The Ring Keeper, page 42
“But what could you do?” she asked. “The demons were right there. If you had done anything, they would have killed you. I knew why you didn’t try.”
“Ana,” he whispered, pulling her closer.
“I forgive you,” she said. “I know you did the best you could.”
“It’s more than I deserve,” he said. “I promise I will never let anyone hurt you again.”
Tears welled in her eyes, and she remembered a younger Zarek promising he would get her to the White City.
They got up and gathered their things. Soon, they were walking again, making their way slowly up the canyon, climbing along the edge of the rocky riverbed. They were heading north, away from Hakvere.
In the middle of the night, Ana paused, looking back over her shoulder and listening intently. The water crashing over the rocks masked other sounds. For a moment, she thought she’d heard something behind them.
Zarek was a little ahead, and she hurried to catch up. He paused on top of a ledge and reached down to help her.
Just as she grasped his hand, the sound behind was unmistakable. Demons.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Year of Warding 42, Ara’s Countryside
Ana
THE SHEKKAR WERE COMING. Ana drew in a ragged gasp, her heart suddenly pounding in her chest. She never really expected to escape her father’s clutches, but now, if she acted quickly, Zarek could. There was no safe place nearby to enter the water. If they did, the river would sweep them away and crush them against the rocks.
Ana’s eyes met Zarek’s. “Go upstream! Find a place to get out of reach. I’m going back to draw them away. Run!”
“No! Ana, stop!”
But she tore her hand free of his and headed back the way they had come. The only chance of keeping him safe was for the demons to think she was alone. A memory flashed into her mind of Zarek’s ruined body on the ground. That would happen again if the demons found him. Her stomach clenched.
A hand seized her arm, halting her flight. Zarek hadn’t obeyed her instructions. Now his arms closed around her. Ana struggled, twisting and kicking. “No! If they find you, they’ll kill you. Let me go!”
“Ana, please listen!”
“They’re coming. You must leave me and run!”
“Ana!”
His arms felt like iron bars around her, unyielding as she fought against them. She pushed against his armored chest.
“You’re running back to them because you think it will save me?” he demanded.
“It’s the only way!”
“Ana! You’re the bravest, craziest person I know. Don’t kill yourself before you listen!”
He pulled her closer until she was held immobile against his body. One arm across her shoulders and the other around her waist, deliberately avoiding her injured ribs. “Please, Ana? I left Ara because I have a weapon to fight the demons.”
His words penetrated her panic. “You… what?” Ana drew in a breath and stopped struggling.
“I found the emperor’s sword, Blackbane. I hope it will stop them, and I intend to try. It’s a risk. But running back to them will mean certain death.”
“You found a weapon that can defeat them?” A ray of hope penetrated her fear.
“Yes, Ana! Promise me you won’t give up before I try? Please!”
She was shaking all over. She’d expected pain and death, and still wasn’t sure she believed Zarek. Was what he said possible? Above the crashing water, a demon shrieked, and the foremost of the Shekkar came into view, rushing toward them through the narrow passage between the rocks.
Zarek released her and positioned himself between her and the deadly attack. He slid the bundle from his back and pulled the ropes loose to take out a long sword, tossing the rest to Ana. “Stay behind me in the rocks. Tell me if you see more of them.”
When he drew the sword, the blade glowed faintly green.
The demon leapt at Zarek, claws outstretched. Ana clenched her jaws to hold back a scream. He slashed at the creature with the blade, and she heard it hiss in pain. Could it be true? Was it possible this weapon could harm them?
The injured demon rushed directly at Zarek as if it did not expect to be resisted. He blocked the poisonous claws with his blade. Ana didn’t dare breathe. It tried to distract him with a feint to one side, followed by a sudden attack to the other, but Zarek was too quick. When he slashed at it again, the demon fell to the ground. He drove the weapon through it. With a final fading shriek, it lay still.
Zarek whirled to face Ana, the sword still in his hand.
“Did it cut you?” She asked desperately.
“No. I’m fine. The sword worked. You… You would have died trying to save me.” He stared at her, his eyes wide with disbelief. Then he lowered the sword, crossed the distance between them in two quick strides, using his free arm to pull her against him into a hug. “Ana!”
She could feel him breathing hard. His arms were around her, her cheek pressed against his armor and the row of small knives across his chest. “I didn’t know,” she said. “Why didn’t you tell me about the sword?”
“I was going to! I thought if you were afraid, you would run toward me, not away. And never toward the demons. I thought I could tell you anytime.” Zarek pulled her close again. “You are not going to die. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not anytime soon. Promise me you won’t do anything like that again.”
Wrapping her arms around him, she held him. He was here, and they were both alive. “I’m sorry, Zarek. But I couldn’t stand to watch you die. What if all of them came at you at once?”
A shriek interrupted her question. Zarek pushed Ana back against the rock, standing in front of her, his blade ready as another demon charged at them, snarling.
Ana’s chest constricted as she watched him battle. It seemed impossible that any person could stand against the Shekkar. Any slight mistake could be deadly.
The demon moved quickly, dodging to one side and then the other, attempting to find a way around the sword. It shrieked in frustration and rushed straight at him. Zarek drove the blade deep into its body, and after that, its efforts grew weaker. Soon, it lay on the ground beside its fellow. One more blow cut off its voice with a gurgle, and it was still.
There was no time to celebrate. A third demon attacked, but after Zarek had dispatched it, the night was quiet; the only sound, the flow of the water over the rocks. For a long moment, they waited, listening.
Ana felt a surge of joy. She ran to him and threw her arms around him. Zarek had fought the demons and won. “You did it!!” He was safe. They were alive, and they had a chance.
Zarek pulled her close, letting out a long breath of relief. “It’s going to be all right now,” he murmured. “I’ll keep you safe. There’s no need to put yourself in harm’s way. We can do this. Do you believe me?”
She looked up at him. “I’m trying.”
“You had no hope.” His eyes were solemn. “That’s why you were so ready to die. That’s the second time I’ve caught you as you jumped.” Zarek pointed to the ruined remains of the Shekkar. “Look at them. They aren’t coming back. It’s possible. I killed one demon in Bright Springs on the first night I met you and two more in the mountains when we ran for the Warding. Now, three more have died tonight.”
“So only eleven left.” She nodded. Maybe there was hope.
“Ana!” He was staring at her, his eyes wide in disbelief. “You know how many there are? How? I’ve been in Ara for years, trying to uncover that exact piece of information. Did the king tell you?”
“Not him.” She shook her head and felt tears welling in her eyes. “My mother is alive. She’s back there, and she told me. I wanted to help her, but I couldn’t. She sent me away.”
Zarek put his hands on her shoulders. “Allia’s alive?”
She nodded, her chest aching with guilt and sadness. “I left her back there.”
“We’ll help her, Ana. When we finish killing the demons and get you home safely, I can return and look for her.”
Ana felt tears coming faster now. “But you just escaped. You can’t go back to Ara.”
He put his arms around her. “That means I know my way around Hakvere. I’m sorry for everything that happened to both of you. But there is still hope. I promise.”
A sob escaped her. “I’m sorry. I’m so tired and scared. I didn’t think we had a chance.”
He wiped the tears from her eyes with his thumb. “Can you make it a little farther? We’ll get away from this place, and then we can rest.”
How different it felt to be near Zarek now. Ana longed to stay in his arms. She wished she still had the ring, so she could tell if he felt the same. Even though he appeared forbidding, inside he was still Zarek. And holding him close was still the best thing in the world. But the moment passed.
Zarek released her and gathered his weapons. He cleaned Blackbane’s blade and put it back in its sheath. “Are you ready?” he asked. “I have supplies waiting—food, blankets, warm clothes. We just have to get to them.”
Ana picked up the remains of the bundle that had held the sword. “What else do you have in here?”
He returned the sword to the blanket and rolled it again. “There are two more daggers like the one Emperor Callonen gave me when I left Sarine to look for you.”
Haldreth
HALDRETH’S LANTERN ILLUMINATED the long room full of artifacts. He set it down and rummaged through the collection of objects. Some were treasures, others were merely interesting. No one else was allowed in this room unless he brought them here, and he had only afforded the honor to a few. Several items appeared to have been subtly disturbed. Fury rose through Haldreth’s body. When he found out who was responsible, he’d make them regret it.
Haldreth searched for the long slender box made of plain dark wood. When he found it on a shelf, he opened it. Instead of his father’s enchanted sword, he saw an empty case.
Empty. His jaw clenched.
Just as Haldreth turned to storm from the room, it happened. Tonight, he had sent three of his demons to destroy Cirana after he had discovered she escaped from her cell. He was finished waiting for her to change her mind, to be less stubborn.
Since the Shekkar were bound to his will, his thoughts followed them. They fulfilled Haldreth’s wishes, pursuing Cirana, and the first of them had nearly reached her when it stopped, unable to complete its quest. Something stood in its way. The demon struggled, trying to find a way around. It fought on until a shaft of deadly green light impaled it, and it exploded into nothingness.
Two more Shekkar followed the first. Haldreth had taken a few steps toward the door, when the first of the pair attacked. He expected it to sweep away any opposition. In a few moments, Cirana would feel its claws in her flesh. Haldreth would grant his daughter the small comfort of dying quickly. She wouldn’t suffer for long.
The demon charged forward, only to encounter the same mysterious opposition. It fought hard, trying to get past the enemy to reach its prey. Cirana was very near. She had no defense against them. Her soft skin would provide no resistance to their razor-sharp claws. She had no way to drive them back. Soon, those brown eyes, the same color as Haldreth’s, would close forever. His will remained focused on her.
But instead of completing its mission, another demon died. Haldreth yelled in rage. This couldn’t be happening.
Drawn by the noise, Gavin appeared in the doorway, a lantern in his hand. “What’s wrong?”
A moment later, the third demon met with oblivion, and Haldreth shouted again and threw the box. It crashed into the doorframe and splintered into pieces.
Gavin took a step back. “My king? What happened?”
“Someone is killing my demons!” Haldreth seized a glass jar from a shelf and threw it toward the stone wall. It smashed into a carpet of broken pieces.
“I thought they couldn’t be killed?”
“Someone has stolen Blackbane!” Haldreth punctuated his sentence by smashing a few more items. He stood, his breath ragged, trying to regain control. He had put too much time, effort and pain into his plans to see them ruined now.
“Are you all right?” Gavin asked.
Haldreth dragged in a long breath before he answered. “I’ll make them pay,” he said through clenched jaws. Picking up his lantern, he strode to the door, the shards of glass crunching under his boot soles.
Gavin backed out of the doorway, and Haldreth slammed the door shut behind him, locking it.
“Inform our army that we march at dawn,” Haldreth ordered. “It’s time to break the Warding.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Year of Warding 42, Ara’s Countryside
Ana
THAT DAY, ANA AND ZAREK CLIMBED the treacherous path to the western rim of the canyon. They traversed some narrow ledges above sheer cliffs where Ana feared she would fall and die. Beside them, a waterfall with columns of ice mingling with flowing water, crashed down into the rocky depths. In the end, they made it safely to the top and came out into a cheerless landscape of brown winter hills with patches of snow. Hakvere loomed behind them.
“I hoped we were farther away,” Ana said.
“Soon,” he promised. “If we follow this river, it will take us back to Sarine.” He pointed to the water that flowed from the west down into the canyon. “We have to move. There are soldiers nearby, and I need to keep you out of sight.”
Zarek found a cluster of rocks where she could hide. They were no more than waist high, but there were spaces between them. When Ana sat down and pulled her knees to her chest, she was hidden.
“Good,” he said. “Don’t move. I’ll be back soon.”
With Zarek gone, she heard nothing except for the sound of the cold wind in the dead grass. The chill air went right through the thin fabric of her dress, and now that she sat still, she began to shiver. Her empty stomach pinched. The quick meal as they’d left the dungeon was long past, and she’d gone hungry for weeks before that.
At the sound of horses, Ana forgot her discomfort as her stomach clenched in fear. She froze, not even daring to breathe. A large troop of Aran soldiers in blue tunics rode by. She felt terribly visible. But Zarek had told her not to move, so she remained hidden in the rocks.
Finally, they were out of sight, and she drew in a deep breath. Where was Zarek? What would they do if they got caught?
Another group of soldiers rode past, even closer to her hiding place than the others. She tensed again. This time, she could hear their voices. They stopped in front of the rocks. One of them was giving orders to the rest. His voice was cold, and he sounded angry.
“The king sent us out two days ago, and we haven’t found anything yet. But she can’t have gotten too far. Six men go north, and the rest of you split up and check the edge of the canyon. We completed our search below. Keep your eyes open. And give me one of those extra horses. Sergeant Aman is still down in the canyon. He’ll need a mount when he rejoins us.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Ana shivered. They were looking for her. Had Zarek already been caught? What could she do? The horsemen rode off in different directions until only the captain remained. He rode toward her hiding place, leading a spare horse. Ana’s heart pounded wildly. Did he know she had hidden here? She tensed to run.
The man stopped and took off his helmet, and she realized it was Zarek. He was the one who had given the orders. She took a deep breath and shook her head. He played his part extremely well.
He jumped to the ground. “Ana?” He pulled a blue tunic and dark trousers out of his saddlebag.
Taking a deep breath to slow her racing heart, she looked in all directions. She saw no one else.
“Put these on, quickly.” Zarek handed her the clothes. “They won’t fit. Here’s a belt.”
Ana pulled the pants on under her skirt, got to her feet, and then belted them in place. She undid the buttons of her dress. Sliding her arms out of the sleeves, she dropped it and pulled the blue tunic over her head.
By the size, it was his and much too big for her. She rolled up the sleeves until she uncovered her hands.
“Here.” Zarek lifted a set of armor over her head. A pair of black leather plates shielded her chest and back, and metal pauldrons covered her shoulders. The protective gear felt heavy and cumbersome, and didn’t even come close to fitting. He buckled the plates together on each side and added a helmet that partially covered her face, then belted a sword to her waist. Standing back to examine her critically, he said, “Tuck your hair inside your collar.”
Ana did as he asked.
Zarek nodded. “You’ll be fine, as long as no one looks too closely. If we pass other soldiers, don’t draw attention to yourself.” He picked up her dress, stuffed it into his saddlebag, and tossed her a biscuit. “Eat while we ride.”
As Zarek and Ana rode northwest along the river, they passed a few isolated settlements and farms, but the only people they saw were Aran soldiers. Ana felt her stomach tighten when any of them got too close, but Zarek saluted and spoke to them. When she saw his face, it looked fierce, and his voice sounded angry. The people he spoke to were afraid of him.
She had to remind herself that it was an act. This was Zarek. She didn’t need to fear him, and he had to play his part.
They rode a long way that day, passing swiftly through the hills. After a while, they didn’t see any more soldiers. When the terrain allowed, they rode side by side.
“Where are we going?” Ana asked. “I’ve never been north of the Warding.”
Zarek nodded toward the water flowing beside them. “If we follow the river to its source, we’ll come to the northeastern boundary of the Warding.”
“Will there be more soldiers there?”
“A few,” Zarek said. “The king has sent most of his troops toward Iron Bridge. It’s the most direct route toward the White City. But if we went that way, we’d have to get through the entire army without them discovering you. And there are many miles with no water nearby, which would make it even riskier for us.”
“Ana,” he whispered, pulling her closer.
“I forgive you,” she said. “I know you did the best you could.”
“It’s more than I deserve,” he said. “I promise I will never let anyone hurt you again.”
Tears welled in her eyes, and she remembered a younger Zarek promising he would get her to the White City.
They got up and gathered their things. Soon, they were walking again, making their way slowly up the canyon, climbing along the edge of the rocky riverbed. They were heading north, away from Hakvere.
In the middle of the night, Ana paused, looking back over her shoulder and listening intently. The water crashing over the rocks masked other sounds. For a moment, she thought she’d heard something behind them.
Zarek was a little ahead, and she hurried to catch up. He paused on top of a ledge and reached down to help her.
Just as she grasped his hand, the sound behind was unmistakable. Demons.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Year of Warding 42, Ara’s Countryside
Ana
THE SHEKKAR WERE COMING. Ana drew in a ragged gasp, her heart suddenly pounding in her chest. She never really expected to escape her father’s clutches, but now, if she acted quickly, Zarek could. There was no safe place nearby to enter the water. If they did, the river would sweep them away and crush them against the rocks.
Ana’s eyes met Zarek’s. “Go upstream! Find a place to get out of reach. I’m going back to draw them away. Run!”
“No! Ana, stop!”
But she tore her hand free of his and headed back the way they had come. The only chance of keeping him safe was for the demons to think she was alone. A memory flashed into her mind of Zarek’s ruined body on the ground. That would happen again if the demons found him. Her stomach clenched.
A hand seized her arm, halting her flight. Zarek hadn’t obeyed her instructions. Now his arms closed around her. Ana struggled, twisting and kicking. “No! If they find you, they’ll kill you. Let me go!”
“Ana, please listen!”
“They’re coming. You must leave me and run!”
“Ana!”
His arms felt like iron bars around her, unyielding as she fought against them. She pushed against his armored chest.
“You’re running back to them because you think it will save me?” he demanded.
“It’s the only way!”
“Ana! You’re the bravest, craziest person I know. Don’t kill yourself before you listen!”
He pulled her closer until she was held immobile against his body. One arm across her shoulders and the other around her waist, deliberately avoiding her injured ribs. “Please, Ana? I left Ara because I have a weapon to fight the demons.”
His words penetrated her panic. “You… what?” Ana drew in a breath and stopped struggling.
“I found the emperor’s sword, Blackbane. I hope it will stop them, and I intend to try. It’s a risk. But running back to them will mean certain death.”
“You found a weapon that can defeat them?” A ray of hope penetrated her fear.
“Yes, Ana! Promise me you won’t give up before I try? Please!”
She was shaking all over. She’d expected pain and death, and still wasn’t sure she believed Zarek. Was what he said possible? Above the crashing water, a demon shrieked, and the foremost of the Shekkar came into view, rushing toward them through the narrow passage between the rocks.
Zarek released her and positioned himself between her and the deadly attack. He slid the bundle from his back and pulled the ropes loose to take out a long sword, tossing the rest to Ana. “Stay behind me in the rocks. Tell me if you see more of them.”
When he drew the sword, the blade glowed faintly green.
The demon leapt at Zarek, claws outstretched. Ana clenched her jaws to hold back a scream. He slashed at the creature with the blade, and she heard it hiss in pain. Could it be true? Was it possible this weapon could harm them?
The injured demon rushed directly at Zarek as if it did not expect to be resisted. He blocked the poisonous claws with his blade. Ana didn’t dare breathe. It tried to distract him with a feint to one side, followed by a sudden attack to the other, but Zarek was too quick. When he slashed at it again, the demon fell to the ground. He drove the weapon through it. With a final fading shriek, it lay still.
Zarek whirled to face Ana, the sword still in his hand.
“Did it cut you?” She asked desperately.
“No. I’m fine. The sword worked. You… You would have died trying to save me.” He stared at her, his eyes wide with disbelief. Then he lowered the sword, crossed the distance between them in two quick strides, using his free arm to pull her against him into a hug. “Ana!”
She could feel him breathing hard. His arms were around her, her cheek pressed against his armor and the row of small knives across his chest. “I didn’t know,” she said. “Why didn’t you tell me about the sword?”
“I was going to! I thought if you were afraid, you would run toward me, not away. And never toward the demons. I thought I could tell you anytime.” Zarek pulled her close again. “You are not going to die. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not anytime soon. Promise me you won’t do anything like that again.”
Wrapping her arms around him, she held him. He was here, and they were both alive. “I’m sorry, Zarek. But I couldn’t stand to watch you die. What if all of them came at you at once?”
A shriek interrupted her question. Zarek pushed Ana back against the rock, standing in front of her, his blade ready as another demon charged at them, snarling.
Ana’s chest constricted as she watched him battle. It seemed impossible that any person could stand against the Shekkar. Any slight mistake could be deadly.
The demon moved quickly, dodging to one side and then the other, attempting to find a way around the sword. It shrieked in frustration and rushed straight at him. Zarek drove the blade deep into its body, and after that, its efforts grew weaker. Soon, it lay on the ground beside its fellow. One more blow cut off its voice with a gurgle, and it was still.
There was no time to celebrate. A third demon attacked, but after Zarek had dispatched it, the night was quiet; the only sound, the flow of the water over the rocks. For a long moment, they waited, listening.
Ana felt a surge of joy. She ran to him and threw her arms around him. Zarek had fought the demons and won. “You did it!!” He was safe. They were alive, and they had a chance.
Zarek pulled her close, letting out a long breath of relief. “It’s going to be all right now,” he murmured. “I’ll keep you safe. There’s no need to put yourself in harm’s way. We can do this. Do you believe me?”
She looked up at him. “I’m trying.”
“You had no hope.” His eyes were solemn. “That’s why you were so ready to die. That’s the second time I’ve caught you as you jumped.” Zarek pointed to the ruined remains of the Shekkar. “Look at them. They aren’t coming back. It’s possible. I killed one demon in Bright Springs on the first night I met you and two more in the mountains when we ran for the Warding. Now, three more have died tonight.”
“So only eleven left.” She nodded. Maybe there was hope.
“Ana!” He was staring at her, his eyes wide in disbelief. “You know how many there are? How? I’ve been in Ara for years, trying to uncover that exact piece of information. Did the king tell you?”
“Not him.” She shook her head and felt tears welling in her eyes. “My mother is alive. She’s back there, and she told me. I wanted to help her, but I couldn’t. She sent me away.”
Zarek put his hands on her shoulders. “Allia’s alive?”
She nodded, her chest aching with guilt and sadness. “I left her back there.”
“We’ll help her, Ana. When we finish killing the demons and get you home safely, I can return and look for her.”
Ana felt tears coming faster now. “But you just escaped. You can’t go back to Ara.”
He put his arms around her. “That means I know my way around Hakvere. I’m sorry for everything that happened to both of you. But there is still hope. I promise.”
A sob escaped her. “I’m sorry. I’m so tired and scared. I didn’t think we had a chance.”
He wiped the tears from her eyes with his thumb. “Can you make it a little farther? We’ll get away from this place, and then we can rest.”
How different it felt to be near Zarek now. Ana longed to stay in his arms. She wished she still had the ring, so she could tell if he felt the same. Even though he appeared forbidding, inside he was still Zarek. And holding him close was still the best thing in the world. But the moment passed.
Zarek released her and gathered his weapons. He cleaned Blackbane’s blade and put it back in its sheath. “Are you ready?” he asked. “I have supplies waiting—food, blankets, warm clothes. We just have to get to them.”
Ana picked up the remains of the bundle that had held the sword. “What else do you have in here?”
He returned the sword to the blanket and rolled it again. “There are two more daggers like the one Emperor Callonen gave me when I left Sarine to look for you.”
Haldreth
HALDRETH’S LANTERN ILLUMINATED the long room full of artifacts. He set it down and rummaged through the collection of objects. Some were treasures, others were merely interesting. No one else was allowed in this room unless he brought them here, and he had only afforded the honor to a few. Several items appeared to have been subtly disturbed. Fury rose through Haldreth’s body. When he found out who was responsible, he’d make them regret it.
Haldreth searched for the long slender box made of plain dark wood. When he found it on a shelf, he opened it. Instead of his father’s enchanted sword, he saw an empty case.
Empty. His jaw clenched.
Just as Haldreth turned to storm from the room, it happened. Tonight, he had sent three of his demons to destroy Cirana after he had discovered she escaped from her cell. He was finished waiting for her to change her mind, to be less stubborn.
Since the Shekkar were bound to his will, his thoughts followed them. They fulfilled Haldreth’s wishes, pursuing Cirana, and the first of them had nearly reached her when it stopped, unable to complete its quest. Something stood in its way. The demon struggled, trying to find a way around. It fought on until a shaft of deadly green light impaled it, and it exploded into nothingness.
Two more Shekkar followed the first. Haldreth had taken a few steps toward the door, when the first of the pair attacked. He expected it to sweep away any opposition. In a few moments, Cirana would feel its claws in her flesh. Haldreth would grant his daughter the small comfort of dying quickly. She wouldn’t suffer for long.
The demon charged forward, only to encounter the same mysterious opposition. It fought hard, trying to get past the enemy to reach its prey. Cirana was very near. She had no defense against them. Her soft skin would provide no resistance to their razor-sharp claws. She had no way to drive them back. Soon, those brown eyes, the same color as Haldreth’s, would close forever. His will remained focused on her.
But instead of completing its mission, another demon died. Haldreth yelled in rage. This couldn’t be happening.
Drawn by the noise, Gavin appeared in the doorway, a lantern in his hand. “What’s wrong?”
A moment later, the third demon met with oblivion, and Haldreth shouted again and threw the box. It crashed into the doorframe and splintered into pieces.
Gavin took a step back. “My king? What happened?”
“Someone is killing my demons!” Haldreth seized a glass jar from a shelf and threw it toward the stone wall. It smashed into a carpet of broken pieces.
“I thought they couldn’t be killed?”
“Someone has stolen Blackbane!” Haldreth punctuated his sentence by smashing a few more items. He stood, his breath ragged, trying to regain control. He had put too much time, effort and pain into his plans to see them ruined now.
“Are you all right?” Gavin asked.
Haldreth dragged in a long breath before he answered. “I’ll make them pay,” he said through clenched jaws. Picking up his lantern, he strode to the door, the shards of glass crunching under his boot soles.
Gavin backed out of the doorway, and Haldreth slammed the door shut behind him, locking it.
“Inform our army that we march at dawn,” Haldreth ordered. “It’s time to break the Warding.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Year of Warding 42, Ara’s Countryside
Ana
THAT DAY, ANA AND ZAREK CLIMBED the treacherous path to the western rim of the canyon. They traversed some narrow ledges above sheer cliffs where Ana feared she would fall and die. Beside them, a waterfall with columns of ice mingling with flowing water, crashed down into the rocky depths. In the end, they made it safely to the top and came out into a cheerless landscape of brown winter hills with patches of snow. Hakvere loomed behind them.
“I hoped we were farther away,” Ana said.
“Soon,” he promised. “If we follow this river, it will take us back to Sarine.” He pointed to the water that flowed from the west down into the canyon. “We have to move. There are soldiers nearby, and I need to keep you out of sight.”
Zarek found a cluster of rocks where she could hide. They were no more than waist high, but there were spaces between them. When Ana sat down and pulled her knees to her chest, she was hidden.
“Good,” he said. “Don’t move. I’ll be back soon.”
With Zarek gone, she heard nothing except for the sound of the cold wind in the dead grass. The chill air went right through the thin fabric of her dress, and now that she sat still, she began to shiver. Her empty stomach pinched. The quick meal as they’d left the dungeon was long past, and she’d gone hungry for weeks before that.
At the sound of horses, Ana forgot her discomfort as her stomach clenched in fear. She froze, not even daring to breathe. A large troop of Aran soldiers in blue tunics rode by. She felt terribly visible. But Zarek had told her not to move, so she remained hidden in the rocks.
Finally, they were out of sight, and she drew in a deep breath. Where was Zarek? What would they do if they got caught?
Another group of soldiers rode past, even closer to her hiding place than the others. She tensed again. This time, she could hear their voices. They stopped in front of the rocks. One of them was giving orders to the rest. His voice was cold, and he sounded angry.
“The king sent us out two days ago, and we haven’t found anything yet. But she can’t have gotten too far. Six men go north, and the rest of you split up and check the edge of the canyon. We completed our search below. Keep your eyes open. And give me one of those extra horses. Sergeant Aman is still down in the canyon. He’ll need a mount when he rejoins us.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Ana shivered. They were looking for her. Had Zarek already been caught? What could she do? The horsemen rode off in different directions until only the captain remained. He rode toward her hiding place, leading a spare horse. Ana’s heart pounded wildly. Did he know she had hidden here? She tensed to run.
The man stopped and took off his helmet, and she realized it was Zarek. He was the one who had given the orders. She took a deep breath and shook her head. He played his part extremely well.
He jumped to the ground. “Ana?” He pulled a blue tunic and dark trousers out of his saddlebag.
Taking a deep breath to slow her racing heart, she looked in all directions. She saw no one else.
“Put these on, quickly.” Zarek handed her the clothes. “They won’t fit. Here’s a belt.”
Ana pulled the pants on under her skirt, got to her feet, and then belted them in place. She undid the buttons of her dress. Sliding her arms out of the sleeves, she dropped it and pulled the blue tunic over her head.
By the size, it was his and much too big for her. She rolled up the sleeves until she uncovered her hands.
“Here.” Zarek lifted a set of armor over her head. A pair of black leather plates shielded her chest and back, and metal pauldrons covered her shoulders. The protective gear felt heavy and cumbersome, and didn’t even come close to fitting. He buckled the plates together on each side and added a helmet that partially covered her face, then belted a sword to her waist. Standing back to examine her critically, he said, “Tuck your hair inside your collar.”
Ana did as he asked.
Zarek nodded. “You’ll be fine, as long as no one looks too closely. If we pass other soldiers, don’t draw attention to yourself.” He picked up her dress, stuffed it into his saddlebag, and tossed her a biscuit. “Eat while we ride.”
As Zarek and Ana rode northwest along the river, they passed a few isolated settlements and farms, but the only people they saw were Aran soldiers. Ana felt her stomach tighten when any of them got too close, but Zarek saluted and spoke to them. When she saw his face, it looked fierce, and his voice sounded angry. The people he spoke to were afraid of him.
She had to remind herself that it was an act. This was Zarek. She didn’t need to fear him, and he had to play his part.
They rode a long way that day, passing swiftly through the hills. After a while, they didn’t see any more soldiers. When the terrain allowed, they rode side by side.
“Where are we going?” Ana asked. “I’ve never been north of the Warding.”
Zarek nodded toward the water flowing beside them. “If we follow the river to its source, we’ll come to the northeastern boundary of the Warding.”
“Will there be more soldiers there?”
“A few,” Zarek said. “The king has sent most of his troops toward Iron Bridge. It’s the most direct route toward the White City. But if we went that way, we’d have to get through the entire army without them discovering you. And there are many miles with no water nearby, which would make it even riskier for us.”
