“Cahal is wondering if this is a trap,” Ni’yah remarked.
“Is it wise to speak with so many first-bloods about?” Rhyn’athel chided him. He disguised their conversation so it would not be understood, but he still believed that Lachlei might notice.
“Why not? They’re on our side,” Ni’yah said. “Laddel knows who I am already, and so what if Lachlei figures it out? She knows about Areyn now.” Despite his disguise as Telek, Rhyn’athel noted that Ni’yah refused to take on a mortal body.
“That wasn’t wise,” he replied. “You shouldn’t have told them about Areyn Sehduk.”
“Why not?” Ni’yah’s eyes glowed. “They’re going to learn, regardless, brother. It’s a matter of when, not if. It’s better that the Lochvaur know now.”
Rhyn’athel glared at him. “You’re dragging me into this war.”
“You’re already in it, brother, or need I remind you who was so eager to become mortal for the sake of a woman? Areyn’s demon steed didn’t die of fright. The Lochvaur certainly wouldn’t be pursuing the Silren if you weren’t here.”
Rhyn’athel said nothing. Instead, he stared ahead as they rode towards the Laddel encampment. “Areyn knows I’m here?”
“Most likely,” Ni’yah said. “Your confrontation was impressive—Areyn will have to think you are behind this.”
“Who knows about me?”
“Just Laddel. He will tell no one until I release him.”
“Don’t,” Rhyn’athel said. “We may be able to discourage Areyn Sehduk enough to stop this war now.”
Ni’yah met Rhyn’athel’s gaze. “Do you really believe that? My brother, this is Areyn Sehduk we speak of, not some minor deity. You and he are opposites; he will never rest until he has destroyed everything you have created. If that means razing Athelren to its very foundations, he’d do it—if it weren’t for you. You’re the only thing he fears.”
“Perhaps,” Rhyn’athel said.
Ni’yah considered him. “Your mortality is affecting you,” he said at last. “I didn’t think it could happen, but I think it is.”
“What?”
“You’ve never been this indecisive,” Ni’yah said. “Careful, yes. But not like this. Your mortality is affecting your judgment.”
“Don’t be absurd.”
“Am I?” Ni’yah said appraisingly.
“That doesn’t sound like Rhyn.”
Rhyn’athel turned at the sound of his name. He met Lachlei’s gaze and grinned at her smile.
“Not affected?” Ni’yah snorted. “Smitten.”
Rhyn chuckled. “This was your idea, brother.”
“Unfortunately, not one of my better ones.”
42
The hospitality of the Laddel army assuaged Cahal’s fears. Lachlei, Rhyn, and Cahal entered the Laddel main tent to find themselves treated as though they were Laddel royalty. Silver and agouti-haired warriors, many with silver or brass eyes bowed their heads in respect to her as she passed.
The Laddel were Eleion as were the Lochvaur, but their kindred showed the characteristics of the wolf-god, Ni’yah. They were shorter than the Lochvaur; indeed, next to them, Rhyn was a giant. He towered over most of them by nearly a foot. And yet, Lachlei sensed power within these warriors—a wildness she could not explain. Clad in mail, with long, wolf-colored manes and feral eyes, Lachlei knew their warrior abilities to be equal to her Chi’lan in many ways.
Two Laddel guards bowed as Lachlei entered the tent. All rose at her presence and she glanced at Cahal and Rhyn in puzzlement. Cahal looked perplexed, but Rhyn nodded.
Go in, he said. You are Laddel nobility here.
Lachlei stared at Rhyn. “What do you mean?” she whispered.
“You are the daughter of Ladara, the granddaughter of Laddel,” Rhyn replied. “You are in line for the throne, albeit distantly.”
Lachlei stared at the warriors. She had forgotten that the other kindreds weren’t as egalitarian as the Lochvaur or the Chi’lan. The Lochvaur line of succession was earned, not inherited. Although the sons of the king were often challengers for the Lochvaur throne, there was no guarantee that they would rule, although it was tradition that a first-blood ascended the throne. Lachlei had forgotten the other kindreds chose their kings by blood-ties.
I know nothing of the Laddel, Lachlei objected to Rhyn. Ladara became Lochvaur when she married my father… She saw Rhyn grinning. You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?
Before he could respond, Laddel approached her and took her arms in the Chi’lan gesture of friendship. “I forgot that you might feel more comfortable being greeted as Chi’lan than a Queen, daughter of my granddaughter.”
Lachlei returned the greeting. “Forgive me, great-grandfather, but as Chi’lan we treat all warriors as our equals.”
“Indeed, Chi’lan Lachlei,” Laddel grinned. “No doubt Rhyn’athel’s influence.”
Lachlei laughed. “You knew Rhyn’athel?”
Laddel glanced at Rhyn. “Indeed, and there are no other gods the Laddel would serve, save Ni’yah.” He paused. “But, we are not here to discuss history, but to discuss the future. Areyn will destroy us if we do not unite against him.”
He led her to a long table and bade her to sit. Servants brought plates of roast meat and bread, but the flagons stayed empty. “I would normally offer mead, but there are too many first-bloods at this table,” Laddel said, glancing at Telek. “And we need our wits about us.”
“Agreed,” she said, drinking the water offered. “This is no time for celebration if Areyn is indeed here.”
“He is,” said Telek, meeting her gaze. “Make no mistake about it, Chi’lan, he has attacked the Lochvaur first because you are the greatest of the kindreds.”
“We aren’t the largest,” Lachlei said. “The Redel are larger than us—they have more troops. So do the Elesil.”
“But they are not Chi’lan,” Laddel said. “During the war between the gods of light and darkness, it was Lochvaur and his Chi’lan who led us. They were the shock troops for the rest of us and they took the brunt of Areyn’s assault. It isn’t any wonder why Areyn has chosen to attack the Lochvaur again. It is a grudge that has lasted over two millennia.”
“This is not a Lochvaur war—this is a Chi’lan battle only,” Lachlei corrected him.
Laddel frowned. “The Lochvaur council hasn’t given its approval?”
“Laewynd is blind to the threat.”
“Blind or intentionally ignoring it?” Telek remarked. He gave Rhyn a knowing look.
“What do you mean?” Lachlei asked, noting the nonverbal exchange.
“Laewynd may be a traitor,” Rhyn said.
Lachlei laughed but fell silent when the others did not join her mirth. “Laewynd may not be the most trustworthy of the council members, but he is no traitor,” she said.
“Can you be sure of that?” Laddel asked. “He served Fialan for many years, but Fialan was a strong king.”