A Court Of Love And Family

Chapter 23

Cassian POV

Az winnows us to the center of Devlon's camp and Illyrians come rushing out of tents and buildings at the sudden shift in power.

"Oh. It's you." Devlon says, spotting us from across the clearing. "Get on with it then, what do you want?"

"We need you to get troops flying for the Spring/Autumn border. Beron's decided he wants a war." I snap.

"Why is that my problem? We've barely recovered from the last war. The way you decided to deal with those rebel bands didn't help our numbers any." he sneers.

"Cauldron, Devlon I don't have time for you to be stubborn and prideful. There is a plan in motion to prevent this from reaching full scale war but for now the other courts can't know that. So get the troops flying for the border before this problem escalates." I command, all too easily aggrivated by these people.

Devlon turns and begins giving orders, several warriors launch into the sky and begin flying for the other camps.

"Well that was easier than I thought it would be." I say, turning to my brother.

"Devlon's not an idiot." Azriel replies.

"Why don't you go update Feyre and Rhys? I'm going to fly down with the troops and make sure some of the female warriors come. Worse case scenario they can see what real warfare is like, best case they can work on their endurance."

"I'll see you on the field brother." Az says before winnowing.

I walk over to a group of females talking in front of a house and ask them to direct me to their best female warriors. Ignoring their confused looks I look in the direction their pointing and see a group of females sparring in the training rings. "Thank you." I say, before jogging over.

"Great work ladies." I say, approaching the ring. "While I hate to interrupt I have a favour to ask of you."

Most of them look at me, confusion and annoyance painted across their features but one steps forward, "What can we do for you General?" she asks.

"First off, call me Cassian. Second, I'd like to put together a troop of female warriors to join us and I've been told your the best. You won't be on the front lines just yet but you will get to experience what it's like to fight and fly in a unit with real stakes. Once the rest of the camps arrive I'd like you to select the best female warriors from each to form the unit. What do you say?"

"I thought you told Lord Devlon it wouldn't come to a fight." One girl says.

"Hopefully it won't, but I'd like to put this unit together now so you can start flying and fighting together. We can't avoid war forever and the next time a true war comes I'd like to have at least one all female unit on the field."

"Of course we'll help you Cassian." The girl who spoke first says.