Page 104 of An Archer's Reckoning

The siege engines crawled across the frozen, slushy ground, giant insects clawing forward, intent on their prize. Men and horses strained with their bulk. For an instant, I thought to disrupt their efforts, to slow their movement, but that would consume precious magic I would soon need.

So I watched.

It took an hour for the engines to rest, rank upon rank, fingers pointing accusingly toward Melucia’s heart. In an odd moment, in stark contrast to the cacophony of the past hour, everything stilled.

Chatter ceased.

The grinding of wheels and gears halted.

I strained but heard nothing save the banners snapping in winter’s breath.

Órla appeared in the window, obscuring my view.

“This is our time, Bond-Mate. Close your eyes and prepare. You will not need them again. When your strength wanes, call to me. I will give you mine.”

She didn’t give me time to respond before launching herself hundreds of feet into the air and soaring toward the enemy line. I closed my eyes and allowed my consciousness to drift into Órla’s mind. A sense of freedom overcame me as we soared across the cloudless sky.

Wind parted before us, and I saw each soldier forming up, craning over their brothers in anticipation to watch the first volleys of war. I heard their voices, angry and hungry for action.I tasted the salty, smoky sweat that wafted from their skin. I flew above them in my mind and felteverything.

Órla’s head snapped to the side. Men loaded massive stones into slings attached to lengthy wooden arms.

My body tensed as I watched the last boulder fall into place.

The world held its breath.

Chapter 39

Keelan

Atikus laughed as I gawked at the rolling waves and endless sandy shores.

“Never stood on a beach before?” the Mage poked. “Was I that remiss in your upbringing?”

I shook my head. “My time with the Guard has always been spent in Saltstone. The only coasts we have there bump against rivers. That’s not quite the same.”

“No, it definitely is not.”

I hopped off my horse and walked toward the water until I stood a few paces from its foamy edge. I drew in a long breath and stretched my arms wide, tilting my face toward the bright winter sun. “It even tastes peaceful here. How is that possible?”

“I suppose we need to plan a trip to a coastal town when this mess is over,” Atikus mused.

“I wish it was warm so I could walk in the water.” I finally turned from the rippling waves, my features relaxed by theirbrush with nature’s wonder. “We should look for that cave now. Any idea where to start?”

“Are you turning back into the boy I took in all those years ago?” Atikus laughed as he dismounted. “We have got to get you out of that uniform more often. There is a beautiful world outside of Saltstone.”

As we walked along the beach, I fed my horse bits of apple from my saddlebag and stared at the water almost as often as I looked for an opening in the stone that ran parallel to the shore some thirty paces inland.

“What are we looking for?” I asked, after an hour of walking. “Is there some specially shaped rock? Anything other than just a cave? Would it be too much to hope the Mages nailed a sign above the entrance?”

Atikus grunted. “It has been a thousand years since anyone used the cavern. Even if there was some record of a landmark, it would have changed many times over the millennium.”

“Great. So, we have no idea what we’re looking for.” I picked up a rock and skipped it in the water. A wave batted it down as it tried to skid atop the sea’s surface. “I know how you feel, rock.”

A loud snort drew us up short.

I grabbed the back of Atikus’s robe and pulled him down by the rocky ledge, hiding as best as we could on an open beach in broad daylight. We barely had time to peer over the rocks when Dittler moved to stand directly before me, bared his teeth, and let out an odd, undulating sound.

“Dittler?” I asked, reaching up to pat the stallion’s head that had lowered and was nudging me in the chest. “Did you justlaughat us?”

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