Page 116 of Veinblood
“How many casualties?” Mira steps forward.
“Fewer than we expected. When people realized they outnumbered the soldiers, and saw Veinwardens fighting for them, they stood up for what was right. Many Authority soldiers surrendered."
“What about Sereven? Did he come back to the city?”
“He did. He put out proclamations offering bounties for both of us. But he escaped.” Her lips press into a thin line.
Of course he escaped. Sereven is too experienced, too cunning to be caught completely unprepared. Before I can question her more, Ellie turns toward her companions who have dismounted and are standing to one side, watching quietly.
“This is Corwin and Jorana, two of the leaders of the Ashenvale Veinwarden Knot. Without them, I doubt I’d have survived here long enough to do anything.”
The moment I look at them, both drop to one knee.
“Vareth’el,” Corwin says. “High Prince. We have waited so long for your return.”
“Please rise.”
“My Lord.” Jorana’s voice carries a combination of relief and wonder. “When we heard that you had returned, that you were alive, many of us didn’t believe it.”
“But the Veinwarden Knots kept faith for decades. We knew one day, a Shadowvein Lord would return to us.” Corwin shakes his head. “To finally see you here, to know your colors fly over the Spire once again … it feels like waking from a nightmare.”
The emotion in his voice threatens to undo my composureentirely. These people never gave up. Even when I was broken in that tower, even when the Authority declared me dead, they kept faith.
“You have done more than keep faith. You have raised a beacon of hope for Meridian. You have sent a message that the Authority’s grip is not as strong as it once was.” The words come automatically, my mind still racing.
“We brought horses. Ellie was certain you would not be alone, but we weren’t sure how many we would need.”
“Mira, Varam, take the spares.” I turn to Ellie. “Would you do me the honor of allowing me to ride with you into the city?”
She leads me to her horse without a word, and settles into the saddle with far more grace than the last time I saw her mount. Once she’s in place, I get up behind her, wrapping one arm around her waist. She settles back against me with a soft sigh.
I dip my head to press a kiss to the hollow of her throat, then touch my lips to her ear. “Show me what trouble you’ve caused during my absence, Mel’shira.”
She laughs quietly, and nudges her horse forward.
When we pass through the main entrance to the city, the destruction is clear. The Authority built this wall to withstand sieges. They were reinforced with iron rods and anchored deep into the bedrock. I can see remnants of the iron sticking up in places. Bringing them down should have taken months. Ellie has only been here for days. It makes no sense.
“Ellie, the walls. Did you do that?”
She glances back at me, and bites her lip. I have the distinct impression that she’s fighting a smile.
“There’s so many things I have to explain, but not here. Not yet.”
As we move through the streets, people come out from buildings to watch as we pass. Some dip their heads, some bow. Others just stand in silence.
“They know who you are.” Ellie’s voice is quiet. “Word spread quickly once the fighting began, that it was Veinwardens coming to take the city back.”
The closer we get to the center of Ashenvale, the more the people who are watching show expressions of hope, relief, and joy. Some look at me as though I’ve returned from the dead—which in many ways, I have.
Scorch marks on building walls suggest lightning strikes. I recognize Ellie’s power at work. But there’s other damage that puzzles me. They raise questions that make no sense.
Then we turn a corner and the Lirien Spire comes into view. Shadowvein banners hang from every level, rippling in the breeze.
My throat closes. The Spire. My childhood home. The place I should have ruled, if Sereven hadn’t betrayed me.
The horses come to a halt in the middle of the plaza, and Ellie twists in her saddle to look at me.
“We should probably dismount here.” Her voice carries an odd mix of nerves and excitement. “I need to tell you how we managed to take the city before we go inside and meet some of the people who helped.”
