“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.
“Where are we going, my prince?” I asked as he flew over the sea.
“To the Glassen Barrier Islands. If the Lochen have been raiding, their leader will be close by. It’s time I paid Drachu a visit.”
We touched down at the base of the most northern island. In the distance, the moonlight illuminated the entire island chain, making each drop of land look like a black pearl jutting up from the sea.
Ryder, Sandus, Nish, and Haxil touched down a second later, and all four drew their swords, one in each hand as a swell of their affinities rippled around me.
“Is this safe, my prince?” I whispered.
Around us the sea crashed on the black sand shores as jutting fjords rose steeply on each side of the island. Tall trees and thick vegetation covered in frost obscured most of the land.
“As safe as anything I do.” The prince’s cocky response did little to put me at ease, especially when he placed a hand on my lower back. “Stay close.”
My spine straightened as warmth from his palm coasted over my skin, but then a rush of ice prickled my veins when a shrill call came in the distance. Then another.
I inched closer to the prince. “Please tell me those are birds.”
“Those are birds.” Nish snickered.
“You shall be safe, Ilara.” Haxil drew closer to my side. “But be wise and do as Prince Norivun commands. Don’t drift away from us.”
I swallowed the dryness in my throat as my eyes adjusted more to the night. Unlike in Barvilum, there were no fae lights illuminating the way. Here, inky darkness and dim moonlight fogged my vision despite the stars twinkling brightly in the galaxy.
“I know you’re there!” the prince called out. “Show yourself, Drachu.”
I nearly shrieked when a Lochen fairy appeared from behind a tree. He glided toward us, curving around the rocks nearest to where we stood. Four more Lochen emerged from the forest, then a dozen more until they surrounded us. All moved fluidly even though they walked on two legs, and their skin shades varied from the palest of white to the blackest of night and everything in between.
My eyes widened at how closely they stood before us. I instinctively took a step back and bumped into the prince’s chest. His arm locked around me protectively.
As soon as I realized that, I forced myself to put several inches of distance between us, but even my hatred for the prince wouldn’t allow me to do anything stupid. I was definitely staying close to his side as the bright-green eyes of the Lochen fae shone from the darkness.
“Prince Norivun,” the one in the front said in a deep, commanding voice. An intricate necklace hung from around his neck that held shells, gems, and teeth from predators in the Tala Sea. A large center stone throbbed with an emerald light, illuminating his brown skin. “Why have you come to my shores this time?”
“I think you know exactly why I’m here, Drachu. Your raids have become too often. The Solis grow weary of your thievery.”