“I’m sure the noble Sovereigns of Perfugian would have alerted us immediately, had they encountered the coward king,” Zayaan interrupted, hands clasped at his back as he shot the steward an irritated look. “As I am sure they would prefer to discuss such delicate matters within the protection of the city walls.”
Lukys blinked, taken by surprise at the speed at which they had been invited into Mildeth. Despite their outward confidence, it was clear both men were nervous about the prospect of an attack on the city by Nguyen. If only knew how close they were to the truth. Thankfully though, Lukys’s veil concealed any emotion that might have given him away, and he only inclined his head in agreement.
“We thank you for your hospitality, Zayaan,” he replied. “Shall we proceed to the citadel then?”
The men nodded quickly, but as they made to turn away, something behind Lukys and Sophia caught the steward’s attention and he hesitated. Glancing over his shoulder, Lukys saw that Dale and the other royal guards were marching down the ramp onto the docks.
“Oh!” Lukys turned back as Wallace let out an exclamation. “You brought soldiers I see. Excellent, excellent, every sword is welcome in the war against the traitor. Only…” he hesitated, glancing at the elderly Zayaan, then back to Lukys. “We have orders from our queen prohibiting the entry of foreign soldiers into the city, regardless of their allegiance.”
Lukys’s heart began to race as he saw all his carefully laid plans unrolling before him. They had hoped to gather the leaders of the city in an assembly and take them hostage with their own guard, preventing them from commanding their forces to defend the city. But without Dale and the others, Lukys and Sophia would be alone in the citadel. They risked becoming hostages themselves, when Nguyen arrived with the bulk of their forces.
“My dear steward,” Sophia spoke before Lukys could announce his displeasure. “It would be a difficult task for our soldiers to defend the city if they are forced to remain outside its walls.”
Lukys glanced sharply at his partner, surprised not only by her words, but how they had been spoken. Gone was the singsong accent she’d adopted since receiving the gift of the Sovereigns—in its place was a perfect imitation of a Perfugian noble. For a moment, he was left questioning whether it was truly Sophia who spoke, or if another of those minds within had taken control.
“I…” The steward rung his hands, clenching and unclenching his fists as sweat dripped from his brow. “I am sorry, good Sovereign, but I…perhaps a message...the queen.”
“Surely your queen could not have thought to apply such restrictions to the Sovereigns of Perfugia, her last remaining ally in this terrible war? To think we would enter a foreign city alone…” Sophia shook her head, glancing to Lukys. “It seems we were wrong to think our aid would be welcomed, my dear. Perhaps we should return—”
“No!” Wallace interrupted. “Please,” he continued, lowering his voice, “our forces are badly depleted here. Should Nguyen appear, we could not hold the walls against him for even a day.”
Sophia said nothing, only stared at the man from beneath her veil, waiting…
“I am we can come to some arrangement,” Zayaan said finally, shifting alongside the steward. He had named himself the queen’s advisor—perhaps that meant he had some authority to supersede her orders. “Perhaps we could permit…two of your guards to enter alongside your noble personage,” he offered finally.
Lukys grimaced beneath his veil. Would that be enough? His plan didn’t require defeating the Flumeeren army, only that they took enough of their leaders hostage to prevent the organisation of the city’s defences. Would four of them be enough?
It would have to be.
“Very well.” He said abruptly. “Dale, Keria, you will accompany us into the city.” Their helmets would conceal Keria’s Tangatan eyes, and they would need every advantage they could get. He inclined his head to the pair of nobles. “If you would permit our remaining soldiers to disembark, perhaps they could take refreshments outside the walls. That way they might be of some aid outside the gates, should the Gemaho fleet happen to make an appearance.”
Zayaan nodded his agreement, and Wallace sighed his relief. “Excellent, excellent,” he exclaimed, offering another short bow before spreading his hands in the direction of the city gates. “Then may I again bid you welcome to the glorious city of Mildeth.”
Lukys sucked in a breath as he looked to the gates of the city, wondering whether they were making a terrible mistake. A glance back at their ship showed their soldiers beginning to disembark. He clenched his jaw, considering one last time the wisdom of this decision, before turning again to the two men. If things went wrong and this was all some elaborate trap, at least he would be able to communicate with the Tangata outside. That was an advantage the Flumeerens would not suspect.
And so he exhaled, and nodded for Wallace to lead them into the stronghold of their enemy.
10
The Tangata
The dark waters swirled as Adonis struck out through the racing currents. The river fought him, sought to drag him down into its murky depths, to steal away his warmth. But on the quiet spring night, it would not succeed.
His heart pounded with the thrill of what was to come, his mind thrumming to the beat of war, the Voice of his mate. The time had finally come for them to strike against the true enemy, to destroy the humans who had dared venture so close to his people’s territory.
The ships had anchored themselves only a few hundred yards from the shore. Truly, the humans had grown bold while the Tangata had been occupied in the south. Now they would suffer for their arrogance.
The sight of the ships had driven Maya into a rage. Her hatred had swept over
