Page 138 of Faeling
Are you ready, Crow?
Ravenna turned to behold Oberon and smiled to see what a striking figure he made.
The night before, he and three other unicorns had been quietly let inside the city via the western gate and led up to the citadel. He refused to be left behind on this, insisting he carry her.
We’ve gone this far together, Crow,he’d reasoned.Let usfinish it together, too.
He and the other unicorns had deigned to wear caparisons, the burgundy silk and golden thread announcing their allegiance with Ravenna and Vallek.
How handsome you are!she gushed.
Oberon vainly shook his mane.I know. It’s a good color for me.
Reaching up to pet his velveteen muzzle, Ravenna said,Thank you, Obi. For this and for always taking care of me. Even when I didn’t want to listen.
You are my herd and my foal, Crow. I would go with you to the ends of the world.
Ravenna quickly wiped at the tear that escaped.You’re a sentimental nanny goat.
And you are an impetuous foal. Now, get on, and let’s go impress these orcs.
It was Vallek himself who cupped his hands, offering Ravenna a leg up onto Oberon’s back. A cheer rose from the berserkers to see her mounted, and with a shy smile, she waved back. For his part, Oberon preened, making sure the light hit his horn at a good angle.
Raising his fist in the air, Vallek called, “Form up!”
In a wave of synchronized skill, every berserker found their place and stood at attention.
On Vallek’s right, Mattias raised a horn to his lips and blew. The call to move out ran down the line, and as one, the column swayed forward before the din of two-hundred sets of marching feet shook the cobblestones.
Ravenna waved and blew a kiss back at the basilica for Eydis and Hilde before turning forward to meet the cheering crowd.
Sitting tall astride Oberon, Ravenna kept pace alongside Vallek as they marched through the citadel gates out onto the main promenade of Balmirra. Flowers rained on them, littering their path. Petals were crushed underfoot, adding a sweet scent to the air.
Down they went through the city, applause and well-wishes following them as they made the switchbacks to the lower levels of Balmirra. They passed neither square nor street that wasn’t lined with orcs to see them off, calling out goodbyes and wishes for them to return soon.
And it wasn’t all for Vallek. She heard her name called, her title, too, and even cries for every warrior to protect her well.
Her heart ached to hear and feel their concern.
They were good people, the Balmirrans. When she and Vallek returned, she intended to do right by them. To put her past behind her and be the best of queens. For them.
First, she just had to slay a bad queen.
Oberon nickered. I suppose, if we have to go through with this foolishness, it’s better to do it with a small army of orcs.
It is indeed.
She still couldn’t quite believe it, but as the western gate opened for them, revealing the great scrubby expanse and serpentine path that awaited them, her heart began to thud.
Vallek put on speed, and together, they led the column through the gate at a charge. The berserkers roared behind them, the city cheered, and a blue autumn sky opened wide before them.
And so the end began.
33
Vallek lingered in that space between sleep and wakefulness, not quite ready to open his eyes. He could just hear the growing bustle of a camp coming awake outside the tent, but nothing too noisy and they were well ahead of the breakfast bell.
Plenty of time.
