Chapter 2 Daybreak
DAYbrEAK
THORNE TERRITORY
Renn had been in Vallenna for weeks now.
He had made his way into Thorne territory.
Quietly. Unseen. Mapping their forces, patrol routes, guard rotations.
Assessing their strength. The supply route from Sorrel was key.
Block that, and within weeks Thorne would starve.
If that didn’t work, the cliffs to the east were barely defended; Thorne didn’t expect an enemy to climb them.
But his people were no Ice Landers. And better to take them by surprise if they could – Thorne were well trained.
That was undeniable. The crimson warriors took swordwork seriously.
But they were currently distracted. Hunting their own commander whilst he hid in their borders.
It hadn’t taken long for word to reach him.
The boy had stolen Arcanth Shards. Was running from his Council.
Had only yesterday snatched a Hale healer from her execution.
It was all Vallenna was talking about. The Thorne knew of their invasion.
Word had spread fast – the girl had said so in her trial.
That had been unwelcome news. But ultimately it had changed nothing.
Their Council hadn’t believed a word she’d said.
No one in Vallenna did, it seemed. Terrified children, the lot of them.
The boy really thought uniting the Arcanth would stop them.
He’d almost laughed.
It would not.
They were all fools.
But soon they’d be dead fools.