Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 162269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 541(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 162269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 541(@300wpm)
“And now?” Mars asked.
“Now, I need to speak with my woman and see to her in her grief. Now, I need to assess the full losses. Now, I need to interrogate prisoners. I’ve sent so many gods-damned birds, it’s a wonder the sky isn’t black with ravens, for I need to know what’s happening elsewhere in my realm.”
“My men will be riding up from the border as soon as they receive my summons,” Mars told him. “And we did not speak of it, but I would wager True is doing the same.”
Cassius nodded his gratitude before he murmured, “I need an example.”
Mars knew precisely what he was thinking.
“Do you know of a primary instigator?” he inquired.
Cassius focused fully on him. “I don’t know if I care if they are primary. Every lord whose militia is here today will lose his stronghold to dragon fire.”
Mars did not smile, even if he wished to, before he shared, “This would be my decision.”
Cassius’s face lost some of its intensity, though he did not smile. “I do not know if that heartens me or frightens me.”
He clapped a hand on his friend’s shoulder and didn’t remove it.
“This day will be heralded in the tomes of history, that you prevailed against those odds. And I know that means nothing now, but it is the beginning of the end of a blight on our continent. Thus, there will come a time, I hope, my brother, that you and yours can take heart in that.”
Cassius inclined his head.
Mars gave his shoulder a squeeze before he released him and said, “I’m also sending men to assist in securing the borders of The Enchantments.”
“This is wise. I’ve no doubt this will be a target for them, and I’ve sent a raven to do the same.”
“I will report to True. You go to Elena.”
Cassius nodded again and started to turn to leave, but he stopped.
“Did you sustain losses?”
Mars shook his head. “A few injuries, but no losses.”
“Thank the gods,” Cassius murmured, and moved away.
Mars watched him go, and as he did, he thought for a moment of Antonius.
He then thought of Jasmine.
Bear them close to your bosom, he asked of his Muse god.
He then moved through the camp in order to reclaim his wife.
123
The Rejection
Princess Serena
Base of the Night Heights Mountain Range
AIREN
“I will guard them. You rest. Your journey will be long,” Serena said to Hera and Macrinus, both of whom were standing close to the bodies lying on the earth under the moonlight, shrouded in coral and purple cloth, covered with the dusting of pinecones and needles Serena had placed on them in order to surround them with symbols of nature.
“And you?” Hera asked.
“I may ride,” Serena told her. “I do not know. I am at the calling of my queen.”
Hera studied her.
“I will guard her, Hera,” Serena said low. “I will guard them both.”
Hera continued to study her.
Serena stood still and allowed it.
After a time, the Nadirii warrior turned to Macrinus.
“Let us go, my friend, and prepare for our journey,” Hera urged quietly.
Macrinus didn’t move, not his body or his gaze from the shrouded figure on the ground.
“Mac,” Hera whispered.
“I find I cannot leave her,” Macrinus whispered back.
“You need to pack your things, and hers, so you can be prepared to take care of her,” Hera told him and reached out to touch his forearm, finishing, “So you will be ready to take her home.”
“She should be here, and I should be there,” he replied, dipping his head toward his woman’s body.
“And if she were standing by my side, and you in her place, she would be saying the same thing,” Hera returned.
Slowly, Macrinus turned his gaze Hera’s way.
“There is no more honorable death for a soldier than to die protecting the one you love,” Hera said softly.
“You have lost as much as me this day, how do you—?” Macrinus began.
“We will lie in each other’s arms tonight and remember them. I will weep and you will absorb my tears. That is how. But this cannot happen until we ready their things. So please, Mac, come away. I need you.”
Serena saw that instantly captured him.
He twisted his arm to catch Hera’s hand
Hera closed her fingers around his.
And without a glance at Serena, connected in grief, they moved away.
“We will guard them,” Gal called, coming out of the shadows of the forest beyond, moving with Brix toward Serena.
“I have promised,” Serena told them, then bid, “Find somewhere and rest.”
“We spent our day infiltrating enemy tents, disabling ammunition and cataloguing the names of treacherous gentry,” Brix stated, coming to a halt and crossing his arms on his chest. “You spent your day in more onerous pursuits. You need sleep. Tomorrow will be busy.”
“I have promised,” Serena returned. “I will find rest when it is time to find it.”
Her gnome friends were silent for some time before Gal broke it by saying cautiously, “You don’t have to make up for the reputation you earned all in one day, my warrior.”