“I would, of course. Why not? We don’t need human blood. It’s only the crude, uncivilized among us who like the hunt. Savages. Beasts. I see no reason.”
“And that’s why my father was so keen to band up with you,” Lyria hurried to say. “But this is different. After my father’s passing, and with Taramon manning our castles, I can’t ask anyone to go on a mission to fight the fae right now. It’s not right.”
“What is your reasoning?” Cantillion asked, not in harsh tones, but even so, something about him oozed intimidating power, void of emotion.
“Human reasons,” Lyria said, sounding exasperated. I could tell, because I knew her better now — or at least, so I felt. We’d grown so close, in such a short time, it shook me. In just a few days, my life had turned unrecognizable, and despite everything, every hour seemed an adventure…Despite all. Being with her just made everything come so alive.
“Then give them better reasons. We don’t do things to just be fae…”
“You do not understand our ways,” Lyria said. “I’m in mourning. My father only just passed. I can’t ride out to war with the fae in a situation like this…You don’t know how ridiculous the whole idea sounds. Besides, with the attack on my castles, I don’t even have command of my own army at the moment—”
“Why, we can easily win your castles back,” Cantillion said, as if finally there was something he could get a grasp of, in all this human nonsense. “You say they are manned by human armies?”
“King Taramon, yes…Human troops only. No fae soldiers that I know of. They must have some wizards, too, though…Still, humans only.”
“Then there is no problem.” Cantillion seemed almost surprised, as if it was unbelievable anyone could possibly make this into a huge issue.
“But, Cantillion.” Lyria pulled a breath and sighed through her teeth. “I can’t take fae with, not to fight a human court. It would be unforgivable. We are suffering under the fae attacks, all of us, all the kingdoms, at the moment. People are losing loved ones to these attacks. How could I walk through the gates of Galandea beside fae soldiers?”
Cantillion huffed out a dry laugh. “I see…You do not like the taste of fae power, Lyria, I know that. Too strong for you, too unpredictable, isn’t that right? But my poor child, it’s only unpredictable to those who cannot handle it.”
“It’s different for you. You’re born with it.”
“I had to learn it—” Cantillion cut short and smiled. “And your powers are innate, too. Don’t forget your fae roots. But we were talking. Tell me the real reason you don’t want us joining in?”
“It’s complicated. Human ways are not always logical to you…See, you tell me, Cantillion, would you lead an invincible human army into crowds of fae?”
Cantillion’s eyes lit up with mirth. “Oh, if we’re talking about the idling crowds at Fae Palace, I certainly would…”
Lyria let out a humorless laugh, more like a disappointed hum. “Oh. I wasn’t thinking of that. Of course you would.”
“Of course, and now you’re making it possible for me, offering me a very suitable solution. I hear King Pinion and King Latear have rather efficient armies? Do I hear talk of wizards, too, or am I mistaken?”
“Yes. They both have well-known wizards in their courts, big names, but that’s no guarantee—”
“Oh, I know. Never a guarantee, you don’t need to tell me. I can strike almost any human wizard down in a heartbeat, they’re only human, after all.“
“And on the other hand, not everyone can, Cantillion. You forget you’re an elite level master.” Lyria paused, as if to think whether she should say more. “And well cared for and strengthened in your queen’s court.”
“I forget nothing. I’m being rational and talking in generics.”
“So, we agree that these armies do hold some power, but it’s not a guarantee it’s enough for your cause…?”
“I’m well aware I’m not a weakling among my people, and yes, there are those among my people who would sadly fall from a human wizard’s blows, as we well know.” Still more of that lion-like smile. “But I’m not a measure stick for this endeavour. You can leave it to me to estimate the powers of your human armies against our own. I should be the best judge of that.”
“You weren’t, earlier, when my father lead the first scouts to evaluate the situation…That first invasion at the Fae Palace,” Lyria said with an odd dryness. I wondered what that was about. I hadn’t heard of human troops ever attacking the Fae kingdom.
“Ah, you are brave, Lyria, to point this out to me, you must be brave…So different from all your kind.”
“I’m being truthful and logical, that’s what I am. We have to base our decisions on facts and true realities…You always say you admire that in people, you say humans aren’t good at it. Well, here I’m being good at it, no? Besides, even you can only fight so many wizards at once, not, say, a handful.”
“True. And that’s what I’m hoping for, and that’s why you are still talking…Why do you keep speaking to me like I haven’t thought this all out? I have this all figured out. You understand?”
“I don’t doubt you. I’m willing to put my trust in you enough to negotiate like my father did. Besides, it’s all very fine freeing Galandea, it’s my own castle, after all, and I have the right to it. But to actually strike the other kings’ castles? What will they say? I will lose all my allies…and it would bring such destruction, I couldn’t watch it.”
“Why?” Cantillion straightened up, leaning more onto his spear which he had rested down. “You don’t want us with because, let me get this straight, our troops would be too invincible? Your reasoning lacks logic. Let me ask, if you prove to be powerful, why would anyone leave you? If anything, all your neighbouring kingdoms will want to join you and forge alliances with you, once they see what we’ve done. They’ll flock to you.”
“No, they’ll likely not even look at us, anymore. I’ll be dead in their eyes! Cantillion, you need to understand, you don’t know the human ways of doing things. I do. If you want anyone on your side, you must listen to me. People will not look kindly on me, if I attack their castles with overpowering, invincible fae. With us people, it’s only man against man. Or woman against woman, in some cases, I should say. If one of us were to team up with fae to massacre the others, that would be the end of friendships. Trust me on this.”
“I’m not a fool to negotiate a deal where I get nothing. If I take my men to Galandea and gift you your castle back, I expect to gain the loyalty of these allies and take the armies with me to the Fae Kingdom.”
“You won’t get anyone following you that way! People simply don’t tick that way. You need to show them a good reason to follow you, something that humans will agree with. We don’t follow power, we follow a good heart…Please, help me get my castle back, give me some time to mourn and to let everything settle, and then we’ll make plans? Let me prepare things for maybe, say, a moon or two at least?”