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“Evil.” The general’s hiss was full of fury and disgust. “That is pure evil. It is good we are going to break their power, Commander, because this is proof they do not deserve to have any.”

“I’ve never heard of flares.” Luc tried to think of any reference to them in his time in the camps and later in the Kassian forces, but he couldn’t.

“They make them in Zilvana. No one knows who supplies the magic but they are rare and difficult to obtain. Some countries, like Grimwalt, Venyatu, and Jatan have signed laws to ban them from ever being used.” General Ru was almost panting with rage. “This will damage the Kassian reputation more than they realize.”

“How do they work?”

“They’ll shoot the flares, and when they hit the ground, I’m told the contents spread like water, as far as they can go, and they burn everything in their path. It takes a long time for the fire to burn itself out, and nothing is left behind.”

“Then we stop them from firing them at all.” Luc would not see the land he was reclaiming burned to nothing. That was not going to happen. “This explains why I couldn’t find any sign of the Kassian in the hills last night.”

The General nodded. “It didn’t make sense that we were that far ahead of them. But if they’re setting up flare cannons, they hardly need many people. You said thirty flares?”

Ava nodded. “I was told ten cannons, three flares each.”

“Ten will cover a large area. That’s what they were doing here with their mapping. They were working out which hills would give them the best coverage.” General Ru had started to pace.

“At least we’re not where they expect us.” Luc was sure of that.

“That’s true. You’re sure of your information, Avasu?”

“Completely sure. The flare cannons left nearly four days ago from Bartolo, so they’re most likely already here. The Kassian troops have split up, a few with the flare cannons, some to line the Bartolo River to make sure the Rising Wave can’t easily cross, and the main force hiding under Bartolo, in the cisterns.”

“Hiding under the city?” The general stopped pacing and turned to Ava.

“They’ve left a small force above ground, as a decoy, to pretend that’s the only protection Bartolo has. They’re hoping the Rising Wave soldiers who survive the flares will make a dash for Bartolo to cross at the bridge, and when they enter the city, the troops below will spill out and end things.”

“We need to tell Raun-Tu—”

“I already did.” Ava drained the last of her tea from her cup. “I went out the east gate to warn Massi and Raun-Tu. They’re going into the city to deal with the Kassian troops. Oscar and Deni left through the west gate.” She set her cup down and entwined her fingers. “I hope they were able to avoid the troops setting up guard along the river.”

“That might be why they’ve been delayed. They’re avoiding the Kassian. But what do you mean, Massi and Raun-Tu are going to deal with the Kassian troops in Bartolo?” Luc crouched down beside her.

“There are only two ways in and out of those underground cisterns. I told Massi and Raun-Tu where to find them, and they’re going to block them off and trap the Kassian under the city.” She made a pillow with her hands and lay her head down on them.

Luc looked over at General Ru, and saw the same astonishment on her face that must be on his.

“You learned all this in just a few days?” General Ru asked.

Ava said nothing, and Luc bent closer. She was asleep.

He lifted her up from the chair, and she forced her eyes open, looked at him blankly and then went back to sleep.

He set her in their bed and returned. The general had a look on her face . . . covetous, Luc thought.

She wanted Ava for her own.

And who could blame her?

“Would we have won this without her?” General Ru asked softly.

“We haven’t won yet,” Luc warned.

“I’m aware, Commander.” General Ru put her hands on her hips. “But we have a lot better chance now.”

Chapter 35

“Bait.”