Chapter 782: A Demonstration (Part One)
Ashlynn’s plan to provoke the Lothians into exposing themselves made sense to everyone attending the meeting. Those who knew Ashlynn the best recognized the assault on the Summer Villa as an opportunity to strike back at Owain directly for what he had done.
The presence of an imposter masquerading as her for months on end must have worn away at Ashlynn like a sharp stone in her boot, and while removing it wouldn’t resolve the suffering in her heart that Owain had placed there, it would at least function as a balm on her wounded soul.
The others at the table who didn’t know Ashlynn as well could still follow the logic of the plan. Much like attacking the ancestral caves of the Frost Walkers or destroying the arena in High Fen City, even if those places didn’t have strategic value, they were too sacred to their people to fail to avenge their destruction. Owain’s deception had, in effect, created a new vulnerability, one that he had to treat as if it were real, even though the ’pregnant wife’ residing there was an impostor.
There was one detail, however, that had gone unaddressed so far, and Sybyll spotted it quickly.
"What about little lord Loman?" the crimson-haired vampire asked. "If little lord Liam is too tempting a target ta ignore, then what about Loman an’ the men wit’ ’im?"
"I can attempt to snatch young lord Loman," Marcel offered. "But he’s traveling with Sir Tommin and an Inquisitor named Diarmuid," he added, sounding hesitant for the first time since this evening’s planning began. "I’d need help from Ignatious if I’m going to overcome an Inquisitor and a Templar with a Holy Light Blade."
"No, that won’t be necessary," Ashlynn said, raising a hand before anyone else can speak. "Your powers of darkness are unmatched, but against Loman and others from the church, a direct confrontation is the worst thing you could attempt. Besides, I don’t want to ambush Loman and his escort on the road. I want him to arrive in Hanrahan town before we deal with him."
"M’lady," Sybyll said, sitting up straight in her chair and looking at Ashlynn with wide-open crimson eyes. "Are ye..."
"Yes," Ashlynn said with a sharp nod of her head. "Nyri promised you a chance to deal with Hanrahan Barony long ago, and now it’s time to fulfill her promise. I need you to wait, though, just long enough for Sir Thane to fetch Liam Dunn. I want you to take our guests with you when you visit Hanrahan Town."
"You’re using Hanrahan Barony as a demonstration," Ollie said, glancing from Ashlynn to Thane and back again after he saw his mentor’s subtle nod. "You’re hoping that, if Liam Dunn and Rain Aleese see what happens to the Hanrahans, they’ll be motivated to convince their fathers to surrender."