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Chapter 19 ~ Fading Lines

Rígan

I kept sneaking glances at the door to our apartments, waiting for Dàibhid to walk in. Brí had arrived a few minutes earlier, saying something about a meeting. It had to be about what they’d learned from the soldier. My leg bounced in anticipation.

Only about hearing what they’d gathered. Not about seeing Dàibhid.

Gods, I needed that distance soon.

Despite expecting it, I jumped when the door opened. Bryn, seated beside me on the couch, snickered. I flicked her thigh.

“Good, you’re all here.” Dàibhid wiped his hands on his trousers and sat rigidly in a chair beside the fireplace. Nerves? “Brí and I spoke with a soldier from Onyx Watch.”

Maya and I shared a glance across the coffee table.

“Wait, Brí, where’s Cianán?”

“He’s coming. Said to start without us. We can fill him in on whatever he misses.”

“Right. So.” Dàibhid raked a hand through his hair, making it stick up adorably. I silently chastised myself. “Overall, attacks in Onyx’s jurisdiction are smaller scale right now. Random attacks, small robberies, that sort of thing, enough to keep the people scared.” He dug his fingers into his thighs. I practically had to sit on my own fingers—the urge to hold his hand, to comfort him, came over me like a wave, shocking in its intensity.

Cianán entered, taking a spot in an empty chair. Dàibhid relaxed a bit.

“But”—Dàibhid eyed me and Bryn—“it sounds like Lord Decon has Glaochnamara’s attacks well under control.”

I breathed out slowly, letting go of an impossible weight. If Glaochnamara wasn’t being targeted, it was likely Balor hadn’t set his sights on Fenwald.

“Anything about the coast?” Maya asked, her theory still top of mind.

“Nothing,” Brí said. “No ships docking where they shouldn’t, no random bands of Exiles showing up. But Onyx is keeping an eye on the situation, in case that changes.”

“Anything concrete for the cities?” I asked.

“Just theories,” Dàibhid said, tensing again. “Onyx believes the Exiles may be transferring ships partway through their journey so they aren’t caught on arrival.”

My skin turned cold. It made sense. The sneaky bastards. But then how would we find them?

Lou leaned forward. “So if Glaochnamara is under control, and the Keep is still closed”—Dàibhid nodded confirmation—“what’s Tírdorcha like?”

“The attacks are the worst there, at least as far as Onyx’s jurisdiction is concerned,” Dàibhid said. “There’s violence breaking out at the port, frightening the people. Lady Umber is doing what she can with the resources I’ve sent her, but it’s not enough. She’s already hired sellswords of her own, and I imagine she’ll follow Lord Decon’s lead and try to hire even more to bulk up the city guard.” His eyes grew distant, pained. Did he not believe he was doing enough? That the attacks in Tírdorcha were his fault?

Of course that’s what he believed. The man took on every burden like it was his personal responsibility, if the hours spent mulling over petition requests and potential Exile moves were any indication. I slid my fingers further under my legs to keep from reaching out to him.

“Tírdorcha is our best chance at gathering useful information.” Dàibhid squared his shoulders in what I assumed to be false surety. “There are rumors that Exiles are the ones causing the violence, not rebels.”

“Onyx believes there are actual Exiles in Tírdorcha?” I said, needing the confirmation. Dàibhid nodded, and I suppressed a wicked smile. No need for them to think I was excited about the news, but this was the best we could have hoped for.

“Whether Exiles are actually landing there is another story,” Dàibhid said. “But even if Balor simply wants to maintain the appearance that they are, at least a few Exiles need to be there along with rebel supporters. You’ll all go and gather any information you can, hopefully from an actual Exile. And make them talk, if necessary.”

“Use violence, you mean,” I said cautiously.

“It might be our only course of action,” Brí said, but I kept looking at Dàibhid. I needed him to be the one to confirm he no longer held his defense, not offense position.

“You may not have a choice,” he said, folding inward like he didn’t want the decision spread too widely. Like he barely even wanted to admit it to himself. “Balor’s tactics have only escalated. I want to avoid a war, prevent large-scale violence, but doing this . . . It may be needed to get information that leads to diplomatic talks. If there’s no other valid course of action.”

“You still believe talking will work?” I said.

“I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t try.”

I smiled softly. His true ease returned, just a little.

Bryn shifted beside me until her arm leaned against mine. It trembled. She’d need to make her choice soon—stay behind, or join us on a mission that could turn deadly. I willed my heart to stay calm.

Cianán likewise shifted in his seat, his robes rustling. I hoped he’d stay quiet; his propensity for bringing up the negative was well-known in the castle. Dàibhid was nervous enough as it was. He didn’t need the worries of his advisor, no matter how well-intentioned.

“And if we get information?” áine asked. She flipped her dagger decorated with the water bird over in her hand. She’d sat quietly in the corner of the room most days we were in here.

“You bring it back here,” Dàibhid said. “Whatever you gather could go toward rooting the Exiles out or convincing Balor to talk with me. At the very least, it should help us prevent another attack.”

Cianán put up a hand and I stifled a groan. “Has every other option been considered? Is there no other way to acquire this information in Tírdorcha? I agree this mission is needed, I simply wonder if the method is ideal.”

Dàibhid’s eyebrows pulled together, his lips forming a thin line. “I don’t like it either. And maybe it isn’t ideal. But we need that information. If we get information from an Exile, or even a talkative rebel, we’ll be miles ahead of where we are now. Without it, we’ll still be following rumors and sporadically learning about attacks. I may want to go the diplomatic route, but my people come first. And this time, I’m willing to admit putting them first may call for tactics we’ve thus far avoided.”

“Perhaps you’re right,” Cianán said, “and those tactics are needed. I simply advise you approach this task with caution. If even a single Exile is pushed too far, Balor could catch wind and instigate the first motions in an actual war. In that case, more people would get hurt in the immediate future.”

Dàibhid flinched so suddenly and so slightly that I almost missed it. Everyone else was intent on Cianán, but I watched as Dàibhid wrestled with something. Whatever it was looked uncomfortable. I wanted to put myself between him and his advisor, force Cianán to back off this line of questioning.

But Cianán kept on. “Surely we can consider some alternative—”

“No.”

My need to step between the two of them whisked away on a phantom wind. I’d never heard Dàibhid put so much power behind one word. Of course, I’d always known he was a king, but in that moment, I felt it.

“Your advice is invaluable to me, Cianán,” he said. “But in this case, I can’t follow it. We have tried alternative routes. They’ve gotten us nowhere. We will not make the first move for war, but I won’t sit idly by as Balor attempts to take over this country. Not when people are dying at his command. My people.”

“And if this information the soldier supplied is to draw you out, bring you to an ambush?”

Dàibhid looked aside as though contemplating it. It was a valid point.

But then Cianán indicated to each of us and crumbled his chances. “We may be risking these people’s lives for noth—”

“ Enough .”

I’d been wrong. That made me feel Dàibhid’s power more than ever. His eyes were unforgiving, the usually soft green hard as bloodstones. I’m sure mine were similarly hardened. Cianán knew Dàibhid hated risking others. Had to know that coming to this decision must have been terribly hard for Dàibhid.

Cianán looked positively cowed, comically so given his large frame. “Forgive me, I only wanted to—”

“I know what you wanted to do, Cianán,” Dàibhid said, gentle but firm. “But we’ve had these discussions before. And I’ve made up my mind on this.”

“Perhaps you need some sleep, Cianán.” Brí’s tone was as firm as her brother’s, but she showed no outward sign of frustration. How often had she had to talk either man down from their spirals?

When Dàibhid didn’t protest the suggestion, Cianán stood. “Yes, I’m sure you’re right, Your Highness.”

The advisor bowed and left the apartments, closing the door. I glared at it even after he’d walked out.

Dàibhid sagged into his seat. The power he’d displayed was nowhere to be seen, gone at Cianán’s absence. “I’m sorry about that. He means well.”

“No need to apologize,” Bryn said. “This is getting to all of us.”

“I’m sorry to ask,” Lou said to Dàibhid. “But if there is an ambush?”

“I’ve thought about that. I won’t lie and say it’s not a possibility, but I have faith we can make a plan that minimizes risk. Besides.” He gave a small smile. “I’ve hired the best sellswords. Well,” he corrected, “four sellswords, an army commander, and possibly a lookout.”

“We should have a codename,” Maya said roguishly. “Something that fits all of us.”

I clapped my hands. “ Yes . Something badass.”

“But discreet,” Lou added. Bryn snuggled into the couch beside me, more at ease with this line of conversation. Even áine was invested, the sounds of her hilt landing in her palm halting.

Dàibhid lit up at the distraction. “Let’s see, you’re essentially, for this assignment, all sellswords, but not completely.”

“We hide in plain sight a lot,” Maya said. “All stealth-like.”

I smirked, loving and hating how my entire life was being described. I was a sellsword, but, despite everything, not completely. I was hiding from my childhood best friend right under his nose. Part of me was always in the dark, always toeing a line between openness and discretion.

“Shadow Swords.”

Everyone turned as I said it. I resisted the urge to cover myself, feeling strangely exposed. “We’re not quite sellswords, but fighting is at our core. Even if we’re not being violent, right? We’re fighting for something important.”

“And you work in the shadows.” The corner of Dàibhid’s mouth tipped up. “I like it.”

“All in favor?” Maya asked. Every hand went up without hesitation.

“Shadow Swords it is,” Dàibhid said. “Just in time for your first mission as a team.” The fear started creeping back into his features. I wanted it smoothed away.

Brí, likewise noting the change, shifted toward her brother. “We’ll be in and out of Tírdorcha before they realize anything is amiss with their new visitors.”

I leaned toward Dàibhid, allowing one of my sly smiles to appear in an attempt to lighten his mood. In that moment, I didn’t care to stop myself. He needed comfort, and I could provide it. “Any ideas, boss?”

Dàibhid lightened once more. “I’ve got a few up my sleeve.”