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“Very good. Now, you were inquiring about my marking. It’s called an imprint. When a male in the dark court turns eight it appears on our body in a random place. Each marking is unique to the male alfar. When an alfar takes a wife, she takes the imprint on herself the day of the wedding. Some magical connection or whatnot. It ties the two together as a visual representation of their union.”
“Like a wedding ring?” I asked.
He laughed to himself. “A bit like that I guess, except you can’t take it off and get a new one whenever you want.”
“Why don’t the light alfar have them?”
“It started when my kind made the deal with Azeer. We think it’s some dark magic connecting all of us.”
I paused, trying to note all the differences between the two courts. “And where is your wife?” I asked.
His face scrunched together as he flashed a genuine smile. It was the same. Every line, every tooth. The way his cheeks formed into dimples from the motion. The way his creases outlined his lips.
“I have no wife and never will.”
“Why?” I asked.
“A wife doesn’t suit my aspirations in life, I suppose. Plus, a female would want children and I can’t stand them, so there is that. Genevieve, did you come here to get to know me on a more personal level, or is there something you need from me?”
I took a sip of wine and looked at him, trying to calm myself. “I need your help.”
“Already filled my quota of helping you for the day,” he playfully said.
“Well, now it’s my turn to return the favor and save your life,” I said confidently.
He perked an eyebrow and tilted his head down. “I’m listening.”
“Gaelin believes the attack will come from the south border, but he is wrong. He is going to send the whole army south, but the enemy won’t be there. While he is busy searching for them, they will attack the northern wall. They will succeed and take the castle, killing everyone inside. When the army returns, Otar will be in the throne room. He will kill everyone, including you,” I said.
Erendrial’s face remained emotionless, difficult to read. He leaned over his knees rubbing his face with his hand. His neatly trimmed black hair was tousled, and locks fell across his forehead.
“Why tell me this? Why not Gaelin?” he finally asked, calmly.
“I did, but he doesn’t believe me. To his defense, he sent out two scouts to make sure the threat was still at the south border. They reported that they were, but something isn’t right. The enemy I saw were large wolf-like creatures. They tore everything to shreds. That…thing, which I presume was Otar, has some power that I don’t think any of you have seen yet. I think he’s using that to make it appear like the enemy is in the south, when in reality, they’re waiting for you all to leave so they can attack the wall.”
“And how do you know this?”
I chewed on my lip. Even though I was almost certain he knew what I was, I wasn’t going to make the mistake of telling him out loud. “I can’t tell you. I know I am asking a lot, but I figured with the ragamor you brought, you could send out your own scouts to the north to see if I am right. The canopies of the forest will provide them good coverage, but from the air you should be able to spot them if they are there.”
He nodded his head as if considering my suggestion. “Anything else I should know about?”
“They have ulyrium spears and some type of explosive devices. They’re full of ulyrium. He has enough to wipe out the whole army.”
“Unexpected, but clever, nonetheless. Makes things a bit more inconvenient.”
I waited a few moments in silence, allowing him to think. “Also, I don’t believe Otar is the reason for the rift.”
He looked at me curiously. “And why not? He has been the most powerful being we’ve seen yet. He is the only one capable of controlling the beasts that come through the rift.”
“When I saw all this happening, Otar was in the throne room when you, Gaelin, and the others entered. He detonated the bombs to kill you while in the same room, sacrificing himself in the process. What power-hungry leader in any race have you ever heard of willingly would choose to kill himself just as he conquers his foe?”
He leaned back, smiling at me as he took another sip of wine. “If what you say is true, why should I not leave tomorrow morning before the battle commences. Sounds to me like this information, if accurate, will eliminate both of my king’s enemies in a few hours,” he said tauntingly.
I paused, weighing the outcomes. “Because, if Otar isn’t the most powerful thing to come out of the rift, you will need all the help you can get, including the light alfar. If they aren’t here, the border to The Frey collapses, which would allow anything to get inside. There go your human sacrifices, your slave labor, and your endless supply of warm bodies. Territory wars will commence from the other races trying to take control of the land. Countless fae lives will be lost battling over a piece of land while the things from the rift keep coming. They will look to attack the dark court first, taking out their biggest competition. Though you are powerful, you don’t have the numbers to cover that much land. You can’t fight two wars at once and win,” I said confidently.
He laughed and shook his head. “Very impressive. It is nice to have a conversation with someone who isn’t so…simple-minded.”
I smiled, dropping my eyes to the floor.