A moment of silence passed. Then Catigern spoke for them all. “We'll do whatever's necessary, Caitrin.”
Caitrin smiled and squeezed Morrigan’s hand. “We’re lucky to be members of such an amazing coven. Thank you. Now, to spread the word...” He searched out Dallas. “Are there others like you, Dallas? Others who've sat in on battle plans, then removed themselves from the failed efforts before it was too late?”
“Of course,” Dallas answered. “There's a group of six who hail from one coven. They've been waiting fifty-three years for retribution. I've seen them at two different strategy meetings. Then there are two wizards and a witch who've sat in on the same plans as I on four separate occasions, and another handful I've met at one or two of the doomed gatherings.”
“Do you know how to contact them?”
“Yes, and while I can't vouch for their personalities, I can tell you that when it comes to Agro, their intentions are clear.”
“Call them. We understand they're reluctant to join without a reasonable chance of success, so we'll meet them in Portland and consider welcoming them into our community. If we feel they can be trusted, we'll let them deeper into our plans than the others.”
“I'll make the calls in the morning,” Dallas agreed.
“Everyone needs to start making calls in the morning,” Caitrin added. “If you trust them, call them, and be sure to stress our need for secrecy and the ticking clock. Have your friends and relatives pass the word on to people they know and trust, and if they have someone in mind already, try to get the contact information and make the call yourself. We'll have the location secured shortly after daybreak, so contact me in the morning and I'll give you its latitude and longitude points to pass on to the volunteers. Tell them they'll be provided for, and make sure they understand peace will be kept in the camp at all costs, so if they enjoy anarchy, they should stay home. We'll not tolerate hotheads with a disregard for other people's rights.” He stood, and the fire died down. “Oh, and no children. Eighteen and over. No exceptions. If you have any questions or worries, let us know, and if you're even the slightest bit unsure about something when you're spreading the word, run it by us before going any further. Any questions?”
Weylin leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he cocked an eyebrow. “What about the locals, Caitrin? Are you not going to enlist the help of your closest friends?”
Caitrin sighed and looked at Quin, who tore his gaze from Layla’s sad eyes and rubbed his tight jaw. “Your coven has no history with Agro, Weylin. There’s no reason for you and Kegan to bring your families into this.”
Weylin scoffed as Kegan scowled.
“No reason?” Kegan asked. “They’d object to the murder of everyone here.” He paused and found Caitrin. “You and my grandpa have been friends your entire lives. He stood beside you at your wedding. Or how about you, Cat? How many times have you come to the aid of my coven? Don't you think my family is as committed to helping and protecting their friends and neighbors as you are?” Everyone remained quiet, so Kegan motioned to himself. “What if it were the other way around and I was being targeted? What would you do?”
“We get your point,” Quin interjected.
“Good,” Kegan returned, “because not only would they be willing to help, they're trustworthy. And our coven isn't the only one you can count on.”
“No,” Quin objected. “Are you suggesting we endanger the entire magical community surrounding Portland? We're talking annihilation if things go wrong. What are we supposed to do, leave every coven within a three hundred mile radius with nothing but women and children? No one here wants that, and I can guarantee Layla will put up a rip-roaring fight to keep it from happening.”
“Got that right,” Layla mumbled.
“See?” Quin added. “Are you going to challenge her?”
“No,” Kegan conceded, “and I understand your concerns, but there are a few covens that are practically related to you, my own included. Are you really going to keep this from them?”
“No,” Catigern answered, and everyone looked at him. “Kegan's right, Quinlan. His coven and the Owen/Sullivan coven are like family to us. It would be a betrayal to keep this from them when we're alerting the rest of the world. Besides, we could use the trustworthy help.”
Quin’s lungs burned, seared by guilt as he watched his great-grandpa. “And if things go terribly wrong and half of them lose their lives in our defense?”
“I'm not suggesting they fight.”