The Princess's Revenge Chapter 145

Valencia’s POV

"How many troops do you estimate?"

"At least five hundred. Maybe more. It's hard to get accurate counts from this distance."

My stomach tightened. Five hundred troops was a serious force.

"There's something else," Carson continued. "The weather is warming. In another week, maybe two, the ice on the Grey River will melt completely. Right now, the river is too dangerous to cross. But once the ice is gone and the water calms, it becomes much easier to ford."

"You think they're waiting for the ice to melt before they attack."

"Yes, Luna. The timing is perfect for them. Spring is almost here. The river will be crossable. And with the chaos in Valdoria right now, with the capital in turmoil, this is the ideal moment for Aldermere to invade."

I looked at the map again. The Grey River was the only thing protecting us from Aldermere's army. Once that natural barrier was gone, we'd be exposed.

"What do you need from me?" I asked.

"More warriors," Carson said immediately. "And more supplies. Arrows, weapons, armor. If we're going to hold this line against five hundred troops, we need everything we can get."

"I'll send more reinforcements as soon as I return to Cliffwatch. And I'll have Dr. Vance coordinate supply shipments."

"Thank you, Luna."

"Show me the defenses. I want to see everything."

Carson led us out of the tent. We walked through the camp toward the river's edge. Warriors saluted as we passed.

At the riverbank, I could see the defensive works. Wooden palisades. Trenches. Watchtowers every hundred yards. It was impressive, but would it be enough?

Across the river, I could see the Aldermere camp. Their red and gold banners flew over their fortifications. I could make out tiny figures moving around, too far away to see clearly.

"They watch us, and we watch them," Carson said. "Every day. Every night. Waiting to see who makes the first move."

I stared at those distant banners. "Has there been any communication with them?" I asked.

"No, Luna. They send no messengers. Make no demands. They just build up their forces and wait."

"That's what worries me," I said quietly.

We spent the next hour inspecting the defenses. Carson showed me every position, every weakness, every contingency plan. He was thorough and professional.

By the time we finished, the sun was setting. The sky turned orange and red.

"You and your men should rest," Carson said. "We have tents prepared for you."

"Thank you. But first, I'd like to eat dinner with the warriors. Can you arrange that?"

Carson looked surprised. "Of course, Luna. I'll have food brought to the central mess area."

Thirty minutes later, I sat at a long wooden table surrounded by border warriors. They'd set up benches and brought out pots of stew and fresh bread.

The warriors were nervous at first, eating quietly and stealing glances at me. Finally, one of them spoke up.

"Luna, is it true you can turn into a dragon?"

The whole table went silent. Everyone stopped eating to hear my answer.

"Yes," I said simply. "It's true."

"Did you really burn down King's Fang?"

"I did."

More silence. Then another warrior asked, "Are you from the Ogden family? The dragon royals?"

"No. I don't know where my dragon ability comes from."

A younger warrior leaned forward. "What does it feel like? To shift?"

I thought about that. "It's like fire running through your veins. Like your whole body is being torn apart and rebuilt. It hurts, but it also feels powerful. Natural, in a strange way."

"Can you control it?" someone else asked.

That question hit harder. "I'm learning to," I said carefully. "It's not easy. The dragon has its own will. Its own instincts. But I'm getting better at working with it instead of fighting it."

The warriors seemed to accept that answer.

"We're glad you're on our side, Luna," one of them said. Others nodded in agreement.

"I'm glad to be fighting alongside all of you," I said. "You're the ones defending Valdoria every single day. You're the real heroes here."

That seemed to please them. The conversation became more relaxed after that. They told me about life on the border. The long watches. The cold nights. The boredom mixed with occasional moments of terror.

I listened and asked questions and tried to remember their names and faces. After dinner, Carson showed us to our tents. They were simple but functional. Bedrolls and blankets. A small brazier for warmth.

"Get some rest, Luna," Carson said. "We'll begin the journey back to Cliffwatch at dawn."

"Thank you, Captain."

He bowed and left.

I lay down on the bedroll, but sleep didn't come easily. My mind was racing with everything I'd seen and heard.

Aldermere was preparing to invade. The ice would melt soon. We needed more warriors, more supplies, more time.

The next morning, we woke before dawn. The camp was already stirring. Warriors preparing for another day of watching and waiting.

We ate a quick breakfast, then prepared our horses for the journey home.

"Thank you for coming, Luna," Carson said as we mounted up. "It means a lot to the men. Knowing their Luna cares enough to see the situation herself."

"I'll send those reinforcements as soon as possible," I promised. "Hold the line, Captain."

"We will, Luna. For Cliffwatch Pack."

We rode out of the camp as the sun rose. The return journey would take all day again.

For the first few hours, we made good time. The weather was clear and the road was dry.

Ryan held up his hand suddenly. "Stop."

We all reined in our horses.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I smell something. Blood. Fresh blood."

My heart started pounding. Ryan's senses were sharp. If he smelled blood, there was danger nearby.

"Everyone stay alert," Ryan said quietly. "Hands on your weapons."

We moved forward more slowly. The forest pressed close on both sides of the road here. Shadows lay thick under the trees.

Then I heard it. A twig snapping. Leaves rustling.

"Ambush!" Ryan shouted.

Rogues burst from the forest on both sides. At least eight of them. Their eyes were wild and their clothes were filthy. They carried weapons and moved with the coordination of trained fighters.

"Protect the Luna!" Carson shouted.

Everything happened fast. Ryan shifted immediately, his brown wolf lunging at the nearest rogue. Carson and the other warriors drew their swords and charged.

Two rogues came straight at me. I yanked my sword free and blocked the first one's strike. The impact rattled my arms.

The second rogue circled around, trying to get behind me.

Then Kai was there.

He moved faster than I'd ever seen him move. His sword flashed and caught the second rogue across the chest. The rogue howled and fell back.

But more were coming. A large rogue with a scarred face broke through our defensive line. He was heading straight for me, his claws extended.

"Valencia!" Kai shouted.

He threw himself between me and the attacking rogue. The rogue's claws raked across Kai's shoulder. Blood sprayed.

"Kai!" I screamed.

Rage exploded inside me. I swung my sword with all my strength. The blade caught the scarred rogue in the neck. He went down gurgling.

Ryan had torn the throat out of another rogue. Wyatt and the others were fighting desperately against the remaining attackers.

The battle was over in minutes. All the rogues were dead or dying. But the cost showed on our side too. Jeremiah had a deep gash on his arm. Finn was bleeding from his leg.

Kai was sitting on the ground, his hand pressed against his shoulder. Blood seeped between his fingers.

I dropped to my knees beside him. "Let me see."

"It's fine," he said.

"It's not fine! You're bleeding!"