Page 132 of A Rising Hope

A clatter of hooves sounded ahead. Priya and I darted behind the neatly trimmed bushes decorating the path.

“Fucking Destroyers,” she quietly swore at the two riding soldiers.

We waited until their chatter faded in the distance before resuming our brisk stroll. The closer we got to the castle walls, the more guards and soldiers passed us.

Soon, we snuck through the gates, leaving only a couple of bodies behind. Their dead figures were hastily shoved into ponds leading to the gardens and the servants’ entrance to the castle.

We stood by the door waiting, crouching behind grand pedestals with enormous statues of lions carved out of marble.

Our daggers drawn, poisons ready as we watched the sky, waiting.

Priya picked on the ends of her braid, bored, while I couldn’t stop looking up, lest I blink and miss the signal.

Soon, the chaos would erupt.

Soon.

But not yet.

75

GIDEON

The shore of the Kinderby River leading towards the city walls was covered in metal and banners as every single Destroyer soldier who could carry a sword stood at attention. Battalions lined in perfect rows. Their shields on their backs, blades in their hands.

I looked up. The sun burned directly above us.

Midday.

Dressed in full armor, I marched from the very back of my army towards the front line. My swords sheathed on my back, the bloodlike rubies on the hilts glistening under the bright rays of the sun. My black cape waved with each step as rows of soldiers parted, making way for me until I reached the shore.

I eyed the narrowest part of the river. There, between the large city walls extending far underwater, was the naval toll gate. What was previously used for merchants and traders to pay their dues to enter the city became a stronghold. The warships cramped the little space. Chains and catapults and boat killers—large spear launchers—all stood ready to destroy any ship that dared to approach within a mile, blocking the weakest part of the city.

Rows upon rows of enemy archers stood ready to fire at a single snap of their commander’s fingers the moment we advanced. Their leaders grim and heavy, watching my armies from their towers and behind the rows of their shielded men.

Though our numbers were only a fraction of what they had, they put on a full show of force, not leaving anything up to chance.

Orest stood near me, silently observing the city, his hands clasped behind his back, waiting.

A loud enemy horn sounded, signaling Justice Wielder, my presence, on the battlefield.

“I missed the sound of that,” Orest voiced.

“Of what?” I asked, watching the enemy commanders scramble, shouting commands at their soldiers struck in panic with fear and shock as they realized I was still alive.

“Of triumph.” Orest turned to me. “On your command.” He gave a curt nod, drawing his sword.

I walked into the river until the water reached my knees. In one swift motion, I pulled both of my swords out, the zing of the metal like a melodic prophecy reaching the armies hidden beyond the grand walls. The wildfire in me churned with anticipation, ready to explode. The swords’ magic drew upon my raging flames with their deadly song. A thought and my blades lit up in silver flames.

The armies on both sides waited, unsure.

We had no navy, no battleships ready for a naval fight.

But we didn’t need them.

Neither did we need enormous armies to breach the city. The large walls and the deep river were not enough to stop me.

I searched the lines of the enemy soldiers, waiting until I saw him.

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