Page 7 of Kingdoms of Shadow and Ash

The man went down just as a weight hit Fyia between the shoulders, throwing her forward, pinning her in place. Fists showered punch after punch on Fyia's head, neck, back. Fyia went limp, and the onslaught ceased. Her attacker's weight shifted forward, and Fyia grabbed her, rolling them over. She didn't hesitate for a tick before snatching up her dagger and sticking it in the woman's flesh. A woman who could not have been much older than Fyia's twenty-eight years.

The remaining attackers ran—only two still alive—and Fyia blinked as she took in the scene. Her bodyguards stood over the fallen, checking to make sure they were dead, blood and gore everywhere, littering the forest floor.

Edu and Adigos rushed to Fyia, dropping to their knees on either side of where she knelt. 'Are you hurt?' asked Adigos, his hands and eyes searching her for damage.

'I …'

'There's blood coming from your shoulder. Get the healer!' Edu shouted at a guard.

'I can't see any other blood,' said Adigos.

'I'm fine,' said Fyia, pushing them off. 'Help me up.'

A horse with a fearsome woman atop screeched to a halt nearby. Sensis. She barked orders about perimeters, scouts, and only the Gods knew what else.

Fyia shot a look at Edu. 'We're in trouble now,' she said.

'What happened?' demanded Sensis. She slid off her horse and threw her reins to a soldier.

'We were attacked,' said Fyia.

Adigos rolled one of the dead onto his back. 'I spoke to this one last night,' he said. 'He told me Perdes was good to him.'

'Let's hope that's all this is,' said Sensis. 'We need to move, and I'm coming with you.'

Fyia's head went fuzzy, and she retched.

'Mother…' said Adigos.

'Where's the healer?' Edu snapped.

'Get a carriage,' Sensis barked.

Fyia sank to the ground and let them fuss; it made little sense to argue when they were right.

Chapter Two

FYIA WOKE TO FINDherself in a plush carriage, her head in Adigos' lap, his hand stroking her hair. She tried to sit, but a blinding pain gripped her brain, so she gave up.

'What happened?' she asked, swotting away his hand. 'Is my horse okay?'

'The healer gave you something to knock you out. He said he told you to rest, and that you were being difficult. Your horse is fine. Mine is too, thank the Gods.'

'And? Do I have any lasting injuries?'

'You took an arrow to the shoulder, but it was only a flesh wound. The healer's more worried about pressure in your head, given the pounding it took. He instructed us to monitor you closely.'

'I'm fine. Help me up.'

Adigos slipped his hands under her and eased her up next to him. Her head pounded like it was under attack from ten thousand nails, but she forced herself to ignore the agony.

'Here,' said Adigos. He handed her a bundle of herbs. 'The healer said to chew these; it'll help with the pain.'

Fyia took them and looked out of the window as she bit down on the bitter green leaves. She could feel her wolves, glad they were safe, but scowled when she saw an entire squadron of soldiers escorting them. 'So much for travelling in secrecy,' she said.

'Sensis took over … you know how she is.'

She did know. Sensis was the best general the world had ever seen. She was ruthless, made hard decisions with empathy and conviction, never took chances she didn't have to, and inspired awe in those under her command, in everyone, really. Without Sensis, Fyia wouldn't be Queen of more than a single kingdom.

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