"Get back!" Connor shouted and spread magic out in a wave that staggered Galen and sent trolls flying yet again. Galen raised his own hand, but when the others moved to stand with Connor, he recognized the danger. He spread his own magic around, and in that maelstrom, they felt him disappear.
The trolls quickly retreated as well, and Connor wondered if they were here of their own will. His people did not try to stop them, and in the sudden silence, Connor felt the drain of the battle on him. He leaned against the nearest wall, gasping and trembling in reaction.
The magic had worked. That was something at least.
"Damned good work, Connor," Druce said. The words startled him. "We hadn't even considered Galen's actions, you know. Horrific as they were, they were still just actions of an enemy."
"He had to leave quickly," Nylia added. "He isn't truly fae, and if we figured out what he is, we would have power over him."
"We need more research," Liam said. He looked around as though he only now realized the battle was over. "That none of us noticed until the words were said -- that means something about what Galen is."
"No rest," Erlis said and looked around at the others. "But maybe some food."
Connor wasn't hungry, but he didn't argue. They reached the kitchens along with many others, and the cooks were already at work. Connor and his party were waved on ahead, which he appreciated since he wanted nothing more than to sit down.
They took their usual table, but then Connor looked at the Lord of Northgate's table, empty.
"Not yet," he said when he turned back tot he others. "I'm not ready for that yet."
No one argued.
Rion entered the hall as well and soon joined them at the table. He had been in the battle as well -- nearly everyone had turned out, but there didn't seem to be many serious injuries. Connor hoped no one had died. They hadn't told him yet.
"How did you turn the battle?" Rion asked as he settled with a cup of broth and some bread. "I felt your magic surge up, and then the trolls suddenly backed off and left. We would have won anyway, but it's not like them to suddenly give way."
Connor explained and saw the Rion's face show shock and amazement for the first time in all the years he'd known him. The look had not gone unnoticed by others, either. Silence fell across the room as Rion sat back, shaking his head.
"We have all been fools."
"Blinded by our worries," Connor said. "And I hope that having this piece of an answer will make matters easier."
"It makes it imperative that we move quickly," Rion replied. He sipped soup and ate some bread, though. "Since we know the truth now, Galen -- or whatever this is -- will be forced to move to against us to keep from learning his secret."
"But how?" Antisha asked. She had played with her food and now pushed the bowl aside. "What can we do?"
"Southgate," Liam said.
Rion nodded. "And you didn't even get that one from a vision. Yes, the attack must be made against Southgate, the seat of Galen's power. No matter what this is, he is drawing from there. If he weren't based from there, the truth would have been noticed far sooner."
"Then we have to go through," Antisha said. She didn't look happy. "And unfortunately, we've already alerted him that we know he's not right -- so he'll be waiting."
"An excellent point," Nylia said. "Not exactly the kind of leap I would want to make."
"Then we need to do this is a way that he doesn't think we're coming," Erlis said. "I suggest we go to the Troll lands and then on to Southgate."
Connor was about to say that was crazy; then he rethought the situation. "We wouldn't have to leap into a Troll stronghold or anything," he said. "Just make the jump to there and make it look as though we are attacking that area."
"Take the army with you," Rion said. Connor began to shake his head. "Listen to my reasoning before you make up your mind. A small group, heading into the troll lands would look like exactly what it is -- people who have no intention of staying there. At least a moderate group of soldiers will give the impression that you intend to fight the trolls."
"But I don't want to put the troops where --"
"Where they are in no more danger than staying here," Rion said with a wave of his hand. "Less so, if you choose your drop position wisely. Staying here, they are simply waiting for the trolls to show up."
"And we might distract and worry the trolls, who do not do well with unexpected changes to their plans," Nylia added. She had a touch of a feral smile. "If they think they are about to be attacked in their own lands, they are not going to come leaping into ours."
"Unless someone has full control of them," Connor added.
"In which case, we still would be wise to get to Southgate quickly and end that control," Liam said.
"You cannot protect everyone all the time," Rion added and met his startled look. "Yes, this is a situation you and I discussed a few times, Connor. Remember: I knew Lord Northgate intended to name you as his heir."
"I thought you only wanted to know how humans thought about such things."
"Well." He looked at Connor with a nod. "Yes, that at least now makes sense of why you never thought it strange. I had thought you might have figured everything out. At any rate, you always did well."
"And I have to call on that I've learned now," Connor said. "And listen to people who are speaking wisely. We'll go through the Troll lands."
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