Haven: Chronicles of Warshard (26 page)

“But if I don’t now, I might never get the chance,” Haven sighed. “Tonight is the last night before we reach
Dagan.”

Her guards froze. In the drama of the past few hours, they’d all forgotten why Drakkone pushed the young queen so hard. This was the last night before the final battle against Kadia. In the morning they would draw up the final plans with Vas and his generals. By noon, the plans would be fully under way and they would be at war once again. It was now or
never.

“I have to go,” she said, rising from the
sheets.

“Good luck,” Lareina
smiled.

“Thank you,” Haven smiled, pausing one last time. Tomorrow, Corrin could be dead. Tomorrow, they all could be dead. If she didn’t do this now, she might regret it for the rest of her life. Haven said her goodbyes and left into the
night.

When Haven finally found Corrin she had a hard time approaching him. Not because she was scared or because she wasn’t prepared. She knew what she wanted to say, but in the light of dusk she had never seen a man more beautiful than he. It felt as if this was the first time she was truly seeing him. Corrin leaned against the edge of the ship, his arms casually resting on the rails. He watched the light of the sun die beyond the horizon, and the stars begin to wink in the darkening sky. The soft light lit his blue eyes like diamonds. The color danced around him in such a way she could hardly believe he was real. The light complimented his tanned skin immensely, as well as the soft blond of his hair. Though he was handsome in ways she couldn’t fully explain, it was his kind heart that drew her to him in the first place. When she had been afraid and crying he’d come to her, he’d helped her. Corrin had helped not only her, but her kingdom as well. He’d been her friend when she needed one most, and stayed with her even when it seemed everything would end in ruin. He believed in her plan to across the sea and in the end he still wanted to marry her. Haven had never met a man like
him.

She must have been staring for some time, because when she finally broke from her reverie, Corrin was staring back. His gaze was guarded, but
curious.

“Haven?” he raised an eyebrow at
her.

Haven paused for only a moment longer. She ran to close the gap between them. Leaping into his arms, she kissed him. It was the first time she’d kissed anyone herself and she had to say, it was much nicer than she imagined. Once Corrin’s surprise wore off he pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her back. All of her fears and worries melted away in that moment. She didn’t think about the coming war or her embarrassment in training. She only thought about this and what she wanted. When she finally pulled back, it was only slightly. They both breathed heavily and stared at each
other.

“Yes,” she
said.

Corrin blinked at her.
“What?”

“Yes,” she repeated, a smile pulling at her
lips.

“Yes?” Corrin finally realized what she was saying. A smile like none other lit his face and he pulled her back into his arms, twirling her around and kissing her again. When he finally set her down, he did not let her take a step back. “I love you,” he
said.

“I love you,
Corrin.”

“I want to spend the rest of my life with you, if you’ll have
me.”

“Promise me you won’t die tomorrow. Promise me you’ll live a long
life.”

“I
promise.”

Haven embraced him. “I want to live forever with you, but you can’t die on
me.”

“I won’t, I
promise.”

For what seemed like a long time they stood holding each other tightly, unwilling to let go. Even as all light faded from the sky and they were left under an ocean of stars, they stayed. This could be the last night they’d have together if he didn’t live up to his promise. The fear leeched back in and she looked up into his eyes. He promised her he would live. She had to trust that promise and pray that he would be able to keep
it.

Haven leaned up and kissed him one last time. “I love
you.”

“I love you,
Haven.”

CHAPTER 28

“W
arshard is in
sight!”

The shout quieted everyone aboard the ship. All eyes drew ahead and locked on the coastline. To the left of the ship the great trees of Wakefin rose in the distant morning fog. To the right, open land and an abandoned fishing village. Somewhere in the distance Haven could barely make out the point of a dark castle. Kadia’s castle. Swallowing audibly, Haven stepped up beside her guards, Aura, and their two Seaburn friends. Their team was small, aided by only a couple dozen soldiers. It would be a challenge to gain entrance to Dagan’s capital, Cidra, but Haven was confident they would reach the castle in one
piece.

Turning from the front of the ship her hair whipped and danced in the wind. She was suddenly glad for the braids tightly locking one side of her hair to her head. If it weren’t for them, she’d be getting a lot more in her mouth. Pacing to the rear of the ship, she thought over the plans finalized in the dark pre-dawn
light.

Early that morning Haven met with the captains, generals, and council of Seaburn to finalize their strategy. Their plan was simple, though it reminded her eerily of the retaking of Wakefin, which had lost them many. While the majority of the fleet would head directly for Cidra and lay siege to Kadia’s castle, Haven and her group would infiltrate Cidra from the north. Their plan was to get Nina in the same room with Kadia. Her ability would negate Kadia’s powers and stop any assault Dagan could muster. Once Nina did her duty, Haven’s team would subdue Kadia and the kingdoms would be saved. The plan was contingent on many small things working in their favor, but Haven was confident they could make this
work.

Glancing back at the coast, Haven raised her voice for the captain to redirect their vessel. “We will head south to the abandoned village.” She glanced toward the upper deck to make sure her message was well received. A swift nod told her it
was.

It wasn’t long before their ship reached the docks where they disembarked to slip through the deserted streets. The fog hung low to the earth, the sun barely on the horizon. If they moved quickly, they would make it to Cidra under the cover of mist. Haven called them into formation, and everyone kept alert. With the siege beginning anytime, Haven set their pace at a brisk jog, slowing to stop behind a building every now and then and peer out into the forthcoming open
space.

Small villages dotted the land around the capital city; though she couldn’t see them, she knew they were there. They had studied the map well that
morning.

Stopping at the edge of the small fishing village, the group gathered in a crouch behind a large boat beached on the shore. One of the soldiers drew the map and they planned a route as direct as possible to the
city.

While the group planned, Haven drew back, watching the mist. Aside from their whispers, it was dead silent on the moor. A shiver ran through her. She couldn’t help imagining the worst; dark soldiers leaping from behind buildings, dropping from above, Kadia walking through the fog, and decimating them all, leaving their plan a failure. Haven shook her head to rid the thought and turned back to her group. Nina met her eyes. Though the air was frosty, there was sweat on Nina’s brow. Anxiety flickered through her eyes and she chewed her lip nervously. Haven reached a hand for Nina and the small blonde girl moved
closer.

“Don’t be scared,” Haven whispered, “Our plan is solid. Everything will work
out.”

Nina nodded, squeezing her fingers. Haven squeezed back to offer her comfort. Though Haven wasn’t sure if anything would work out, she had to hope. For herself, the six kingdoms and her friends. If their plan failed, they could all be dead by
nightfall.

Before either of them could say another word, the soldiers were standing and motioning for everyone to move out. Haven gave Nina one last reassuring smile before they parted and began the trek to
Cidra.

The small platoon had nearly reached the black city when the first cannons fired from the bay. They froze in the dark alley between two stone houses. Goosebumps rose on her skin and Haven turned toward the sea. Though she still couldn’t see through the mist, she knew the battle had begun. Nerves prickled inside her chest, for her soldiers, the other kings, and Corrin, all on board those fighting
vessels.

“We must make haste,” Haven snapped, turning her attention to the street before them. All remained quiet, eerily so. Without waiting for an answer, she shimmied out between the soldiers beside her and took off at a sprint, dodging between buildings for hiding places. The faster they reached Cidra castle, the faster they’d rid the world of
Kadia.

Her stealth was unnecessary, as not a single person peeked from their homes; not a single guard patrolled the streets, not even a stray cat moved across their path. It all seemed too
easy.

“Lady Queen,
please
stop. We need to be careful,” Blythe hissed behind her. Haven hadn’t realized yet that she’d been traveling several yards in front of everyone. She paused to let the group catch up. Though they were still hidden in the fog that continued to linger, Haven felt uncomfortable in the looming shadow of the castle. Several more feet and they would pass through the open gates of
Cidra.

“Sorry, I got carried away,” she explained, trying not to let her gaze linger too long on the gates. If they were open, it could mean one of two things. Either Kadia was expecting them, or things had gotten much further out of hand in this city than they’d come to
realize.

The booming of cannons reverberated over the damp empty
street.

“Let’s go,” Blythe nodded to Haven and led the
way.

Passing through the gates, the sounds of war drew near. Shouts sounded faintly in the distance, booms echoed, and quiet cracks shot through the black stone ahead. Even though all of this came clearly through the fog, the city remained
silent.

“Where are the civilians?” one of the soldiers asked behind
her.

“The city is deserted,” another
said.

“Silence,” Drakkone snapped at
them.

The soldiers shut their mouths immediately. Haven wondered if Drakkone was a Lieutenant in his home country, why he would want to leave Seaburn and be part of this war? Wouldn’t he rather stay in Seaburn and keep Nina safe? Haven assumed it would be the latter, yet here he
was.

“It may be quiet, but that doesn’t mean no one is around,” Blythe drew everyone’s attention, glancing side to side to make sure they were indeed listening. “I want complete silence until we reach the castle. Only speak if
completely
necessary. We’re too close for there not to be a trap set. I want every single one of you on alert.” Her eyes rested on Haven a moment before turning to two of the younger soldiers. “The two of you,” both immediately straightened under Blythe’s gaze. “Scout ahead and report back.” They nodded and disappeared. “The rest of you,” Blythe faced them, “We will gather in a protective formation around Queen Haven and Lady
Nina.”

“Lady?” Nina
squeaked.

Haven smiled. “If you decide to stay in the six kingdoms long, you will surely be dubbed a
Lady.”

Nina blinked at her in wide-eyed confusion. If they were in any other situation she might have laughed, but her whole body was still tense in the dissipating fog. They were too close to Kadia for
humor.

“Let’s go.” This time it was Drakkone leading the way, side by side with Blythe. They nodded in some sort of silent agreement before the group formed a protective ring around the two women. Malka and Lareina stood closely on either side of them, with Aura guarding their backs. Haven sighed at their overprotective stances. She tried to assure herself this was to protect Nina and not herself, but she knew
better.

Keeping her eyes on the rising mist, and diminishing shadows, Haven kept pace behind her comrades as they made their way through the winding streets and twisting alleys. The closer they came, the louder the cannons and shouting drew. It wasn’t long before the dark castle reared its ugly head and they set about searching for a servant’s
entrance.

“You two, search that way,” Blythe commanded. “And you, search along that side.” She pointed and ordered while Haven glanced toward the sea. She couldn’t help her straying mind, wondering if Corrin would be okay. Their goodbye had been too brief, and though he had once again promised her he would be fine, she feared his death. Her heart ached to know her future. If only her power stretched to future sight like Kadia’s. Though her toes curled at the thought, she still wished
it.

“We found an open entrance to the kitchens,” said the two soldiers who rejoined the group in a hurry. The castle put them all on
edge.

“Excellent. Fetch Genry and follow us. We’ll wait for you there,” Blythe
said.

“Understood.” The soldiers disappeared around the bend where the third had
gone.

Haven distantly wondered when Blythe had time to memorize all the soldiers names. Before she could ask her guards whisked her downhill and ushered everyone silently into a kitchen, regal in size. One fit only for a malevolent
queen.

“It’s too quiet in here,” Lareina said. She paced the room on silent feet, investigating for any signs of a trap or danger lurking. Malka joined her, mirroring her position on the opposite side of the kitchen. Her bow drawn, Malka hitched a single arrow. Clearly Haven and Lareina weren’t the only ones concerned about the silence of the
castle.

A boom shot through the building suddenly and the entire kitchen shook, rattling glassware and dishes, sending a stack of plates crashing to the floor, startlingly loud in the hollow space. Everyone held his or her breath in
anticipation.

Haven winced, and kept her hand on the hilt of one of her swords. If any guards heard that in the halls they might be tempted to investigate, even if the cannon fire had been the source of the
disruption.

Malka moved to the door and pressed her ear to it. She must have been thinking the same thing, but when she quickly moved back, Haven jumped to attention, drawing her curved blade. Charging through the door came three armed guards, with vacant eyes and withdrawn expressions. Haven hesitated. She vaguely remembered the glassy eyes of the guards when she was held captive here. She began to wonder why this was so, when one of the Seaburn soldiers leaped the table in front of them and took down the first enemy. Malka shot the second with an arrow through the heart, and Lareina let loose a dagger in the forehead of the last. All three collapsed in a
heap.

“Move the bodies back. Quickly!” Blythe ordered, and so they were moved. Something clicked for Haven then, but what, she couldn’t quite put into words. Those sightless eyes and vacant streets meant something. Where were the people? Why did the guards follow Kadia so
absolutely?

Before she could voice her concerns, Lareina ushered her through the kitchen, over the bodies, into a small cafeteria, and out into a long corridor. Tapestries of grisly creatures hung from the walls where no light shone through darkened windows. The hall stretched endlessly, pockmarked by many doors. Whispered voices reached her ears from a larger room up ahead. She hadn’t the time to silence anyone behind her. A Dagan guard in black armor stepped into view just ahead of them. He saw them and froze, then turned and ran. Shouts echoed through the
castle.

Kadia knew they were
here.