Alliance by Annabelle Jacobs Page A

over the room as they waited for him to finish, and Ryneq stood up and walked over to the large windows. Although the sun had barely risen, the courtyard was awash with people—hurrying every which way as they all worked together to accommodate the newcomers.
    “Sire.” Ryneq turned back to the table at the sound of Eldin’s voice. He nodded for Eldin to continue. “The dragons say they can protect their mountain lair, if enough of them remain there.”
    Ryneq felt tiredness creeping in, and he rested his arms on the table. He looked to Peros for the first time since he’d entered the room. With Nysad still out escorting the villagers back, Peros was now his most senior guard. “Peros, do we have any idea if Seran has started to cross the border?”
    Peros looked as tired as Ryneq felt, but he sat up straight when addressed by his king. “Nysad sent two scouting parties out to watch the border before he left. We’re still waiting for them to return, Sire.”
    “Let me know as soon as they report in.”
    “Of course, Sire.”
    Ryneq slumped back in his chair, his eyes beginning to feel heavy. “The barrier will withstand at least three attacks, yes?” He looked at Glaevahl, waiting for confirmation.
    “I believe so, Your Highness.”
    “While that won’t hold Seran off forever, it should buy us valuable time to come up with a plan of attack.” Or escape , he thought. He’d seen Seran’s troops, and the odds were most definitely in Seran’s favor. “We can’t risk another attack against the dragons, though. So, for now, there will be no riding until further notice.”
    “But Sire—” Eldin looked shocked, but Ryneq refused to risk them unnecessarily.
    “I don’t know why she didn’t attack before now, but until we know how far up the barrier goes, your riders are grounded. If they need to meet with their dragons, they will do so in the landing caves, but only when absolutely necessary.” Ryneq never thought he’d utter those words, but the witch’s spell had caught Fimor when he was flying. They had no idea if she’d be capable of attacking them while they flew over Torsere or not, and for now it was safer to not do it at all. “Have your riders contact their dragons and inform them.”
    “Yes, Sire.” Eldin sighed in resignation and pushed his chair back. “I’ll go see to it right now.” He paused as he got to his feet. “The dragons will need to eat, though, and they will need to leave for that.”
    Ryneq didn’t think for one moment he had any real sway with the dragons. If they wanted to leave, then they would. But he also knew they would never risks their lives unnecessarily—if a dragon dies, so will its bonded rider. “Just ask them to be careful.”
    Eldin nodded and left the room without another word.
    Ryneq looked around the table at the weary faces in front of him. They were all badly in need of sleep. Faelon in particular looked by far the worst, and hardly surprising, considering he was still recovering from the witch’s attack in Alel.
    “I think that’s enough for now. We’ll meet in here after breakfast tomorrow.” He looked out the window at the lightening sky. “Nysad will hopefully be back by then. I’ll have someone send food to your rooms in a few hours. Get some rest for now.”
    The elves left together, leaving Peros and Ryneq alone in the room. “See that Danek is brought here in the morning.” With the way things were, Ryneq was concerned how the others would react to the traitor. “The fewer people who know about the situation, the better—tempers are frayed enough at the moment.”
    They spent the rest of the day going over plans to transfer some of the villagers to the naval barracks near Bahkesh. It would ease the crowding in the palace, and the people would be as safe there as behind the palace walls. If Torsere fell, then nowhere would be safe.
    Nykin was sleeping soundly when Ryneq finally returned to their quarters. He quickly shed his clothes