Blood of the Earth Read Online Free Page B

them.”
    “That’s not a bad idea,” Alexander said, nodding. “My father tells me they’ve been training a company of soldiers for special operations. They might be ideally suited to the task.”
    “I would concur,” Mage Gamaliel said. “I spent most of the time you were away fashioning armor for the Strikers from the dragon scales we recovered in the Blackstone aerie. They would be better able to defend against the wraithkin than any other soldiers within your army.”
    “Good, once we catch up with the main force, I’ll talk to my father about it,” Alexander said. “He might have a suggestion or two. Until then we should probably keep the one we captured alive. He might know something useful about Phane or his army.”
    “I agree,” Kelvin said. “While I’m loathe to bring him inside Blackstone Keep, it would give us an opportunity to study him and perhaps learn how he can teleport and heal so quickly. With sufficient understanding, we may be able to undo their power. If there are nearly a hundred wraithkin serving Phane, we’ll need some means to meet the threat.”
    “Do you think a magic circle would contain the prisoner?” Jack asked.
    “I assume so since the collar works on the same principle, but perhaps it would be wise to test our theory prior to taking him inside the Keep,” Kelvin said.
    “That’s probably a good idea,” Alexander said. “We can build a circle within the encampment at the base of the Keep and contain him there.
    “Once we get to the Keep, I’m going to hold a King’s Council with as many influential people as possible in attendance. I’ve already sent invitations to the triumvirs of the Sky Knights, and I’d like to have as many of the territorial governors of Ruatha at the table, as well as King Abel. We need to plan our next moves. We have more than enough enemies and not enough resources to face them all. I want to make sure I’m not missing anything before we decide on a course of action.”
    “That’s wise,” Kelvin said.
    “And politically savvy,” Jack said. “There are bound to be some questions about the Sovereign Stone amongst the nobles. Some may question your ability to be both the Sovereign of the Seven Isles and the King of Ruatha at the same time. Others may be reluctant to support anyone claiming the Reishi name. An open council meeting with all in attendance will give you an opportunity to provide them with the assurances they need to remain loyal.”
    Alexander frowned. “To be honest, I hadn’t thought about that. Given the history of the fall of the House of Ruatha because of their allegiance to the Reishi during the war, I can see how some might find it difficult to support anyone claiming to be the Reishi Sovereign.
    “As for being both the Sovereign and the King of Ruatha, it never even occurred to me that I can’t do both, but I think you’re right, Jack. I’ll have to give it some thought.”
    Isabel put her hand on his. “The Regent of Northport may have some harsh things to say about the destruction of his city.”
    “Can’t say I’d blame him,” Alexander said. “I’m still not sure it was the right thing to do.”
    “It was,” Jack said. “Consider the alternative—a fortified city with eight enemy legions supported by two or three mages awaiting reinforcements from Andalia. War without end. You made a hard decision. Ultimately your choice saved a great many lives at the cost of stone and timber. Not a bad bargain.”
    “I agree with Master Colton,” Kelvin said. “The damage done turned my stomach but the alternative was much less palatable.”
    “How many of those weapons do you have left?” Alexander asked.
    “One large one like the ones we used on Northport and three small ones like the ones used in the battle for the Gate,” Kelvin said.
    “As much as I don’t want to have to use them, we may find they’re the best weapons we have for certain circumstances,” Alexander said. “Do you have what