“We’re attacked!”
“Inform the Commander!”
“Get the civilians inside the fortress!"
The ruckus grew, carried to the outskirts of the city by the wind, the blue flecks of Allie’s power catching in the breeze as they rushed between the trees.
The warriors stomped their feet in the dim candlelights flickering in the windows, left between the pine branches and red ribbons to ward off danger. They rustled the bushes, and banged the closest doors closed. Inside the fortress, the lights flashed fiercely.
More voices travelled through the streets, scared and raspy, until the entire city turned into a panicked cauldron.
In the distance, the Northern soldiers raced through the pines with a speed and precision that confirmed Nadya had been mapping every inch of Solkar’s Reach.
The troops marched from the East, where most of the eldest civilians tended to their farms in peace. The wolves rarely ventured there, and only accompanied by warriors, in case one of them got a craving for goat flesh.
The most exposed part of town.
Exactly like we’d predicted.
Through the spotless window, I looked at the fortress roof, where a blue light waited safely hidden behind the tower.
Allie guided the wind, a stack of arrows waiting for her to wreak havoc with.
I caressed the flutter of her in my mind, absorbing more of the heat as her power blazed. In return, she tugged on the connection lightly, just enough to let me know she was alright.
A ripple of emotions spilled from her.
Weary.
Angry.
Apprehensive.
But underneath them all was unflinching courage and hope.
We needed them both to survive this night.
Sylvester, freshly returned from delivering the message to The Capital, flapped his wings on the awning above her, like he wanted to help guide the wind as well.
The uproar in the city center swelled as the soldiers approached.
My power rushed through my veins to cool them and quiet my heart. I needed all my wits and calm to protect my land tonight.
I sent a quick prayer to our ancestors and silently unsheathed two daggers. In the darkness, they shined purple, demanding blood.
As soon as the soldiers passed Krysor’s pen, the goats bleating up a storm, Allie cocked her first arrow. It always gave me an overwhelming sense of pride to see her handle the bow with unwavering precision.
But this arrow was different.
It wasn’t meant to spear–but to scare.
It hissed through the air, almost invisible even to my own eyes. But everyone saw and heard the blast flashing through the trees.
Elysia would have been proud the petards made the Northern soldiers cry out in shock.
“Traps! They’ve set up traps!”
Not quite, but not far from the truth.
