Chapter 32
Allie
The leather gloves slipped on seamlessly as I marched toward the exit. The fortress was funerally silent, every soul already out in the cold to witness the largest army deployment in generations.
I’d lingered long enough for the excitement to die down. I didn’t want eyes on me.
Not today.
I wasn’t going to war as First Daughter of the Protectorate or future ruler of Solkar’s Reach.
I was simply another warrior marching toward the battlefield.
The massive doors opened as I neared them, the sun blasting through and instantly heating my face.
My face tightened.
Figures this unhinged crater would choose today of all days to bless us with a sunny, warm morning. Like it was glad so many of its people were marching toward death.
No matter how fiercely they fought, war always claimed warriors. Not all of them would return. The crater didn't care.
I blinked against the sun and rushed down the steps. When my eyes finally adjusted to the light, I saw none other than Dax, fully geared in a Solkar’s Reach uniform gods-knew where he’d pillaged from, a grin on his face.
“We talked about this,” I said instead of a greeting.
Talked. Shouted. Whatever it had been, I thought I’d made my sentiments clear.
Dax could either stay in Solkar’s Reach or leave to whatever island or safe haven he thought best, but he was not coming to war.
From the rolls upon rolls of parchments tucked inside his backpack and the borrowed daggers adorning his also-borrowed baldric, he disagreed.
Things had been tense between us since I’d revealed the crown, but they were starting to feel normal again. He’d gotten past his shock–or pretended to–and I’d swallowed my shame.
But I hadn’t forgotten the desperate way he’d pleaded for me not to abandon the Protectorate. It now haunted my dreams along with Ryker, yanking me from fantasies straight into pressing nightmares.
“Until we finish Uncle Alaric’s last wish, wherever you go, I trudge along and complain about it,” he said, leaving no room for argument.
And I was fresh out of energy to argue. If he wanted to risk his life, all I could do was watch his back. It wasn’t like I could command him to stay safe, I wasn’t the Protectorate leader, no matter how much I knew Dax still saw me as one.
“If you die, I will kill you,” I said.
“I’m honestly offended you’d think I’d stay here while you were off defending us all,” he said, but I heard no venom in his voice. “Now let’s hurry, we’ve missed most of the ceremony.”
We rushed toward the deafening town square, now overtaken with roars so powerful, they scraped against my instincts of survival. A warning that nobody should dare face these warriors and hope to survive.
Just as we neared the city center, the harsh grunts and drums vanished, replaced with a solemn stillness.
We escaped the labyrinth of back alleys in time to see the older warriors standing in front of the younger ones. The more inexperienced would remain here, to guard and pray they wouldn’t be needed on the front.
They wore the same leather and fur armor as their elders, but still had that green, confident glimmer in their eyes. I knew the feeling too well. Thinking you could face anything and triumph despite all odds.
Some of them even seemed upset they wouldn’t be sword fodder.
The experienced warriors–who had the scars to prove they’d already seen too much and held onto their weapons like they knew how to swing them in real battle–had an air of solemn acceptance.
Their eyes drifted to equally solemn mothers and fathers holding giggling babies, old, proud parents, and younger brothers and sisters.
They knew who they were fighting for.
Yet my gaze settled on the same shoulders it always did.
Ryker stepped from their ranks, tall and commanding, making my heart flip just by walking.
We were still doing a brilliant job of avoiding each other, pretending neither could hear the other moving around in their own bedroom.
His eyes found me instantly as well, like my shaky breaths had alerted him to my presence. His gaze sparked, as if he’d hoped until the last moment I would change my mind and remain in the safety of the crater, just like I’d hoped with Dax.
I understood.
I still lifted my chin up and held his stare.
I was coming to war and we would face the Serpents on the same battlefield.
He stopped in front of Vylkor and exchanged one simple nod that radiated ritual, before he unsheathed a massive sword from his side. Its blade was still sharp enough to hiss in the wind, but bore small fractures which had been reforged.
“Until I return, either on my own two feet or on top of a shield, you will guard Solkar’s Reach.” Ryker’s voice boomed through the town square, quieting everyone, including the gargling babies.
Even Dax stood up straighter.
“May you never have to use this sword. But if you do, swing it wisely. Swing it true.” He handed Vylkor the weapon, who grasped it with the certainty of a man who knew what responsibility he was accepting.
“Until the war is over–” Ryker turned to the crowd, who hung on his every word. “–nobody goes in or out of Solkar’s Reach without my permission. The crater gives us everything we need to survive and thrive. The rim scouts have been instructed to sound the alarm in case of danger.”
A wave of quiet determination rolled over the crowd. They were ready.
“The gods and our ancestors have shielded us from harm so far. They will do it again. This war will not end us.” He turned his face to the sky. “The hand of Solkar will guide us through battle to triumph. Solkar’s Reach will endure!”
Roars and cheers erupted, swords and axes lifted toward the sky as if to prove to Solkar they were all worthy of his protection.
The ranks broke, the drums beat once more, and every warrior said their final goodbyes. Ryker and Vylkor retreated to a corner, whispering between themselves.
Mrs. Mallowmere and Mrs. Thornbrew rushed through the crowd, placing garlands made of red winter berries on each warrior’s neck.
Dax and I looked at each other, two outsiders going to a war they shouldn’t have been involved in. But this fight was bigger than Solkar’s Reach. If the Blood Brotherhood fell, whatever remained of the Protectorate would follow.
“Let’s find Nadya,” I said, the commotion beckoning me into the crowd, and weaved through the hugging families.
We found her near Mrs. Mallowmere’s shop just as she handed Geryll a worn journal similar to the one we’d used as a palaver portal, only with its edges curved inward.
“You’ll tell me everything,” she said. “I want to know every little detail. And don’t let anyone give you any trouble. Just tell them you’re the Commander’s squire and they’ll leave you alone.”
“I can handle myself,” Geryll said with more bite than usual.
“I just mean when they’re sticking their noses in our business. I’m sure he’ll give you some secret tasks when you get there, you’ve earned his trust.” Nadya waved him off before spotting us. The corners of her eyes tightened as she stared at Dax like she was glad he was finally heading out.
Geryll shrugged and ran a hand through his hair, trying to play coy, though a grin took over and lit up his features. He was, without a doubt, the only one excited to leave.
I didn’t fault him. While we’d be praying for survival, he’d be spending his days reading about war tactics and history, away from the mocking stares of the training grounds.
This trip would truly do wonders for him.
A horn blasted in the background.
“That’s first call, I need to go.” He hurried to shove the journal in his large pack. “Want me to bring you anything?”
“The sword of a fallen Serpent,” Nadya said, completely serious. “Take care out there, yeah?”
I doubted the Capital scribes would give him much grief, though one could never know with the Blood Brotherhood.
“I will.” He ran his hand through his hair again. Then one more time, just to be sure. “You, too.”
They exchanged a quick, clumsy embrace, before Geryll turned toward the line of warriors quickly forming in the center. His leg still wasn’t as quick as before, but it was slowly regaining vigor.
Before he could join the rank, he got intercepted by Mrs. Mallowmere and Mrs. Thornbrew, who swaddled him in garlands and hugs.
His sudden departure left an awkwardness behind. There would be no hugs exchanged between Nadya and I, but I still wanted to say goodbye.
“The southern sun is going to roast that pale skin of his.” Nadya huffed.
“Nice way to heat up frozen bones,” I said.
“So does battle.” She looked up at me, working her jaw. “I hope–I hope you’ll leave the war with all your bones and veins intact.”
It was as close to a warm farewell I’d get from her, but I appreciated all the same. Better than narrowed, steely stares. “Stay safe and out of trouble. No going near the wolves.”
“Gods, no. You won’t be here to act as bait, can’t risk it.” Nadya looked at Dax from the corner of her eye. “You, can’t say I’ll miss.”
He lifted a brow. “The feeling is more than mutual.”
“At least you two won’t have to suffer the other any longer,” I said.
Nadya shrugged. “Who knows? Didn’t like you much at first, either.”
Shivers suddenly raced down my spine. I didn’t have to turn to know who those strong steps belonged to.
Ryker breached our little group, giving me a small nod before focusing all his attention on Nadya. It was enough to make me gulp and cover it up with an unconvincing cough.
“Last chance for a stay in the Capital,” Ryker said.
She scoffed. “I’d rather be forced to eat dirt again.”
He gently placed his hands on her shoulders. “Listen to Vylkor and Mrs. Thornbrew. Eat your food, drink your tea. And do not maim the Fellcrest boy while I’m gone.”
“If he keeps his big mouth shut, we won’t have a problem,” she said stiffly, before that twitch in her jaw loosened. She looked up at him, eyes soft and open, and whispered, “Come back.”
Ryker furrowed his brows, but only nodded.
None of us could make that promise.
“You’ll be safe here,” he said softly, trying to convince her or himself, I couldn’t tell.
To everyone’s surprise, Nadya launched herself at him, hugging his waist and hiding her face in his furs.
His amazement quickly softened and he embraced her back. “Everything will be okay in the end.”
“Promise?” Nadya looked up at him with that uncharacteristically open gaze, tears shimmering in the corners of her eyes.
My fragile heart twisted. Dax hummed beside me; it had sounded suspiciously like a scoff.
“I promise,” Ryker muttered under the power of that begging stare.
She disentangled herself from him and her usual harshness returned in one blink.
“Don’t worry, loves, we’ll take good care of her.” Mrs. Thornbrew floated between us, chucking garland upon garland onto our necks, as if the number of berries determined our fates. “You just make sure you come back whole. We’ll have a right proper feast once all this mess is done.”
She said it with such conviction, too, like there was no reality in which the Blood Brotherhood wouldn’t win the war.
Honestly, there couldn’t be one.
The Blood Brotherhood had to win.
Ryker and I only nodded, twins in understanding the reassurance everyone else wanted from us, even as we stood side by side like strangers. Though our eyes didn’t meet, that unmistakable pull flared between us. The more we ignored each other, the more my body wanted to gravitate toward his.
A second horn blared.
Ryker gave Mrs. Thornbrew a quick bow and walked past me with nothing but a raised brow that made me simmer inside. No question this time.
We didn’t have time for talking. Not when so many lives were at risk.
I gave Mrs. Thornbrew a warm embrace, and she engulfed Dax in a hug that lasted right up until the third horn blare.
“We need to leave.” I extracted him from Mrs. Thornbrew, gave one more soft nod to Nadya, and finally turned.
The warriors had already gathered in formation, long lines of metal and might. The sun glistened on their weapons.
Perhaps the crater did care, in some strange way and wanted them to think Solkar would truly be on their side.
As if the gods ever bothered.
“Remember what we talked about,” Nadya called after Geryll. “Courage takes many forms.”
Geryll’s smile faltered, but he nodded all the same, and limped after the warriors.
Thank the gods he’d be sitting down for the foreseeable future.
“She’s a strange one,” Dax muttered as we joined the end of the line, out of step with the thunderous march of the warriors.
The strongest always flanked the pack.
Ryker would lead us forward and I’d guard our hides. Whether he was pleased with that decision, I didn’t care.
Sylvester’s dark feathers shone above us as he glided seamlessly over the troops, as if checking everyone was accounted for.
Ryker climbed to the top of the last watchtower, which separated the city from the wilderness, overseeing the departure.
The town square felt empty and worried behind us.
As we passed the city’s threshold, Ryker raised his hands toward the sky, eyes sparking. The ground murmured and screeched underneath my feet. I missed a step, but nobody else seemed to have noticed, keeping the same precise rhythm.
As he fisted his palm, tugging on the air itself, a purple shimmer blew in the wind for the briefest moment, and a translucent dome covered the entire city.
Whatever he had done, I hoped it would keep them protected.
But the crater had felt irked to be called upon. I told myself I’d only been imagining things. Again.
It was an easier thought to deal with as we marched to war.