I hungered for more.
We had gone separate ways after the feast, Modifi escorting me back to my room with an all-too-knowing look that made me recognize he had read far too much of my mind and was being protective of his Bravo and friend.
And, now, I had to watch my thoughts while my hands ached to touch her skin and my tongue ached to explore the curves of her neck because I was in the company of the most skilled mind-readers of the kingdom…
Or, at least in the company of the ones who wielded the most power.
I heaved a sigh and looked at the giant screen in front of us, flashing different information about the Duke and his faction leaders.
“Let’s get started,” Kajo said, clapping his hands and gesturing to the two Harthens. “You know Commander Damox and Bravo Renin, the two leaders of the military forces here in the Harthen Dukedom. They will be your spearheads, alongside your trusted Chosen Bravo Ilisa, of course. Ilisa and Renin trained under Prince Axis when he Commanded the Special Operations, actually, in the Bristola units. Both fought under Commander Cartari for quite some time.”
I nodded to the two Harthen soldiers. They looked strong and capable, both rakishly good-looking, muscular, well-outfit, like they could handle themselves, and surveyed me with an openness that stated the would hold their respect until I had earned it but without granting contempt until I had earned that either. That was all I could ask for.
“Our biggest weakness is in the northern mines. Those workers, and their leaders, are still behind Fenvitz. Not only that, they are independently provided for, as far as resources, outlets, and access go. They can survive without Harthen for quite a while. They are commonly called the Kall. There’s really only one access point to get to them from Harthen main mine entry, so they can hold us off from taking them back.” Renin pointed down as the diagram showed on the screen on the table. I studied the layout to memorize the mine schematic. The technology of the flashing computer screen was certainly more advanced than what we had on Vailstor.
“How can they hurt us from the Kall? Why can’t be just let them be?”
“The trains. Our main holding depot is stationed right beside the Kall’s water source. So they protect the depot. Or, more, hold it hostage at this point.”
I looked at the beautiful aerial view of the depot. They must have taken the shot with drones, or planes soaring over it. It showed gentle hills rolling back from purple forests and yellows plains with fully loaded train cars, frajili spilling from the stacks and men and women in workers outfits rushing about. For the first time, an earnest desire to get rolling, to get started with this job General Truloy had tasked me to, really pulled at my heart. I did love getting a good job done. There was a reason Astrida pulled out the best calasis and most efficient loads on Vailstor: I could do this.
“The water source, then.” I pointed at the cool mountain pool just off from the train depot.
King Kajo nodded.
“Yes, that’s what we are thinking, too. We need to limit their access to the source, but we haven’t figured out how, yet. Other than a full scale attack, which will risk life lost on both sides. Not just soldiers, either. There will be civilian casualties. So, until Fenvitz draws us out into that battle, we will wait.”
“We must wait for him to strike at Harthen again? Even after he stole so much from our armory? He has already declared war!” That familiar heat was rising in my chest and I took a sharp breath to calm it.
“We will prepare a tactical approach to attack their water source, but we will wait until he attacks Harthen again.”
I glared at the Beast King. His eyes never wavered, the scar over his right eye not so much as quivering. The silence in the room was tense.
Prince Axis finally coughed. “So it be, then. There are other weaknesses we must also be concerned about.”
I swung my head to look at Ilisa, knowing exactly what they were going to talk about next. She was already stepping toward me, hand outstretched. She rested her hand on my arm, and her touch soothed me, so that I anchored myself in the sensation of her fingertips, rather than reaching out to grab a water carafe off a side table and smash it to the ground.
“I have spoken with Duke Skarde about the mental tactics we need to take to defend his mind,” Ilisa said.
“It is not a simple concern.” Kajo’s words were serious and firm again. “Fenvitz will very likely create an entire unit intent on mentally controlling you, Duke Skarde. We cannot have this happen. I know you might find it hard to believe, that such a thing can happen, but I can assure you, it is a very real possibility. We must make sure you are armored in every way.”
My chest was starting to heave, my breath coming short: I was seeing red. Heat had risen in my temples and fists were clenched. Ilisa’s grip had tightened on my arm.
“I don’t believe I can be so easily controlled.” I could only get the words out through fully grit teeth.
King Kajo frowned at me.
“It is not about it being easy for us.” He gestured at Cartari.
“Yes, that is true,
