Page 63 of Veinblood
“You want to go to a place based on the actions of one man?”
“One man who remembered something I did for him.” I gesture toward the people walking past us. “If one person remembered, so might others.”
“And if they don’t? If they turn us away, or send word to the nearest garrison?”
“Then we learn just how strong fear in the Authority is. As you said, we can’t stay here. Our choice is stay and die, or find somewhere that might give us safety. At least Greenvale offers the possibility of shelter.”
“Or they’ll see three hundred strangers and panic.”
“Perhaps.” Denying it serves no purpose. “But what other choice do we have?” The reality is that we’re running out of time and choices.
Varam gnaws on the inside of his cheek while he looks atme. “You want to gamble the lives of everyone on the potential compassion of people who watched you suffer.”
“Staying here means certain death, Nul’shar.” My voice is quiet. “Moving toward Greenvale gives us a chance of something else.”
“What if they refuse? What if they’re too afraid to help?”
“Then we move on. But if some of them remember what we sacrificed, what we did so they could live, they might have the courage to open their village to us.”
A muscle pops in his jaw as his teeth clench, and then he nods. “If we survive today, then we will go to Greenvale.”
Our most immediate concern reasserts itself. Before we can seek sanctuary anywhere, we must deal with the patrols climbing toward our position. Fifty-seven soldiers according to our scouts, moving in three separate formations designed to prevent exactly the kind of ambush we’re planning.
We move toward the rocks overlooking the valley the soldiers will come through. Nyassa appears at my shoulder.
“I want to help.” Before I can respond, she continues. “I am a Tidevein. The narrow passes have streams running through them, and groundwater seeping through rock fissures. I can use those against the soldiers.”
I study her face, seeing the determination there.
“You stay out of view. If it looks like they’re going to overrun us, you go back to the caves and stay with our people.”
Her head lifts, lips pressing into a thin line.
“I know what you’re going to say. You’re Veinblood. You’rea Tidevein master.” I release the grip I keep on my power, letting my eyes turn black, and shadows slither over my skin. “ButIam Shadowvein, andyouwill follow my will.”
She holds my gaze for a second longer, then looks down. “As my Vareth’el wishes.”
I direct her to a place shielded by an overhanging rock, and instruct two archers to stay with her, then position the rest of the fighters in places they can cause the most damage. The enemy may have numbers, but we know every stone and shadow.
“Let them come,” I whisper, letting my shadows take my voice to all the men. “Make them pay for every step they take.”
The first Authority soldiers appear, moving cautiously along the rocky mountain path, weapons ready and eyes scanning for threats. These are seasoned fighters, chosen for their nerve and competence.
I let them get halfway up the slope before unleashing darkness.
Shadows pour from my position, wrapping around three soldiers like rope.
“Shal neth korvain.” The darkness tightens around throats, necks snapping with wet cracks before the soldiers can scream. The survivors scatter, seeking cover among the rocks.
“The Shadowvein Lord is here,” one shouts. “He’s hiding in the rocks!”
The captain raises his sword and charges my position. I drop from the rocks above, my shadowblade forming in my hand as I move. It punches through his shield, into his chest, andbursts from his back in a spray of blood. He looks down, mouth opening in shock, before I twist the blade, and his legs give out.
I have less than a second to pull the sword free before two more soldiers rush at me. I sidestep the first thrust, grab the man’s wrist and break it with a sharp twist. Bone snaps. He screams and drops his weapon. My blade opens his throat, silencing him forever.
The next soldier swings at my head. I duck under the blade and drive my shoulder into his chest, sending him stumbling backward. He recovers quickly, sword coming up in a defensive position.
Good training, but it won’t help him.
