Chapter 338: Another Day to Die
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LERRIN
Lerrin lounged in his chair, temple on his fist, making himself appear as relaxed as he was capable while he listened to the different members of the security council debate the way forward. Though he struggled to concentrate, frustration and anger pulsing in his veins like a drumbeat. It served his purpose, he supposed. They could all scent the tension in him. They had walked wide as they filed in one by one when the messengers found them. Now they were beginning to relax and forget—or perhaps not realize—just how tightly he was wound.
"…we knew this was a possibility, it's why we have three teams prepared with different approaches. The loss of one is sad, but not unexpected. And we are prepared for it. The second can be on the move tonight if needed, though I suspect the Cat's security will be even stricter now. It might be worth waiting a short time to let them relax."
"They will never relax, they are under eyes and dominance of their precious false King. I have been saying from the beginning, all of this sneaking in the shadows will make the people nervous and serve to keep us in their minds. But it will not work to actually overcome him. He is too established, his guards too well trained, his people too loyal. He even kept some of ours!"
Lerrin sat bolt-upright at that, his voice a deep growl when he spat at the men, "He deceived some of our people into believing they were better off under his arrogance and tyranny. Do not speak to me our people being kept. They were lied to and manipulated."
Most of the men submitted, but Daryn, one who'd spoken, stared a challenge back at him. "To continue sending small groups inside their boundaries is just a slow, steady way to kill our fighters off, one by one. We need to stop skirting around this and wage war!"
Lerrin became suddenly very calm. Behind the men, Suhle sat with her mending in her lap—one of his shirts that needed two buttons replaced. To the casual observer she appeared engrossed in her work. But he saw the tension in her shoulders and the jerky movements that meant she was listening. And she was afraid. His anger ratcheted up a notch.
"Tell me, Daryn, how you would have us take the Tree City—with their sentries and scouts, our army wouldn't get within a mile of the city limits before theirs would be in position and ready to defend. They have greater numbers, and better resources."
"And greater numbers to manage and protect. I am not suggesting a frontal attack."
"Then what do you suggest?"
Daryn's eyes flashed. "Fire the city."
Suhle went still. Lerrin snorted. "We already discussed this, I am not losing all the resources available and forcing myself to rebuild. Not yet. It is far too early."
"It doesn't have to be a forest fire. We could burn strategically. Or—"
"We could burn only to the west. Take down the Royal cave and surrounds—they'll think it's another assassination attempt—scatter the guards. And while all eyes are on their precious pussy, move in behind and take the City."
Lerrin stopped, turned to look at Craye, the Spy Master. His instinct was to discard the idea, but he could not immediately fault it.
Craye smiled because he knew it. "You either get the Cat and so have a fighting chance of taking the City, or you weaken their defenses and distract the people, giving us a better chance of taking it by storm. Regardless, we move forward."
Lerrin rubbed the stubble on his chin, frowning. "A distraction."
Craye nodded. "Pull their resources out of the City, then come from the other end so even when they turn around, they've got a fire behind them. We can push them onto it—even place some firebirds ready to reignite if they do get it under control. We can pressure them, then pick them off. Especially the population if they don't submit."
Lerrin stifled a shudder at the mental image of females and offspring fleeing his wolves, only to be turned back by fire. But he knew he had to present a front of both strength and ruthlessness. So he stared the Spy Master down as if he seriously considered his proposal. "I will give it thought. I am not ready to take that step."
Craye's lips thinned. "You want to avoid a frontal assault, this is your only—"
"I said, I will consider it, Craye!" he snarled. "Your proposed chaos scatters not only our enemies, but also our troops. Sending wolves fueled by bloodlust into a fire-ravaged city is a recipe for the dissolution of our hierarchy once combat begins. The idea has merit, but it is not a simple plan, nor am I yet convinced we will need it. For now, we will prepare the second fist to make an attempt on the false King, but we will discuss this again in a few days."
Before Craye could respond he turned to the other men, growling. "What I need to understand today is how we had a messenger from the Tree City appear, provide their message, then leave without so much as a question from our Sentries. What the fuck is going wrong?"
As Hern began to report on what he'd found, and some of the others chimed in, Lerrin's tension did not ease, though he fought to look as if it had.
Suhle remained in her chair, staring at the mending in her lap, but had not made a stitch since the issue of the fire had been raised.
He didn't even think about it, just sent to her, do not fear.
Her eyes snapped to his and he looked away immediately, but she did not stop watching him.
For the rest of the meeting, as he received reports, disciplined his males, and dominated the challenges that rose, he felt her eyes on him like fingers dragged through his fur.
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