After their decisive victory over Orinovo, Lys-Akkaria's army crosses the border to take back territory that used to be theirs. With the combined forces of a lightweaver and shadowforger, Orinovo doesn't stand a chance.
In spite of their newfound a...
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Petre was hiding something, Ainreth knew that much from how they had been acting since coming back to the warehouse. But he had no idea what.
When he'd asked them, they'd ignored him, and instead called for a meeting, actively stopping any further chances of investigating what was up. But Ainreth supposed it was none of his business. If Petre wanted help, they could ask for it, and that was about as much as there was to it.
He, Petre, Anyri, Arem, and a few others were gathered around the large table they used for meetings and planning. Ainreth almost yearned for those days of gluing anti-war protest posters around the city.
Those days had been so much simpler, and they had happened just a while back. It was hard to believe things were going so swiftly from bad to worse, with no signs of stopping.
"The Courtiers just announced that around half of the Lys-Akkarian army is to return home," Petre said, scowling as they did. As did Ainreth. He'd also heard about this, but he hadn't gone to the square to hear Varilik or one of his lackies say it directly.
"No doubt to try to force people to stop protesting. This has nothing to do with stopping the war," Anyri grumbled, everyone nodding along.
That much was obvious. If this was meant as a way to stop the war, perhaps simply keep the territory they'd already taken and stop there, surely the new announcement would have included that to appease them. But Ain hadn't heard about anything like that being mentioned.
"We can't fight the army with civilians," said Tyr-Haran, sighing. "They are too well trained to defeat by ourselves. It would be a bloodbath."
Ainreth wanted to snort. Some of their fellow soldiers truly left much to be desired. He himself wasn't a good soldier either—all he had going for him were his powers, and that was enough.
"Not if we get the numbers that we need," Petre said, making Ainreth frown at them.
"Am I sensing a plan, little guy?"
Petre smiled at him grimly. "I was simply thinking about that assassination attempt. The timing, the circumstances...."
Ainreth's eyes widened. Sure, he had thought that the attack had been convenient, but he'd not thought that Varilik would go so far as to fake something like this outright. But then, why wouldn't he? The misborn was capable of anything.
"You think it was faked?" Anyri asked, her eyes wide.
Petre shrugged. "I asked around a bit and learned that the would-be assassin is still in jail, awaiting execution. I think it might be worth it to ask him a few questions."
Ainreth nodded, immediately on board, if only because this was an actual plan, and he had very few ideas as to what to do.
"I cannot believe the Herald would fake an assassination just to further his goals," said Arem dubiously. "Would he truly risk the trust all of Lys-Akkaria had in him for what? Continuing the war? It doesn't seem worth it."
