Court of Winter (Fae of Snow & Ice, #1)(61)
“That’s Lord Sillivul of the Barvilum Council,” Haxil said under his breath.
“Do they know you’re coming, my prince?” I asked as we began walking toward them.
The prince’s aura darkened. “They know I can be coming at any time.”
“It’s what keeps the streets in order here,” Nish added with a wink. “It’s the only thing that’s kept this town from burning itself to the ground in recent months.”
My brows furrowed. “Because of what’s happened to the crops?”
“The crops are only one small problem in this city,” the prince replied, his deep voice carrying through the night. “As a seaside town on the southern end of our continent, they also regularly deal with the Lochen fae.” He jutted his chin toward the sea. “There’s a series of islands called the Glassen Barrier Islands, just thirty millees off the coast here, that the Lochen claimed centuries ago. Unfortunately, the short distance also allows the Lochen easy access to our shores.”
“The Glassen Barrier Islands,” I repeated and felt so stupid that I didn’t know what he was talking about.
The prince pointed toward the sea. I squinted and was able to make out a rising mound, still visible in the dying light if one knew where to look for it.
“It’s an island chain far away from the main series of islands that the Lochen call home,” the prince explained, “but centuries ago in a sea and air battle among our kind and theirs, they claimed them in their victory.”
I ducked my head, feeling uneducated and stupid, but my learning had halted at primary school. I’d been sent to help part-time in the fields when my affinity never manifested, and further learning wasn’t required, so my education had stopped once I’d read all of the books in my village’s small library. I’d always liked to read. I just hadn’t had books available to learn from. Well, until a month ago. I’d read a number of books from the castle’s library when I’d been locked in the Exorbiant Chamber, and the prince had been away, but I hadn’t read any geography books. Perhaps I needed to change that.
“Can you tell me more about the Lochen fae, my prince?”
He inclined his head. “Since the Lochen fae are a seafaring race, they only occasionally come on land. Unlike the Solis, Lochen can breathe underwater and are adept swimmers whose magic allows them to morph into fish-like creatures when they stay submerged for months on end. But even in their fae forms, they can still move much faster than us in water.”
I frowned, trying to remember what I could from my primary days. “But they can also reside on land, right?”
“Correct, which makes them difficult to contend with when they choose to raid our coastal cities. It’s not unheard of for Lochen fae to sneak ashore at night, pillage an unsuspecting village, and then escape to the sea. And once they’re in the water, it’s near impossible to track them.”
We reached the edge of the crowd, and those in the back shuffled away as soon as they saw who stood in their midst. Those closest to the pulpit continued grumbling and bemoaning.
“Please, I beseech you,” Lord Sillivul called, his words carrying to us. “We are doing what we can to stop the Lochen from stealing our wares.”
“But they took four of my chests of rulibs!” a male yelled from the crowd. “They snuck aboard my vessel in the middle of the night just after we docked. I had to sail all the way to Guxbee to sell my silks, and all I have to show for it are a broken lock and a damaged ship railing. How am I to feed my family now?”
More shouts rang from the crowd, and my ears pricked toward the angry curses and muttered comments.
“What’s the Death Master going to do about it?” a female yelled.
“Yes, what will the prince do?” another agreed.
“Why don’t you ask him yourself?” Lord Sillivul gestured in our direction. “I see that he’s arrived.”
The crowd turned, some of the ire floating through the air quietening as the fae closest to us stepped farther away.
The prince crossed his arms. “I’ve been told that the Lochen’s raids have increased of late.”
“They have, my prince,” a male near us replied. He stood a few inches shorter than Nish and wore homespun pants and a thick, durable top. A field hand. I’d recognize another laborer anywhere. “Between their raids, which are destroying the few items our shops have, and the crops withered to nothing, we’re all going to starve.”
“You won’t starve,” the prince replied. “We’re sending stores from Mervalee to keep you fed for the winter.”
“But what about next season and the one after that?” a female called.
“The king must do more!” another screeched.
The prince’s jaw flexed, but if I hadn’t been standing so close, I wouldn’t have seen it.
“Prince Norivun?” Lord Sillivul gave him a tight smile. “Perhaps you could assist us and pay the Lochen a visit? Perhaps a show of our strength is needed?”
“If it would appease you.”
The crowd cheered, and Lord Sillivul inclined his head. “Very much so.”
“Ilara?” Before I could respond, the prince wrapped his arms around me, and then we were launching into the sky as continued cheers roared from the crowd.