the history of Ashton, how has it been taken?
Kate thought. It wasnt something that their lessons had covered so far.
I dont know, she admitted.
It has been done by treachery, Lord Cranston said, counting the options on his fingers. It has been done by winning the rest of the kingdom, so that there is no point in holding out. It has been done in the distant past through magic.
And by force? Kate asked.
Lord Cranston shook his head. Although cannon may change that, of course.
My sister has a plan, Kate said.
And it seems well done, Lord Cranston said, but what happens to plans in battles?
That, at least, Kate knew. They fall apart. She shrugged. Then its a good job that we have the finest of the free companies working for us to fill the gaps.
And its a good job that I have the girl who can summon mists and move faster than a man can follow, Lord Cranston replied.
Kate must have hesitated just a second or two too long before replying.
What is it? Lord Cranston asked.
I broke away from the witch who gave me that power, she said. I dont know how much is left. I still have some skill for reading minds, but the speed, the strength, is gone. I guess that kind of magic is too.
She still knew the theory of it, still had the feeling of it in her, but the paths to it felt burned raw by the loss of connection to Siobhans fountain. It seemed that all things had their price, and this was one she was willing to pay.
At least, if it didnt cost all of them their lives.
Lord Cranston nodded. I see. Can you still use a sword?
Im not sure, Kate admitted. That had been something shed learned under Siobhan, after all, yet the memories of her training were still there, still fresh. Shed won what she knew through days of dying at the hands of spirits, over and over.
Then I think that we should find out before a battle in earnest, dont you? Lord Cranston suggested. He stepped back, giving a formal duelists bow, his eyes carefully on Kate, and drew his sword with a hiss of metal.
With live blades? Kate said. What if I dont have the control? What if
Life is full of what-ifs, Lord Cranston said. Battle, even more so. Ill not test you with a training blade only to find that your skill falls apart when theres real risk.
It still seemed like a dangerous way to test her skills. She didnt want to hurt Lord Cranston by accident.
Draw your blade, Kate, he said.
Reluctantly, she did so, the saber fitting neatly into her hand. There were the remnants of runes etched into the blade where Siobhan had worked on it, but those were dull things now, barely there unless the light caught them. Kate took her guard.