Page 238 of The Call of Crimson
“That sounds about right,” I mumble through a yawn.
“Sweet dreams, Ophelia.”
“Good night, Ayden.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
BREYLA
Darian pants heavily, bent at the waist as he fights to catch his breath. He’d just jumped Ryder, Zion, and me from Andhull to the Rimor border, a distance that would normally take a full day’s ride. While his Gift allowed him to make that distance on his own, taking others with him took a much heavier toll on his energy. He'd explained as much during our travels the week prior.
An urgent missive had arrived from the city’s ruling lord. A group of Rimorian refugees was crossing the border just as the Fae had launched an attack on the town.
“For the record, I still think this is a trap,” Darian huffs.
“For the record, I’m pretty sure you’re right. That knowledge doesn’t change my decision.”
We had argued for five straight minutes over the decision to come here. There hadn’t been an attack since Elijah’s death, just complete, unnerving silence. The attack, happening just as Rimorian citizens crossed the border, was no coincidence. He argued that Ayden would kill him for endangering me sorecklessly. I argued that I would kill him myself if he refused to help those in need.
We stand in the middle of a deserted courtyard, a small stone keep looming in front of us, but not a single soul in sight.
A heavy wooden door creaks open, revealing a burly, gray-haired male. “General, this way.”
We step inside the fortress, my eyes trailing over the souls inside. Mostly females and children, all displaying terrified looks on their faces.
“I had hoped you would bring more reinforcements,” the male says, disappointment filling his weary eyes.
“Lord Renfer, the nearest troops are stationed over a day’s ride away. My options were limited,” Darian replies. “You’ve got two generals and General Breyla’s personal guards. Now tell us what’s happening.”
“The females, children, and those unable to fight are within the walls. The refugees arrived at dawn, and the bastards attacking us showed up not ten minutes later. There was no warning, just mass carnage as they volleyed wave after wave of poisoned arrows at us,” Lord Renfer explains, his eyes glazing as he recalls the destruction. “There were mass casualties initially. The males I have left are fighting to escort the refugees to safety and find any remaining citizens not inside the walls.”
I draw my sword as shadows ripple across my hands, itching to strike. “It sounds like we have two objectives, then.”
Darian nods. “Get the refugees to safety first, stop the attack, kill every Fae bastard we find along the way.”
“Okay, three objectives. Do you have enough strength to jump us to the edge of town?”
His teeth worry at his bottom lip. “I’d rather save my energy for the return trip.”
“Fair enough. I’ll cover us with shadows as much as I’m able. Ryder and Zion,” I say, turning to them. “You slaughteranything that moves against us, but keep an eye out for potential survivors.”
“Understood, General,” Ryder replies. Zion just huffs.
Darian turns back to Lord Renfer. “Do you have any horses we can reach?”
“If any remain, they’ll be in the stable out back.”
“Take us there,” Darian demands.
Lord Renfer nods curtly, turning to lead us to the stables.
We wade through several halls filled with terrified wives, crying children, and grieving widows. A few elderly and disabled mingle, but there are far too few souls here for a town this size.
When we reach the stables, they’re empty. All the horses are either in use by those fighting or ran off when the stalls were left open.
“Shit,” Darian curses, running a hand through his brown tresses as he takes in the empty stalls.
“Guess we’re running,” I say as I lean down to double-check the laces on my boots are tied properly. All my weapons are in place, save the sword in my hand.
