Page 150 of Veinblood
“Someone has discovered the dead guards,” he murmurs after a moment. “We should join the others.”
When we return to the courtyard, twenty soldiers have formed a defensive line. Shields lock together while spear points are leveled toward Mira and the others.
“If you don’t want to join your commanders, you should stand down.” Shadows flow across Sacha’s skin, twisting around his torso, and reaching out toward the men.
The line wavers as several soldiers recognize what they’re facing. Then one man steps forward.
“We have our orders.” His sword is half-raised, and his voice shakes despite his brave words.
“From dead men.”
The man’s face drains of color. “You’re lying.”
“By all means, send one of your men to check.” Sacha waves a casual hand to the keep’s entrance. “We’ll wait here.”
The man looks behind him at the line of soldiers, then back at Sacha. I can almost hear him thinking from where I’m standing. He’s wondering whether to risk his soldiers’ lives on what might be a bluff or find out if the commanders are really dead.
Sacha’s gaze sweeps the courtyard, then stops on Corwin. “Escort the captain inside. You’ll find two up in the bedrooms, and the other two in the main hall.”
Corwin nods, and steps up beside the pale-faced soldier. After a moment’s hesitation, the man swallows hard and gives a jerky nod. They disappear into the keep together.
When they return minutes later, the captain’s face is white as fresh snow.
“All dead,” he whispers. “Lower your weapons.”
Some hesitate, clearly torn between duty and survival. But most drop their spears immediately, metal clattering against the ground. Mira and Corwin move forward, searching each one for concealed weapons, while Kael, Thera and the others herd them toward the barracks. No one argues or resists.
By the time dawn breaks over Greyhold’s walls, the keep belongs to us.
Chapter Forty-One
SACHA
"Some burdens can only be carried by those who understand their weight."
Writings of the Veinblood Masters
Once the soldiershave been returned to the barracks, Thera seals the doors and windows with stone, leaving only the smallest of gaps to allow air to enter. It’s the only way we can ensure no one can break out and try to attack us overnight in a misguided act of revenge against me for the four Authority commanders I’ve killed.
Ellie is leaning against a wall, dark circles beneath her eyes a clear indicator that no matter how much she protests, she’s still feeling the effects from her power surge of earlier. I turn to Mira.
“Take Ellie and find somewhere she can rest.”
Mira’s eyes shift to Ellie. “She’ll argue about it.”
“Tie her up, if you need to. She’s about to collapse. And see if you can find some food for her as well.”
Mira snorts a quiet laugh, dips her head, and trots over to Ellie. As predicted, she argues, her voice carrying across the courtyard.
“Corwin,take two men and check the keep. There will be servants somewhere, possibly hiding if they’ve heard any of the commotion. Assure them that they are in no danger from us. If they try to fight, bring them to stay with the soldiers.”
Ellie is still arguing with Mira, so I turn and walk over to them. Shadows flow out before me, weaving around Ellie, and lift her off her feet. She gives a surprised squeak when they raise her higher and then drop her into my arms.
“What are you doing?”
I don’t answer, and stride inside, and up the staircase. One of the rooms I checked before finding Breslin was a bedchamber, and I use shadows to throw open the door and go inside. Kicking it shut behind me, I cross the room and drop her onto the bed.
“Rest.”
