Page 24 of Court of Treachery

“A few hours from the road, then less than a day of hard travelling.”

“I could fly there quicker,” Brand said, ruffling his wings. “Forewarn them.”

Aedon nodded jerkily. “Yes. They will act. Goblin uprising or not, their pride will suffer for it, regardless of Ragnar’s position—that should aid us further.”

Position?Harper wondered. There was more to Ragnar’s story than she knew, but their cryptic clues made no sense.

“I’ll leave at once. You, too?” He looked to the rest of the group.

Aedon nodded.

“They will return,” said Erika darkly. “If we want to live through the night, we must go. We need to be far from here by the time they return.”

Harper glanced up at the dark fissure apprehensively as shivers crawled down her spine. She did not want to meet a goblin ever again. That was certain. Could she still hear their chattering, or did it simply still ring in her ears? Hands shaking, Harper grabbed her pack from where it rested—and promptly dropped it. The contents spilled out and she let out a strangled curse, flexing her hands and willing herself to pull together. They had no time to waste, and the back of her neck prickled as though the goblins watched them from the cliffs. She roughly re-packed it and hoisted it onto her back. Her companions followedsuit, then Brand, with a short nod and a glance at them all, launched himself into the air.

“Fair winds to you, my friend!” Aedon called. Brand raised his hand in salute and wheeled into the sky.

“Come,” said Erika, striding away from the destruction. Her hard voice held a sense of urgency, and Harper followed at a jog. The woods felt darker and more menacing with only the three of them. Harper already missed Ragnar’s steady, reassuring presence and Brand’s protective bulk.

They travelled as swiftly as their aching, tired bodies would allow. The rush of battle faded, and Harper hurt from head to toe. She did not complain but pushed harder, chased by the threat of goblins snapping at their ankles. Erika led, blade drawn, guided by Aedon’s tiny faelight. He kept it dim, for they wished to pass unseen, as he brought up the rear. Harper did not dare walk with her dagger out, for the treachery of roots under their boots had already tripped her once. Aedon’s long strides followed Harper, making the shadows stalking behind them feel slightly less threatening, as they all stared into the night, tight-lipped for the first hint of any trouble.

Travelling in the dark was painstakingly slow, for they had such little light to go by, only a tiny game trail to travel, and Aedon’s and Erika’s memories of the way. It was impossible to journey silently as they stumbled through bushes and over roots. Even their quiet passage sounded like they wantonly crashed through the night. On high alert, her senses scanning their surroundings, Harper was certain they would be found by the goblins. She strained her ears to hear the first sound of their chattering approach.

With a cry of relief, Aedon pointed ahead. Harper spied the pale ribbon of stone winding through the trees. A few minutes later, they emerged onto the road. Lined with pale, flat,octagonal stones, it was a road the likes of which Harper had never seen before.

“Dwarven craftsmanship,” Aedon said with a tired smile that was more of a grimace. “It’ll make our passage easier. Come.” He set off at a jog, followed by Erika.

Harper groaned and followed them, but her legs were so stiff that she grew farther and farther behind. Aedon turned and noticed her falling back. He stopped, waiting for her to catch up, whilst Erika continued forging ahead.

“I’m sorry,” she gasped. “I can’t push any harder.”

“It’s all right,” he murmured. He grasped her hand. Through his warm palm, she felt his magic travel to her. It filled her with a warming glow that pushed aside the least of the aches and banished a little of the tiredness. Her knees threatened to buckle all the same. “Come on,” he said, tugging her with him.

They broke into a jog. She was relieved to keep pace with him now. They jogged behind Erika, who did not slow. Trees passed as the steadythud, thud, thudof their boots on the stones ate up the distance.

By the sun’s rising, Harper had lost track of time, having no idea how long they had been going. With the sun finally clear of the horizon, Aedon stopped and stretched. Erika halted at his bidding, though she seemed reluctant. The moment Harper stopped, she collapsed to the road, her legs seizing with cramps that sent shocks of pain through her body.

“We must halt for a brief respite. The sun is up. The goblins will not assail us now. We can afford to rest for a couple hours,” said Aedon.

Harper needed no encouragement, for she was hollow with weariness. Aedon left the road and Harper crawled after him to a cleft free of damp and rocks. With not another word to her companions, she fell asleep curled against the trunk of a greattree. Harper’s exhaustion-laden nightmares were of goblins and dark places.

The rhythmic drum of traffic on the road woke them not long later. Aedon jumped to his feet. “Dwarves! I’d know that sound anywhere!” He rushed to the side of the road, followed by Erika and Harper, who still rubbed sleep from their eyes.

Ragnar’s kin approached in lines of four dwarves abreast, all running in formation and keeping perfect step. They wore leather armour covered with metal plates and embellishments, and all had double-headed axes strapped to their backs, and a mace and knife at their waists. Helmets capped their heads, leaving their faces clear, apart from a simple nose guard, and braided beards bounced on their chests with each stride.

“Hail and well met, friends,” said Aedon, stepping forward. “I bear urgent news and seek your assistance for one of your own.”

Their captain stopped and gave them a once-over with no small measure of suspicion. His company came to a halt and readied themselves behind him, placing hands on weapon handles. “And you are?”

“Aedon Lindhir Riel of House Felrian. My companions are Erika of the Indis and Harper of Caledan. We were travelling with Brand of the Aerians, who even now flies to Keldheim… and also we travelled with Ragnar Dúrnir.”

The dwarf’s brows furrowed. “Dúrnir? RagnarDúrnir?”

Harper glanced between the pair of them. This individual knew Ragnar—there was something here she did not understand, and it made her uneasy.

Aedon straightened. “Yes. He was taken in an ambush by goblins to the north of here last night.”

The dwarf bared his teeth. “The scum are becoming bolder, I fear. You are fortunate to meet us indeed. We also travel to Keldheim. Join us. We will see you safely there.”

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