by Frank Morin
"Is that even possible?" Saskia asked with a grimace.
"It is, but they don't like it. The most efficient method I've found is to really annoy them, then catch the spray in a pail when they try dousing me."
"Why?" Connor knew Hamish better than anyone, but milking a skunk surprised even him.
"Gisela's mega-stench inspired me."
"What do you plan to do with milked skunk stench?" Verena asked, although she looked like she wasn't sure she wanted to know.
Hamish shook his head. "That's a secret. You'll see once we get it to work."
"Good luck. I think," Saskia said hesitantly.
"Thanks." Hamish rubbed a hand through his hair and across his face, then waved. "I'm going to find Jean. See you all at breakfast."
Connor didn't plan to eat much. His stomach was already knotted as he thought about the looming battle and his meeting with Shona. "I'm going to have to leave soon too."
"I still don't like it," Verena said for the tenth time.
"I can't cancel the meeting without risking the prisoner exchange," Connor told her again.
"I know, but she still wants you." Verena gripped his hands in her warm ones. "I worry for you, Connor."
"I can handle Shona."
"The fact that you honestly think that's true makes me worry even more."
Saskia leaned forward. "You still haven't explained the history with Lady Shona and why she generates such emotion."
Connor shrugged. "I was Lady Shona's Guardian for a while."
Verena grunted. "If only that was everything. She was the one who discovered Connor is Blood of the Tallan. Ever since then she's been trying to manipulate him into marrying her so she can control his curse."
"Really?" Saskia looked thrilled by the news.
"That's all that matters," Connor said. She was cracked if she thought he'd give her details about his life that Mattias could possibly use as a wedge between him and Verena. As long as Connor didn't do anything stupid to give Shona any new leverage over him, he felt safe meeting her.
Verena handed him a leather and steel helmet, then pulled from her satchel something that looked like an arm bracer, with a quartzite stone set into the top, surrounded by four others. "Give me your arm, Connor."
"What is that?" Connor asked as she began fastening it to his left forearm.
"We call this the mini-hub." She pointed to the central stone, which was about as big as the end of his thumb. "This is a keystone, similar in design to the one we developed for Jean."
She pointed to the other four smaller stones. "These are paired to Hamish, Kilian, myself, and the ear hub. Just turn the keystone so the symbol lines up with whichever stone you want to activate and we'll be able to communicate."
"That's amazing," Connor grinned and tested turning the keystone. It was set in a clever base that clicked securely into position facing each of the stones.
Verena cautioned, "These stones are small. The range should be enough for communicating on the battlefield, but not much farther."
Saskia gave Verena an enthusiastic hug. "You're brilliant. All of the commanders will want one of these."
"Connecting through the ear hub will work for most of them, but we're likely to need direct communication. The advantage could be critical."
Saskia grinned. "You didn't sleep as much in class as I thought."
Connor bowed over Saskia's hand and thanked her again, then took Verena's hand and led her to the door. They stepped into the empty hall and there he wrapped his arms around her waist. They held each other for a long moment. He buried his face in her neck and breathed deep the warm scent of her, while trying to memorize the feel of her armored torso in his arms.
After a long moment, she gave him a tender kiss, then touched his cheek with one warm hand. "Be careful today."
"You're the one who's planning to assault the command center."
"I still feel you'll be in greater danger."
He gave her a reassuring smile, stole a final quick kiss, then left. They had a major battle to win. Compared with that, dealing with Shona should be easy.
Chapter Fifty-Seven
"The slow drip of water from hanging stone will eventually fill even the deepest bucket."
~Evander
Connor slid southeast across Altkalen Valley on a Sentry tower, with water and fire rippling around its exterior. The multi-elemental display Kilian had used at Harz was too good not to borrow. Imitation was the best form of honoring a teacher, wasn't it?
Besides, he wanted to remind the students who he was. Managing three elements simultaneously consumed most of his attention, but he was the only one moving across the broken, rocky land between the massed armies anyway. He only wished he knew how to make those invisible trumpets and drums like Padraigin did. That would've been the perfect finishing touch.
Still, in his custom armor, he looked more like a general than he ever had. That thought gave him an idea, and he tapped granite. His armor barely creaked as the plates shifted and expanded with his muscles.
As the steel plates slid aside, brightly-colored designs became visible. On the right, it looked like flames rippling up his torso. The beautiful design included the ancient symbol of fire, worked in colors from crimson to white to blue. On the left, the symbol of water was worked into a flowing blue pattern that hinted at the ever-moving power of the seas.
Looking good wasn't everything, but it helped when meeting his army. They were noble-born, so they gave appearance a lot of weight. Then again, compared to the mighty Obrioner host massed across the valley, he'd have to be wearing a castle to feel anything but insubstantial.
Sliding his tower of earth across the stony ground was challenging. He'd borrowed a substantial amount of earth from one of the caches piled up behind the Grandurian army. It trailed behind him like a long umbilical to the road. He used it to cover the uneven ground for his tower to pass over.
The chill morning air smelled strongly of sulfur. Saskia had mentioned that the city imported most of its drinking water since the local ground water was so volcanic and always nearly boiling.
As he moved across the barren, shadowed landscape alone, he wondered how many people would die today? Would he be one of them? Would Verena, or Hamish, or their other friends?
Was it fair that he hoped only people he didn't know would fall? The grief of their loved ones would be no less intense because Connor didn't know them.
With an effort, he drove the dark thoughts aside and blew a breath into a cloud of mist. Their plan offered the best chance to save as many lives as possible.
The prisoner exchange would take place exactly halfway between the two armies, on a spot in the road that had been widened to accommodate the groups. They'd meet at the first light of day when the sun broke free of the eastern hills. That would happen in minutes.
Connor was tempted to scan the skies for Verena. She had promised not to interfere, but no doubt she was already watching. He double-checked the mini-hub mechanical on his arm to make sure it was set to the neutral position. He didn't want anyone, especially Verena, eavesdropping.
Hearing Shona's voice might drive her to do something rash. Since he'd probably be standing close to Shona, most likely he'd get hurt too, and starting the day by getting blown back to Harz probably wasn't a good idea.
He stopped his tower roughly parallel to where the prisoner exchange would take place, but almost half a mile to the east. Movement across the valley drew his gaze. Focusing his enhanced vision, Connor spotted Shona and Ivor leading a company of about a hundred and fifty soldiers out from the Obrioner lines and up the road.
He recognized every face. So far, so good. He bet Ivor had helped convince Carbrey that sending the students posed no risk.
When the company left the road, their two Sentries copied Connor, dragging earth from the Obrioner camp to form a smooth pathway to march across. Connor's captains marched near the front. Lorcc, Fearghas, and Princess Catriona looked eager to reach hi
m. Papil, his Pathfinder captain, carried herself with a new air of confidence. She met his gaze and saluted. Her huge blue eyes glowed in the early morning light.
Connor returned the salute and said, "It's good to see you, Papil."
"You too, General!"
"Say hello to the others for me."
When she spread the word, Catriona waved so hard she nearly hit Shona. Shona glared, but then again focused on Connor. She winked, confident in the assumption that he was staring at her. She walked beside Ivor, poised and beautiful as ever in her battle leathers.
Connor decided those two would make a great couple. Ivor was conniving and intelligent enough that he might hold his own against her.
It would be a relationship forged in a cage match.
Watching his army coming to meet him was like coming home, and Connor savored the positive memories he'd built with them. His time at the Carraig had often been difficult and dangerous, but he'd enjoyed leading them in the mock battles.
When the group stopped about twenty paces away, Connor settled his tower to the ground and used the earth to create a flat meeting area. Then he threw the flames into the air in multicolored flashes. The waters he kept close, just in case things did not go as planned.
"You've gotten better at managing multiple affinities," Ivor said as he stepped out to greet Connor. His tone was casual, as if they were again meeting in his Dawnus suite.
"I'm not sure I'm using the Channeling-Grime technique or not, but I think there are a few things I could teach you now."
"Nice armor." Ivor's battle leathers were enhanced with armored pauldrons, trimmed in the gold and royal blue of House Islay, his new home.
"Thanks. One must look the part."
Ivor turned and raised his voice. "What do you think, troops? Are you happy to see General Connor?"
Most of the students cheered, and Catriona rushed up and gave Connor a fierce hug. While he was trying to detach himself, she whispered into his ear.
"I know you're on a secret mission, General, but we all still believe in you. I know it's only a matter of time before you keep your promise."
"Promise?"
"Second breeding rights of course." She actually blushed and tried looking up at him through her eyelashes. Jean and Shona both knew how to make the move look alluring. Catriona only managed to look like a stalker.
Shona elbowed Catriona aside, but then glanced up at the early morning sky. "I'm not going to get blown up for coming to say hello, am I?"
Connor shook his head, hoping he was right. He would probably feel bad if Verena struck Shona down with thousands of exploding hornets, but what was life without a little risk?
He took her hand, and she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. As always, she smelled faintly of roses, and the scent triggered a multitude of memories. Some were even pleasant.
"It's good to see you all," Connor said loudly, stepping away from Shona. She was at least as deadly in her way as Anika. Or Verena when she got really mad.
At his words, many of the students surged forward to grip his hands, led by his captains. He spent a moment catching up with them, and couldn't stop grinning.
"We don't have much time." Ivor gestured back toward the Obrioner lines.
Captain Rory, Gregor, and twenty Fast Rollers were leading a large group of Grandurian prisoners north along the road. Connor hadn't realized so many had been captured. There had to be nearly two hundred soldiers, mostly Rumblers and Wingrunners. The Fast Rollers were carrying large sacks. Probably contained that captured powder.
A similar company was already leaving the Grandurian lines. There were more than twice as many Obrioner prisoners, and nearly half of them were Striders, captured in that initial surprise attack at Harz. He spotted Ilse and Anton with Erich and Anika, who led the Grandurian soldiers escorting the prisoners.
He was surprised to also see Hamish soaring above the group. That hadn't been part of the plan. Had Hamish snorted one skunk too many?
There was nothing he could do about it, so he tried to look relaxed. "We have enough time."
He allowed himself another minute to mingle with the troops, chatting with them and listening to their worries. Many of them had been involved in the fighting at Harz, and he could tell. Some looked hardened, steeped in anger or hatred of the Grandurians. Others still looked shaken, and glanced at the Grandurian army nervously.
Many of them asked him what he was doing in Granadure and why he was helping their enemies? He managed to delay answering for a bit, but finally Fearghas demanded, "General, it doesn't make sense. We need you. With your help, we can route them and take Altkalen. All of southern Granadure would fall."
Many students added their voices in agreement, so Connor raised his hands for quiet.
"As Princess Catriona was clever enough to figure out, I'm here in Granadure on special assignment." Catriona blushed and took a step toward him, arms already extending.
Ivor intercepted her and pumped her hands. "Well done, Princess."
Shona shifted to block Catriona's progress too. Connor appreciated Ivor's quick intervention. Otherwise, Shona might have felt obliged to physically restrain Catriona, and they didn't need a fight yet.
"This war is not as straight-forward as you might assume," Connor said to the group. "I've been tracking down some important truths that could change the war completely."
"What truth?" Fearghas asked.
Shona said, "Connor's mission is not yet complete, so he can't share the details. His work is top secret. In fact, I need to debrief him regarding that mission now."
She moved away from the group and motioned him to follow. He was tempted to argue, but the students, who were used to house secrets and information safeguarding, looked like they believed her. He needed to speak with her anyway, so he decided to get that over with first. He'd shout her down later if he had to.
Shona led him about fifty feet from the others, and Papil raised a shielding wind around them.
"What is it, Shona?" he asked, speaking with a tone of impatience to remind her that he no longer served her.
"So testy this morning," she said in a teasing tone. "Is that new armor pinching somewhere?"
"I have a lot to do."
She sighed. "Oh, Connor. I bet you hate me now."
"You sound surprised."
She stepped closer and took his hands. He tensed. "You probably think I sent you away from Harz to give my father advantage."
"You did."
"No," she protested, her expression anguished, her lovely eyes wide and vulnerable. That look used to melt his heart, but he steeled himself against it. "I didn't know he planned to raise that fire-bound elemental. I took a huge risk to warn you."
Her performance really was masterful, but then so was everything she did.
"I swear on my honor," Shona said, standing straighter, chin high, giving him that imperious look that used to cow him.
"But we're talking about whether or not that honor is stained," Connor pointed out. "So swearing by it doesn't help."
"Listen to me," she said, her tone frustrated. "Camonica really did attack, didn't she?"
He nodded.
"And you saved Jean?"
He nodded again.
She actually looked relieved. "If I hadn't warned you, Camonica would have succeeded."
"Maybe." Connor decided not to tell her about Jean's heroic efforts or the work they were doing with that keystone.
Shona chided, "Stop trying to be stern, Connor. It's not like you."
He gestured toward the armies. "I have a lot on my mind today."
"Listen, Connor. I'll prove that I have your best interests at heart. My father's not here, but he left his other sculpted stones behind for Carbrey to use if needed."
"You can't let him. Raising another elfonnel would probably destroy this entire valley and both armies."
"I know, and I think I've convinced Carbrey, at least for now. But Connor, he's obsessed with beating Wolfram.
If the battle goes poorly today, he might decide it's worth the risk to distribute some more of them."
"Carbrey's not that big a fool," Connor said, but he didn't believe himself. Carbrey's intense hatred for Wolfram had driven him to reject the peace accord Connor had negotiated at Alasdair.
Shona only raised one eyebrow, and he sighed. "We'll find a way to deal with those stones. Can you tell me where they are?"
She smiled. "Oh, Connor. A secret that big would require something equally valuable in return."
"Like what?" he asked, although he didn't want to know.
"Return to Carbrey's command tent with me. I'll force him to give them to you and submit to your command."
Only Shona could make such an audacious offer sound reasonable. "You don't have that authority."
"Actually, I do. When my father left, he commissioned me high marshal. Carbrey has day-to-day command, but I have authority to overrule him, and all of the senior leadership know it. If you come and promise to return to Merkland with me, I can give you victory today and safety for Granadure."
It was such a tempting offer, and for a moment he seriously considered it. Then the truth reasserted itself. "I believe you might even mean every word you're saying, but we both know that when your father returns, he'll overrule you."
"What if we don't let him?" she asked softly, leaning closer, her gaze intense.
"I'm going to have to kill him. Are you saying you'd help me arrange that?"
"Killing him while you stand with the Grandurians won't stop the war, but together we could replace him."
"You're serious?"
She nodded, her gaze as intense as that night at the Carraig when she'd confessed her ambition of unseating the king of Obrion and rising to rule with Connor. It appeared her dreams hadn't gotten any less grand or disturbing.
"Connor, we both know this war is foolish. There's no profit in it, but together we could stop it. I love my father, Connor, but I can see that he's lost his reason. If you return and marry me, together we can rule House Dougal and stop this war."
"You really think they'd follow us?" He tried to sound calm, but her words shocked him.
How could she speak so calmly about helping arrange a coup against her own father? He knew she was ambitious, but would she really do it, or was she orchestrating a complex, subtle game to capture and control him again?
