The Scorched Earth (The Chaos Born) (47 page)

Yet she knew it was important that her warriors see her this night, tall and unafraid, striding among the fires of all the different clans. It wouldn’t bring them victory, but at least it might bring them hope and take away some of the darkness that weighed so heavily over them all.

But now she was finished with her rounds; it was time for her to get back to the Stone Spirits and those who mattered most to her. Arriving at the section of the camp that had been claimed by her own clan, she spotted Vaaler and her father standing beside each other near one of the smoldering peat pits. They stood in silence, neither speaking—her father had still not come to respect Vaaler as many of the thane-chiefs did, and Vaaler still didn’t fully trust her father.

Just another sign of his intelligence and excellent judgment of character
.

The two men noticed her approach at the same time, but it was Terramon who spoke first.

“Why haven’t you put any guards around the camp? What if the Tree Folk attack in the middle of the night?”

“Why would they?” Vaaler said with a shrug. “They already have the numbers to annihilate us without resorting to tricks. And their soldiers aren’t trained to fight in the dark—a surprise attack now would only introduce an element of unknown risk.

“If victory is inevitable,” the younger man continued, “why do anything to mess it up?”

“Then why don’t we attack them?” Terramon suggested. “Now, before the sun rises! Catch them off guard!”

“They’ll have sentries,” Shalana noted. “And we don’t have the numbers for a full-scale assault on their army. We’ve been fighting hit-and-run battles, and now there’s nowhere left to run.”

“We knew this was a war we couldn’t win,” Vaaler told him. “That’s why Roggen was supposed to take the elders and children into the mountains to hide.”

Shalana could tell from Vaaler’s tone he was still angry at Roggen for disobeying them. But seeing the reunions of her warriors with their husbands, wives, children, and parents, she was glad he had ignored her orders.

We’re all going to die anyway. Better they had one last chance to say their good-byes
.

Before she had a chance to try and explain this to Vaaler, however, her father chimed in.

“What would be the point? If the Danaan didn’t hunt them down, they’d all be dead in a few weeks anyway.

“When the end comes,” the old man added, speaking softly, “the elders will take care of the children, quick and painless. Then they will take up arms and join us on the battlefield.”

Vaaler was clearly disturbed at the idea of a mass mercy killing for the hundreds of children in the camp, but Shalana knew her father was right.

“Better to fall quickly beneath a blade then die slowly of starvation and exposure,” she said softly.

“The whole point of this war was to buy time for Norr and Hadawas to return with Daemron’s Sword!” Vaaler protested. “We knew we couldn’t stop the Danaan; we just wanted to slow them down.

“If all the warriors laid down their lives tomorrow, those who flee into the mountains might survive long enough for Norr to return. They could still be saved!”

“That’s your plan?” Terramon snorted. “Wait for Daemron’s Sword?

“I don’t believe in legends,” the old man added with a scowl.

“Hadawas did,” Shalana reminded him.

“And where is he now?” her father replied, shaking his head and wandering off in disgust.

“He never fought a battle he couldn’t win,” Shalana said by way of apology once he was gone. “This is difficult for him.”

“I still believe Norr and the others will return,” Vaaler told her. “If you saw what Keegan was able to do with the Ring, you’d believe in the power of the Sword, too.”

He was quiet for a few seconds, then said, “You think I’m a fool, don’t you?”

“Yes,” she said, reaching her hand around the back of his neck
and pulling him close. “But you’re my fool,” she said, planting a quick, tender kiss on his lips.

Despite the grimness of their situation, in the dim light of the fire she could see that Vaaler was smiling when she pulled away.

She was suddenly struck by how young he was. He seemed so wise and worldly, it was easy to forget he was almost a decade younger than she was.

“Tomorrow when the battle begins,” she said, suddenly fiercely protective of the young man, “you can lead the refugees up into the mountains. It will buy a few more days. Just in case you’re right and Norr really is coming back.”

“I can’t do that,” Vaaler told her. “I’m not leaving you. I’ve decided to stay and fight by your side.”

Shalana was touched by the gesture, but she knew how much it would cost him.

“You said it yourself—you can’t raise weapons against your own people.”

“They cast me out,” Vaaler insisted. “And the clans took me in. I want to stand with them. And with you.”

“Silly boy,” Shalana teased him. “So young and foolish.”

“I’m not a child,” Vaaler told her, suddenly serious and earnest. “I’m a man and I know what I’m doing.”

“I’ll be the judge of that,” Shalana said wickedly, pulling him close and tearing at his clothes.

Vaaler looked around, embarrassed. But there was nobody near them.

“Tonight?” he said, even as his hands began to fumble at her own clothes. “Are you sure?”

“If this is our last night alive,” Shalana told him as she dragged him down to the cold snow, “then let’s make it count.”

C
ASSANDRA FELT LIKE
she was moving through a dense fog. The world around her had dissolved into gray. Exhausted, her Sight was barely able to focus on her and her horse, let alone her surroundings.

She knew it was night, of course—even in her current state she could feel the gloom pressing in on her. And she knew she was close to Callastan: she could smell the sea and the docks of the port city on the breeze blowing in from the west. Beyond this, however, she was aware of little else.

The Crawling Twins were somewhere still behind her though they weren’t close enough for her to sense them. Despite this, she still felt the cold grip of fear slowly crushing her. Her stomach was twisted in knots and her heart couldn’t stop racing. It had been that way ever since she’d fled the gruesome massacre of the Inquisitors. The images of the Twins literally ripping her former brethren apart were burned on her psyche.

She didn’t remember most of her journey across the Southlands. Her mind, scarred by the trauma of what she had witnessed, had abandoned her body for long stretches. Only instinct and dedication to her cause had kept her moving forward.

And me
, the voice inside her head that was not her own chimed in.
I guided your steps. I kept you safe. Do not forget that
.

Cassandra had finally recognized the voice though she still
wasn’t sure if it was really Rexol speaking to her or simply the memory of her old master bubbling up from her subconscious. In either case, she was determined to ignore it.

If it really was Rexol—if he was somehow still alive, despite his body’s being reduced to ash—then her extreme reaction to the Crawling Twins’ attack was more understandable: the wizard had used Chaos magic to save her, and the backlash had nearly driven her insane.

As terrifying as that option was, however, it was better than the alternative. If Rexol wasn’t the cause of her emotional breakdown, then she was simply losing control—her sanity whittled away by the Crown itself.

The Talisman is too strong for any mortal mind
, she told herself.
Even the Pontiff, with all his training, only dared to use it a handful of times
.

You are stronger than the Pontiff
, Rexol insisted.
Chaos flows in your blood. Use the Crown and claim the power that is rightfully yours
.

Cassandra didn’t bother to formulate a response.

She felt something looming ahead of her in the gray void. Concentrating, she pushed her awareness outward and was rewarded with the dim outline of Callastan’s buildings rising up in the night, illuminated by lamps and torches scattered about the city streets.

You’re here
, Rexol declared.
Now what?

She needed to find a ship, one that could take her someplace the Crawling Twins couldn’t follow.

Even if you cross the entire ocean, they will still find you. Stop running. Use the Crown and destroy them!

Cassandra’s horse had slowed to a weary walk; like all the mounts before, it was nearing exhaustion. Grateful for the animal’s service, she swung herself down from the saddle to walk beside it as she approached the city.

Get off the main road! Someone will see you!

She understood the individual words, but her fragile mind still struggled with the message they were trying to convey. She was heading toward Callastan; that was all that mattered.

And then suddenly two armed soldiers were approaching her: city guards. Seeing normal, ordinary humans helped anchor Cassandra back in reality, and she shook her head, dispelling most of the fog that had enveloped her.

The men stopped a few feet away, lowering their spears and pointing them in her direction.

“Identify yourself!” one of them ordered.

Tell these fools to get out of your way!
Rexol sneered.
The Purge has made everyone in the Southlands fear the Order. Tell them you are here on the Pontiff’s business and watch them scurry off!

Cassandra didn’t like the idea of lying to the men, but she knew the longer she was delayed by them the closer the Crawling Twins would get. For their own sakes, she decided to follow the mage’s advice.

“I do not answer to you,” she told them, stepping forward into the light so they could see her pure white eyes. “I serve only the Pontiff.”

The soldiers’ eyes went wide with fear and their faces blanched as they recognized what she was. But instead of moving aside, they raised their spears and began to move slowly toward her.

“All servants of the Order are banned from Callastan,” one of them said, licking his lips nervously. “You are under arrest!”

“If you try to resist, we will have to kill you,” the other added, raising his spear for emphasis.

Cassandra was no Inquisitor, but all who trained in the Monastery were taught the basic martial arts. She might be able to disarm the soldiers without injuring them, but she knew it wouldn’t be easy.

Use the Crown! The Talisman will give you the power to destroy them!

The Crown was tucked inside a bag strapped over one shoulder;
with no saddle for her horse she had no other way to carry it as she rode. It might be possible to grab it before the soldiers realized what was happening, but even if she did, she still didn’t dare to unleash the Chaos trapped inside.

The first soldier was advancing slowly, his spear lowered. Cassandra felt a sudden push on her emotions; rage flared up within her. Realizing Rexol was trying to drive her into a fury to attack the innocent guards, she pushed back against him.

Everything around her disappeared as the veil of gray mist fell over her, her Sight blinded as she battled the wizard for control of her own mind. Rexol was strong, but she refused to surrender. And then, as suddenly as the battle of wills began, it was over and she felt the wizard’s presence retreating.

He’s only regrouping. Getting ready to try again
.

As her awareness returned, she was surprised to find herself in a small, dark room. The stone walls were damp and covered with moss and mildew, and a foul stench hung in the air. There was only one exit; a heavy wooden door with a small, barred window through which she could see the flickering light of a faint torch.

With horrified amazement, she realized her battle with Rexol had lasted more than just a few seconds. She had blacked out for minutes or even hours, completely unaware of anything that had happened.

The guards arrested you, Cassandra. They threw you in this cell while they wait for morning so someone with more authority can decide what to do with you
.

But Cassandra knew that when morning came, it wouldn’t be a judge or city official who came for her.

The Crawling Twins!

“Please!” Cassandra cried out, rushing toward the door and pounding on it with her fist. “You have to let me go! Please, somebody listen—you are all in danger!”

There was, of course, no answer.

There’s only one way out, Cassandra
, Rexol said, and she realized the bag with the Crown was still slung over her shoulder.

He used magic on the guards so they wouldn’t notice it
.

I called upon the power of the Crown, Cassandra. So can you. Place it on your head and free yourself before it’s too late
.

“Never,” Cassandra vowed, defiantly speaking the word out loud. “Never!”

Keegan was up as the first rays of sun peeked over the horizon. He stood up slowly, reluctantly unwrapping himself from the warmth of the blanket as he brushed away the snow.

Jerrod was already up. The monk needed little sleep, and given Scythe’s outburst yesterday, Keegan suspected he’d spent the entire night awake and alert, watching her in case she tried to attack him again.

I was holding her when I fell asleep
, the young man remembered.
She must have woken and pulled away in the night
.

Ignoring the twinge of rejection he felt, he looked from side to side until he noticed Scythe. She was sitting on the snow several yards away from where they had slept, facing away from him.

Looking back the way we came. Back toward Norr
.

“What time did she get up?” he asked Jerrod, speaking quietly so she wouldn’t hear.

“Over an hour ago,” the monk answered.

“How is she?”

“She’s getting worse.”

Alarmed, Keegan rushed to her side, his feet crunching over the windblown crust that had formed on the snow. She didn’t react to his approach; not even when he gently laid a hand on her shoulder and crouched beside her.

“Scythe?” he said. “Scythe, can you hear me?”