The Blades

Chapter Twenty-One

July 17th

The months following Akinli's death were my most productive yet. We were coming close to breaking the stalemate in our favor and we just needed a singular event to knock it over the line.

So, there was me and Airys, poring over maps and plans one weekend in a camp on the outskirts of Ambor, now controlled by the elven army. It was almost two in the morning and I could see Airys getting visibly frustrated until finally, fed up, he swept all of the maps off the table, onto the floor and slammed his fist into the hardwood.

"Whoa, take it easy there, champ." I raised an eyebrow and gave a soft laugh. It was funny to see a grown man have a temper tantrum, even one so level-headed as Airys.

"Atla, we are stuck here and we will lose this war because their numbers don't ever fall. This has to stop and I don't know how to do it!" His voice seemed to echo around the tent and I was sure he was going to wake up our neighbors. He glared at me in frustration, breathing heavily.

"Okay."

"Just okay?" He looked at me, slightly annoyed, with narrowed eyes.

"You're right. We will inevitably lose if we keep up this fight. We have an army to feed, they don't have to worry about that because Nyx don't eat. We need to attack where it will hurt," I said, my voice calm as it always was these days. Ever since Akinli...

"Which is where, Atla?" he asked, his voice oozing with irritation.

"Dolonde."

"We wouldn't survive a direct attack on the city. We don't have the manpower and they," he pointed north, towards Dolonde, "have dragons." He breathed a heavy sigh.

I was silent for a few moments while I tried to think. Then it came to me. A plan so simple, I wanted to slap myself in the head, "But what if," I began, bending to pick up the maps from the floor and set them on the table, "we do what assassins do best?"

"Sarcastic comebacks?"

I rolled my eyes, "We are good at that, yes but I mean assassinating!" He frowned at me, "Think about it! We sneak into the city, kill a few people and then sneak back out. Easy and it'll stop this war." I smiled at him. My face felt stiff, as smiling hadn't come easily to me in a long time.

Airys shook his head at me and chuckled at the simple brilliance, "You are amazing, you know that?" He gave me his crooked and amused smirk.

I grinned, "I did."

We sent for Sygnet, Rosheni, Thälor, Bayah, Flax, Kodi, and Tercet to inform them of the brilliant idea. They filed into the tent, all yawns and sleepy faces. Apparently, it was nearing three in the morning according to Bayah's watch.

We filled them in on our idea and all of a sudden, they were wide awake.

I began, "According to our spies, Alekai is the mastermind behind the enemy. He commands the army and brainwashes the King. If we can take him out, perhaps we can save Jayr and remove him from the throne. Having him in charge of Eravith will not go over too well for anyone. The generals on their side will, of course—" I continued and we began to plan.

September 12th

It took almost two months to plan and sort out the finer details. According to Sygnet's spy, Alekai was always holed up in the palace. Kodi and Sygnet reported that the tunnel leading out of the city in the Sanctuary had been caved in. Sneaking to the sewer entrance Airys had drugged me in by the docks was out of the question as the patrols along the wall would easily see us sneaking in.

"So, what do we do? Walk through the front door?" Flax asked.

Airys and I looked at each other, shrugged, and nodded, "Yeah, why not?" we said together.

Flax was frozen for a second and then shook himself slightly, "Ah, okay, then." He seemed apprehensive.

"I think we are ready for this. Kodiak, how goes the shifting?" Airys asked him. He was able to change shape now but it was still iffy.

The young Zei nodded, "I can do it, sir." He gave a small smile and then looked sideways at Thälor standing on his left who gave him a sweet look. She was getting better at mimicking human expressions now.

I leaned forward on the table and gave my family a smile, "All right, you guys know the plan. Get some rest. We leave at first light," I said and stood up straight. With, hopefully, no need for further training, we let our soldiers rest as the coming days would determine Eravith's course for all of history. No pressure.