The Lost Alliance (Rise of the Drakens Book 2) by Raven Storm (free ebook reader .txt) 📗

also was the captain of the Swallow, a slave ship front that ran escaped humans from the Cantrada bay south to Aldur.

“How many can you realistically evacuate in one trip? If we make multiple runs, it will be noticed.”

Thad’s long, black hair was braided back like Benedict’s, his eyes just as dark. I tilted my head, considering him. Like Benedict, he radiated the same sort of dark, chaotic energy. He caught me staring and I looked away, blushing. Benedict raised an eyebrow at me, and I shook my head. When I mentioned again the need for a leader to rally the humans, I noticed Davos glaring at Thad.

“I can fit everyone on one ship, but it won’t be fun. You also risk everyone dying if we’re attacked. I can’t defend them as easily if we’re packed with non-combatants.”

Thad frowned, making a noise of frustration in the back of his throat. Kieran tapped the worn map in front of us, spread out in center of our circle on a small rock. His eyes brightened with an idea.

“I suggest a two-pronged approach. We lead an attack with everyone who can fight in Cantrada, while Zara sneaks everyone who can’t out. If the Overlord is busy fighting us, he might miss the fleeing slaves.”

Zara pursed her lips but didn’t argue. She looked to the last member of our council, an older man whose head was completely covered in grey hair. The wrinkled lines of his face gave him a perpetual scowl, but when he spoke it was in a carefully measured voice. The others simply called him Spike.

“That’s a large might. And will Aldur even take that many refugees? We have slipped past the notice of the royal family for now, but surely, they won’t miss hundreds of Cantradian refugees appearing in their bay? They might send us back.”

“Captain Zara has my permission to sail to Lyoness if that is the case.”

Shocked faces followed Benedict’s proclamation, though Zara recovered quickly, bowing.

“Thank you. We have noticed a mass of the demon hordes concentrated around your island, but a large-scale attack would likely draw most off, leaving it much safer to sail there.”

“I advise approaching on the eastern side of the island, out of sight. You will need to lay anchor off the coast, or the cliffs on that side will destroy you. When you are found, explain the situation. The air witches will assist in getting your people off the ship and safely onto the island. Temporarily, of course, until your homelands are safe again, and only if Aldur denies you entrance. We are currently rebuilding the island, and don’t have many resources or much shelter.”

Zara blinked, along with the rest of the council.

“Wait, did you say witches?”

I couldn’t help it; I laughed. The sound bounced off the stone walls, and people turned to look. Even Kieran and Benedict shot me twin looks of exasperation, but that only made me laugh harder. I wiped a tear away, trying desperately to get myself under control. Some of the lingering tension dissipated, and those around me even offered small smiles of their own. They were a group that looked like they hadn’t laughed in a while.

“We’re not very good at war counseling, if we failed to mention all our allies upfront.”

Benedict’s cheeks went dark with color, and an inappropriate grin stretched across Kieran’s face. Taking a deep breath, I gestured to Benedict to continue.

“As my—Wren said, we have the air and earth covens seeking shelter on Lyoness. We also have tentative agreements with the fire and water covens and have made initial contact with the lykos.”

Davos’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head, while Thad slapped his knee in astonishment.

“That’s...that’s more allies than we had in the first ar!”

Everyone looked impressed. Everyone except Davos.

“How do we know you’re telling the truth?”

Spike had barely twitched throughout the entire debate, his brown eyes carefully weighing everything said. Benedict met his gaze head on, his wings flaring out dramatically.

“How else would we have survived the river from the base of the mountains to Cantrada while tied down with iron?”

Spike blinked. “Where are they now?”

“Looking for their missing sisters. Once found, they plan to unite all witch covens together for the first time since the Demon Wars.”

Spike sat back, reluctantly impressed. Davos leaned forward, licking his lips.

“And what of the blood witches? I heard murmurings about them.”

Benedict’s eyes narrowed.

“You seem to hear many things.”

Spike waved his hand lazily. “Why do you think we keep him around? It isn’t for his good looks!”

The council laughed, and again the sound acted like balm to the atmosphere around us. Davos didn’t laugh though; his face twisted into an ugly grimace that I watched with unease. Spike continued.

“I agree with this plan: we will attack, while evacuating everyone else. The only question now is where, when, and how. But only after I finish my dinner.”

The council bowed their heads and returned their attention to the meager soup. I frowned at it, sighing wistfully as I thought of the last meal I’d had on Lyoness with Ronan.

“What is it? You usually stomach broth and bread well enough.”

Kieran nudged me with his nose, his skin twitching. I bet it was killing him to remain in human form for so long. I wonder why he bothered. I leaned into him, grateful for the support.

“Just thinking about fruit. I had bowls of it when I went to get Georg, and I tried pergainsa. I loved it.”

Kieran laughed, but Benedict’s ears pricked back in interest.

“Not many people have the taste for pergainsa,” He grumbled, and I shrugged.

“I shouldn’t be surprised,” he continued, his trademark smirk returning to his lips. “You are much like a pergainsa yourself. Small, spiky, and sour.”

I bristled in indignation, physically resisting the urge to shift and show him just how spiky I was.

“I am not sour,” I insisted instead, crossing my arms in front of my chest. He reached out an pulled me into his arms and onto his lap.