“I need your help. There’s a weapon in the Reaches above us, but I can’t do it alone,” she said, forced to explain herself despite the chaos reigning around them.
He studied her before looking over her shoulder where Trenton watched their backs. Trenton gave him a dour look, letting him know without words that he would prefer his absence.
Gawain arched an eyebrow. “Lead on, Telroi.”
Finally. The wait for his agreement had felt like it was interminable.
“Lyle, Kevin, follow us,” Gawain shouted as Shea headed for the stairs.
She just hoped they would be in time.
CHAPTER TWENTY
“Do you think they got the message?” Fiona asked. She looked out over the valley in front of them, one hand resting on the pommel of her sword.
Eamon let the oblong tube the firebug had shot out of drop to his side as he somberly stared into the dark and what he knew waited out there. “I sure hope so.”
It’d taken them too long to reach the small camp Fallon had left on this side of the mist. Difficult trails and having to backtrack several times had delayed them. It meant they’d stayed just miles in front of the army of beasts.
They’d managed to reach the detachment in time to warn them to get out of the valley, but just barely. They’d hidden in the mountainsides along the valley. Thankfully, the maps Shea had given them helped them find a hidey-hole.
It was safe enough for now, but if the Keep fell, this entire area would be riddled with beasts. He doubted they’d be able to get clear before the beasts caught wind of them.
Phillip and Fiona’s men stood at their backs on an outcropping of rock that overlooked the valley. They’d decided to get as high as they could before sending up the firebug, knowing it was their best chance of warning the others.
He’d tried to send these four off, knowing the firebug would advertise their position to the enemy, but the stubborn fools had refused to listen, deciding to stay despite his orders to the contrary.
The place they’d chosen for their last stand was a good one. With the cliff at their back, they could fight without worrying about being surrounded. The mountain rose sharply behind them, making the path to this outcropping narrow, creating a bottleneck they could easily defend.
He might know the chances of surviving were very small, but he didn’t intend to make it easy on these beasts. They’d have to work to bring him down.
“Well—at least our deaths will count for something,” Fiona said.
That’s all you could really ask for in the end.
“It’s not too late for you to get out of here,” Eamon offered. “They just need one person. I can stay behind and draw them off.”
Ghost let out a scoff. “And leave you to hog all of the glory? No offense, commander, but I don’t think so.”
“I could order you,” Eamon said in a mild voice.
“Dead men don’t take orders,” Roscoe returned.
Eamon felt a stab of dark amusement. It was something Shea might have said to him once upon a time. He hoped she understood the meaning behind the two shots. It was why he’d fired one and then waited. To give the sentries on the wall time to summon Fallon. Shea would follow. She’d never been one to remain behind.
She’d keep their people behind the wall. He knew it.
“Roscoe, I bet I kill more of these beasties than you,” Ghost said with a sly smile to the man next to him.
Roscoe snorted. “I doubt it’ll matter since we’ll be dead by the end.”
Ghost lifted a shoulder. “We’ll compare numbers on the other side then.”
Roscoe’s smile dawned, deadly and dark. “Deal.”
Phillip drew his sword. “We’ve got company.”
Fiona advanced, shifting the shield she carried in front of her and slipping her arm through its straps. With the other hand, she drew her blade. “Keep it tight and don’t give into your blood lust. I’m not tracking either of you two idiots down this time so I can save your ass.”
