Chapter 165 Operation: Free Azerath

Chapter 165 Operation: Free Azerath
Serafina

Silence settled over the camp.

Every eye remained fixed on Elyndra's unconscious form where she lay sprawled in the dirt, one arm bent awkwardly beneath her, as though she'd simply decided to take a nap in the middle of a rebellion.

Helga rested the flat of her axe across one shoulder and gave Elyndra a tentative nudge with her boot.

"Nope," she declared. "Still unconscious."

A faint snort escaped Ryven. "You sound disappointed."

"I am." Helga shrugged. "I was hoping she'd wake up so I could hit her again."

Despite everything—the looming army, the refugees, the fear hanging over the camp like a storm cloud—a ripple of tired laughter spread through the crowd. For a brief moment, people remembered how to breathe.

Ryven loosened the drawstring of the leather pouch Helga had tossed him and tipped a single polished white orb into his palm. The tiny sphere gleamed beneath the gray afternoon sky.

He rolled it between his fingers, studying the flawless surface before giving a slow nod. "They're genuine."

Aldo folded his thick arms across his chest. "How can you tell?"

"The counterfeits retain heat after enchantment." Ryven tossed the orb lightly into the air. It spun once before dropping neatly back into his hand. "These are cold." He returned it to the pouch and tightened the drawstring.

Helga folded her arms with unmistakable satisfaction. "Told you."

I smiled. "No," I corrected. "Elyndra told us."

Her triumphant expression collapsed immediately. "You always know how to ruin a perfectly good moment."

"I try."

She narrowed her eyes. "You're spending far too much time around Ryven."

"I heard that," Ryven muttered.

"You were supposed to."

Even Jehan chuckled.

The laughter faded as quickly as it had come. Reality settled over the camp once more.

Beyond the trees, somewhere deep within the Cursed Forest, Vaelric's army was marching toward us.

Every moment we lingered brought them closer.
I looked from one face to another.

"If we're going to free Azerath," I said, "then I need a strike team."

The response was immediate.

"I'll go."

"So will I."

"Take me."

"I can fight."

"I know the roads into Aetheria."

Within moments, voices were overlapping as nearly half the camp volunteered. Some stepped forward with swords already in hand. Others simply waited, hope burning in weary eyes.

I raised my hand. The voices gradually died away.

"If we send too many people into Aetheria, we'll draw attention before we ever reach the Penitentiary." My gaze swept across the refugees. "And every sword that leaves is one less defending the Veiled Sanctum."

Reluctantly, the camp quieted. Choosing would be the hardest part.

My eyes settled on Ryven. "Ryven." He met my gaze immediately. "Will you come?"

There wasn't the slightest hesitation. "For Azerath?" A faint smile crossed his face. "You never needed to ask."

Jehan sighed dramatically. "Then I suppose someone's going to have to make sure neither of you gets yourselves killed."

Ryven glanced sideways at him. "I was about to say the same thing."

A few smiles returned.

I turned toward Helga. She shifted her axe onto her shoulder with practiced ease.

"I've already escaped that prison once." A mischievous grin spread across her face. "Seems only fair I break into it this time."

"I thought you'd say that."

Blink padded quietly to my side before I could call her name. I'm coming.

I smiled down at the black wolf. "I thought you might."

Her tail wagged once. I knelt beside her and scratched behind one ear.

"But shouldn't you stay?" I asked gently. "The forest needs someone to command the wolves... and Vipera. If Vaelric's army reaches the Ashwood border, they'll need you more than I will."

Blink huffed a reply. The Alpha of the wolves will be in command of the animals. He knows his orders. She puffed out her chest. So that means I get to come with you. Besides, Vipera has already commanded the spiders and the birds.

My brow furrowed. "What spiders?"

The woman with the pointed ears chuckled. "The brood of Arnea," she said. "A family of giant spiders that drain the blood from their prey." She pointed toward a section of the forest where the trees had blackened with rot beneath a vast canopy of webbing. "That's their territory."

"Serafina," Ysoria said, "this is Elowen Pyra, the former headmistress of the Academy and the current magistrate of Ember."

"And my girlfriend," Aldo added proudly.

Elowen jabbed him in the belly with an elbow. "Former girlfriend," she corrected. "I left you when you started gaining weight."

"I didn't know Aldo liked women," Helga muttered.

Aldo looked genuinely offended. "What exactly is that supposed to mean?"

"I've read about those spiders," Helga continued, ignoring him. "I thought they were extinct."

"Endangered," Elowen corrected. "Not extinct. Only a single brood remains. There were once several colonies throughout Ashwood, but they were hunted almost to extinction. People blamed them for spreading pestilence." She shook her head. "The truth is quite the opposite. They protect the forest. They feed on the parasites that rot the trees from within. That's why they live there." She pointed again toward the dark, web-covered grove. "They're trying to save what's left."

I looked back at Blink. "Then we have wolves, Vipera, giant spiders, and the birds defending the Cursed Forest." I smiled. "I think they'll manage without you."

Blink's tail wagged triumphantly. I knew you'd make the right decision.

My gaze shifted to Florian.

He stood quietly beside Elyndra's unconscious body, hands folded neatly before him, looking as composed as if he were waiting to announce dinner instead of standing in the middle of a rebellion.

"You know Vaelric better than any of us," I said.

"I imagine so."

"But do you know the Penitentiary?"

He shook his head. "Aetheria is not my domain." His eyes drifted toward Elyndra. "Lady Elyndra served there as the Imperial Seer. She knows the capital better than anyone."

Helga scoffed. "We don't need her. My father's in the Penitentiary. Once we break him out, he'll be our guide."

Aldo's eyes widened. "General Kraven? He'll arrest us all."

Helga snorted. "No, he won't. He'll join us."

I raised a hand before the argument could grow. "Maybe. But Florian..." I looked back at him. "You're Vaelric's steward. You know his guards. His servants. The routines inside the palace."

Florian inclined his head. "Yes. I know many of them."

"Then I need you."

For the first time since we'd met, Florian looked genuinely uncomfortable.

He lowered his gaze. "My lady... I cannot."

Helga blinked. "You... can't? You said you were with us."

"I am," Florian replied quietly. "I warned you because innocent lives were in danger." His eyes drifted toward Elyndra. "But my loyalty belongs to Lady Elyndra. I will not betray my mistress."

Helga scratched thoughtfully at her chin. "Hmm." She walked over to him. "I'll admit..." she said. "I respect that."

Relief softened Florian's features. "Thank you."

Click.

A steel cuff snapped shut around his wrist.

Florian blinked. "...Pardon?"

"I said I respect it." Helga produced a second cuff from her belt and locked it around his other wrist before he had time to react. "There."

Then she turned toward the bound shadow turned mortal. "Murk, right?"

Ryven nudged the prisoner forward. "I doubt that's his name."

"Doesn't matter." Helga shrugged. "He's Elyndra's dog."

She grabbed the prisoner's wrists. Another pair of shackles clicked shut. Then she linked his chain to Florian's.

Finally, she dragged the unconscious Elyndra over by the ankles and fastened a third chain around her wrists, securing all three together.

Florian let out a resigned sigh. "I suppose this was inevitable." He glanced toward the shadow turned mortal beside him. "And his name is Kier."

"Kier, then." Helga stepped back and admired her handiwork. "If one of you runs..." She tapped the chain linking them together. "...the other two are coming with you."

Ryven folded his arms. "Practical."

"Exactly." Helga smiled with satisfaction. "See? I solve problems."

"You usually create them first," Jehan muttered.

"Whatever, Jehan."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying very hard not to smile.

"Can I come with you?" The timid voice came from behind Ryven.

Mira.

I crossed the distance between us and pulled her into a hug. She hugged me just as tightly.

"It's so good to know you're alright," I said as we finally pulled apart. I rested my hands on her shoulders. "But you're needed here."

"Serafina's right," Lio said. "The refugees trust you. They'll follow you."

I turned to my brother. "And I need you to lead them while I'm gone."

He shook his head immediately. "I'm coming with you."

"Lio—"

"No." His voice was firm. "I've seen the future."

The words silenced everyone.

"And what future is that?" Florian asked from where he sat on the ground, chained beside Kier.

Lio's expression darkened. "My vision isn't clear," he admitted. "But I've seen blood covering the walls of Aetheria." He paused. "Not fire... blood." His gaze settled on Florian. "And judging by the look on your face, you know something about it."

Florian blinked before shaking his head. "I know nothing." He shifted uncomfortably against his chains. "I'm merely wondering whether His Majesty will execute me for failing to answer his summons."

Lio held Florian's gaze a moment longer before finally relenting. He faced me again. "Serafina... I have to come."

"No."

His jaw clenched. "You expect me to let you walk into Aetheria without me?"

"I expect you to keep everyone here alive."

Silence stretched between us. Neither of us looked away.

Then Andreas stepped forward. "She's right, godson."

Lio looked at him.

"Aetherion needs its Emperor." Andreas smiled faintly. "And Azerath needs his wife."

A faint warmth crept into my cheeks.

I looked back at Lio. "But be careful with your magic. Vaelric still believes you're lying unconscious in Arcanis."

"And he believes you're dead," Aldo added, driving his sword into the earth. He rested both hands on the pommel. "Then let's make sure he keeps believing both."

"A sound plan," Andreas agreed.

He knelt and picked up a fallen branch, sketching a rough map in the dirt.

"The Arcanis army will enter through the Ashwood border." He drew a winding line. "The stream separates the two forests." His stick stopped where the water narrowed. "This is where we'll strike."

Elowen knelt beside him. "My archers will already be hidden in the canopy." A small smile tugged at her lips. "Along with the fairies."

Blink's ears perked. The animals will spread throughout the forest.

"Blink says the animals will spread throughout the forest," I translated.

"Ysoria and I will command the stream," Andreas said. "With a little help from Lio."

"And the trees and vines will do the rest."

Every head turned.

Veylorn emerged quietly from the forest, leaves still clinging to his robes.

"They'll seize anyone foolish enough to stray from the road," he continued. "And if the soldiers cut one path..." His eyes lifted toward the towering canopy. "...the forest will simply grow another."

Aldo studied the map for a long moment before tapping the Ashwood border with the tip of his sword.

"A small force will show itself just long enough for the Arcanis army to believe they've found us." A grim smile spread across his face. "Then we run."

Helga frowned. "Run?"

Aldo nodded. "Straight into the Cursed Forest."

Understanding slowly spread through the camp.

"They'll think we're retreating," Andreas said.

"Exactly," Aldo replied. "Pride will do the rest. They'll chase us."

Elowen looked around at everyone gathered. A slow smile spread across her face.

"We're not going to stop an army."

She looked toward the dark wall of trees waiting beyond the camp.

"We're going to feed it to the forest."

"Now that's a plan." Helga pointed her axe toward the travel orbs. "Operation: Free Azerath begins now."