Bladelore: Cadis Trilogy, #3

Chapter One

Venn Connell ducked under the edge of a swinging sword.

The blade lodged into the trunk of a tree on the side of the road. She swept out her leg, and her foot connected with the Margolan soldier’s ankle. He lost his balance and staggered backward, frantically tugging on his sword hilt to free the weapon from the thick bark. Using the distraction, Venn drove her knife under his arm. Blood sprayed from the slashed artery, and the soldier dropped to his knees.

She spun out of his way and launched herself onto the back of a second soldier as he raised his sword to strike Maggie Stanwell, the enchantress too focused on protecting her family to notice him. Venn dragged her blade across the soldier’s throat, and his blood spattered against Maggie’s white tunic.

The soldier sagged to the ground. Venn rolled off him, her heartbeat dancing against her ribs, and scanned the fight for her next target.

Brannagh’s behind this. He has to be.

The Margolan attack had come out of nowhere. In the span of a blink, fifty soldiers appeared on the empty road to block their way. Their armour shone with fresh polish, and none of the horses appeared road-worn. They looked as though they’d set out that morning for a leisurely ride and endured none of the month-long journey it should have taken to reach so far west of the border.

She scanned the crowd again for the familiar red hood that shadowed the cold, dead eyes of Margolin’s captain of the queensguard. If the man had used the Meratis incantation to transport the soldiers behind the veil into Andvell, she guessed he’d want to stick around to watch the bloodshed.

But if he was close, he hid himself well.

Of the fifty soldiers who met them, only ten remained, clashed against close to a hundred Feldall troops. Corpses in both colours scattered the ground, but most wore the red and gold of Margolin, and three more fell under Jasmine Reed’s arrows and Jayden Feldall’s sword.

Princess Ariana fought at her husband’s right side, guarding the blind spots caused by his missing eye and arm. Behind her, Thom Foley and Frederick Larimer, a Margolan soldier and the previous captain of the Margolan queensguard, battled their own men with no lack of ferocity and determination.

Will Stanwell, Maggie’s son, and Bruce McKay, a Cordelayan enchanter, stood on the edges of the fight, both chanting the same words as Maggie to bolster the strength of Feldall’s men. The Margolans carried no magic with them, and the disadvantage guaranteed their downfall.

A stray soldier escaped Ariana’s defenses and charged towards Venn. She flashed a grin and braced her feet. Pulling a second knife from the band of sheaths at her hip, she broke into a run and met him halfway. Maggie shouted a word behind her, and the soldier froze for a single heartbeat — long enough to delay him raising his sword. Venn took a running leap towards him and, after they crashed to the ground, thrust one of her knives under his chin. She pressed her weight onto her arms until the hilt hit his jaw and kept her other blade tight against his upper thigh as he thrashed beneath her.

By the time he fell still, the rest of the battle was over, and only the cries of Feldall’s injured troops prevented the quiet from settling over the trees on either side of the road.

Venn eased herself off the dead Margolan and jerked her knives from his flesh. Her skin tingled with the rush of battle, and her shaky breath left her lightheaded. Maggie approached and helped her to her feet.

Are you all right? she asked.

Peachy, Venn replied. She stooped to wipe her blades on the dead soldier’s sleeve before sheathing them. Brushing the sweat from her forehead with the back of her arm, she stared out across the devastation they’d left behind.

Jayden and Jasmine stood talking with Ariana and Larimer in the middle of the road, and although Venn couldn’t make out the words, the frowns and determined pointing in different directions hinted at a serious debate.

Thom came up beside her and slid his sword into its scabbard. Will followed close behind him, returning a couple of unused vials of enchantments to his satchel.

What are they bickering about over there? she asked, with a nod in Jayden’s direction.

Thom glanced over his shoulder. They’re trying to figure out how we didn’t see the soldiers coming. Lady Feldall and Prince Jayden explained the concept of the Meratis incantation to the captain, but I don’t think he’s wrapped his head around it yet. He’s ready to blast the scouts for not giving us any warning of their approach. He frowned. I also don’t think he’s happy we responded to the attack with force instead of calling for peace talks.

Venn snorted. Would they have stopped to listen?

Thom nodded. I know. I think he knows as well, but I’m sure you understand his position. Those were his men. We’ve already lost so many people in this war.

He looked away, and Venn stared over his shoulder into the trees. She didn’t want to deal with the emotions his words evoked — the heart-clenching pain of grief that clung to her ever since they left Feldall’s Keep. She shoved the feelings to the back of her mind and forced herself to think only of the present.

Larimer broke away from the circle to walk among the remains of his men. He would have trained many of them as raw recruits, boys he’d watched grow up. For twenty years, his career was his life, his queen and his station in her court his greatest pride. Everything had been stripped away from him by forces beyond his control — namely by Guy Danos, the foreign stranger who had elbowed his way up the ranks to become the queen’s first counsellor — but in spite of his grief, he still fought to save his country from destruction.

Staring at his fallen men, he probably believed he’d failed them.

He’s welcome to join the club, Venn thought. None of us feel like winners right now.

Hazel eyes and a warm smile flashed in Venn’s memory, and her heart ached.

She steeled herself against the pain and walked away from the others towards Larimer. With no idea what she would say — if she would say anything — she felt an urge to walk through the dead with him, wanting to centre herself in reality instead of losing herself in the nightmare of what waited for them in the north.

Connell! a gruff voice barked, and Venn looked over her right shoulder towards Lewyn Kell, who stood near the horses.

Her mentor jerked his head for her to join him, and she changed course, careful not to step on the arms and legs sprawled out around her. Feldall’s men were already clearing the road, with Jayden and Jasmine shouting orders. She reached the horses in time to watch a body be carried into the ditch.

Corsa, her white stallion, nosed her shoulder, and she patted his neck, his familiar presence a comfort. She scanned the tree line to search for a large armoured grizzly bear, a common gesture over the last couple of weeks, but he didn’t appear.

Not a bad fight, Lewyn said, appraising her through one sharp blue eye and one milky one. Looks like you learned a few tricks since I left you. But you drop your guard on the left side when you swing. Keep your arm up, protect your gut.

Venn crossed her arms. You coaching me again, old man? I thought you retired from that job ten years ago.

If I have to sit out the fight and watch you make sloppy moves, you can be gods-be-damned sure I’ll comment on it.

He tapped his walking stick on the ground, and Venn battled between smiling and rolling her eyes.

She and Lewyn Kell had gone back and forth between loathing and respect in their roles as student and teacher, but they seemed to have landed in a rough sort of truce. A truce where neither felt the need to be polite to the other, and yet both understood they had the other’s best interests at heart.

At least your mind was in the fight, he continued. Wasn’t sure it would be after the way you’ve been moping.

Venn dropped her gaze to her boots and drove her toe into the road to create patterns out of the loose dirt. To her horror, the earth crumbled more easily than it had over the last week. She glanced upward and saw the leaves above were browning unseasonably early. The blight from Margolin was leaching farther into Andvell. As her stomach clenched and a bitter taste coated the back of her throat, she wondered how long it would take for the black rot to sweep away the natural beauty of her home.

No point trying to deny it, Connell, Lewyn pushed. You’ve hardly said a word to anyone. Your Lady Jasmine asked me about it, the whole lot of them worried about you, but I assured her you were getting your head on straight, priming yourself so you would be ready to fight when the time came. Hope I was right.

Of course, she said, still staring into the trees.

Lewyn snorted, drawing her attention. Bullshit. If you had shown one moment of distraction in this battle, I would have kicked your ass. Don’t forget it.

How could I forget? she asked.

Good. Now you’d better go see what the princess wants. She’s waiting for you ever so patiently.

Venn looked over her shoulder to find Ariana watching. Their eyes met, and the princess raised a hand to summon her over. Venn puffed out a breath and plodded towards the group, brushing her fingers against her knife hilts to find some comfort in the worn leather. She was good at driving her blades into people; talking strategy and politics sat lower on the list.

What’s worrying you, Ana? she asked in greeting, noting the faint crease between the princess’s fine strawberry-blonde eyebrows.

Ariana brushed the back of her wrist across her forehead to clear the strands of hair that had fallen free of the leather strap tying it back.

We’re hoping you might have some ideas about this attack. I know there was a lot going on, but did you see any sign of Margolin’s regular forces readying itself for war when you were there?

Venn shook her head. I’m just as surprised as you are, believe me. I thought Danos was only readying his Cadis warriors. Thom?

He crossed the road towards them and Venn repeated the question.

I never saw any sign of it, he replied. But Brannagh must have been preparing this. I’ve only been gone, what? A month and a half? He can’t have readied the men that quickly.

I wouldn’t say these men were ready, Larimer called from the ditch where the bodies were laid out. They charged in without any sort of plan or strategy. As if someone ordered them to attack at will.

Venn cringed, and her heart clenched at the thought of the Margolan soldiers suffering more than they already had. As if being drugged by Brannagh and Danos and trapped in a state of nightmare wasn’t enough.

I doubt it would take much to nudge them to war, she said. If they thought we were out to get them, they must have fought off pure adrenaline and terror.

Thom’s green eyes widened, and he twisted his head to stare at the growing pile of Margolan soldiers lying at the side of the road. Those bastards threw my brothers to the wolves.

Jayden rubbed his hand over his short hair and readjusted the leather patch covering his empty eye socket. Still, if Danos plans to throw the regular troops against us on top of everything else, we could be in for a longer and bigger war than we anticipated. Larimer, how many men would you say Brannagh’s commanding now?

The former captain raised a shoulder. I’ve been out of the scene for months. Foley?

Thom chewed his cheek. At least fifty thousand men all told. Most of them are in the capital, but we have territorial militias the same as you, not to mention outposts throughout the country.

Shit, Jayden breathed, and reached for his right sleeve, the knot tied against the stump at his shoulder.

What do you see Andvell’s numbers at? Larimer asked, his gaze alternating between Jayden’s and Ariana’s worried glances.

Maybe forty thousand, said Ariana. I would have said that was enough to go up against Danos’s Cadis warriors, but if we have to deal with the regular forces, too…

Venn didn’t have the heart to break it to the princess that against one thousand Cadis warriors a hundred thousand troops wouldn’t be enough.

How many men will it take to bring down the final soldier when the warriors get stronger every time one falls?

She pictured the warriors marching across a field in the red armour made of blood that had been drained from the men and women now wearing it.

Her stomach heaved, and she pressed a finger to her top lip to repress the bile creeping along the back of her throat.

We can’t let the numbers discourage us. Fewer numbers doesn’t mean we won’t fight just as hard to bring them down, said Jasmine, and although her strength sounded forced, it encouraged those who heard her.

Jayden glanced at his waiting troops, the other six hundred men who had held back from the fight. What remained of the first hundred, about eighty of them, rejoined the ranks and awaited orders.

We’d better start moving. At this rate, we’ll see the end of this road in another three days.

Venn groaned at the thought of two more nights under the stars. After ten days on the road, slowed by their numbers, the idea of a real meal and a roof over her head was all that kept her going.

The group split apart, and Thom fell into step beside her as they headed back to the horses.

It doesn’t sound good, does it?

She grimaced. It could be better. I guess we should have planned for Danos to shovel another heap on us. He has the men, why not use them? Some warning might have been nice.

Things could all go to sunfire pretty soon.

Something in Thom’s voice and the lack of his usual positivity gripped Venn’s curiosity. The soldier hadn’t been the same since… She pushed the thought away, still not confident enough in the hold on her emotions to reach the end of it. The circles under Thom’s eyes were dark as bruises, his black skin chalky with exhaustion and strain, and a few days’ worth of stubble bristled his chin.

It probably will, she replied, and waited for him to come to the point.

So maybe it’s time you took a few chances of your own. Move forward while you can.

You lost me there, she said. We are moving forward. You said wait until we reach Addergrove and then strike east to Margolin. Are you saying now you want to split off earlier?

Thom had been the one to talk her out of going after Brannagh and Danos directly from Feldall’s Keep. That he might now be suggesting something different left Venn confused and reinforced her belief that some stealth missions were better left solo.

I don’t mean the mission, I mean Will, he said, and the clarification left Venn too stunned to speak. She didn’t understand how, in the midst of all the death around them and the sorrow he might have about killing his brothers-in-arms, Thom could be talking about relationships.

Her nose crinkled in distaste and she hoped she’d misunderstood, but he left no room to doubt that was what he meant.

Remy wanted you to be happy, and I see you turning away every chance you get. Especially since Brannagh took her. Have you even noticed that Will’s closed in on himself?

Venn closed her fingers around Corsa’s reins and stroked his neck with her other hand, trying to ground herself before the restraint on her emotions slipped.

Every word Thom spoke drove a new spike into her heart, and anger that he would prod her weaknesses in such a way swelled alongside her grief. For the last ten days, she had done her best to avoid thinking of her best friend. To not think of Remy Herrigan’s face when Brannagh had appeared behind her, driven a sword through her guts, and stolen her away. Yet every time she closed her eyes, she imagined what Remy must have suffered. Larimer had gone into great detail about Danos’s process of mutating his Cadis warriors. First, drain the victim’s blood into a large vat. Next, drop the body into the vat and let the magic do its work, hardening the blood into a shell on the outside of the body, the skills of the new warrior spreading across all the others to make them stronger. Each warrior trapped in a body they could still feel but couldn’t control.

She and Remy had promised they would never let the other end up like that. Remy had been so afraid of being trapped in that living nightmare, and Venn hadn’t done anything to prevent it from happening.

For Thom to bring Remy’s opinions of Will into the conversation struck Venn another blow. Despite Remy’s insistence that she admit her feelings for him, Venn had no idea what those feelings were. Even when Will told her he loved her, she had been confused while Remy was the excited one.

Now Remy was gone. As good as dead. And Will…

Venn raised her foot into the stirrup and swung her leg over Corsa’s back. She cast a glance towards the subject of her thoughts, watched the way Will’s brow furrowed as he mounted his own charcoal grey stallion, Hollis.

Looking at him closely, she saw the circles under his eyes, his cheeks sunken, and his skin pale.

Not so surprising, she told herself. We’ve been sleeping on tree roots for almost two weeks.

But the stoop to his shoulders was new, and under the sunlight, she thought she saw a hint of grey at the temples of his dark brown hair.

Go talk to him, said Thom. Don’t waste your chance. You can’t imagine the regret you’ll feel if something happens and you never went after what you want.

He walked off to his piebald, Gio, and Venn breathed out a sigh. She reminded herself that Thom spoke from a place of grief. Remy had been her best friend, but she’d been Thom’s lover.

While Venn understood the source of Thom’s advice, she hated being told what to do — especially when what she wanted remained a murky grey collection of possibilities in her mind.

Jayden called the order to march, and the company arranged itself into two columns down the road. Venn eased Corsa beside Hollis and cleared her throat to draw Will out of his thoughts. He jumped on seeing her, but his surprise eased into the warm smile that always made Venn’s heart stumble. It served as a reminder that his heart was still hers, even if she didn’t know what to do with it.

How did you make out? he asked.

She grinned. A few good shots. I won’t be complaining about fighting regular soldiers for a while.

The implication that they would soon fight those supernatural, morphed warriors made her smile falter, but she forced it to stay in place. How about you?

Will didn’t make the same effort, and his expression crumbled into one of frustration. I’m fine.

If you’re going to lie, at least try to make it believable.

He chuckled dryly. Honestly, I feel vulnerable in these fights. The Margolans took us by surprise, and we lost more men than we needed to — Larimer’s right about that. I had my enchantments, he patted his satchel, but I wasn’t fast enough. If I had more magic, more ability…

Don’t be stupid, said Venn, not seeing the point of softening the blow. He wouldn’t listen to her anyway. Maggie and Bruce were both here. They have loads more experience than you, and they still couldn’t react quickly enough to save everyone. I don’t think it’s going to matter how skilled you are, Will. You know how I feel about luck, but I suspect we’ll need a lot of it in the next little while.

As she expected, he didn’t reply.

You’ve been quiet the last couple of days. What are you thinking about? She did him the courtesy of asking, but suspicion nagged at her. If he was talking about honing his skills, there was only one subject on his mind.

Nothing, he said. I’ve been meditating. Trying to ground myself and open up to the magic. You exercise your body, but I need to strengthen my mind if I want to improve.

You don’t mean improve, Venn said, and red waves of fury trickled into the edges of her vision. She’d given him the chance to be honest. You mean get better at that spell. At summoning that demon. Are you in such a rush for me to stab you again?

How many more times would they enter into the same argument? The memory of his blood on her hands still haunted Venn’s dreams from when she’d driven the demon out of him the last time.

Will worked his jaw, and his nostrils flared as he let out a breath. I know it’s dangerous magic, but the more I think about it, the more I believe that spell might be our best chance against the Cadis warriors.

At what cost? If the demon gets loose, he might be just as much of a nightmare as they are.

What other options do we have? Even after weeks of looking through books at the Keep, we found no other magic that could take them down fast enough. We’ve lost Frey, and none of our weapons are strong enough to fight them.

You’re just searching for excuses. She refused to acknowledge the reference to her armoured grizzly bear companion who had walked out on her over two weeks ago. Don’t think I’m as much of an idiot as you are. I won’t fall for it.

She expected him to get annoyed, to come further out of his lethargy, but instead he offered a small smile that didn’t touch the tightness around his eyes. I know you’re worried, Venn, but I promise I won’t rush into anything. I’m going to think this through and do it right this time. I won’t lose myself again.

Venn huffed and rode away from him, knowing nothing she said would keep the conversation civil. He was correct that losing him was a worry. After everything she’d been through, and her reluctant admission that he meant more to her than anyone else on this mission, she couldn’t lose him.

Shaking her head in disgust, she fell into her own thoughts and wasn’t sure how much time passed before another horse drew alongside her. She recognised it as one of Feldall’s mounts, but the man in the saddle wore no colours, doing his best to hide his Margolan connection.

You picking fights, girl? Larimer asked.

Not at all, she replied. Just trying to instill some reason.

He offered a tight smile. We all feel our own way is the right way. It’s part of why wars get started in the first place.

She glanced at him, wondering why he wanted to ride with her. He was a decent enough man, trapped in the same foul situation as the rest of them and doing his best to see it through, and he’d given enough pep talks to show himself as a great captain, but she wasn’t good at taking orders.

I’m sorry about how things went today, she said, not sure if it was the right or wrong thing to say, but figuring some acknowledgment of his pain would be considered polite.

Hm, he grunted. Hate to think I’m surrounded by bloodthirsty vets who don’t take time to think things through. Her Highness didn’t strike me as the type, but that husband of hers has a mind for battle.

Jayden knows what he’s doing, she replied without hesitation. Jayden Feldall was the closest thing she had to a brother, and her protective instinct rose to defend him. You saw how it went down. They came out of nowhere and didn’t give us time to negotiate. I know he would have tried, given the chance. He doesn’t want anyone else to lose their lives over Danos’s disgusting games.

Larimer looked away, his face hidden in the shadows of the trees passing overhead.

I knew those kids, he said. Some of them weren’t much more than that. Others I’ve worked with for nigh on a decade. I never thought I’d have to turn my sword against my own.

Chances are good it won’t be the last time, said Venn. He likely didn’t want to hear the truth, but reality was never fair. Especially if Danos knows you’re fighting with us. He probably decided to send your men intentionally to screw with your head. He’s a sadistic puddle of rat vomit like that.

Larimer nodded, but said nothing.

Only a matter of time before I drive my blade into his belly, she added.

He tilted his head towards her, the moisture in his eyes replaced by a watchful calm.

You remind me of a wild animal sometimes, you know that? he said, and the unexpected comparison startled her. Feral. Cautious. Quick to snap if anyone gets too close. Before you get all huffy, I don’t mean that as a negative thing. Just an observation.

Thanks? She drew out the word, unable to guess where he headed with his statement.

But we’re on the road now. We’re riding as a team into battle, and we’re going to need to rely on each other. Back in Margolin, Kell and I spent many long hours over tumblers of nift chatting about all sorts of things. He told me about you, how he trained you to be cold and focused. I told him he was an idiot.

Venn’s eyebrows shot upwards. Not many people dared to call Lewyn’s judgement into question.

Larimer noted her expression, and his forced smile grew wider. He took it about as well as you might expect. But I believed it then, and I still do. You want to know what I’ve learned over my many years?

Mm? she replied, not sure she wanted to encourage him.

That if a person bases his life on the betrayals of the past, it makes sense that isolation would seem to be his only option. People have let you down and made you realise you can only rely on yourself.

Now he spoke in terms Venn understood. She nearly jumped in to agree with him until he prevented her by continuing. But you can’t live trapped in the past. As human beings, we’re meant to move forward. Time pushes us into old age anyway — why try to hold on to a time that doesn’t exist anymore? Sometimes the only way to move forward is to put your trust in other people. To believe they’ll guide you out of the darkness. A terrifying concept to someone with no experience or reason to believe it, but true.

He’d lost her.

She must have given away her incredulity, because Larimer’s smile softened. Take some time to think it over, Connell. It’s easy to be alone when you’re used to it, but trusting your friends might save your life.

Chapter Two

The sun dipped beneath the tops of the trees by the time Jayden called a halt to the marching army.

We’ll make camp here tonight, he announced. As of tomorrow we move away from the river, so we might as well take advantage of it while we can.

To Venn’s left, Lewyn heaved a sigh of relief, and to her right, Maggie offered him an understanding smile. Neither of them were used to riding for extended periods, and Venn wished they didn’t have another two weeks or more to look forward to after their pause at the palace.

The company drew off the road to the field beside the Redwater River, and preparations for camp spread out across the dying grass.

Venn dismounted and handed Corsa to one of the horsemasters. She usually preferred to see to the stallion herself, the routine of brushing him down a balm on her nerves at the end of the day, but for that night she wanted to stay close to her family. After the skirmish on the road, she didn’t feel like being alone with her thoughts.

Jasmine and Jayden selected a spot next to the water. She rolled out her bedroll near theirs and sank down on the blanket, then stretched her arms above her head until her shoulders popped.

Reds and golds spilled over the dry field with the sunset, but in the east, dark clouds gathered, threatening rain. Venn crossed her fingers that it would hold off until they reached the palace. No one needed to smell any worse than they already did.

I can’t wait until we reach your mother, Jayden grumbled to Ariana. He poked at the fire until sparks burst towards the darkening sky.

"I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say you wanted to spend time with my mother," Ariana teased.

What are you talking about? I like your mother. I don’t like the way she coddles the boys.

She’s a grandmother. She’s entitled to a little coddling.

Larimer cleared his throat, bringing husband and wife out of their domestic debate. Venn wished it could have continued a while longer. Hearing the two bicker about something normal was a nice break from the tension surrounding their larger problems.

Ariana’s shoulders slumped as she leaned forward on her crossed legs. No, I know what you mean, Jay. Hopefully she’ll have news by the time we arrive. Maybe we’ll be lucky and she’ll have resolved the whole issue.

Venn laughed, thinking about the number of times she had wished her problems would be solved before she arrived somewhere, that someone else might have taken care of everything. To date, her wish remained unfulfilled.

Let me guess, Jayden said, directing a look of feigned disapproval her way, you wouldn’t want to miss being part of the fun?

Venn raised her hands in defence. Not this time. I’d be just as happy as you to hear Ansella’s swept the pawns off the table. The less I have to do with these Cadis warriors, the better. She frowned. Although since that seems unlikely, I do wish our furry friend would come back to help us out when we get to Addergrove. I’m still not sure how we’re going to win this without Frey.

Jayden grew a frown to match hers, as Venn expected he would. Because of his own run in with an armoured bear five years ago that had cost him his eye and arm, he distrusted Frey and was vocal in his relief that the bear no longer travelled with them.

Venn understood why Frey abandoned them — with his mind freed from Brannagh’s controlling spell that turned him into a spy, he’d had no reason to stay.

But she missed him.

Aside from his companionship, he was their most effective weapon against the Cadis warriors, able to cut through their armour with a single swipe. With his metal teeth and claws, and the metal plates hidden under his fur that covered his skull and part of his back, he made a formidable enemy.

As more warriors died and the army became stronger, that effectiveness would wane, but without him, their army didn’t possess any other protection that would withstand them. She hated agreeing with Will about anything related to his demon spell, but he was right that they had to think of something. Their skills and weapons wouldn’t be enough.

We’re better off without him, Jayden said. I know you have complete faith in that bear, but I wouldn’t trust him around my men. What we lack in metal claws, we make up for in numbers and steel. I know you’re worried, but I believe we can win.

Larimer snorted and shook his head. You wait, soldier. You have to see them to believe them.

Since none of them were in the mood to start another debate, they fell into light conversation about inconsequential topics. The routine that formed over the last couple of nights avoided talk about anything darker than the weather — the closer they got to the palace, the less they wanted to think about what could come next. As long and tiring as the journey to the capital had been, complete with the Margolans’ surprise attack, they were all aware it might be the last days of peace before sunfire swallowed everything around them.

After dinner, Venn stretched out on her blanket and tried to convince herself to sleep. From a month-long habit that hadn’t yet faded, she listened for Remy’s snores, and when they didn’t come, her heart twinged. Rolling onto her side away from the fire, she closed her eyes and tried to think sleepy thoughts.

That didn’t help.

She tossed and turned on her blanket and finally opened her eyes to stare at the stars twinkling overhead. So many swirls of light stretching on for an eternity. She lost herself in the patterns and appreciated the silence of the camp. No noise from the fires or of other people moving, no echo of the guards talking. Absolute silence.

Which was odd.

As the realisation sank in that no camp with hundreds of soldiers should ever be so quiet, she shivered. Her ears strained to catch the slightest sounds — the wind through the grass, the lap of the river against the shore — and her vision sharpened, outlining every star above her. She inched her hand towards the band