Lost and Found: A Tale of the Tylwyth Teg

Chapter 28 - Battle Plans

Midnight

Packs of Cwn Annwyn, dire wolves and mastiff-sized Y Gwyllgi roamed the streets of Cambria, the Preserves, and the hiking trails north of us. Creatures never seen on American soil harried the edges of the Chumash settlements near the Pacific. Chupacabras and Cucui wandered through the middle school and high school football fields, or so Annika reported. People chatted with each other on their cell phones or via social media, making certain families were home. Some had set up small cameras in their windows.

But rather than cowering all together in a room, they watched carefully from dark, curtained windows and took notes: numbers of creatures, descriptions, which direction they came from, which held back, and which were bold enough to venture close to their warded homes? Did they move purposefully? Or did they move without instruction of destination? Did they sniff the air, or raise their ears? What abilities did they have, especially any that flew?

We knew that Gwen had brought in creature-heavy reinforcements from across the world, using the nearby ley line portals. And it appeared that she recruited most of her followers in Conwy to join her here in Cambria. This is exactly the move that I'd expected her to make.

All this bought us valuable time and priceless information for fine-tuning my planning. Much would depend upon subterfuge, speed, deception and subterfuge. Similar, of course, to a game of chess. Or Gwyddbwyll.

The elder Dr. Tambini poked several holes in my logic, the least of which was in backup planning. You know – if (a) doesn't work, and (b) is impossible, what's plan (c) – just showing that we should never underestimate the cunning, imaginative, and outright underhanded schemes our elders are capable of! (As I've said, he thinks more than three steps ahead of every possibility!)

Coven Draconis worked tirelessly on casting illusions. I didn't need to tell them how much our success was depending upon our casting strength and our teamwork in maintaining our own and each other's spells. Abe, although he wanted very badly to be on the front lines, was finally convinced to stay behind and care for us – cool compresses, tea, providing a cushion or handing out spoonfuls of honey. He beamed when I told him that he might have to fight off a specter or a gargoyle, should the house wards be broken.

2:00 a.m.

Gwyn and Alwyn entered from the backyard door, and I heard Maddox close the Middle Door of the staircase, the one that led to Conwy. Anne handed then all steaming mugs of chamomile tea. Alwyn wrapped his hands around his and surprised her with a quick kiss on her cheek.

"I've dined at the tables of elvish royalty for millennia, but never have I encountered a hostess as thoughtful and gracious as you."

Emily ran into the room and hugged him tightly. "It's a right good thing that she doesn't fancy men, my love, or I fear you'd be watching a cat fight right now!"

Anne laughed. "You'd have a distinct advantage over me!"

"The streets of Conwy are indeed most empty," said Maddox. "There were guards, yes, but the usual number. Auberon and Mab are more heavily guarded. But a balanced team of Teg warriors and magical bein's should be more than enough to do what needs ta' be done."

I noticed him brush some tears away. "Are you alright, Maddox?"

"Oh, aye. It was painful to see the land is dead and dyin'. And all because of this mad half-breed child. It's no wonder that we're told never ta fall in love with a human. That way madness lies, and tragedy follows. Not always, mind you, but often enough ta make the ol' sayin' true."

Prince Gwyn downed his tea in two gulps. "Before it's dawn, good Lady Lillian, will you finally tell me what this plan of yours is? Everyone else is asleep."

I sat him and Alwyn down. Annie sat across from me, and together we told him. "The fewer who know the details, the less likely Gwyneth or her forces will pry valuable information out of them should they be captured, and Goddess forbid, tortured." When we were finished, he was grinning from ear to slightly pointed ear.

"You know, this just might work!" Gwyn said with admiration.

"It has to, your Majesty," said Alwyn. "It's either victory or death to this World, I'm afraid."