Chapter 7: An Army

It was midnight at Yare Manor. After Laurel left, Taylor kept watch at Jacqueline's bedside, waiting for her to wake. He stroked the smooth fall of her hair, an ache he could not name tightening in his chest. After all, this girl had grown up alongside him. Suddenly, the door banged open and a girlish voice rang out. "Taylor, who told you to stay here? Are you trying to get the Yare family killed?" He turned.  A girl of about twenty strode in, her pretty face tight with alarm. It was Ariel Yare. "Ariel, what do you mean by that?" Taylor asked. "What do I mean?" Ariel fixed him with a wide, urgent stare. "You caused a scene at the Wokey family banquet and killed the Wokey father and son. You're public enemy number one in Nettle now. Instead of figuring out how to run, you're hiding out with the Yare family. Are you trying to drag us down with you?" "Drag you down?" Taylor tipped his head a fraction. "Relax. I'll handle this. I won't bring trouble to the Yare family." "Handle it? And how are you going to handle it?" Ariel pointed at the girl on the bed. "When disaster strikes, you plan to grab this ugly freak and bolt, leaving us to suffer?" "How dare you! We wouldn't be where we are today without the Jauncy family, and you dare talk like that?" A sharp voice cut in as Kayden came striding in. "Am I wrong?" Ariel knit her brows. "Given what Taylor did, the Yare family alone can't protect him. You talk day in and day out about the Jauncy family's kindness. Is your idea of payback to have the whole family wiped out?" "You go too far!" Kayden's hand came up; he was trembling with fury. "I go too far?" Ariel jabbed a finger at her own chest, incredulous. "Taylor has stirred up a hornet's nest, and now he brings this ugly freak here to ruin our family, and I'm the one going too far?" Smack! The slap cracked through the room. Ariel stared at Kayden in disbelief, a hand to her cheek. "Grandpa, you hit me for an outsider?" "Get out. The Yare family won't recognize someone like you," Kayden said, turning away, his voice like ice. "The Yare family will be killed by him sooner or later!" Ariel cried through tears, then whirled and ran out into the night. Kayden shook all over with rage. "That ungrateful child will be the death of me. How did our family end up with such a fool?" "Kayden, this isn't all on Ariel. After the Dragon Legion's defeat, I'm afraid everyone in Nettle will think the same," Taylor said quietly. He had seen it all and chose not to scold her. After a moment's silence, he looked to Kayden. "Kayden, did you need me for something?" "That girl nearly made me forget." Kayden came closer. "News just came in. Roland has already turned back with his troops. He'll reach Nettle's border tonight. Taylor, you should lie low." "That fast?" Taylor's eyes flashed cold. "He's on his way back, and why should I leave?" "Taylor, you're the Jauncy family's only surviving heir. Your safety matters most." Kayden's voice tightened. "I'll have a car ready right away." "No need. You all stay home and rest easy. I have my own arrangements." Taylor lifted a hand, and a murderous glint flashed in his eyes. He'd planned to make Roland explain why the Dragon Legion lost at the border. Since the old geezer was coming back, so much the better. "Very well," Kayden said, helpless, letting out a long breath. "Ah!" A sudden scream cut across their talk. Jacqueline had awakened, and when she saw herself in the mirror, she burst into tears, weeping uncontrollably as tears streamed down her face.  Taylor rushed to comfort her, but she was a young girl; faced with her ruined reflection, how could she bear to be seen? She yanked the quilt over her head. "Mr. Jauncy, I look so ugly. Please look away!" Taylor patted her head through the quilt. "Silly girl. I can fix your face." "Really?" Two reddened eyes peeked out from the quilt. Taylor's expression softened. "Of course. When Laurel brings the medicine, I'll treat you right away." At that, Jacqueline ducked back under the covers. "Then I'll wait until Laurel gets here before I come out." Taylor and Kayden traded a rueful smile. "Taylor, don't press Jacqueline. She's a girl, after all," Kayden said. Taylor nodded, though watching Jacqueline's sorrow still tugged at him. A servant stepped in. "Sir, Colton Casson of the Casson family and Andrew Warth of the Warth family are here to see Mr. Jauncy." Both Kayden and Taylor looked surprised. "What are they here for? Are they looking to make trouble?" Kayden narrowed his eyes. "Taylor, you don't need to go. I'll meet them." "No. They came for me, so I'll see them." He turned his wheelchair and left. To their surprise, the two patriarchs hadn't come to pick a fight; they were here to make peace. Right after Taylor and the others had left the Wokey Manor, the heads of Nettle's great houses convened. Though the Seven-Clan Council had resolved to wait for Roland's return before acting, Colton Casson and Andrew Warth suspected it wouldn't be so simple. The cold, effortless ferocity Taylor had shown when he killed the Wokey father and son didn't look like he was relying on Alchemist's Haven. On the contrary, he had treated the Wokey family with utter contempt, which meant he very likely had already regained his strength in secret. If so, the prodigy of Nettle might be about to stride back onto the stage. So they had decided, in private, to personally come and extend an olive branch, informing him that Rolald was hurrying home. Taylor regarded them. "I already know Roland is on his way back. Is that why you're here?" The two exchanged a glance.  Colton stepped forward, clasped his hands in a martial salute, and bowed from the waist. "Mr. Jauncy, my daughter's breaking off the engagement in public wasn't my intent. I hope our families don't become enemies." Taylor considered, then nodded. "If that's truly how you feel, I won't hold it against you." "Thank you, Mr. Jauncy, for your forbearance." Colton exhaled. "Mr. Jauncy,the Warth family gives its word. We won't join any action against the Jauncy family," Andrew added at once. "In a moment like this, I'm glad you still trust the Jauncy family." Taylor inclined his head. "Rest easy. I target only the Jauncy family's enemies. I don't make things hard for friends." The two men shared another look. Whatever the reason, Taylor showed not a trace of fear at Roland's return. That likely meant their assessment of him was correct. After a long beat, Andrew said, "Mr. Jauncy, forgive my boldness. When Roland returns at the head of his troops, how do you plan to meet him?" Taylor didn't answer at once. He merely smiled. He knew Andrew wanted a look at his cards, to make sure he'd bet on the right side. "Mr. Warth, that's not your concern." "Of course, yes." Andrew fell silent. After a few more polite phrases, the two family heads took their leave. Watching their retreating backs, Taylor let a cold smile tug at his lips. They'd likely guessed he had recovered his strength, which was why they'd hurried over to pledge themselves. Cracks were already showing inside the Nettle Tiger Legion.  As for the remaining people, once he dealt with Roland, he would make them bow one by one. As night deepened, the very air over Nettle seemed to grow heavy. Taylor dialed the Dragon Legion command. "Any word from the recon battalion?" "Sir, the recon unit reports an army of ten thousand nearing Nettle's border," came the clipped reply over the line. "Understood," Taylor said, and hung up. After supper, when Kayden and the others weren't watching, he slipped out of Yale Manor.  Beneath the night sky, a young man in a wheelchair rolled steadily toward Nettle's border. Rain drummed on his umbrella, beading along the rim like a curtain of pearls that hid his face. He was alone, yet a cold, lethal energy rolled off him. Even nocturnal animals, sensing it, bolted in panic through the brush. He tilted the black umbrella a fraction, and the moon washed his chiseled features with pale light. He looked up at the night sky, an icy glint deep in his eyes. "Roland, do you think that army of ten thousand can keep you alive?"