Capítulo 540: The Stage Set
Mairwen remained completely still in the tree, a necklace of garlic draped around her neck. It was a strong smell, much like the kitchens when dinner boils over or gets burned and permeates the air.
"We stink..." a windy voice entered Mairwen's ear from beside her.
"Not as bad as the abominations," the princess responded, only mouthing the words.
They were at least above the vinegary fog. Although Renat, Eliana and Jaymes had stumbled on the concoction by accident while coming up with their plans, the smelly clouds had both served to disrupt the monsters' sense of smell and obscure their long-range vision.
The smell was bad enough that all of them had needed to plug their noses, making the approaching army no longer detectable by the super-human noses. As the elves were very sensitive to odor, they had created special plugs they could use to block out the sensory overload if they did not want to or could not use their magic.
Although King Ithel did not end up sending any troops beyond his own sister, cousin, and brother-in-law, he did offer the Empress any of his resources that she might need.
The king was wise enough to realize that if the humans could not fix this problem on their own, his own people would also be in jeopardy. The wall of the ice barrier could not hold out the monsters indefinitely.
The scent rings were all generously donated and modified by the elves to fit the imperial army, as were magically imbued scarves which functioned much like foxie in keeping the abominations cool--but not allowing them to actually freeze. The humans had received similar cloths to keep their temperature regulated as well. In case they turned, it was vital that they have a defense against going feral.
Now the imperial troops had a very distinct look no matter if they were human or not. Which was good if and when the fighting actually began, but was problematic for the first portion of their plan.
There was an easy solution which Junayd had proposed himself.
"Send as many troops as we can into the camp the day before and let them mingle with those there. Spread out into twos and threes, and by morning when the smell comes, there will be enough troops with plugs and scarves that no one will think anything about it."
That is what the imperial army had done, and in doing such it became a logical conclusion by the enemy that one of the scientists had passed out his inventions to help the creatures combat the smell.
Through the thickening fog, Mairwen had shimmied up a tree to get a look at those below her.
With Brinn by her side, the blue-eyed princess had observed the abominations' reactions to their trickery. The creatures could have seen them if they looked up, but the thought did not occur to them as they did their work.
All seemed to be going well. The abominations were annoyed by the fog but not exactly suspicious.
Why should they be? They were power and might personified! Who could stand against them?
"You sure you have a clear shot?" Brinn asked for the third time.
"As long as Taran comes far enough forward, it shouldn't be an issue. And if you are worried about the fog, we both know you can blow it all clear in an instant if we need it." Mairwen pulled an arrow from her back and looked around.
Although they could not see them, the princesses knew that dozens of archers were positioned around them in trees ready to act if the moment arose.
Brinn pressed her lips together. "Is Rory sure about this plan? Seems very reckless to put herself out there like that."
"Says the elf in the tree who ignored her mother's warning and came to fight anyway." Mairwen smirked.
"Fair enough. I guess birds of a feather flock together after all…" Brinn proudly borrowed the human saying.
Mairwen flexed her bowstring to check its tension and then placed the arrow against it. Lifting the weapon into position, the young princess scanned the terrain at the end of the abomination's camp. They had chosen the very edge of the clearing in hopes of cutting off Taran from his army and forcing his surrender.
It was a solid plan in theory, but theory was never enough to ensure victory. So Mairwen looked for any sign that might tilt the scales before they began.
Satisfied, she lowered her bow and nodded to the elf.
"Are we ready?" Brinn confirmed.
"Ready as we are going to be. Tell Alvar it is all clear. And…tell mother to be careful…"
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The wind carried a whispered message to the dapper elf. Or rather, he would have been dapper if not for being disguised as a lizard.
"You are too short. Can you not make yourself taller?" Junayd teased as he looked down on him.
"You can only change yourself so much, even as an elf. Stop trying to make me feel inferior. I—" Alvar stopped abruptly and shut his eyes. When they flicked open, a cruel smile grew on his face. "It's time."
"Are you ready, Your Majesty?" Junayd gave a bow.
Clad in a nondescript brown cloak, Aurora fiddled with her colorful scarf before tucking it into a pocket of her simple gown. Underneath it was the thinnest but strongest armor the elves had to offer. It would protect her, but made her feminine form look slightly awkward.
"I am ready," she answered, pulling up her hood. "Draw Taran this way. You know the plan." She waited for the Snow White wolf to nod.
"I say a messenger has come from you and do the usual 'dumb act' so he comes to see for himself. Hope your acting has improved, Nurlan," Junayd winked at the 'messenger.'
"That just proves your 'dumb' act is already in place." The General rolled his eyes.
It was a strange sort of goodbye, but the two men said no more. Aurora gave her parting orders to Gandr, "Follow Junayd. If Taran gives any orders before coming our way, thwart them. Stop them however you see fit. After that, loop around and join Alaron in his mission."
"Understood." The halfling morphed into an abomination and followed behind Junayd. "I'll circle around and come from a different direction. If anyone asks, we don't know each other."
"Why would anyone ask that?" The white wolf raised a bushy eyebrow.
"I don't know. It just seemed like the thing to say," Gandr shrugged. Their conversation faded as the two males infiltrated the camp and parted ways.
Aurora watched them go with a tense expression. "Places everyone," she ordered quietly.
Three dozen wolves and lizards of the imperial army surrounded the Empress, Nurlan and Zan. Each had been hand selected by Devrim for both their fighting ability and their temperament. The Emperor wanted to minimize the chance that those protecting his wife would accidentally harm her.
Aurora stood behind Nurlan, who was to be the focus of the interaction, and took a deep breath.
Once everyone was in position, Alvar leaned forward and touched the Empress's shoulder lightly. His fake claws felt strange against her cloak.
"Be careful," he whispered with a deep intensity in his eyes.
"I had no idea you cared so much." The corner of her lips turned up slightly.
"The message was from Princess Mairwen," Alvar stammered.
"I figured." The Empress turned serious. "I will do my best."
"It is not too late," Nurlan said over his shoulder, "You don't have to be here."
"I know you think it is foolish. But I need to be here. With you, Zan and Alvar here, and Mairwen and Brinn faithfully watching overhead, I will be fine. None of you will let harm come to me."
"I wish Reyan were here to whisk you out of trouble," Zan chewed at his lip. "I don't like that we haven't heard from him."
"We cannot concern ourselves with what is out of our control. We must work with what we have." Aurora arched her back and then softened her shoulders. She had not seen the fairy since he disappeared from the room days ago, but the Empress trusted he had a very good reason.
Not that Aurora liked the idea of putting the old curmudgeon in harm's way. 'Perhaps it is better that he is spared,' she sighed.
A small gust of wind passed her face and blew into Alvar's ear. "They are coming."
Inhaling through her nostrils, Aurora let all of the stress leave her body. She needed to be clear-headed to face this foe. She lowered her head, determined not to give away her identity by looking the man in the eyes. Her eyes were very distinctive as was her hair, so it was best to keep them both hidden as long as possible.
Or at least until the proper moment. That was assuming things would unfold like they should.
"Maker be gracious," she whispered.
Bolstered by her plea, the imperial abominations growled agreement holding up their claws or weapons. While they looked like they might attack the three frail humans, nothing could be further from the truth.
The stage was set.
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