War Of The Wildlands(79)

“They only care about taking it away from us,” Reylin replied. “They’ll be back soon, and we need more weapons.”

“How do you suggest we get them?” Essa asked.

“We raid more villages and take them away from the Na’zorans.”

“I don’t like that idea,” Nat said. “They had about fifty mages with them. They could be posted anywhere along the border, and I’d rather not risk losing any more of our kinsmen.”

Those who had been slain in the last battle had been left where they fell. In their hurry to flee the magefire, the elves had not had the chance to carry their bodies into the trees. Many of the fallen lay beneath massive trees that were uprooted by the energy blasts. Nothing could be done for them. The earth itself would have to accept the remains.

“I agree,” Essa said to Nat. “We need weapons, but getting them from Na’zora is too dangerous. We don’t know what they’re planning.”

“We know exactly what they’re planning!” Reylin shouted. “They’re planning to kill all of us and take every inch of the Wildlands for themselves!”

Reylana came to her brother’s side and placed a hand on his shoulder. “There’s no need to get angry.” Her voice was calm and kind, but did little to soothe his temper.

“Your friends here are ready to give up. They want to hide in the woods and wait until the king dies so they can kiss the prince’s ass.”

“That prince is ten times the man you’ll ever be!” A voice shouted from the darkness. Lisalla had once again been tethered to a tree. She could no longer contain her hatred for Reylin.

“Speak again and I will shove a rock in your mouth!” Reylana shouted. “You have no idea what my brother has suffered at the hands of these men. Our parents were murdered by your prince’s father, so don’t presume to know what kind of man the prince is. A dog does as its master commands!”

Lisalla did not reply. Aelryk was a far cry from his father, that much was certain. Though she did not know him, she had heard the words of his servant promising to make peace with the elves. In her heart, she knew the prince to be wise and fair.

“We aren’t giving up,” Essa said, “but I refuse to lead this army into a massacre. They probably expect us to run over and attack them. They’ll be ready for it.”

“We should wait and send more scouts to patrol the area,” Nat suggested. “In the meantime, we can focus on crafting new arrows and making repairs to our weapons.”

“That’s a good idea,” Sal replied.

“Agreed,” Essa said. “We need to prepare ourselves for the next attack. We will need hundreds of arrows crafted. The next time we’re attacked, we may have to use all of them on those mages.”

“We would have done better in this battle if that damned half-breed rune carver had joined us,” Reylana spat.

“So that’s it then?” Reylin interrupted. “We just sit here and wait?”

“You don’t have to sit,” Nat answered. “We need you to help scout the area.” He didn’t understand Reylin’s frustration.

“Shut up!” Reylin shouted. “No one was asking you. You’re just some little fool we picked up. Your opinion is worth less than shit!”

“Reylin, please,” Reylana said, attempting to soothe her brother. “Come and walk with me,” she said. Taking Reylin’s arm, she led him away from the others. Glancing back over her shoulder, she sighed as she looked at Nat. He had been a wise leader and a brave warrior, and she didn’t want her brother to continue insulting him. She hoped he would calm down after he had a little time to clear his head.

“After everything I’ve done for them, they just replace me,” Reylin said.

“They haven’t replaced you,” Reylana replied. “The army has grown, and other clans have to have their say. That’s all it is, Reylin.”

“They don’t listen to me at all anymore. I’m nothing to them.” He took a seat on a fallen log. “They’re going to let the Na’zorans run them out of the Wildlands. We’ll have to hide across the river like the Sycamore Clan.”

“That won’t happen,” she promised. “Not while I’m alive, at least.” She sat next to her brother on the log and placed a hand on his back. “You are a valuable member of our army,” she began. “Who knows where we’d be if it wasn’t for your leadership in the beginning.”

“The others don’t see it that way,” he said. “From now on, I’m going to do things my way whether anyone likes it or not. No one has to follow me.”