Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 127722 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 639(@200wpm)___ 511(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127722 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 639(@200wpm)___ 511(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
Queen Rolfe exchanged a look with Commander Dawson. “If we don’t have a choice, that’s what we’ll do.”
33
IAN
I could see their army—even in the darkness.
They were just shadows inside of another shadow, but sometimes a light would catch their armor, and that small reflection was enough to see them—for just a second. Their footsteps became audible next, like the sound of a thousand horses pounding their hooves against the earth. They weren’t in unison, so it was a cacophony of noise.
On top of the wall, I stared, watching their army step into the light of the bonfires.
Their features were difficult to distinguish from this distance, but I could see their blue armor, see how close their bodies were packed against one another because there were so many. A few Necrosis rode steeds, Clydesdales, and I could distinguish the leader based on his armor.
He was the only one in black.
Everyone behind the wall was silent, their hearts no doubt racing just as mine did, watching the biggest army in existence march on our gates.
Elora made it to the top of the steps, her quiver full of arrows, and she stopped to look over the edge—to see the horrific sight. She went still, seeing the armor marching in silence, seeing the murderers that wanted to kill us then harvest our souls.
I didn’t have any words of encouragement. Not when they wouldn’t be believed anyway.
She pulled out the quiver and added the next stock of arrows to one of the crates along the way. “I guess he was right.”
“Without his warning, we wouldn’t have stood a chance…not that we really do anyway.” I kept my voice low so only she would hear, so the rest of the men wouldn’t lose what little hope they had left, if any at all.
Elora didn’t argue with me—which was a first. She would normally say some bullshit about beating the odds…not giving up…the stronger fighter doesn’t necessarily win… But she had nothing to say now. “I think it’s time to pray to Adeodatus.”
“I thought you didn’t believe in the gods.”
“Shit, I’d believe in a raccoon if I thought it could help.” She left the wall and disappeared.
I hoped Adeodatus could send us a miracle…because that was what we needed right now.
They were in closer view now, their faces distinguishable. They looked no different from humans, no different from us, no different from the Plunderers. Their features were just more pronounced, like the height of their cheekbones, the hollowness of their faces. And their eyes—they were full of malevolence. Heartless. Vile. Hungry. That was the biggest tell that set them apart from us. It was like looking into the eyes of a dead person—but who somehow wasn’t dead.
Their leader held the reins of his horse as he looked up at us, dark hair on the top of his head, eyes brown like a dark piece of chocolate. The glow from our torches lit up his face, showing the sharp contours that made up his visage. He looked up at us with that same expression the rest of his army had—full of loathing. “You stand no chance.” His eyes dragged across the wall, stopping on me. “Surrender.”
I could feel the frost transfer from his eyes to mine. I could feel the wrath, as if we’d done something that deserved his ire. I felt my throat in his hands. But I didn’t blink an eye over any of it.
Queen Rolfe rose up the steps, her boots loud against the stone because everyone was dead silent. I didn’t turn to look, but I knew it was her, ready to face off with the monster that was about to try to take everything from us—including our souls. She snatched a bow from one of the archers, fit the arrow to the string, and aimed it right at the leader of Necrosis. She drew her elbow high—her aim right on his face.
His look remained the same. “Surrender—and half of you will be spared.”
She fired her arrow.
All he did was lean slightly to the side, and the arrow flew right past his head.
“Your request has been denied. Prepared to feel the wrath of HeartHolme.”
The drums started, loud and echoing against the mountain, the music to intimidate our enemies and grant us courage.
Necrosis smiled. Actually smiled.
The power of the drums wasn’t enough to stop the shiver that moved down my spine.
He pulled on the reins of his horse and rode straight through a divide in his army, retreating to the rear.
“Coward.” She handed back the bow and marched across the wall. “A coward hides behind his army.” She raised her voice so all could hear. “A king rides into battle first—and shows his men how it’s done. Light ’em up, boys.”
Their first line of soldiers sprinted toward the wall.
I stopped thinking about the odds. I stopped thinking about my brother. I stopped thinking about everything. “Archers, light your arrows.” I leaned down over the wall. “Cannons, fire on my command.” I looked to the field below, seeing the markers Elora and I had put down to know exactly where the arrows would land.