Page 20 of The Last of the Dark Lords

“In Greatfalls we don’t put our trust in the God of Fire and Metal,” Jelenna said, more forcefully this time.

“Put your trust where you like, but I know what my god has shown me. I know what my common sense tells me. And I know what Cyrus has seen.”

Manod’s words were confusing. “What does that mean?” I asked.

“The first Lord of Ashfuror was given the Crown of Seeing by the god himself. It grants the one who bears it the ability to observe what is happening anywhere in Fyr. Cyrus has seen the flow of water and resources. It all stops at Greatfalls.”

“Bull.” Jelenna’s voice cut through the air, but Manod was unfazed.

“I can only tell you what I know.” Manod shrugged. He urged his horse forward to catch up to Cyrus.

“You can’t trust them.” There was a simmering rage in Jelenna’s voice. “That’s why what we’re doing is so important.”

I scratched at the back of my neck, which was irritated from days of hot sun. She stared at me, expecting some kind of response. I nodded in agreement, but I wasn’t sure. Manod had sounded like he believed the words he spoke.

Jelenna caught the doubt in my eyes. “He is in the wrong. They both are.”

“Of course.”

“Remember why we’re here, Skye.” Jelenna’s eyes were fierce. “We will break their hold on Greatfalls. Whether it's a lie or self-deception, what they believe doesn’t matter.”

I breathed in, trying to steal some of the certainty that shone in Jelenna’s eyes.

“Yes,” I said. “They can’t be trusted.”

Jelenna opened her mouth to reply, but she was interrupted by a series of rough croaks and the sound of flapping wings. Above us, the sky filled with black birds, circling and weaving, like some demented mirror of the starlings on the slopes at Greatfalls.

I urged Blaze forward, making up the distance between the rest of the company and ourselves.

“What is this?” I called, pitching my voice loud enough to be heard over the cries of the birds.

“Hmmm? These are my ravens.”

“Yourravens?!”

“They are one way I keep track of what goes on in the plains when I am home in Ashfuror. They can travel faster than a man, and they’re more trustworthy.”

“They’re harbingers of devilry!” Jelenna’s voice cracked as took in the flock of circling birds.

“Nonsense! They are my friends.” At his words, an enormous raven swept down and landed on his shoulder. He reached into his pocket, fishing out some seeds, and held out his hand. The bird pecked and ate the morsels, then nuzzled its head into Cyrus’ open palm.

“This is Bertio,” Cyrus said. “He is the leader of this flock. We’ve known each other since I was a teenager.”

“His name isBertio?” Cyrus scowled at my incredulous tone.

“He doesn’t speak the language of Fyr, of course, but that’s what I named him. He’s always responded to it.”

With that, Bertio straightened, cawing at me, his black dot eyes tinged in red.

“I don’t think he likes me.”

“Well he wouldn’t, if you keep talking poorly about his brethren. But if he sees you are my friend, you will win him over.” Cyrus blinked, taking me in for a moment. “Are you my friend?”

His question cut me to the quick. I’d been at war with myself since leaving Greatfalls. Cyrus was not the monster I had expected. Instead, he was a man. An infuriating, complex, and unfortunately handsome man.

I squashed that last thought as quickly as it came. I had to keep my wits about me. It would be no good to develop a crush on the boor, even if we were betrothed. I was riding into enemy territory.

Cyrus stared at me, his head cocked, waiting for my response.

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