Chapter 4
Darrow
I’d hoped the dark elves only invaded the capital, but I’d also known that level of ambition might spread to more of the realm.
My instincts had proven right to have Aella send us to a portal about four miles from our destination in Hartoll.
We spotted trouble shortly before reaching the outskirts of Manndir, the largest city in the land.
It was where the lord’s primary residence was located at Lavender Castle.
Karganoth sentries watching the perimeter were easy to identify and squash, but the number of soldiers increased considerably once we reached the outskirts of town. Fighting raged in the streets so loudly that we heard it long before we reached the chaos.
Considering a population of about ninety thousand lived here, I was surprised the invaders openly attacked instead of sending a smaller regiment to go after the princess and her family covertly.
How did the dark elves supply an army large enough to take Porrine and Manndir on the same day?
Were they planning to conquer the entire realm?
Karganoth had a population of more than three million, with approximately one-fifth of them fully trained and fit for combat. However, it would still have been difficult to transport a large number of troops that quickly without being detected.
I’d been watching my mother’s homeland for many years.
We’d known they began preparing for war since the last treaty broke, but most of my contacts were in the far north.
I’d had no recent access to intelligence from the rest of the continent.
My spies there had been quiet. Either they were dead or unable to reach out to me.
The wrathful magic coursing through me only grew with those thoughts and the sight of city residents and soldiers battling for their lives against the dark elves.
Children cried in the streets over their dead parents, and mothers clutched their offspring as they dashed through alleys, desperately searching for safety.
Men and women stood before their doors, gripping kitchen knives, machetes, or even brooms, ready to defend their homes.
Fires had broken out all over from magic spells missing their targets and igniting structures instead—or perhaps they did it on purpose. I didn’t care to speculate on their intentions. Smoke filled the air, along with the noxious scent of burning flesh. My eyes and nose burned from it.
Despite the overwhelming devastation that needed to be stopped, I had only one goal—save the princess and her family.
It wasn’t my job to protect the common folk, though I occasionally obliterated Karganoth soldiers by crushing their heads with my mind if they were in my way.
It saved a few who would have otherwise fallen to the dark elves.
Despite being covered with the resulting gore, they’d look at me with gratitude I neither wanted nor deserved.
I noted many Frostdar fighting the fiercest. The males and females had humanoid bodies, but their thick skin was blue-gray, and their long hair ranged from silver to navy. They also had a larger bone and muscle structure than elves, though we shared similar height.
Frostdar weren’t fae, but rather natives of Paxia, whose population had once been plentiful until the wars for dominance fought millennia ago.
At the last estimate, only twenty thousand remained in Zadrya.
Another small segment lived in pockets throughout north Karganoth in the Jandopal Mountains, and about fifty thousand resided in the northeastern regions of Alavaar, where they’d found the safest refuge.
King Worden, along with his father before him, had worked to give them more rights and opportunities after centuries in which the noble race had been forced to hide in the mountains and remote forests.
They were strong and intelligent, but their magic was far more potent during the colder months.
The summer was when it was easiest to defeat them while they had the fewest defenses.
With the fall weather bringing cooler temperatures, they were somewhere in the middle.
A group of male and female Frostdar stood back-to-back in an open market area, surrounded by dark elves.
They slashed with swords and sent out ice darts toward their opponents with impressive aim.
Unfortunately, three times as many of Karganoth’s soldiers encircled them, and they attacked just as ruthlessly with weapons and spells.
Based on the thickening enemy forces as we moved through the city, I needed allies to complete my mission. The Frostdar would be my best choice.
Letting the God of Wrath’s power surge higher than ever through me until the static pain nearly immobilized my body, I grabbed half those elves with my mind and twisted their necks.
A round of cracks rent the air. Over thirty fell dead to the ground in the next moment with a cascade of thumps on stone.
Beautifully done, Darrow. You should do that more often.
I mentally scowled at the deity in my head. He’d rarely spoken to me before, but now twice in one day? I’m killing your worshipers, so why aren’t you upset about it?
Their plans undermine mine. It’s complicated, but that’s why I have you, he said. Before I could respond, Wrath’s presence left me, though his strong magic continued its steady flow.
The tension in my body eased as my power, depleted by the release, fell to a manageable level.
The more I took, the more it hurt to hold and use it.
My head pounded, but I did my best to ignore it as my companions and I surged forward to assist the Frostdar with the remaining dark elves.
We worked with them for the next ten minutes until we’d eradicated the enemy from the area, except for the mounds of their lifeless bodies.
“Thank you,” a massive male with broad shoulders said, inclining his head. “We thought this would be our last stand, but I am grateful to see you, Dare.”
Bindthor was one of my spies. I’d cultivated a friendship with him shortly after it was announced the princess would be marrying the Lord of Hartoll.
Back then, the Frostdar male was only a watch leader, but I’d seen his intelligence, maturity, and impressive fighting skills.
My instincts told me he’d rise through the ranks.
We were the same age and both working to overcome the biases against our lineage—mine for being half dark elf and his for being Frostdar. Whenever I could help, I did, gifting Bindthor fine weaponry and teaching him battle skills he wouldn’t have learned from his training.
In return, he kept me apprised of anything he heard that might be of interest. A decade later, when he became the Captain of the City Watch, the intelligence he could gather proved invaluable.
He would recognize the change in me right now, but I tried to staunch the coldness as much as possible so I wouldn’t be rude to an old friend and asset.
I breathed through my tumultuous thoughts and retook my sanity. “It is always an honor to fight alongside you, but my goal is to reach the princess and take her to safety.”
“That was our intention until they caught us here, and we realized the breadth of their forces.” Unease reflected in his frosty gaze—his people had eyes that were either white or very light gray. “I would be honored if you allowed us to join you.”
Of course, his request was precisely what I’d hoped for. His leader, the Lord of Hartoll, was a powerful Frostdar, appointed by King Worden’s father over five decades ago. The native race assisted the monarch in eradicating the remaining followers of the previous corrupt ruler.
Later, when Worden began ruling, he offered his daughter in marriage.
As a result, the princess’ offspring were only half light elf, marking the first time we’d had individuals in line for the throne who weren’t full fae since taking control of Zadrya.
It had been controversial at the time, with some high fae refusing to attend the wedding, but most of the realm had grown used to the idea now.
There was a small faction who’d likely never be won over by the idea, though.
I gestured toward the central part of the city where we’d find Lavender Castle. “Time is running out.”
“Yes, it is,” he said, grimly.
“Jax.” I turned toward my long-time companion. “Scout ahead. If you see anything that might give us more trouble than we can handle, circle back and let me know.”
“No problem.” He disappeared moments later.
Several of the Frostdar were injured, so I gave them a few minutes to tend to themselves. They healed even faster than elves, except during the hottest months. Once they’d patched their wounds, I took the lead with everyone else following close behind.
They were more than willing to obey my orders as we moved deeper into the city, considering I took on the gravest threats and let Loden and the Frostdar handle the rest. It wouldn’t have been nearly as easy without the God of Wrath’s powers fueling me.
I struggled to harm only the enemy while in this state.
The immense pain from absorbing a strong flow of magic for longer than usual, as well as the feelings of rage, clouded my mind.
I wanted to kill everything in my path. Of course, that hardship was nothing compared to the agonizing price I’d pay later.
The more I used divine power, the worse it would be, but I had little choice.
If I could slay the enemy and fulfill my oath, it would be worth the punishment.
About two blocks from the lord’s castle at a prominent intersection, dark elves suddenly surged around us from every direction. They appeared on the streets, side alleys, and roofs with weapons raised and malice in their eyes. They’d been waiting to trap us.
That was fine. I’d make them regret their allegiance to their king.