Chapter 177: Shadows of Deception

In the depths of her mind, Baobhan Sith plotted her next moves. When the time comes, I'll take these prisoners out and use my powers to strike at Lott and the others. She envisioned the ease of acquiring their hair, nails, and body fluids—anything that would enhance her abilities. With a curse, I can kill them from a distance, no matter how far apart we are.

Yes, she thought fiercely, I will be merciless this time. Clenching her small fist, she steeled herself for the task ahead.

As she contemplated her plan to infiltrate the castle, Baobhan Sith's mind was racing with thoughts of the possible defences Lott and Morgan might have in place. I must be cautious, very cautious. If I give them a reason to set off their defences with that holy sword of theirs, I'll be overwhelmed.

There's no point in attacking the strongest defences head-on—what kind of fool would do that?

She planned to find a way to sneak in first. What if I attack surrounding villages? she considered. If she could force the villagers to flee to the castle for refuge, it might draw the defenders' attention away, creating an opportunity for her to slip in unnoticed.

Just do it, she urged herself, turning and heading towards the nearby villages. This time, I'll only frighten them—no need to kill anyone.

The process of sowing chaos was surprisingly smooth. Each village had a knight or two, but they were no match for Baobhan Sith. She easily dispatched them, leaving destruction in her wake, forcing the terrified villagers towards the safety of the castle.

Once the chaos was underway, she concealed her figure, blending into the throng of refugees as they approached the castle walls. Hidden beneath her hood, she quietly assessed the situation. Now, with so many people gathered, the defenders should be distracted, she thought, scanning for an ideal point of entry.

There's no way the lords would protect these victims. If they did, it would be a rare kindness, and certainly not the norm. These lords care little for the lives of those beneath them.

Baobhan Sith's thoughts turned mischievous. What if Lott is undeserving of his hero status? If he casts these people out, I can seize them for my plans. I could build my kingdom, and they would be my first subjects, controlled by me!

Pleased with her scheme, Baobhan Sith felt a thrill of excitement as she moved closer to her goal.

Meanwhile, in the castle, Lott and Morgan were receiving reports about the victims flooding towards the city gates.

"What's happening?" Lott asked, startled. "Are these people being attacked?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," replied the captain at the gate. "They say their homes were destroyed."

"What caused it? Was it a flood or a fire?" Lott pressed.

"No, neither," the captain answered. "They claim to have seen only one figure pass by their houses before they collapsed."

"This must be the work of the fairies," Morgan interjected. The sheer scale of the destruction suggested that only someone with formidable power could achieve such chaos.

As they processed this unsettling news, the captain continued, "What should we do with these people? Should we drive them away, or let them take shelter under the walls?"

"Of course…" Morgan began, but Lott's thoughts cut through. We must not allow them in; the fairies could slip in with them!

But before he could voice this concern, Morgan's tone shifted. "We should let them in right away. Also, prepare some broth for them."

Lott was taken aback. "Why would we do that? It seems extravagant."

Morgan smiled, triumphant. "I ask you, what is life like in the countryside? They will devour the broth. But the fairies? They will not worry about food."

Understanding dawned on Lott as he connected the dots. "Ah, I see what you mean! By offering food, we can bait the fairies."

"Exactly," Morgan replied, her eyes gleaming. "If we do this, we'll make it obvious who is in our midst."

"Then I'll personally deliver the broth," Lott declared. It's dangerous, but I want to test my new armour and ensure Morgan stays safe.

"Good idea," Morgan nodded. There was no objection to Lott's protective instincts, especially with the stakes rising.

With the castle now a flurry of activity, both Lott and Morgan were unaware that shadows were gathering just beyond their walls, ready to exploit the chaos for their sinister ends.