Page 41 of A Kiss of Hammer and Flame

But Wyldaern was already on her feet, staggering over to another dead patrolman. Bending, the woman picked another pin from another collar. And again and again as she found more soldiers. Cahra supposed training with Piet should prepare her for corpses like these, she thought.

When Wyldaern returned, her soft features solemn, she held up a silver pin and asked, ‘Do you recognise this crest?’

Cahra squinted at it. ‘Should I?’

‘This one, then?’ Wyldaern asked, holding up another.

‘Kolyath,’ Cahra said. The air in her lungs abruptly chilled.

‘And Ozumbre,’ Wyldaern said gently, holding up the first pin.

‘What?’ Cahra said, breath rattling in her chest. If Kolyath had joined forces with the kingdom of Ozumbre…Seers help them all.

‘We need to leave,’ Wyldaern told her.

Cahra nodded, heaving Wyldaern’s arm over her shoulder again and half-carrying the woman the rest of the way back to the horse.

‘You’re strong,’ the Seer noted. No surprise, just observation.

‘Like I told you, I’m a blacksmith,’ Cahra replied, focusing on her breathing. ‘Lugging heavy metal around is all I do.’

‘Is it?’ A suspiciously knowing look shone on Wyldaern’s face.

Cahra didn’t understand. But she could see the horse.

She unwound Wyldaern from her shoulders and climbed onto the steed, then hauled the woman up, pulling on the reins to turn them back towards the road.

Cahra set her jaw as she echoed Raiden’s earlier words. ‘Hold fast.’

CHAPTER 19

Cahra arrived with the Wildswoman – theSeer– Wyldaern at her back, rejoining Terryl, Raiden and their people as the caravan wound towards Luminaux. Cahra slowed the horse, pulling alongside Raiden next to Terryl’s window.

‘Any trouble?’

At the sound of Cahra’s voice, Terryl peered out. ‘Thank the Oracles,’ he breathed. Seeing his relief, warmth spread through her and she smiled.

‘All’s quiet,’ Raiden answered from upon another horse, scouring their surroundings.

She hated to bear him bad news. ‘Raiden.’ Cahra lifted her arm to hand him the pins Wyldaern had found on the dead patrolmen.

He took them, raising stony eyes to meet hers. ‘Where did you get these?’ That tone. It was alarm, pure and simple.

‘We found them on the soldiers as we left. Some with one pin, some with the other.’ She watched as the dread on his face solidified.

Raiden’s eyes flickered to Terryl. The Captain raised his arm, two riders with him in an instant as he watched Wyldaern, telling Cahra, ‘We ride hard. Cahra, get in the carriage.’ Then he ordered, ‘Squad two, escort our guest to the goods wagon.’ His people made to move.

‘Wait, Wyldaern needs Merali’s aid! And you don’t givemeorders,’ Cahra retorted. ‘I’m not one of your guards.’

Raiden turned on Cahra, eyes blazing. ‘Do you have any idea of the danger we face? Are you so sure she’s not involved?’ Raiden jerked a thumb at Wyldaern.

Cahra just murmured over her shoulder to Wyldaern, ‘Still “tell none”?’

The Seer remained silent.

‘To the kingdom,’ Raiden commanded his people. Then to Cahra, the Captain said, ‘This is the least safe we’ve been since we left Kolyath. I can’t protect my lord, or you, if our enemies have united and we have no knowledge of their plans. We’re going,’ he growled.

Cahra was about to cut in that she didn’t need protection, when Wyldaern beat her to it, sliding from the horse.

---