Page 69 of Kept

Then it changed.

It shifted, the tone climbing unnaturally high before dipping into a range low enough to vibrate the ground. The language was unlike any I’d heard, the words indecipherable and in some cases more like a growl than speech.

Midian. One look at Given confirmed it. She stood frozen, her blue eyes stark as she stared into the Rift.

On the Sithistran side, everyone wore identical masks of shock. Soldiers exchanged terrified looks. Rellan gripped his sword. Lidia did an about-face like she meant to flee, but Elissa clamped a hand on her arm and forced her back around.

As abruptly as it started, the voice stopped. Nobody moved. Everyone stared at the Rift, waiting for something else to happen.

Given released my hand and drew Avenor’s sword. The rippling elven steel reflected the moonlight as she pointed it at the chasm. She spoke, her voice carrying over the Rift. “The devils are here, Prelate Crasor.” She lifted her sword and pointed it in the direction of the Thicket. “And there. Our enemy is the same. If we continue to fight each other, neither of us will win. The evil will spill into our lands and overtake everything. We must work together to stop it, and then both North and South can live in peace.”

My heart swelled. She was breathtaking in the moonlight, my halfling queen. Courageous and inspiring. Someone men would gladly follow.

Rellan’s voice boomed. “You dare to sue for peace when you murdered your own brother.” He spit on the ground. “You deprived Sithistra of its rightful king, and you will pay in blood, whore.”

A bowstring twanged in my ear. One of Igrith’s arrows whistled across the Rift and struck Lord Rellan in the throat. He staggered back, choking as blood poured from the wound.

Elissa let out a bloodcurdling scream.

I turned to Igrith, shock pounding through me.

She gave me a mild look. “I don’t miss.”

“Given was trying to negotiate a cease-fire.”

Igrith shook her head. “A pointless exercise. Rellan would have attacked under the white flag.”

I stared at her. “You’re certain of this?”

Her eyes gleamed as green as the leaf pin at her throat. “My Sight doesn’t miss either, King Laurent.”

“Incoming!” a knight bellowed behind me. I looked up in time to see arrows streaking from the Sithistran side of the Rift.

A gauntleted hand clamped down on my shoulder and dragged me backward. I was shoved to my knees, and then a shield slammed down in front of me.

Thunk, thunk, thunk. Arrows struck the shield, one sharp arrow tip bursting through the wood an inch from my eye. I stared at it, my vision blurring.

“Fucking cowards,” Varick rasped in my ear. “They used the truce to get into position.”

“Where’s Given?” I asked, turning my head

“Here.” She crouched just behind me, Drago’s shield embedded in the ground in front of her. She gripped Avenor’s sword. Her pale braid gleamed in the moonlight. I didn’t want her anywhere near the Rift.

“You’re unhurt?” I asked.

“I’m fine,” she said. “We should attack.”

“What?” I scowled at her. “Listen, my lady—”

“Now!” Igrith yelled, popping up and taking off at a run. Several Wesyfeddans followed, their brown cloaks flying. Igrith drew and nocked an arrow as she ran.

Given sprang up and followed.

“Given!” I shouted. Varick and I stood at the same time. We glanced at each other, then sprinted after her.

The Sithistrans poured onto the Pass, which swayed violently under their boots.

“Fuck,” Varick growled. He blurred as he streaked toward the bridge.

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