Page 99 of A Trial of War
Skylar turned her attention back to me, piercing amber eyes hinting at secrets she wished to unveil.
“Castor,” she said, gesturing toward the southern end of the camp. “Follow us. There’s much to discuss.”
I nodded, following her and Daxton as we moved to the southern end of the camp that opened into a wide clearing, where the last of the surviving cabins stood like sentinels against the edge of the forest.
Daxton stopped. “This is where we’ll coordinate the march. Skylar and I need you fully briefed. Every detail matters.”
I glanced at Skylar, and she gave me a subtle nod.
“Why do I get the feeling you two have something else planned?”
“Of course we do,” Skylar said with a wink. “I wouldn’t come into this fight without a favor or two to call on.”
I smiled. “Shifty little shifter.”
“Learned from the best,” she answered.
“Let’s move inside our tent and discuss our plans,” Daxton said.
The southern command tent was quiet, though the hum of activity from the camp beyond leaked in through the open flaps. Maps and reports were spread across the rough-hewn table, lit by the filtered sunlight that slanted through the canvas.
Daxton gestured for me to take a seat next to Skylar. Her eyes were focused, scanning the table with precise attention, while Daxton leaned over the maps, tracing routes with his fingers.
“We’ll march south,” Daxton began. “Our forces will move in a single line of advance. Shifters, Silver Meadows warriors, and Aelius troops must coordinate tightly. No gaps. No stragglers. The moment Minaeve detects weakness, she’ll strike.”
Skylar nodded, wisely allowing Daxton to take the lead in battle strategy. After all, I didn’t have an eternity to teach her all the tricks it took us centuries to master. My brother was feared as the Silver Shadow for a reason.
“When Gunnar leads the bulk of our army in formation, I’ll place some of the Aelius troops here to reinforce the center,” Daxton said, pointing toward the pass between the White Fang Mountains and the northern mountain range. “Timing is critical. Every group must hit their positions at exactly the right moment.”
I leaned over the map, scanning the terrain. Rivers, ravines, small forested hills… The southern plains were open, but we couldn’t afford to underestimate what lay ahead.
“And the shifters?” I asked.
Skylar’s gaze met mine. “We’re fast, adaptable. We’ll use them to scout and corral the enemy flanks in place while keeping our main line intact. Magnus and Shaw are already coordinating their groups. Rhea is leading archers who will take cover in the tree line near the trading post.”
“And Talon?” I asked.
“He is in Crimson City,” Daxton said.
Skylar’s lips thinned, worry creasing her face as she said, “I believe he can hold on until the battle ends, and I can try to combat the shadow rot with my magic once more.”
I nodded, concerned for the shifter, or more accurately, how feral his mate would be without him to smooth out her fur.
Skylar pointed to the map once more. “With the forest at our backs and the mountains on either side, the open battlefield will run red with our enemies’ blood. Latte will lead the healers tending to the wounded near the river, behind our lines.”
I exhaled a sigh of relief, knowing Nyssa wouldn’t be in the thick of the fight.
Daxton leaned over, resting his hands on the table. “The shifters will relay reports in real time, and we can communicate through the pack to adapt any attack lines if needed.”
“So, the command groups can adjust accordingly. Good. Who knows what Minaeve will try to throw at us? What about the towers Shaw spoke of?”
“Leave them to me,” Skylar said.
A smile curled at the corner of my mouth at the certainty, the fire burning in my queen’s eyes.
Skylar tapped her finger on the southern edge of the shifter lands. “This is where we’ll set up the forward base once we advance. We can regroup, resupply, and adjust the march if needed. But our goal is clear: head toward the White Fang Mountains, where we know she is gathering her wilt creatures and human forces.”
“How do you know this?”
