A Queen of Ice (A Trial of Sorcerers #5)

Chapter 37

37

“ C ullen, Alyss with me. Ducot, Olivin together. Hide. Illusion,” Eira instructed hastily.

Ducot and Olivin wedged themselves behind one of the racks of flashfires. Eira followed their lead, doing the same. Olivin’s glyph winked out of existence and the world was plunged into darkness right as she wove her own illusion.

For a few breaths, there was nothing. Then, a new light bloomed.

Two armored Swords of Light marched into the storeroom. But their expressions were dull. Almost bored. The stockier one had flaming red hair; the other was of narrow frame with pale features.

“I’m not sure why he wants us to get these,” Red Hair said.

“Because Hokoh fell and there’s been sightings of movement in the bay. He says an attack is soon.”

“I know Hokoh fell.” A roll of his eyes. “What I’m saying is, I don’t know what we’re going to be able to do with these without flash beads, and there’s not enough to go around.”

“We will ignite them with the faith of Yargen. Those who walk in her glory have nothing to fear, and possess all the might they need.” The one with the pale eyes had a reverent tone.

“You don’t honestly buy all that ‘his powers of Yargen’ do you? You know it’s just flash beads and theatrics…and putting anyone to death who would?—”

Pale Eyes turned on his friend, pushing him into the rack Eira, Cullen, and Alyss had positioned themselves behind. The rack’s supports dug into Alyss’s shoulder and she physically bit back a scream. Eira squeezed her hand, meeting her friend’s pained eyes.

Even though the agony of having the two men’s weight, combined with all the flashfires, was apparent, Eira kept her gaze firm and determined. Don’t make a sound , she communicated through sight alone. Alyss breathed slowly through her nose.

“He would put to death any heretics who speak against him,” Pale Eyes finished Red Hair’s remarks harshly. “That’s why we are here to revere him, fight for him, and keep our home safe .”

Even Eira could read between the lines. These young men weren’t dedicated Pillars, even though the symbol was carved into the backs of their hands. They were trying to survive. Ulvarth had made his methods clear—follow him or die.

But Eira didn’t assume their desperation would make them automatic allies. The opposite. Their fear would have them turning her and her friends in the second they laid eyes on them. They’d use their discovery as some kind of leverage.

Their presence made her revisit her choices in Hokoh. Alyss was right…there were probably people like these men in that temple. But she didn’t feel guilty. Out of fear or love, they still would’ve fought to the death.

“So we’ll get the flashfires to display his might and political prowess.” Pale eyes leaned away and the stand rocked back into its normal position. Alyss did nothing. She didn’t even summon her magic to mend her wound, no doubt afraid of it being sensed.

The men began to grab the flashfires from the rack right in front of them. Eira stared up through the slats of wood. Red Hair looked right through her. His brow furrowed, face twisted.

“Do you really think there’s an attack coming?” His hand faltered, but only for a second before scooping up the weapon.

“First Hokoh, then Parth…” Vi Solaris had been busy executing her plans to the letter. Pale Hair paused, adjusting his grip as an excuse to try and hide the worry that flashed through his eyes. “It’s no matter. Let them come. We will emerge triumphant.”

“Let those who are truly good prevail.” Red Hair’s tone didn’t sound like he was referring to the Pillars.

“Let the good prevail,” Pale Hair agreed. “We should get the beads they wanted for the wharf cannons.”

“Right…” The two said little more as they left, their footsteps disappearing with the glow of their light.

Eira relaxed her illusion as pulses of magic from Alyss preluded her rolling her previously injured shoulder as they emerged from behind the rack.

“Alyss, Ducot…” She trailed off. There was no time for hesitation. But could she ask them to execute the plan that was forming in her mind? Olivin’s glyph flared back into existence and Eira saw all their faces in the golden glow, staring at her expectantly.

They expect you to lead, so lead . The words were a chorus. They were Adela’s, Lavette’s, Noelle’s, even Fritz’s and Marcus’s. Tangled among the harmony was her own voice, strong and true. You can do this .

“Follow them, find out where the flash bead supply is. Take all they have left—or as much as you’re able.” They were going to solve one problem—the Pillars’ ammunition—with another—the walls. “As soon as light breaks, take down the walls and all the barriers attached, to clear a path to the Archives. Then move to the wharf. Vi will be making her move and we can’t let them load those cannons.”

“Leave it to us.” Alyss nodded, determination set in the clench of her jaw.

“ All barriers?” Ducot clarified.

“Yes. Destroy the shift rift,” Eira commanded.

“Did you somehow not hear me earlier? That is ancient and powerful magic. I don’t even know the basics of how it’s made.”

“You don’t have to know how to make it, only destroy it.” Eira rested a hand on his shoulder. “You can do this. You are strong enough, I know it.”

“Eira, a shift rift teases at the fabric of what is real. One wrong move and it could turn volatile.”

“As long as you’re safe, I don’t care about the rest.” She gave him a squeeze.

His throat bobbed nervously but he didn’t object.

“The three of us will carry on to the Archives. If we can disable the third wall on our own, we will.” Eira glanced to Olivin and Cullen. “Then, we’ll find Yonlin and draw out Ulvarth. We’ll end this as the attack begins, if we’re able.”

Her mind was racing, each thought louder than the fading footsteps of the two men. Alyss and Ducot had to leave. But was there something else she needed to plan? Something she’d overlooked?

“If things go sideways?—”

“There’s no time.” Ducot stopped her worrying. “There’s no need for contingencies. We succeed, or we die.”

There wasn’t an escape plan. There were no alternatives. It was all or nothing.

Eira nodded. “Don’t you dare do the latter.”

“We’ll try our best.” Ducot glanced to Alyss. “I’ll go ahead. Keep up.”

“You can count on me.” Alyss hesitated as Ducot shifted into his mole form, her weight only half on the step she’d been about to take. Turning on her heel, she crossed the gap between her and Eira in almost a lunge.

Eira’s arms wrapped around her friend’s shoulders, clutching Alyss’s tightly. They shared a shaky breath and exhaled all their fear. Eira’s knuckles were white, nails digging arcs into her palms so she didn’t leave bruises on Alyss’s back from clinging to her so tightly.

“You can count on me,” Alyss repeated, just for her. “No matter what happens?—”

“I don’t want your goodbyes,” Eira cut her off and pulled away, holding Alyss at arm’s length to look her in the eyes. “I’ll see you on the other side. I have to get a copy of that book.”

“You’ll get the first one off the presses.” One step backward, then another. Alyss turned. And followed Ducot back up the pathway.

Eira allowed herself one more second. In a blink, she was back in the Tower—Alyss running off ahead, always the one to get more jobs for the clinic. Take me with you , the girl that Eira had been whispered under her breath, begging for a chance to shine.

This was the opportunity she’d been asking for all those years ago. It wasn’t a job. It was her destiny.

Eira returned her focus to the here and now, casting off the shadows of her past.

“All right, then. Let’s go.” Eira grabbed for Cullen’s hand again, weaving an illusion over their shoulders. Olivin made his own concealment.

They navigated up, Cullen sensing for the presence of any individual. Fortunately, there weren’t many Pillars and those that were around seemed more preoccupied with preparing for the impending attack. More than once she heard mentions of the flash beads, but saw no signs of Alyss or Ducot.

Eira tried to wring the worry from her heart. It’d do them no good and, if anything, the distraction would put her, Olivin, and Cullen at risk.

They glided through passageways that ringed the inside of the wall—not unlike the corridors within the coliseum. Finally, they reached a guardroom occupied by two Pillars.

“There’s a battalion coming within the hour,” one of them said shortly after the three of them arrived. “Sending them to the wharf. Our champion will lead the attack.”

That meant Ulvarth would be moving from the Archives. She cursed her luck. Hopefully she was able to find him along the way to Yonlin.

Waiting was the longest hour of Eira’s life. It might have only been ten or twenty minutes, in actuality. But it felt like an hour. Every second rolled on like the sweat down the back of her neck—her whole body tense with the exertion of not even breathing too loudly.

The gate opened for rows on rows of marching Swords of Light. It was their only chance. But it meant navigating around easily fifty men and women who were all armed and ready to kill them the heartbeat they were discovered.

The center of Eira’s chest burned as she dredged forth even more power. The risk of someone sensing her was one she’d have to take. They side-stepped through the opening, where the two gatemen were watching the battalion march through. Backs sliding against the wall, they made their way down the corridor.

The last of the Swords of Light were near. The gate would be closed after. Eira stared up at the portcullis, willing it to stay open just …

… a little bit …

The last of the armored men and women passed them.

… longer .

Two steps and they were out of the tunnel that connected one side of the thick barricade with the other. Eira kept their backs against the wall as she started for one of the nearby buildings. The homes on this side of the wall were much the same as the last and, with any luck, they’d be able to be out of any potential sightline and slip into the obscurity of the tightly packed city.

The moment they crossed into an empty side street, a building between them and the wall, she stopped to catch her breath. It was a momentary reprieve and then they were off again. The sky was a glowing amber and there wasn’t time to waste.

The distance between the second and third wall was less than between the first and second and they found themselves before an open but well-guarded gate. Knights formed a living barricade, shoulder to shoulder; there wasn’t any way of slipping through. Even with her illusion, there’d be a brush of fabric, or a faint breeze that followed their movements.

Unless they couldn’t feel that brush or breeze.

Keeping her grip on Cullen and Olivin, Eira shifted the focus of some of her power. Still maintaining the illusion over them for the benefit of the Pillars that patrolled the ramparts, Eira turned her attentions on the line of soldiers. They went deathly still. Underneath their helmets, their barely visible lips were blue.

She navigated around her frozen barricade of men, strolling to the other side of the final wall. Just as the sun was cresting the horizon, they stepped into the great courtyard that stretched before the Archives. It was illuminated by a roaring fire that encircled the entire compound—Ulvarth’s new Flame of Yargen.

They’d only made it halfway across when an explosion threatened to tear apart half the city.