CHAPTER SIX #2
While many from the Tapestry were climbing up the ropes, others were walking around the battlefield, finishing off fallen foes by lopping off heads with axes or swords.
The beasts that inhabited Deimos were hauling off some corpses either into the woods or under the water—probably to snack on later.
“So,” began Bevan, swiping his arm over his forehead, “is it only me wondering why the Sovereigns didn’t come out here to help?”
“No,” I replied. “I’m wondering the same thing.” Gently probing the bite on my face, I hissed through my teeth. Ow.
I had some claw marks here and there as well, and they were pulsing and stinging. I was more worried about the bite, since lamiae venom could inflict humans with the Red Thirst. But the ichor in my system should surely cancel it out.
I stood back as the officiates steadily scaled the wall. Some used the ropes while others accepted the aid of winged Phoenixians.
My attention went to Talon. My chest went tight at the many smears of blood covering him, along with the crimson splatters.
There were also tears in his clothing and faint scrapes on his skin.
The tightness in my chest loosened as I noted that he either had no real injuries or they had healed at preternatural speed.
Maybe he felt my eyes on him, because his gaze flew to mine. A gaze that gave me a fast once-over. His brow furrowed as he took in the bite and numerous scratches I sported.
Well, I didn’t like the wounds much either.
Especially because I knew that, though the Delphiae could heal me and the other candidates, they wouldn’t unless the injury was fatal—it was a rule of Xalbia.
It was supposed to encourage us to be cautious and learn to tend to our own injuries rather than rely on the skills of the Delphiae.
Talon prowled over, wholly focused on the bite on my face. Probably making sure the veins there weren’t darkening—it would be a sure sign that I was infected.
“I feel fine,” I told him. “No dizziness, no nausea, no other symptoms of infection.” Fingers crossed it stayed that way.
I picked up the bow and quiver from the floor, which was right when something caught my eye. I blinked, feeling my head slant as I straightened. “Is it just me, or is there a crack in the base of the Sovereigns’ fortress?”
Several people turned.
It was Ajax who replied. “No. No, it isn’t just you.” A cautious answer laced with surprise.
“What could have done that?” asked Bevan, taking the question right from my mouth.
Ajax exchanged a look with Talon, who appeared none the wiser.
It could have been one of the eagles, I supposed. They were huge enough to have caused a crack if they collided into the building. Though why they would have gone near the fortress, let alone bashed into it, I had no idea.
“Right,” Ajax called out, gaining everyone’s attention, “aside from those on sentry duty here, let’s get back to the garrison.”
Inwardly a little shaky from the battle, I spared one last look at the ominous crack before turning to follow the others back to the garrison.
Officiates and candidates alike gathered around, so I almost didn’t notice that the Sovereigns were furiously pacing in the center of the crowd near the courtyard.
“It’s good to see you’re okay, though that’s a nasty bite,” came a voice from my left.
Tracking it, I smiled at Khalida … until I got a good look at her arm. “Your one is worse,” I said, sidling up to her.
Her upper lip curled. “Damn hound tried to take a chunk out of me. I’ll be fine. Phoenixians heal very fast. I’ll head to the apothecary once the queue dies down.”
Just because godkin healed fast didn’t mean they wouldn’t seek out salves or other treatments to ease their pain or hurry along the healing process.
The Delphiae were always happy to fix wounds, but they could burn out if they tried tending to too many in a short space of time.
As such, during or after battles, they only healed those with lethal or extremely painful wounds.
“How do you feel?” she asked me.
“Don’t worry, I’m not infected. How many from our side died?”
“Thanks to the beasts that live in the Pines, only three. But plenty were injured—some badly. Still, they’ll survive; the Delphiae will heal them.”
I briefly glanced at the Sovereigns, who’d been joined by Talon and the Marshalls. “Do the half-bloods not participate in battles?” I asked.
Her jaw tightening, she shook her head. “They stay tucked up in their fortress. Unless other half-bloods are part of the armies, that is. Medea once came, though she didn’t come close.
Theseus also accompanied his troops at one point, but he kept his distance as well.
They would have been foolish not to have. ”
“It makes no sense,” Eacus all but barked, drawing my attention back to the Sovereigns. “Neither species gains anything from attacking Deimos.”
“No, but Theseus and Scylla do,” said Minos. “The lamiae reside in his territory. Molossian hounds inhabit her mountains.”
“And her ability to command animals means she could direct the hounds to attack, yes, but she would never gain the aid of the lamiae,” clipped Eacus.
“They would, however, aid Theseus if he made them pretty promises,” Rhad mused. “It could be that he and Scylla are in cahoots.”
Eacus’ brows snapped together. “He killed her daughter during one of their little wars.”
Minos rubbed at his jaw. “The only thing that would explain why the lamiae and the hounds attacked as a unit is if she’d become his ally.”
Ajax twisted his mouth. “People have partnered with those they loathe in the past, knowing there’s strength in numbers.”
A grunt of agreement came from Talon.
“True,” Eacus granted, not seeming pleased to do so. “I wouldn’t have believed that Scylla would do it, but …” He trailed off with a sigh.
“When the Watchers were freed from Tartarus by a traitor we still haven’t identified, I’d expected an attack on Deimos,” said Eacus. “I’d thought they’d scuttle back to Theseus, who’d then use them against us. But the Watchers weren’t part of the attack just now.”
“The Watchers would be in no state to go into battle,” Rhad maintained. “Not after having been held at Tartarus for so long. Several months of recovery time would be needed.”
“Then we should retaliate before they are fully recovered,” declared Eacus. “They are an army that none of us would want to face again.”
Minos held up a hand. “It would be a mistake for us to launch an attack on Scylla or Theseus. It would give them what they want.”
“What they want?” echoed Rhad, frowning.
“Think about it,” said Minos. “They could have waited. Could have surprised us with an army of larger numbers that included the Watchers. They didn’t.”
Rhad gave a slow nod, frowning pensively. “They aim to goad us into taking the war to them so that Deimos suffers no damage. It is the city they covet.”
“Yes. The wisest thing for us to do is batten the hatches and prepare for another attack,” Minos announced. “Letting ourselves be drawn out of the city, leaving it vulnerable to an invasion, would be a mistake.”
The other Sovereigns murmured their agreement.
Talon caught Minos’ eye and tipped his chin toward the fortress, one brow inching up in question.
Minos squinted, clearly confused, and tracked the Cardinal’s gaze. “What on Earth …?”
The two Sovereigns turned their gazes toward the fortress.
“Where did the crack come from?” demanded Eacus.
Ajax’s brow creased. “You didn’t feel anything hit the building?”
“Nothing,” replied Eacus.
Feeling my own brow pinch, I looked at Khalida. “Has it ever suffered any damage before?”
“No,” she replied. “And it shouldn’t do. It’s protected by the Sovereigns’ power.”
My scalp prickled. “So, what, a chink in its structure means there’s a chink in their power bank, so to speak?”
Her mouth tightened. “I don’t know. But I sure hope not.
They’re not the most likeable of people, but the half-bloods in the Dark Lands are far worse.
If they manage to take Deimos, we’re screwed, Anara.
Seriously screwed. They’d allow no one here to leave.
Not one single person. They might even kill us all. ”