They rose at dawn every day and rode hard. The initial trip had taken so long because they were on campaign. Without thousands of soldiers and a caravan to worry about, they crossed the expanse in a few weeks. They started to come across the villages that had been poisoned, and Kora's resolve strengthened. This was over. The plant used to poison them was another grey man special, something dear and dear to the far north. They burned the dead and moved on. Ian, it turned out he had a messenger hawk. It was how he continued to get information while on the road with them, and how his nickname was conceived. The enemy had reached attrition castle, and they had been rebuilding it. Once they drew closer, Ian Royce and Ben did recon. Ikalla and Kora had argued to go, but no one trusted them to come back if they did.
"We do this together Kora. I will hog tie you both if I must, and do not let my size fool you." Ludis threatened. Kora was inclined to take her seriously. Upon the men's return, they mapped out the enemy's camp, and sentry locations. Now it was time to plan. They all looked at Kora.
"I still think I should go alone, so do not look at me. It will come down to him and me, there is not much to do about that. I could take out the whole encampment. It would tip Drew off, but I could do it." She cracked her knuckles and grinned fiercely. Ikalla nodded her head.
"I have seen her take down 230 men in 60 seconds. It would give us the advantage, and if we could position ourselves correctly, Drew will not have time to run." Ikalla said and pointed to various parts of the drawn map.
"Hes too confident in himself, I would wager my years earnings the castle is built the same as it was when it was whole. He means to try to rattle us, by throwing us back in time." Kora said bitterly. Ikalla nodded, and Malik spoke.
"If we can take out the sentries with no fuss, and then get in – we can then take out the soldiers as they come. We need to get as close to Drew as we can before he knows we are here." Stella and Ludis shook their heads, and Kora's tone was cold.
"He already knows were here Malik. We must hit hard and fast." As much as Ben hated to admit it , they were right. It was a trap no matter which way they spun it, and the only advantage they had was that they knew it was there. Royce leaned forward, looking at the map, and said thoughtfully
"I might have an idea." He took the charcoal stick and pointed out a few areas to the back and sides of the castle.
"There were tunnels here when we rescued Kora remember, Ben?" Ben nodded; he had forgotten about them. Ikalla looked at where he indicated.
"Two of those tunnels are for water lines, but this one here – this was for entry and exit. It used to be well hidden. It was not even included in the original castle prints. When it was built." Ikalla circled it, thinking. Ian watched her, waiting. She looked up at him, and his expression was guarded. He really had not been happy that she had come on this expedition, and she could not let her feelings for him get in the way. She needed a clear head.
"It is a gamble to whether Drew knows this tunnel is here, but with Kora, even if it collapsed, we could move through here easy. " Ikalla stated. The others nodded, and Ian stood up.
"You all realize how reckless this is. The Kings himself and every heir to the kingdom is here. If we lose, the entire kingdom is up for grabs." Ian's voice was muted, and they all took a moment. Kora, shame faced, turned to her brother and sister.
"You guys really should stay back. If things go south, Deirdre needs you. Both of you. I am so proud to call you family. I never could have ruled as you two have. You brought the end to the war I started, and I could not imagine anyone else on the throne, ever." Her emotions ran over, and tears fell. Malik and Stella hugged her fiercely. Ludis and Royce stood by, and they too, felt the pinch of anxiety at what was about to happen. Kora turned and hugged them both.
"If I don't make it, take care of them, always." Royce nodded and Ludis grabbed her by the arm.
"You will return. We will stand guard and handle any fleeing enemy." Ludis violet eyes shined in the moonlight. Turning, she looked at Ben. He was ready, and she knew he would be. He was going with her until the end. She took his hand, and Ikalla went to follow them. Ian stepped up next to her, and she halted.
"No, the spymaster must stay. The kingdom needs you." Ikalla said, not wanting Ian to risk himself. He looked at her solemnly.
"I go where you go Ikalla. Try and stop me if you have the time and the patience." She was stunned in silence, and they stared at each other. She saw something in his eyes that she had never seen in her life, and it shook her core.
"Fine. Stay close to me then." She turned and they were off into the night.