"What do you want us to do?" Ari asked, pointing to the other unit warriors.
Aiden's smiled disappeared. "My mate may be many things, but she is hardly ever wrong. If she says that the impossible is happening, then gentlemen, we need to prepare you to face ferals here in Éire Danu."
He looked over to Micah. "Call Colton, tell him I need Lorcan, Ben, and Graham sent here, A.S.A.P." Micah pulled out his cell phone and walked away to make his call.
Aiden turned to Darian, but he was already nodding. "I'm heading there now to pick them up." He held up his hand with the signet ring. "I'm so glad I don't have to hide this anymore." He closed his eyes and a portal opened three feet in front of them. He gave a short wave, then walked through.
Oron took a step forward. "Aiden, shouldn't you discuss this with the queen?"
Aiden shook his head. "I am in charge of the units, they take their commands from me, not the queen." He gave a wry smile. "Just like with Prince Magnus, the city's ruler can make small, day to day requests, but my orders supersede everything." He pointed to him cheekily. "Besides, I have you to run interference for me," he said, grinning broadly.
Oron cursed under his breath. "And everyone thinks Meryn is trouble."
Aiden laughed then turned to the assembled warriors. "Starting now, we will be running a two-by-two-by-two schedule. Two units running perimeter patrols, two units training and two units resting."
"Yes, sir!" the men boomed.
Dav had a sly look on his face. "And what about us Old Guard?"
Aiden gave him an innocent expression. "I'm putting you in charge of them. See that they are used to the best of their abilities."
Dav's mouth dropped open. "Sonofabitch," he muttered. Around him, the men laughed.
Aiden shook his head. "You didn't think I was going to try and spearhead everything, did you?"
Dav looked bewildered. "Wouldn't most leaders?"
Aiden shrugged. "I'm in a city I've never been to, amongst men I've never met. It's more prudent to delegate some of the decision making to those with overall more experience and knowledge of the city."
Thane clapped Aiden on the back as he and his brothers walked by. "We need more men like you Aiden McKenzie, you almost make me regret not becoming a unit warrior." Aiden's eyes lit up before Thane looked over his shoulder. "Almost."
"Damn," Aiden said sighing.
Thane chuckled before pointing to the horizon. "Justice, Law, let's go set some D.E.W.s."
Aiden's eyes bugged. "You can create distance early warning lines?"
Thane looked confused. "Of course, can't..." He looked over to the unit witches who seemed equally impressed.
Kendrick nodded at Thane sympathetically. "Trust me, I know exactly how you feel. They haven't been trained in sweeps, either."
Thane scrubbed his hands over his face. "That's old magic," he argued.
Kendrick held up a finger. "Exactly."
"What are sweeps?" Aiden asked.
Kendrick turned to Aiden. "A magical pulse that can take out swaths of the enemy. Originally created when we still had front line battles. The stronger the witch, the more damage the sweep does. The only downfall is that it affects everyone in its path, friend and foe alike."
Aiden grimaced. "We engage in a more guerrilla-style fighting now, sweeps could potentially take down a fellow unit warrior."
Kendrick pointed to the expanse between the Border City and the Dark Forest. "Yes, that's true. But when you have a wide open area to defend, then it can be advantageous."
"Kendrick, could you and Law teach the unit witches here how to do lay D.E.W.s and perform sweeps while Thane and Justice set an outer perimeter?" Aiden asked.
Kendrick exchanged looks with Thane who nodded. "We can do that."
Izzy stepped forward. "Will the warning thing go off when the goblins visit? Telk said something the other day about them coming during the deepest dim. I wouldn't want them getting hurt."