If they were taken unaware, how many died?
And I realize something else. Pallas returned to camp alone. No fanfare arrival of the troops. “Where are the other soldiers?”
When he meets my gaze, my stomach drops. “My lord wants you to return to the citadel as quickly as possible, my lady.”
He didn’t answer the question. Why didn’t he answer the question? “Pallas.”
His trembling intensifies. Another torturous glance at the wine. He looks so pathetic I give it to him. The drink manages to draw some color to his face, and he no longer appears as if he might vanish into the air itself. “I brought twelve men with me, the worst of the wounded. I didn’t want to come, didn’t want to leave my brothers-in-arms, but my lord made me go. He wanted me to warn you so you’d have time to escape before the enemy reached camp.”
“What about Boreas?”
“He was calling the men to retreat when I left. I can’t be sure. I’m sorry.”
The space inside my chest shrinks, and I nod, though I’m not sure what I’m acknowledging, exactly.
“You must leave, my lady. Before it’s too late.”
Why didn’t Boreas ask me to fortify the Shade? I can close the holes. I can stop the influx of darkwalker-turned humans, at least temporarily. I suggest as much to Pallas, but the captain shakes his head vehemently. “He doesn’t want you anywhere near the fighting. It’s too dangerous.”
That hasn’t stopped me before. I could return to the Shade, damn the consequences. But if Boreas sent Pallas ahead, the situation must truly be dire. I imagine the darkwalkers travel with haste. “Then we need to gather what we can. Orla, let the staff know we leave within the hour—”
“My lord asked for your safety only, my lady. The guards will accompany you.”
“What about the staff?” Unlike the soldiers, they are not trained in combat. And they, too, are vulnerable to darkwalkers. According to Orla, should a specter’s soul be taken, it is gone forever, leaving nothing to pass into the afterlife.
“I just do as I’m told, my lady.”
“Maybe you are quick to abandon your own men,” I seethe, “but I will not leave those who cannot fight as fodder for those abominable beasts.”
Pallas’ bloodless face twists, but he doesn’t attempt to defend himself. My anger drains as quickly as it ignited. The fault is not his. Indeed, it is no one’s.
“My lady,” Orla whispers, grabbing my arm. “If the lord wants you safe, then that takes priority.”
“No.” Many of these people have become my friends. I cannot abandon them. “If I go, we all go. We’ll be safe behind the citadel walls.”
Pallas attempts to sit up, but my maid nudges him back. “There are hundreds of people in this camp,” he says. “It will take many hours to pack.”
“We bring only what we can carry. Weapons and the clothes on our backs. Leave the rest.” The extra weight will slow our progress. “Are you well enough to lead?” I demand.
And just like that, the last of his resolve crumbles. He may stand against me, but he will lose, and he knows this. “Yes, my lady.”
“Then we must hurry.”
A storm is coming, a great storm. My skin itches as low clouds churn in the distance. We transfer the wounded to stretchers, douse the fires, distribute weapons. Since there aren’t enough horses to go around, some will have to walk. It is twenty miles of trudging through snow.
By the time we’re ready to move, the sun has vanished. The moon rises like a swollen pustule, and throbs from among its nest of scattered stars. My stomach sinks at the sight. Night is the darkwalkers’ domain, and we will be traveling with many wounded men.
Iliana stamps a hoof, ears pricked. Wind from the approaching storm drives the cold down thick. She senses it, as do I: something squatting beyond the veil.
“My lady,” Orla whispers. She sits behind me in the saddle. “What of the darkwalkers?”
My gaze flits from shadow to shadow. Wound as tightly as I am, everything looks like one of the grotesque, spindly creatures, although I’ve yet to smell smoke, evidence of their presence.
“It will be all right, Orla.” A dagger hangs at my hip. I’ve the bow in my lap, a quiver full of salt-tipped arrows. “I’ll watch over you.”
Her arms tighten around my waist. “Thank you, my lady.”
I pat her hand to comfort her.
