Page 159 of Forcing Fate

I tossed the chamber pot to the side, then grabbed the small shovel and threw dirt in the hole. The course was a good idea. It would teach us to watch for the smallest things in the woods, but this was an awful punishment. I hadn’t even used the chamber pot I emptied.

We returned to the fortress after washing the pot in a small run-off leading to the King’s Lake. It was nearing dark and the smell of cooked meat had my stomach growling in anticipation. After I returned the chamber pot to its place, I headed to the cookfire.

There was nothing on it.

The men lounged about. Jamlin retrieved a plate set aside for him and sat, shoveling in bites. I didn’t see another plate saved.

“You’re late.”

I turned to General Rafe, who sat on a log near the fire, just as the rest of his Tennan.

“Begging your pardon, sir?” Surely, he was not saying I was late to eat.

“You want to eat? Work faster.”

I blinked at his calm tone. I hadn’t eaten since midday meal. Surely they didn’t expect me to run on nothing?

“I saved her a–” Korzak held up a leg… of rabbit?

“No. She doesn’t eat tonight,” Rafe stated. “Perhaps your hunger will hurry you along next time.”

Clenching my fists, I leveled my glare at him as I found an empty log to rest on. So be it. I would eat first meal.

“Now, Avyanna,” Rafe started, “what do you know of the Shadows?”

I glanced around. It was unacceptable to talk about the Shadows after dark—a silly superstition, but one most men respected. Korzak stared at his food rather sadly, but I caught Blain’s—or Dane’s—eyes and they gave me a small shrug.

“A little,” I answered. “What do you want to know?”

“Everything,” he replied darkly.

I rested my elbows on my knees and settled in. This would be awhile.

Chapter Thirty-Four

“The Masters told us very little. I learned more from my wanderings in the Records Room. I was told we would learn more when we were older—if we chose an occupation that warranted it.”

Blain snorted, but I ignored him and pressed on.

“Regent came to know the Shadow Men years ago when they raided our villages to the west. Dragon Riders were ordered to dispatch them, but they proved to be a more worthy adversary.

“They pushed back against the dragons and seized our territory beyond the Sky Trees. The King launched a campaign against them, though it’s said that we only have enough strength to hold them back, not advance on them.”

“Vy,” General Rafe interrupted, “I’m not here for a history lesson. What do you know of them?”

“Well… not much. Even the Records Room has very little on them,” I started. “Some claim they can control men. They hunt us for our dragons, not for our land or resources. They attack our villages to draw out the Dragon Riders, not because they want anything in the villages themselves.”

“And what do you know of how they attack?”

“They kill our men. They leave most of our women alive, though.” I paused, rubbing at the nape of my neck, uncomfortable with the topic. “The refugee women that come tell stories of the Shadows and their… affinity toward our women.

“I’ve heard their seed cannot take with us—no children are born of their raids, which implies they are a separate species. Some say they’re only skeletons, mismatched bones from other creatures. But I’ve also heard they’re just men, so I’m uncertain. They are ruthless, murderous beings that want to steal dragon eggs.

“They come from the southwest, where the continent divides. I’ve been told they have magic and can use it without dragons. Our battleground used to only be the Sky Trees. But with their raids on the south, it’s rumored that they’ve taken to the water and we’re not safe on our shores. That’s all I know,” I said, trailing off. I wasn’t anticipating this line of questioning and didn’t quite know what answers he expected.

He heaved a heavy sigh and leaned back, rubbing underneath the cloth covering his eye. “This will take a while,” he groaned.

“Have Zephath teach her,” Korzak offered.

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