Chapter no 50

Empire of Storms

โ€œEyllwe has no standing army,โ€ Aelin said, feeling the blood drain from her face. โ€œThere is nothing and no one to fight after this springโ€”save for rebel militia bands.โ€

Rowan said to Rolfe, โ€œDo you have exact numbers?โ€

โ€œNo,โ€ the captain said. โ€œThe news was given only as a warningโ€”to keep any shipments away from the Avery. I wanted their opinionsโ€โ€”a nod of the chin toward the cadreโ€”โ€œfor handling it. Though I suppose I should have invited you, too, since they seem intent on telling you my business.โ€

None of them deigned to respond. Aelin scanned that lineโ€”that line of

armies.

Rowan said, โ€œHow fast do they move?โ€

โ€œThe legions departed Morath nearly three weeks ago,โ€ Gavriel supplied. โ€œThey moved faster than any army Iโ€™ve ever seen.โ€

The timing of itโ€ฆ

No. Noโ€”no, it couldnโ€™t be because of Ilium, because sheโ€™d taunted himโ€ฆ

โ€œItโ€™s an extermination,โ€ Rolfe said baldly.

She closed her eyes, swallowing hard. Even the captain didnโ€™t dare speak.

Rowan slid a hand along her lower back, a silent comfort. He knewโ€” was piecing it together, too.

She opened her eyes, that line burning into her vision, her heart, and said, โ€œItโ€™s a message. For me.โ€ She unfurled her fist, gazing at the scar there.

โ€œWhy attack Eyllwe, though?โ€ Fenrys asked. โ€œAnd why move into position but not sack it?โ€

She couldnโ€™t say the words aloud. That sheโ€™d brought this upon Eyllwe by mocking Erawan, because he knew who Celaena Sardothien had cared for, and he wanted to break her spirit, her heart, by showing her what his armies could do. What theyย wouldย do, whenever he now felt like it. Not to Terrasen โ€ฆ but to the kingdom of the friend sheโ€™d loved so dearly.

The kingdom she had sworn to protect, to save.

Rowan said, โ€œWe have personal ties to Eyllwe. He knows it matters to her.โ€

Fenrysโ€™s eyes lingered on her, scanning. But Gavriel, voice steady, said, โ€œErawan now holds everything south of the Avery. Save for this archipelago. And even here, he has a foothold in the Dead End.โ€

Aelin stared at that map, at the space that now seemed so small to the north.

To the west, the vast expanse of the Wastes spread beyond the mountainous continental divide. And her gaze snagged on a small name along the western coast.

Briarcliff.

The name clanged through her, shuddering her awake, and she realized theyโ€™d been talking, debating how such an army might move so quickly over the terrain.

She rubbed her temple, staring at that speck on the map. Considering the life debt owed to her.

Her gaze dragged downโ€”south. To the Red Desert. Where another life debt, many life debts, waited for her to claim them.

Aelin realized they had asked her something, but she didnโ€™t care to figure it out as she said quietly to Rolfe, โ€œYouโ€™re going to give me your armada. Youโ€™re going to arm it with those firelances I know youโ€™ve ordered, and you will ship any extras to the Mycenian fleet when they arrive.โ€

Silence.

Rolfe barked a laugh and sat again. โ€œLike hell I am.โ€ He waved that tattooed hand over the map, the waters inked on it churning and changing in some pattern she wondered if only he could read. A pattern sheย neededย him to be able to read, to find that Lock. โ€œThis just shows how utterly outmatched you are.โ€ He chewed over her words. โ€œThe Mycenian fleet is little more than a myth. A bedside tale.โ€

Aelin looked to the hilt of Rolfeโ€™s sword, to the inn itself and his ship anchored just outside.

โ€œYou are the heir of the Mycenian people,โ€ Aelin said. โ€œAnd I have come to claim the debt you owe my bloodline on that account, too.โ€

Rolfe did not move, did not blink.

โ€œOr were all the sea dragon references from some personal fetish?โ€ Aelin asked.

โ€œThe Mycenians are gone,โ€ Rolfe said flatly.

โ€œI donโ€™t think so. I think they have been hiding here, in the Dead Islands, for a long, long time. And you somehow managed to claw your way back to power.โ€

The three Fae males were glancing between them.

Aelin said to Rolfe, โ€œI have liberated Ilium from Adarlan. I took back the cityโ€”your ancient homeโ€”for you. For the Mycenians. It is yours, if you dare to claim your peopleโ€™s inheritance.โ€

Rolfeโ€™s hand shook slightly. He fisted it, tucking it beneath the table.

She allowed a flicker of her magic to rise to the surface then, allowed the gold in her eyes to glow like bright flame. Gavriel and Fenrys straightened as her power filled the room, filled the city. The Wyrdkey between her breasts began thrumming, whispering.

She knew there was nothing human, nothing mortal on her face.

Knew it because Rolfeโ€™s golden-brown skin had paled to a sickly sheen. She closed her eyes and loosed a breath.

The tendril of power sheโ€™d gathered rippled away in an invisible line. The world shuddered in its wake. A city bell chimed once, twice, in its force. Even the waters in the bay shivered as it swept past and out into the archipelago.

When Aelin opened her eyes, the mortality had returned. โ€œWhat the rutting hell was that?โ€ Rolfe at last demanded.

Fenrys and Gavriel becameย veryย interested in the map before them.

Rowan said smoothly, โ€œMilady has to release bits of her power daily or it can consume her.โ€

Despite herself, despite what sheโ€™d done, she decided she wanted Rowan to call herย miladyย at least once every day.

Rowan continued on, pressing Rolfe about the moving army. The Pirate Lord, who Lysandra had confirmed weeks agoย wasย Mycenian thanks to

Arobynnโ€™s own spying on his business partners, seemed barely able to speak, thanks to the offer sheโ€™d laid out for him. But Aelin merely waited.

Aedion and Lysandra arrived after some timeโ€”and her cousin only spared Gavriel a passing glance as he stood over the map and fell into that generalโ€™s mindset, demanding details large and minute.

But Gavriel silently stared up at his son, watching her cousinโ€™s eyes dart over the map, listening to the sound of his voice as if it were a song he was trying to memorize.

Lysandra drifted to the window, monitoring the bay.

Like she could see that ripple Aelin had sent out into the world.

The shifter had told Aedion by nowโ€”of why they had truly gone to Ilium. Not only to see Brannon, not only to save its people โ€ฆ but for this. She and the shifter had hatched the plan during the long night watches together on the road, considering all pitfalls and benefits.

Dorian strolled in ten minutes later, his eyes going straight to Aelin.

Heโ€™d felt it, too.

The king gave a polite greeting to Rolfe, then remained silent as he was briefed on the positioning of Erawanโ€™s armies. Then he slid into a seat beside her while the other males continued discussing supply routes and weapons, being led in circle after circle by Rowan.

Dorian just gave her an unreadable glance and folded his ankle over a knee.

The clock struck eleven, and Aelin rose to her feet in the middle of whatever Fenrys had been saying about various armor and Rolfe possibly investing in the ore to supply the demand.

Silence fell again. Aelin said to Rolfe, โ€œThank you for your hospitality.โ€ And then turned away. She made it a step before he demanded, โ€œThatโ€™s

it?โ€

She looked over her shoulder, Rowan approaching her side. Aelin let a

bit of that flame rise to the surface. โ€œYes. If you will not give me an armada, if you will not unite what is left of the Mycenians and return to Terrasen, then Iโ€™ll find someone else who will.โ€

โ€œThere is no one else.โ€

Again, her eyes went to the map on his table. โ€œYou once said I would pay for my arrogance. And I did. Many times. But Sam and I took on your entire city and fleet and destroyed it. All for two hundred lives you deemed

less than human. So perhaps Iโ€™ve been underestimating myself. Perhaps I do not need you after all.โ€

She turned again, and Rolfe sneered, โ€œDid Sam die still pining after you, or did you finally stop treating him like filth?โ€

There was a choking sound, and a slam and rattle of glasses. She looked slowly to find Rowan with his hand around Rolfeโ€™s neck, the captain pressed onto the map, the figures scattered everywhere, Rowanโ€™s snarling teeth close to ripping off Rolfeโ€™s ear.

Fenrys smirked a bit. โ€œI told you to choose your words carefully, Rolfe.โ€

Aedion seemed to be doing his best to ignore his father as he said to the captain, โ€œNice to meet you.โ€ Then he strolled toward where Aelin, Dorian, and Lysandra waited by the door.

Rowan leaned in, murmuring something in Rolfeโ€™s ear that made him blanch, then shoved him a bit harder into the table before stalking for Aelin.

Rolfe set his hands on the table, pushing up to bark some surely stupid words at them, but went rigid. As if some pulse thrashed through his body.

He turned his hands over, fitting the edges of his palms together. His eyes liftedโ€”but not to her. To the windows.

To the bells that had begun ringing in the twin watchtowers flanking the mouth of the bay.

The frantic pealing set the streets beyond them halting, silencing. Each bleatโ€™s meaning was clear enough.

Rolfeโ€™s face went pale.

Aelin watched as blackโ€”darker than the ink that had been etched there

โ€”spread across his fingers, to his palms. Black such as only the Valg could bring.

Oh, there was no doubt now that the map worked. She said to her companions, โ€œWe leave. Now.โ€

Rolfe was already storming toward herโ€”toward the door. He said nothing as he flung it open, striding onto the quay, where his first mate and quartermaster were already sprinting for him.

Aelin shut the door behind Rolfe and surveyed her friends. And the cadre.

It was Fenrys who spoke first, rising to his feet and watching through the window as Rolfe and his men rushed about. โ€œRemind me never to get on your bad side.โ€

Dorian said quietly, โ€œIf that force reaches this town, these peopleโ€”โ€

โ€œIt wonโ€™t,โ€ Aelin said, meeting Rowanโ€™s stare. Pine-green eyes held her own.

Show them why youโ€™re my blood-sworn, she silently told him. A hint of a wicked smile. Rowan turned to them. โ€œLetโ€™s go.โ€ โ€œGo,โ€ Fenrys blurted, pointing to the window. โ€œWhere?โ€

โ€œThereโ€™s a boat,โ€ Aedion said, โ€œanchored on the other side of the island.โ€ He inclined his head toward Lysandra. โ€œYouโ€™d think theyโ€™d notice a skiff being tugged out to sea by a shark last night, butโ€”โ€

The door banged open, and Rolfeโ€™s towering figure filled it. โ€œYou.โ€ Aelin put a hand on her chest. โ€œMe?โ€

โ€œYouย sent that magic out there;ย youย summoned them.โ€

She barked a laugh, pushing off the table. โ€œIf I ever learn such a useful talent, Iโ€™d use it for summoning my allies, I think. Or the Mycenians, since you seem so adamant they donโ€™t exist.โ€ She glanced over his shoulderโ€”the sky was still clear. โ€œGood luck,โ€ she said, stepping around him.

Dorian blurted, โ€œWhat?โ€

Aelin looked the King of Adarlan over. โ€œThis isnโ€™t our battle. And I wonโ€™t sacrifice my kingdomโ€™s fate over a skirmish with the Valg. If you have any sense, you wonโ€™t, either.โ€ Rolfeโ€™s face contorted with wrathโ€”even as fear, deep and true, shone in his eyes. She took a step toward the chaotic streets but paused, turning to the Pirate Lord. โ€œI suppose the cadre will be coming with me, too. Since theyโ€™re now my allies.โ€

Silently, Fenrys and Gavriel approached, and she could have sighed with relief that they did so without question, that Gavriel was willing to do whatever it took to stay near his son.

Rolfe hissed, โ€œYou think withholding your assistance will sway me into helping you?โ€ But far beyond the bay, between the distant, humped islands, a cloud of darkness gathered.

โ€œI meant what I said, Rolfe. I can do fine without you, armada or no. Mycenians or no. And this island has now become dangerous for my cause.โ€ She inclined her head toward the sea. โ€œIโ€™ll offer a prayer to Mala for you.โ€ She patted the hilt of Goldryn. โ€œA bit of advice, from one professional criminal to the other: cut off their heads. Itโ€™s the only way to kill them. Unless you burn them alive, but I bet most would jump ship and swim to shore before your flaming arrows can do much damage.โ€

โ€œAnd what of your idealismโ€”what of thatย childย who stole two hundred slaves from me? Youโ€™d leave the people of this island to perish?โ€

โ€œYes,โ€ she said simply. โ€œI told you, Rolfe, that Endovier taught me some things.โ€

Rolfe swore. โ€œDo you thinkย Samย would stand for this?โ€

โ€œSam is dead,โ€ she said, โ€œbecause men like you and Arobynn have power. But Arobynnโ€™s reign is now over.โ€ She smiled at the darkening horizon. โ€œSeems like yours might end rather soon as well.โ€

โ€œYouย bitchโ€”โ€

Rowan snarled, taking all of a step before Rolfe flinched away.

Rushing footsteps sounded, then Rolfeโ€™s quartermaster filled the doorway. He panted as he rested a hand on the threshold, the other gripping the sea dragon-shaped pommel of his sword. โ€œWe are knee-deep in shit.โ€

Aelin paused. Rolfeโ€™s face tightened. โ€œHow bad?โ€ the captain asked.

He wiped the sweat from his brow. โ€œEight warships teeming with soldiersโ€”at least a hundred on each, more on the lower levels I couldnโ€™t see. Theyโ€™re flanked by two sea-wyverns. All moving so fast that itโ€™s like storm winds carry them.โ€

Aelin cut a glance at Rowan. โ€œHow quickly can we get to that boat?โ€

Rolfe was gazing at the few ships in his harbor, his face deathly pale. At Ship-Breaker out in the bay, the chain currently beneath the calm surface. Fenrys, seeing the captainโ€™s stare, observed, โ€œThose sea-wyverns will snap that chain. Get your people off this island. Use every skiff and sloop you have and get themย out.โ€

Rolfe slowly turned to Aelin, his sea-green eyes simmering with hate.

And resignation. โ€œIs this an attempt to call my bluff?โ€

Aelin toyed with the end of her braid. โ€œNo. Itโ€™s convenient timing, but no.โ€

Rolfe surveyed them allโ€”the power that could level this island if they chose. His voice was hoarse as he at last spoke. โ€œI want to be admiral. I want this entire archipelago. I want Ilium. And when this war is over, I wantย Lordย in front of my name, as it was before my ancestorsโ€™ names long ago. What of my payment?โ€

Aelin surveyed him in turn, the entire room deathly quiet compared to the chaos of outside. โ€œFor every Morath ship you sack, you can keep whatever gold and treasure is aboard it. But weapons and ammunition go to

the front. Iโ€™ll give you land, but no royal titles beyond those of Lord of Ilium and King of the Archipelago. If you bear any offspring, I will recognize them as your heirsโ€”as I would any children Dorian might bear.โ€

Dorian nodded gravely. โ€œAdarlan will recognize you and your heirs, and this land as yours.โ€

Rolfe ground out, โ€œYou send those bastards down to the inky black, and my fleet is yours. I cannot guarantee the Mycenians will rise, though. Weโ€™ve been scattered too far and too long. Only a small number live here, and they will not stir without proper โ€ฆ motivation.โ€ He glanced toward the bar, as if heโ€™d expected to see someone behind it.

But Aelin held out her hand, smiling faintly. โ€œLeave that to me.โ€

Tattooed skin met scarred flesh as Rolfe shook her hand. Hard enough to break bones, but she did it right back. Sent a little flame searing into his fingers.

He hissed, pulling back his hand, and Aelin grinned. โ€œWelcome to Her Majestyโ€™s army, Privateer Rolfe.โ€ She gestured to the open door. โ€œShall we?โ€

 

 

Aelin was insane, Dorian realized. Brilliant and wicked, but insane.

And perhaps the greatest, most unremorseful liar heโ€™d ever encountered.

Heโ€™d felt her summons sweep through the world. Felt fire hum against his skin. There was no mistaking who it belonged to. And there was no mistaking that it had gone right to the Dead End, where the forces dwelling there would know there was one person alive with that kind of flame at her disposal, and track the magic back here.

He didnโ€™t know what had triggered it, why sheโ€™d chosen now, butโ€”

But Rowan had informed Aelin how the Valg haunted Rolfe. How he had this city watched day and night, terrified of their return. So Aelin had used it to her advantage. The Myceniansโ€”holy gods. They were little more than a bedtime story and cautionary tale. But here they were, carefully hidden away. Until Aelin had smoked them out.

And as the Pirate Lord and Queen of Terrasen shook hands and she grinned at Rolfe, Dorian realized he โ€ฆ perhaps he could do with a bit more

wickedness and insanity, too.

This war would not be won on smiles and manners.

It would be won by a woman willing to gamble with an entireย islandย full of people to get what she needed to save them all. A woman whose friends were equally willing to play along, to rip their souls to shreds if it meant saving the greater population. They knew the weight of the lives panicking around them if they gambled wrong. Aelin perhaps more than anyone else.

Aelin and Rolfe stalked through the open tavern doorway and into the street beyond. Behind him, Fenrys let out a low whistle. โ€œGods help you, Rowan, that woman isโ€ฆโ€

Dorian didnโ€™t wait to hear the rest as he followed the pirate and the queen into the street, Aedion and Lysandra trailing. Fenrys kept at a distance from the others, but Gavriel remained close, his gaze still fixed on his son. Gods, they looked so much alike,ย movedย alike, the Lion and the Wolf.

Rolfe barked to his men waiting in a line before him, โ€œEvery ship that can bear men sailsย now.โ€ He rattled off orders, delegating his men to various ships long bereft of crew to run them, including his own, while Aelin stood there, hands braced on her hips, watching them all.

She said to the captain, โ€œWhatโ€™s your fastest ship?โ€ He pointed at his own.

She held his stare, and Dorian waited for the wild, reckless plan. But she said without looking at any of them, โ€œRowan, Lysandra, Fenrys, and Gavriel, youโ€™re with me. Aedion, you get on the northern watchtower and man the mounted harpoon. Any ship gets too close to the chain, you blast a hole through their gods-damned side.โ€ Dorian stiffened as she at last addressed him, seeing the orders already in her eyes. He opened his mouth to object, but Aelin said simply, โ€œThis battle is no place for a king.โ€

โ€œAnd itโ€™s one for a queen?โ€

There was no amusement, nothing but icy calm as she handed him a sword he hadnโ€™t realized sheโ€™d been carrying at her side. Damaris.

Goldryn was still strapped across her back, its ruby glowing like a living ember as she said, โ€œOne of us has to live, Dorian. You take the southern watchtowerโ€”stay at the base, and get your magic ready. Any forces that try to cross the chain, you take them out.โ€

Not with steel, but magic. He fastened Damaris to his sword belt, its weight foreign. โ€œAnd what are you going to do?โ€ he demanded. As if in answer, his power writhed in his gut, like an asp curling to strike.

Aelin glanced at Rowan, at his tattooed hand. โ€œRolfe, get whatever iron chains you have left from your slave-mongering. Weโ€™re going to need them.โ€

For herโ€”for Rowan. As a check against their magic, if it got out of control.

Because Aelin โ€ฆ Aelin was going to sail that ship right into the heart of the enemy fleet and blow them all out of the water.

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