I raised an eyebrow. “Wait until you see the fountain.”
The brothers traded looks and decided not to ask.
I was glad I didn’t have to explain.
We stared at the building in the distance, and I glanced back at the battalion behind us.
I shrugged. “Do we rush in? Do we surround the building?”
Rilen motioned up four people behind us, and their horses trotted forward. “What do you think, captains?”
The four of them traded a look with one another, and then glanced at Aiko and me.
A tall woman on a horse nearly as red as her hair cocked her head. “We don’t know the layout of the building, and from what you’ve said, it’s a maze, filled with psychotic torture toys.
The captain next to her nodded. “Captain Sareesa is right. From what we know of our soldiers, they are not ready for such a scene. They will fight, but they aren’t ready for the innocents he tortures.”
The man on the end also nodded, his hand on a wicked looking scimitar blade handle. “It would be best if we surrounded the Stronghold or occupied the courtyard while a select few walked in.”
“I agree,” the other female captain said. “Surround and blockade.”
“Lord Aiko?” Rilen asked.
“Agreed. There are two entrances to the courtyard and one to the palace proper.” He inclined his head to the side. “There is also a secret entrance in the stables. It would be conceivable to send a small platoon in that way. For reinforcements.”
“The stables. They have access to the whole building from there.” A grin spread across my face. “That would be brilliant to have our people in the walls inside.”
“In the walls?” Rilen asked.
“Passages that the rebels have built over the years,” Aiko explained.
“Excellent.” Roran grinned.
A tremendous explosion shattered the quiet of the day, and the entire battalion turned to see where the noise had come from.
A puff of smoke rose near the top of the right turret, and a whistling sound grew louder and closer.
“They shouldn’t be able to fire this far.” Aiko breathed. “Cannonshot!”
It was another few heartbeats before we could see the tiny ball hurtling through the air. There was no way to tell where that cannonball was going to hit.
“Scatter!” Rilen screamed back at the troops. “Off the road!”
Another boom sounded from the left turret.
Two cannon balls.
“Stop them,” Roran hissed.
Time seemed to stop.
I was the Breaker of the Spine.
Bright Sword.
The only child of a vampire and a druid, ever.
I had moved the magic from the Chasm, broken the Spine, set our magic alight.
