Total pages in book: 210
Estimated words: 200096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1000(@200wpm)___ 800(@250wpm)___ 667(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 200096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1000(@200wpm)___ 800(@250wpm)___ 667(@300wpm)
Abarrane waits with Jarek and Elisaf next to a group of horses, their expressions revealing nothing.
“Which one’s mine?” I snap.
Our horses make a steady, slow path across the bridge toward an approaching Solange and Kienen, a row of Shadows and Ybarisan soldiers behind them. The rift is a yawning canyon beneath us, promising an endless fall should one of our horses suddenly spook.
The only concern my gelding seems to have, though, is the tiny green bird that flutters by, stirring a twitch in its ear. “What kind of bird is that?” It’s identical to the one that caught Caindra’s attention outside the gates of Ulysede yesterday.
“We are crossing over the Valley of Bones where any manner of beast may emerge at any given moment, and her focus is on the tiny sparrow,” Abarrane mocks.
“That is not a sparrow.”
“I do not recognize its type,” Zander says, ignoring Abarrane’s acerbic gibe, his hard gaze ahead. It’s the first words he’s said to me since emerging from our tent.
Not that I’ve made an effort to speak to him either.
When we meet Solange and Kienen at the center of the bridge, I almost wish she were wearing her mask, so I wouldn’t have to see the grim look on her face.
With a gesture, the Shadows form a solid, unmoving wall from end to end, those closest to the edge showing no hint of fear. Kienen and Solange guide their horses forward.
“Your Highness.” Kienen bows. “I trust you have regained your strength.”
I smile at my Ybarisan army commander. “I have.”
“Good, you will need it.” Solange holds up two folded letters. “From Nyos. The first is from the Prime. She is ordering the withdrawal of all casters and commanding them to return to Mordain’s borders.”
I steal a glance at Zander to see the muscle in his jaw tense. It’s as Solange warned just yesterday. “Will they follow it?”
“Not until I order it, which I have no intention of doing. But once Lorel realizes I am acting against her, she will strip me of my rank and replace me with someone who will do her bidding.” Everything is always very matter-of-fact with Solange.
“How long before that happens?”
“Before she learns of my treason? The Shadows will sequester the messengers for the short term and quell any official communication that isn’t my own, but more than a day of silence will raise alarms with the guild masters, who receive regular updates from their factions. Regardless, when my Shadows do not arrive with Agatha tonight, she will grow suspicious. By tomorrow, she will assume much.”
“So, basically, we have to get her to reverse her orders today.”
Solange dips her head. “It is only a matter of time before messages make their way into camp and casters here begin to choose which side they are on.”
“You’re saying they’d abandon the rift?”
“I’m sure many would be happy for any excuse to return to their warm beds.”
“Do they not teach loyalty in Nyos?” Jarek quips.
“They are not soldiers,” Solange snaps.
“What’s the second letter about?” Zander asks, his voice stony. He’s remained quiet, listening, up until now.
She spares Jarek a glare. “It’s from a trusted source within Nyos who says the Prime has started executing scribes. Four by pyre, in an attempt to force Zaleria to divulge all she knows.”
I curse. “We need to go now. The dragons can get us there within hours.”
“If we have any hope of minimizing the damage Lorel can cause, yes,” Solange agrees. “But Lorel will bind your affinities the moment you touch shore—”
“She can’t while I’m wearing these.” I hold up my wrists, showing off the gold bands. “From the nymphs.”
The Shadow’s eyebrows arch. “Fine …,” she says, not pushing for more details. “So she cannot bind you, but she can launch an attack against us that even a key caster would not save us all from. There are at least a hundred casters aside from scribes and students within those walls, and they are all highly skilled.”
“What if Romeria strikes first? With her full power, as she did in Cirilea?” Jarek asks.
I wince at the memory of the damage that caused. I don’t know if I could even do that again. It was during a moment of raw agony, after watching Gesine die, my rage with Boaz blinding.
“I am sure Romeria could cause untold damage and kill many. Is it your intention to decimate Nyos, Your Highness?” Solange asks evenly. “There are children within those walls, and many innocent people. I doubt you will win the hearts of my people by doing this.”
“No.” I grimace. Forget the casters, I could never live with myself.
“What about moving in unseen?” Jarek tries again. “You could use your cloaking ability to—”
“It will not work,” Solange interrupts, shaking her head. “There are wards against channeling affinities as you pass through the gate.”
“These witches have thought of everything,” Abarrane complains. “So, basically you are saying that if she sees us coming, it’s over.”