Total pages in book: 210
Estimated words: 200096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1000(@200wpm)___ 800(@250wpm)___ 667(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 200096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1000(@200wpm)___ 800(@250wpm)___ 667(@300wpm)
“Water,” I echo.
“Yes. It is slowly poisoning our lands and, thus our crops.”
“There is only one way that the shadow touches us, and that is by your fates’ design,” Tuella adds.
“They are not my fates.” I wasn’t so much as tapped by any of their affinities. “You think a caster summoned Aoife to smite Kier.”
“That is the only explanation for it.”
I settle back in my chair. How did Islor have no idea about this? At least, Cirilea did not. I certainly did not. “Given Queen Neilina had every elemental collected and collared, it would likely be her who spearheaded this plan. What did you do to earn her wrath?”
“I have never so much as exchanged a letter with Queen Neilina during my entire reign. However, the queen did once write to Kier, asking for our alliance when they went to war with Islor a century ago. Her hope was that an invasion on two fronts would split Islor’s forces, granting them victory. The king, my grandfather, declined. He wanted nothing to do with Islor and its blood curse.”
“So you think Neilina summoned the fates against you out of spite.” I nod. “I would believe that.”
King Cheral sighs. “The past decades have grown increasingly difficult. This rot that eats away at our best lands has moved through the realm, and there is nowhere that is untouched by it. Those living in poverty are plentiful, and those who go hungry far outnumber those who don’t. This is why, when Lord Adley offered a share of the harvest from Islor’s fertile fields in exchange for the might of Kier’s vast army, I agreed.”
“Lord Adley had no right to offer a share of anything that did not belong to him,” I snap.
“Maybe not Lord Adley, but King Adley … he certainly could. Is it not always the case that land belongs to someone else before it belongs to you? Islor was once Ybaris before your family claimed it.”
“That is different. We were exiled. They built a wall to keep us there.”
“And now another has claimed it as his. And he will accuse the next king or queen of thievery.”
“That next king will be my brother.”
“You are so sure.” Something unreadable flitters in his gaze.
“He commands all of Islor’s armies, save for the offenders hiding in the plains with Kier. As queen of Ybaris, Romeria commands both Ybaris’s army and Mordain’s casters, not forgetting that she is a key caster, wielding great winged beasts.” What she can do remains to be seen. “Yes, I am sure he will reclaim the throne and then swiftly deal with anything within Islor that threatens him, including those who squat on Islor’s farmland.”
King Cheral purses his lips. “I’ve toyed with the notion of recalling Kier’s army, but that would signal failure to my people, and then Kier will face rebellion before too long. Already, there are skirmishes almost daily. My family and I cannot leave the palace, not even to walk the streets of Ostros. My biggest challengers grow bolder each day. My reign in Kier depends on my people’s hope.”
“And how will your reign fare when you no longer have an army at all? I assure you, Zander will not hold off on slaughtering them all for my sake.”
“There you go again, giving me a reason not to keep you alive. Come, I have something that may be of interest to you.” King Cheral gestures for me to follow him to the golden birdbath, Tuella on our heels. “She has been keeping an eye on things in the west for me so I can plan accordingly.”
An image appears in the pool of water.
I quickly recognize the city I’m seeing. “That is Lyndel. But …” The fortified wall has taken severe damage, the ramparts charred and crumbled in places. The kell dives in closer, giving me a better look at the red-eyed beasts standing guard along the top. My stomach sinks. Lyndel has never fallen to an enemy before. “Where did they come from?”
“They are not of this realm. Tuella says they are born in the shadow.”
The kell swerves away from the city wall and back around, giving me a look at the horde of soldiers gathered below.
I quickly spot colors and crests from Bellcross, Kettling, and Lyndel, as well as that unknown golden armor. A cluster of Shadows in their black garb stand alongside them. Ybarisan soldiers too. “They have truly united.” Even the scaled beasts are there. I can’t pick out Zander or Romeria, but there is a sizable tent erected. I assume they are inside, strategizing.
“They are splitting their forces between this city and the rift. It is quite a remarkable thing, from all that we’ve heard of the longstanding hatred between your kinds.”
“They will reclaim Lyndel quickly.” How could they not, with the power of Mordain and those beasts beside them?