Chapter 35

It took minutes, minutes for us to winnow to our house and change. Only minutes to loop in Amren, Nesta, and Elain who were surprised at our early return. Minutes for Amren to change and for all of us to come up with a new plan. Minutes before we winnowed to a clearing in the forest, starring up at three large mountains, three stars, high in the sky on top of the middle peak. Stars that no matter where you were in the territory, flanked that middle mountain. The night court insignia; the same one that was tattooed on Rhys knees and my palms. I had come to see it once since my time here but seeing it again took my breath away, it was stunning. A cool chill found its way through my fur lined leathers, but I didn't shiver, instead I embraced it and my winter powers hummed in response. I turned to the others and we all gave a sharp nod, then split up.

The plan was simple, surround their camp and on the signal, attack. Rhys and I held connections to all their minds, like a hand on the doorknob. If they needed help or needed to talk to us, all they had to do was open the door and we'd listen, then exchange the information to everyone else. Az's shadows had confirmed the exact location of the rebels as we were winnowing to the house, allowing us to plan in those precious minutes. Mor had suggested that we wait, learn the layout of their camp, the guards and how many people there were but Cass and Az were right. If we give them even a day, they could be lost to us for caldron knows how long again, giving them time to regroup and come up with a new plan of attack. With their sole weapon deep inside me, we were all confident now that this would be a simple mission. Grab a few for interrogation and kill the rest; after their attacks on us, they didn't deserve the mercy of rotting in a prison. However, some would say that killing them was more of a mercy than the night court prison, but I just want this to be over. So the faster we can get rid of this problem, the faster we can go back to our normal lives.

My life with Gawain who's first year has been interrupted with this madness. My heart still aches every time I have to leave him. It was only moments ago when I kissed the top of his head where he bounced on Elain's lap, giggling as he played with one of his toys. I would be damned if that was my last moment with him. I would see him grow up I promised to myself, to Rhys after what happened at the battle. We promised to do everything in our power to watch our babies grow up, until they married, to see our grandchildren. We promised that we would grow so old that handing over Gawain the crown wouldn't be because of our death, but as a moment of joy and happiness between the family. The twin tattoos that now laid at mine and Rhys' ankles was confirmation of that promise; two crowns, both topped with three stars at the tallest point. A combination of our throne and territory. The promise made after our conversation in the cabin.

With one final glance at Rhys, the promise also flashing in his eyes, I slipped behind a tree and made my way towards the southern edge of the camp. Rhys and I were in charge of taking the north and south sides; more of a political move than anything. Cassian and Mor would flank the west side, splitting it up into two parts since the camp was longer than it was wider. The same was on the east side with Az and Amren. Since my journey was the shortest, I was to wait and watch, reporting any movement or anything strange.

I flicked out my Illyrian knives and held one in each hand, the hilt now a familiar comfort in my palms. I carefully stepped through the forest, careful to avoid sticks and dead leaves. Enough light was filtered through the trees from the moon for me to see the ground in front of me and step over any roots I would have tripped on otherwise. It was only a couple minutes before I could smell the dinner roasting in the camp, carried on a breeze. It wasn't long after that before I heard muffled voices, and the campfire light through some bushes. I glanced for a tree to climb but in the corner of my eye I saw movement. A moment later it revealed itself to be a guard walking in this direction. I quickly hid behind a large tree and slowed my breathing, my heartbeat until I was still as a tree. I trick Azriel taught me after the Hybern war, how to stay utterly still and unnoticed by other fae. No wonder I barely noticed him sometimes. The guard was alone and in my crevice, I brought both knives up to my chest, ready to pounce. Magic, Rhys told us as we were about to winnow to the forest clearing, would be used as an absolutely last resort. We didn't know what kind of wards or magic they had which could detect magic and blow our cover. So until our attack, it was hand to hand combat.

The seconds ticked by and my heart wanted to leap out of my chest, but I kept it in control, along with my dark creatures who were humming at the camps familiar presence. Whether it was for good intensions or bad I couldn't tell, not when my focus was on the guards ever moving slow steps towards my position. Every step brought him closer and closer until he was mere feet from me, passing behind my tree on the left side. Just when he passed the tree and I was behind him, I slipped out of the tree to the left and stabbed the knife into his side all while covering his mouth with my hand, to prevent his screaming. I twisted the knife in as he struggled and held him as he trashed against me. He was part of the group that attacked me and my baby I reminded myself, attacked my city, and like that the guilt floated away. It wasn't long before his body laid limp and I dragged him to the spot behind the tree where I was, hiding him between to large roots that stuck up from the ground. I kicked some leaves to cover him and prayed that it was enough to hold our cover until the signal. I found a tall tree then where it overlooked the tall branches surrounding the camp but still covered enough with the leaves that they wouldn't see me. I hauled myself up, branch by branch until I reached the tallest one and I crouched on it, overlooking to camp. It was huge, much larger than I anticipated, that we anticipated. Campfires and tents were set up so far that even my eyes struggled to see the end. My heart sunk as I realized that we might be biting off more than we could chew.

Ran into a guard but took him down quick and silently. How are you doing at your end?

No trouble so far, just reaching the north end now, the others are getting into position.

The camp is large Rhys, much larger than we expected.

A pause, then

Shit, how did we not know a rebel group this large was forming in our territory.

I don't know but lets just get this over with, I'm so tired of all this fighting.

I know darling, we end this tonight. Then you, me and Gawain are going on a much-needed vacation.

I smiled at that, even now he could make my heart warm.

I like the sound of that...... how many are you counting on your end? I say there's about 50 at this campfire.

Same here, the others are reporting around the same numbers... A solid group of 300 then.

I bit my lip.

Do you think we can do it? It's just the six of us, we can come back tomorrow, re plan, come with some Illyrian's.

I could feel Rhys shaking his head his head

It'll be too late by then. Watch closely, they are already starting to pack up, by this rate they'll be out of here by early morning. If we are going to do this, we do this now.

Indeed, what I had not seen before is coming into focus now. Men were rolling up blankets and packing up kitchen supplies. No women that I could see, and for once I thanked the caldron for male idiocy. That made things a lot easier.

Ok, on your word.

I reached deep inside of me and readied my powers; the creatures were a last resort. We didn't know how hard it would be to control them in this setting and it was too important to risk it. No response from Rhys though. I slackened my grip on my knives as I called for him again.

Rhys?

I was too busy on contacting Rhys, about to contact the others that I didn't notice the arrow flying at me from somewhere in the woods. It pierced my shoulder and I let out a cry as I stumbled on my perch. Regaining my grip and breaking the arrow in half, ripping it out of my body, I didn't have enough time to gather myself before blue dust was blown onto my face and into my eyes; faebane. I wobbled back and fell of the branch, falling until my back hit the ground and I grunted in pain, rolling to my side. But five guards came into my view as they glanced over me and they all grabbed at a part of my body. I thrashed, trying to reach the knives in my boot, trying to get rid of at least one of their hands on me so I could defend myself. But it was no use, their grips were strong, and I didn't even bother trying to call out to the others. They were probably in the same predicament as I was. Caldron help whatever men were in charge of Cassian and Amren. That woman may be small, but she does not go down without a fight. I kept thrashing though, hoping that they would drop me but instead one of them grabbed a rock and hit me on the side of my head, sending me into darkness.

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I hope all of you guys are staying safe or quickly recovering from this virus. Stay positive and we will make it through this soon enough. I hope that my updates bring you joy and a quick distraction from reality.

Love you all,

-S