And as she’d thought before, his mental tone was distant and professional. She didn’t think he’d invite and appreciate casual conversation or debate.

  Which hurt far more than she liked.

  There must’ve been some visible sign of the magical communication ending on her face, because Anisa asked, “What’s the plan?”

  “We finish them off, tonight.”

  Anisa blinked, then smiled.

  “We’ll get some sleep right after dinner, get up at second hour. Then we end it at dawn. We might not catch them by surprise, but I doubt they’ll be on high alert tonight, when we shouldn’t even be in the area for two more days. They might be, and we’ll be careful in case they are, but I doubt it.”

  Liam asked, “Your plan?”

  She nodded, “His majesty expects us to finish it in two days and however long it takes to get there after that. Anyway, I’ll send the air elemental at a quarter of my power to Brookside to track them when we wake up at second hour. I’ll also have it retreat to a place where it can’t feel the mages anymore, and maybe a quarter mile more than that. If they’re average of power, then that will be the same distance for them to feel me and the elemental.

  “At that point, I’ll use Clairvoyance on my elemental, then use psychic teleport to get us there. That will take two trips, and after the first I’ll need to turn off my array to regain my magic quickly, but I also won’t need the elemental there at my target point, since two of you will be. After regening my magic a second time, I’ll summon two elementals at a third of my power.

  “Then we set up camp and wait for me to slowly regen the last four hours before dawn. I’ll be back to three quarters power at least, and the equal of three average mages, plus have two elementals that outpower any one of them each.”

  “Three?” Anisa asked.

  She shrugged, “Just a guess, but after two not being able to kill me but coming close, they might just send a third to strengthen the trap. Of course, they don’t know I was already only at half power when that happened, so three quarters power should be enough. That said, they may not send him or her right away, but let’s all assume there’s a third for now anyway. I’ll know for sure when the elemental checks the camp and retreats on step one.”

  Anisa said, “Your plans are getting complicated.”

  She laughed, “Maybe a little, but it’s all prep work, and before we engage the enemy. The engagement plan itself is simple and the same plan as the last two times. I’ll send in the elementals to capture the mages, while Kade, Jonas, and I kill soldiers from a distance from the camp, and you and Liam will protect us from chargers. If there’s a third mage, they’ll kill one first.”

  Liam laughed, “That plan hasn’t worked for us yet.”

  She nodded, “True, the first time it was derailed by the enemy raiding a village we were riding to, and we had to kill the mage to avoid the military from finding out our true intentions. The second time by them responding to our approach and changing the ambush plan. But I’m confident the enemy won’t be expecting us, nor will they be out on a raid. If I’m wrong, we adjust again. The important part is not walking into an ambush unknowingly like we just did. I should’ve used the elementals as magical sensing scouts and kept them with us, instead of having them far away to avoid detection. A mistake I won’t make a second time.”

  Anisa nodded, “There’s always new mistakes, but we trust you and it’s a good simple plan. It’s only getting in place where things can go wrong. If they detect your elemental because the mage is awake at two, or one of them is on watch perhaps. Then we could find ourselves being ambushed at our campsite, with you only at a third of your power after summoning the two elementals again.”

  She shook her head, “The elemental will tell us if the enemy mages are approaching. If only the soldiers come, it’ll be a slaughter, even at a third of my power.”

  Anisa shrugged, “There’ll be a good fifteen minutes after you dismiss the first elemental, and you regain your strength to go and get the other two. Then another fifteen minutes before your strong enough to cast the two attacking elementals. That’s a half hour window with no magic detection.”

  Luna nodded, “True. Closer to twenty minutes, teleporting four will exhaust me, just three will take two thirds of my magic, making the regeneration time ten minutes, not fifteen.”

  And that was without horses, they’d be leaving the horses at the inn in the village back north that they’d stop at later that afternoon. They could teleport back to that inn after the mission to reclaim the horses. She could get them all home after that, it’d just take five trips, horses were big.

  She sighed, “It is a risk, but feeling a quick touch of an elemental won’t tell them where our camp will be, or even that we’ll be attacking twenty minutes later. If they trust in the past pattern even if they know that pattern, they’ll assume we just located them with an elemental and won’t be in range to attack until the next day at soonest. They’d have to divine our intentions and send out scouts in every direction for miles. Save being incredibly lucky, to find us, set up an attack, and attack us all within twenty minutes is if not impossible, it’s at least highly unlikely.”

  Liam said, “She’s right, you’re nitpicking. No plan is flawless, and the risks are acceptable.”

  Anisa blushed, and she gave Luna an apologetic look before turning to Liam, “Just making sure she’s thought it through, and isn’t being overeager and overcompensating for almost dying today. Something that is common. Soldiers are often reckless after a near death experience, especially their first one. But it’s well thought out, and our odds of success increase the faster we move on it. Giving them two days to plan and adjust to her true threat potential is a really bad idea as well.”

  Liam said, “Or so tentative after that first brush with death that they’re paralyzed by fear of death after that.”

  Anisa just nodded. It was true enough but given Luna’s aggressive plan it obviously wasn’t a prevalent issue for her either.

  She just hoped her plan worked, fully this time. She really wanted to come through on figuring out who the leak was, or even failing that at least extract some information to aid Jacinta in the hunt for the mole. There was a good chance the mages that were part of the raiding platoons wouldn’t even have that information, after all. The information that they were getting on Xevell’s troop movements and threats to their raiding platoons probably came through a mage in Cynia’s intelligence section. It was doubtful the mole was communicating with them all directly. The higher ups in Cynia wouldn’t want an enemy directing and informing their own troops, even a traitorous one on their side.

  But they had to at least know something useful.

  She hoped.

  Chapter Nine

  Sebastian stared out the spire window into the city. He’d gone up to the lab, not to experiment with magic, but to be alone with his thoughts. He’d met with Jaelle just thirty minutes ago, and she’d been charming as well as formal, only slightly betraying her nervousness and hope at their future together.

  He remembered her a little of course, but three years was a long time and she’d been a newly minted teen at the time. She’d matured a lot in that time, much like Luna had in the three years since he’d toured the kingdoms with his older sister.

  She had lovely light golden blonde hair, and bright green eyes, set in a cute heart shaped face. She was more cute than beautiful around the face, but he thought that would probably change after she’d shed the lingering youth on her face over the next few years. She had also sprouted in other ways, and she was far more pneumatic with the curves of a grown woman. On a shallow level, he had no complaints at all.

  It was a good match, for the kingdom, and even for himself he could tell there was promise there, but it was dark and lustrous flowing black hair and piercingly vivid and warm cerulean eyes that invaded his thoughts and stirred his blood. The last few days it’d been Luna in his thoughts, and despite the fact he was about to be married to another she was still there.

  Not just missing her presence or his misplaced attraction to what he couldn’t have, but he was worried about her. Especially after that last report. She was clever, powerful, and had sharper instincts than most grizzled sergeants he’d met, but all that potential was beleaguered by inexperience.

  But that was life and only something overcome by experience and time, and with her potential there was risk associated with that. She was too powerful and strong of will to waste her potential, and holding her back to merely keep her safe would destroy her.

  What his mind kept coming back to though, was he needed to figure out a way to get over his attraction and desire for her, without pushing her away as she’d be around for years before he released her from service. Though he would do so early, if she expressed a desire to move on.

  He always felt like an ass after contacting her for her reports, and in being so formal and standoffish in an attempt to gain that distance. They’d never been stiffly formal in private, and a mind to mind communication was about as private as you could get without risk of being overheard.

  That approach obviously wasn’t working. On the contrary it seemed to be making things worse by adding resentment and annoyance to the equation, as well as increasing his desire because he missed her presence. He never said he was perfect.

  It wasn’t all angst either, she was one of the few people he trusted implicitly. They’d saved each other’s lives far too often and had grown a deep friendship, and he wasn’t dealing with her absence well. He had about three days to figure out that better way, though he’d try to be more open tomorrow when he contacted her for her report.

  All that said, despite the worry, missing her, and the angst, he was still sure he’d made the right decision by modifying her duties. For all of them. Jaelle deserved better than a new husband who was distracted by another constantly at his side, and he deserved a chance to find happiness and perhaps even love with his bride. Something that would take time, but that wasn’t all that rare in even in arranged state marriages. Luna deserved better as well, and he had hopes she’d find it with more free time and not always being stuck at his side all hours of the day.

  So he kept telling himself.

  He turned from the window and checked his robes were straight, then headed for the door. It was time to get married, and he didn’t want to be late as that would send the wrong message. He took deep breath, tried to push it all out of his mind and enjoy the day and his soon to be young, cute, and alluring bride.

  King Hadrius scowled deeply at Colonel Larius as the man finished his report. Apparently the incompetent fool underestimated the enemy and allowed himself to be deceived by misinformation, and the trap not only failed but he’d lost three fifths of his raiding platoons in the last three days. There were only two left to harry the enemy over wintertime and lessen their defenses for the springtime invasion.

  Larius continued, and he struggled to listen through his burgeoning rage, “I now believe it’s the disgraced Princess Luna who is quite high in magical potential, outstripping average mage potential even in her mid-growth by at least twice.”

  Hadrius frowned, his rage momentarily derailed by that surprising statement, “What led you to that conclusion?”

  Larius replied, “It’s only circumstantial. But the mole would be aware of any assets that Queen Jacinta assigned to the task, which only leaves her ally acting on her behalf under the radar. Our spies in Thaenid have noted that Princess Luna hasn’t been seen in his company since our troubles began, and it has long been long known she’s an uncommonly powerful ink sorceress and still in her magical growth. Before then she was his bodyguard, and he didn’t go anywhere without her.”

  Hadrius snorted at the idea of letting any woman guard him, no matter her potential.

  “You’re sure?”

  Larius said, “I believe so. Her shield failed under the second mage’s attack of fire, and she was badly hurt and unable to fight after that. If not for two experienced sword masters, scout bowmen, and two elementals she’d have fallen this day.”

  “So my soldiers lost at eight to one odds in their favor?”

  Larius looked uncomfortable, then nodded, “Yes, sire. I believe Sebastian sent four of his best to support the young and inexperienced princess. The scouts took out our archers and officers first, which didn’t aid things as the common foot soldiers know very little of tactics. They attacked in a disorganized rush. The mages having exhausted themselves in trying to take her down in a single spell, were left relatively defenseless and easy prey for the elementals allowing them to assist in her defense as well.”

  There was no excuse for failure, the man deserved death. He knew he was mercurial in nature, but he had trouble holding back his rage despite that self-knowledge. Yet, the failure was understandable, if not excusable.

  Perhaps there was a way for him to redeem himself or die trying. It’d be a waste to hang the man for his idiocy.

  “If you’re so sure, you will go take care of it. Wizard Adamus will teleport you to the campsite you have the last two platoons hiding in, and with your aid added to the two mages there that should be enough to overcome the ink sorceress. Shouldn’t it?”

  He noticed a bead of sweat appear on Larius’s forehead, though the man did well otherwise in hiding his fear. Hadrius took satisfaction in that. If the man had underestimated the threat again, then it would be his life in payment, or he would be forced to let the man live and return to his post should he succeed. Either way, his rage would be assuaged.

  Larius replied, “Yes, your majesty. I’ll prepare immediately.”

  Hadrius waved in dismissal, and the man turned stiffly and marched from the room.

  He chuckled.

  Adamus looked pained.

  He sighed, “What is it, Adamus?”

  Adamus said cautiously, “Your Majesty, have you considered that he’s the only person besides us that knows the identity of the mole? As well as several other state secrets given his high rank and position in intelligence?”

  Hadrius frowned, then shook his head. It was a good punishment, and possible penance. He also didn’t want to appear indecisive by taking his decision back.

  “Block his memories of the mole before you send him. If he fails, I have no doubt that they will kill him, and if they do question him first, they will learn nothing. If he succeeds you can remove the block when he returns.”

  Adamus bowed, “Yes, your majesty.”

  It was a neat solution. He didn’t think the enemy would even consider the possibility Larius might have important information if it wasn’t revealed under truth spell questioning right away. They’d have to divine the existence of the block, which wasn’t intuitive at all.

  Still, he hoped he hadn’t just made a mistake himself, in his unchecked anger and pride. He decided to make arrangements to have the mole extracted early, just in case. The man was too important to his other plans, a rare opportunity that was once in a lifetime.

  Queen Jacinta sat on a divan in her private rooms. Court Mage Alisa was with her as were several servants, as they shared conversation and a light late meal.

  Jacinta said, “It’s hard to believe he’s been so successful, three of the five raiding groups plaguing our villages have been dealt with already. Allying with Thaenid seemed to have been the right move, though I worried over it at first.”

  Alisa smiled, “It’s because he put a woman in charge.”

  Jacinta laughed, recognizing the playful joke for what it was.

  “You think it’s Princess Luna?”

  Alisa nodded, “Yes, though he didn’t say, she hasn’t been seen in his presence in days. He just said that his hunting team had taken out two more of the platoons and support mages that morning, and he gave me the location of the battle.”

  She smiled, “Good. Assign some people to hunt down that location, and to find the camp. It would be good if we can return the supplies to the raided villages, otherwise they will suffer this winter which is already upon us. Any word on the mole?”

  Alisa frowned, “No. Not yet. So far all of our officers have passed the questioning and have been proven loyal. All the soldiers in the units assigned to that task have also checked out.”

  Jacinta said, “What aren’t you saying?”

  Alisa shook her head, “I think it’s time to look higher than that, your majesty. The mole isn’t among the lesser nobility or our military officers.”

  Jacinta sighed, “Easier said than done,” even as she privately agreed with her advisor in her thoughts. The mole had to be high placed, not just in position but in noble rank. If he or she wasn’t, they’d have been found by now. She hated betrayal, and she couldn’t imagine anyone working for Hadrius willingly. The king was a snake.

  But it was impossible.

  Questioning a soldier, officer, or knight under truth spell out of vague suspicion wouldn’t cause too many problems, outside of a small hit to morale in the military ranks that is. But to question a baron, earl, or duke without ancillary proof of any kind would cause a political shitstorm that might lead to sedition and outright rebellion.

  She wasn’t willing to risk that, yet. In truth, she was hoping Sebastian’s team would smoke them out, or at least give minimal evidence to allow her to question a few higher nobles without offending the rest.

  “How goes our own preparations for war?”

  Alisa said, “Our numbers should be sufficient to defend against Hadrius’s Spring offensive. Our spies believe they’ve located all his training camps, and we have similar number in training.”

  She nodded. She didn’t want war, but she wouldn’t just give up Xevell to the enemy. They also couldn’t win a war defensively, but she would stay the course and hope for sanity until Hadrius committed himself. Then she would move on him too. Their insane and unstable line had ruled far too long.