Page 98 of Destiny Redeemed
A cart full of rubble stood nearby. We pushed it into position, creating a makeshift barricade. It wouldn’t hold for long, but it would slow the tide.
“The west wall is barely holding,” Noah reported, wiping sweat from his brow. “Rosalind is there, leading a group of archers.”
“Rosalind?” I repeated, blinking. I already knew she could handle a sword, but now a bow too? Was there anything she wasn’t good at?
“She’s quite formidable with a bow now,” Noah added, a hint of pride in his voice.
Another explosion rocked the city, this time from the west. The sound of splintering wood and screaming followed.
Anderic’s eyes met mine. “The Western Wall.”
“Go,” Sebastian urged. “We’ll hold here.”
Anderic grabbed my arm. “Remember what I said about staying close?”
“I’m coming with you,” I assured him.
We sprinted through the city streets, dodging panicked civilians and rushing soldiers. The western breach came into view—a gaping hole where the gate had been, now swarming with Elentharian soldiers in their distinctive blue and silver.
And there, standing atop a fallen section of wall, was Rosalind. Her chestnut hair pulled back in a tight braid, bow in hand, firing with deadly precision into the advancing forces. Each arrow found its mark with terrifying accuracy.
“Noah wasn’t exaggerating about her skills,” I murmured.
“Lady Bellrose has many talents, it seems,” Anderic replied, drawing his sword. “Let’s ensure she has the chance to display them for years to come.”
We waded into the battle, cutting a path toward her position. Elentharian soldiers fell before Anderic’s blade like wheat before a scythe. I stuck close to him, using my daggers to dispatch any who slipped past his guard.
“Your Highness!” Rosalind called out, spotting us. “They’re targeting the inner wall!”
I followed her gaze and saw a group of soldiers carrying barrels—black powder. Explosives.
“Cover me!” I shouted, breaking away from Anderic.
“Ilyana, wait!” He yelled, but I was already running.
I weaved through the fighting, ducking under swinging swords and leaping over fallen bodies. One of the powder carriers spotted me and drew his sword. I slid beneath his guard, my dagger finding the soft spot under his ribs. He collapsed with a wheeze.
The remaining men abandoned their barrels, forming a defensive circle. Five against one—not ideal odds.
“Gentlemen,” I smiled sweetly, “I don’t suppose you’d consider surrendering?”
Their answer came in the form of advancing blades. I backed up, calculating my options. Then a familiar voice rang out.
“Duck, Lya!”
I dropped to the ground as arrows whistled overhead, taking two men in the chest. Looking up, I caught Rose’s eye across the battlefield and flashed her a grateful smile.
“Save some for me!” She called out, already nocking another arrow.
I laughed despite the chaos around us. “Always so greedy, Lady Bellrose!”
I used the distraction to attack, my daggers finding vulnerable points in the remaining men’s armor. They fell, but not before one managed to nick my arm with his blade.
“The explosives,” I called to nearby soldiers. “Get them away from the wall!”
As they rushed to comply, I realized I’d lost sight of Anderic in the chaos. The battle had separated us, exactly what he’d warned against. Dammit.
A flash of crimson caught my eye—Red Cross mercenaries flooding through the western breach. And there, directing them, was the unmistakable figure of their leader, the man simply known as Red.
