“I met a few living in some of the caves I explored a few days ago,” Shilayla revealed. “They were nice, and all had a favorable opinion of your King.”
“That’s good to know,” was all Lilly could say, shocked by the idea of ice dragons living so close and having any sort of opinion of Alric at all.
As they drew closer and Luc was able to see what was happening on the ground, he grew more concerned than ever. The reports of the merc army were one thing, but seeing it in person was staggering. From what he had learned of Alric’s forces, they would not be enough to stand against this large a group of seasoned fighters. Not alone.
He knew Shilayla had been in contact with other dragons under the Veil and had forwarded her report and impressions, but he had no way of knowing if they were sending help, or when they might arrive. Anytime now would be a good time, he thought wryly, even as Shilayla began circling over the stationary merc companies, looking for the banner Zallra had described.
Luc saw it just as Shilayla began her descent, and within moments, they were on the ground, a circle of armed mercenaries around them, showing little fear and a great deal of interest. Luc hoped Zallra was right about their welcome, even as he slid down off of Shilayla’s back.
The captain of the company—identified by a badge worn on his shoulder—stepped forward to greet him.
“We have a message for you from Lady Zallra of the Black Dragon Clan, King Alric and the spymaster of his capital city.” Lilly stepped closer and held out the scroll.
The merc captain seemed only a bit surprised, reaching out to take the scroll. “I am Captain Theros, High Commander of the Jinn Legion. Be welcome here while I consider this message.”
“My dragon partner has duties aloft while we confer,” Luc said quietly, giving Shilayla the signal. She beat her wings a few times, and the circle of mercs backed up a few paces before she launched into the air.
“Lieutenant Banya will show you where to wait and answer any questions you may have.” The High Commander paused a moment then winked in a devilish way. “Within reason, of course.”
Luc bowed his head slightly, sending the man a return smile. “Of course.”
Lieutenant Banya turned out to be a golden-haired woman who was tall, but also impossibly lithe. Luc looked twice at the woman who could easily have been mistaken for one of his own brethren. She didn’t look quite human, yet as he looked more closely, he could see that, if she was of fair folk stock, it was diluted by human blood at some point in her ancestry.
“I am Banya,” she said shortly, her voice rougher than any fair folk’s more lyrical tones. “Follow me.”
“I’m Lilly,” his companion offered, taking the lead while Luc followed the two women toward a table in what could easily pass for an inn’s courtyard.
They sat, and at Banya’s gesture, food and drink were brought to the table for them all. Luc watched as the women spoke. He wasn’t surprised to learn that the Jinn already knew who Lilly was, who her father was, and what her mission to the North had been. The Jinn seemed to be one step ahead of everyone as far as intelligence went, and Luc would make a point of reporting this to the Council when he returned home. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to form some kind of alliance with these people if the community that lived under the Veil was going to forge new relationships with their neighbors.
Before long, Captain Theros joined them at the table, the scroll in his hand. He sat at the head of the rectangular table, and Luc was aware of all the mercs in the vicinity stopping what they were doing to watch what would happen next.
“It is a generous offer, made by King Alric,” Theros said once he had taken a sip of the very fine mead they had been served. “A very fine offer,” he repeated, then set down his tankard. “I have sent fast messengers to the other Jinn captains gathered here, but I suspect, given the involvement of both the local spymaster and the Black Dragon, we would be foolish not to accept these terms. I can already tell you that we will not march on Alric’s domain. It was never our intent to do so. We accepted money for the trip here from a shadow employer based to the south, but we have not been paid for any further action, and by the Mercenary Code, our obligation ended there. We are under no duty to go any farther, and we will not.”
“Thank you, Captain,” Lilly said with genuine feeling that was easy to hear in her voice. “What we saw marching toward the border was bad enough. I am glad, for the sake of the kingdom, that you will not be adding your considerable force to their numbers.”
Theros narrowed his gaze at her. “We will not march against Alric, but there may yet be more we could do to help the situation. Once the other captains hear this proposal, we will have our answer. I may be High Commander in battle, but when it comes to a decision this big, we all need to confer.”
“Understood, Captain,” Luc said, catching the man’s eye as he stood. “Just don’t take too long. I’m not sure how well Alric’s Guard Corps will stand up against those mercs.”
Luc felt Lilly’s censorious gaze, but he wouldn’t soften his words. Alric’s people were in trouble, and it was important that all the cards be laid on the table right now. Luc felt strongly that Alric needed the Jinn companies to come into the fight on his side, and Luc would do all he could to make certain that happened.
Still, that would only serve to surround the mercs. They were going to need something else to win the day. Ideally, a few more dragons would help a lot, but Luc didn’t dare count on Shi’s ability to sway the notoriously reclusive ice dragons. If his own folk were here, that would be best, but again, Luc had no way of knowing if they had even left the protection of the Veil.
Theros left them with Banya, and the mercs all around seemed to return to whatever it was they had been doing before their Captain had come among them. Luc listened to Banya and Lilly talk about the temporary town they’d built up around their encampment and finally just had to ask.
“Lieutenant, forgive me if this is rude, but have you a fey ancestor or two?” Luc was prepared for an angry response but hadn’t counted on Banya’s laughter. There it was—the fey influence. This warrior woman’s laughter held the bubbling magic of the fair folk, and now, it was obvious to Luc that she was at least part fey.
“Aye, you have the right of it,” Banya replied even as she chuckled. “My folk descend from those who left Gryffid’s island before he cloaked it in the mists of time.”
“Gryphon Isle,” Luc said softly. “I have heard tales of the place, but it is mostly just legend.”
“No longer,” Banya reported. “Gryffid brought his homeland back into our timeline several years ago, and there is now regular passage of both dragons and gryphons back and forth. Some of the fair folk have come ashore with their gryphon friends, as well. The sea dragons have also joined forces with the land dragons on the southern border of Draconia and Gryffid had built them a Lair, of sorts, on his island where they can come ashore, if they wish. I understand a young dragon and his knight live there now, representing King Roland and the alliance formed between the wizard and the royals of Draconia.”
Luc was impressed by the knowledge this fey descendant shared. He thought once again that an alliance with the Jinn would certainly be well worth looking into and resolved to do all in his power to make the Council seek it. They talked more of the wizard and Banya’s people until Theros returned, a short while later. The High Commander was grinning.