Page 292 of Of Empires and Dust

“Well,” Tamzin said, not removing the blade from Salara’s throat. “That was a lot easier than I thought it would be. Una.”

The sound of shuffling feet came from the back of the room as a fourth person moved to find the chest.

“I would suggest you take it and go quickly before Vyrmír tears open that wall behind you. Though I’m not sure how you’re getting out now that his roar has woken the keep.” Shouts already echoed from the yard below, and footsteps and clanging steel reverberated in the stone corridors. The Evalien of Numillíon knew a dragon’s warning.

“We’ll be just fine.” Tamzin’s lips spread into a wide grin.

A loudclangrang out. The sound of Boud’s collar hitting the stone floor.

A moment later, Boud leaned over Salara, her head beside Tamzin’s. She looked over Salara’s face and down at the steel pressed to her throat. She sighed. “It would be so easy… but no. Threats aside, you did not mistreat me. And so I will do unto you as you did unto me. It’s funny to think this entire time you saw me as a tool… when it was you being used. Ironic. Think on that. The world is not always as we see it.”

With that, Boud was gone and Tamzin pulled the blade from Salara’s neck and leapt backwards off the bed. Within a heartbeat, Salara was on her feet, a knife slipped from its place beneath her pillow.

But before her, a white light illuminated what she could only describe as a tear in the world, like a spear had torn through a breastplate. On the other side of the tear was dense woodland, flames flickering in the distance.

Tamzin and the other woman – Una – had already stepped through to the woodland on the other side. But Boud and the man still stood in the room, only a pace from the gateway.

She let out a gasp as the ward around her vanished, the Spark suddenly within reach, calling to her. The man stared back, his head tilted to the side, watching.

One whip of Air and Boud would have been strapped to the ground. A prisoner once more. And if she moved fast enough, she could ward the man and drive the knife through his heart. But something in that thought gave Salara pause. Who was she if she trapped this woman in chains and placed a collar around her neck once more, just as the Lorians had done to the Onarakina?

“Good choice,” the man said, nodding. “There are many paths ahead, Salara Ithan. You have your part to play. But your fate is not yet decided. It is in your own hands. What do you want to be? A hero or a monster?”

Salara could hear the beating of Vyrmír’s wings, feel the rushing blood in his veins.

Boud glanced at her and gave a soft nod before stepping through the gateway, but the man came a step closer. The coldness of his stare crept under her skin. “In two days, look to the Firnin Mountains. The path you wish to walk lies there. Vengeance and opportunity.”

His gaze lingered for another moment, then he stepped through the gateway and it collapsed behind him, the white light evaporating into thin air.

Salara dropped the knife and reached out to Vyrmír, who was now careening towards the tower.I’m all right, my light. I’m all right.

The roar that left the dragon’s jaws shook the stone, and his fury burned through Salara. He was not as understanding as she was. Images of Vyrmír ripping Boud in half flashed from the dragon’s mind to Salara’s.

I’m safe. That is what matters.

The dragon twisted and tore upwards, scanning the city and the lands beyond for any sign of the intruders.

A moment later, three guards burst into the room, torches and swords in their hands.

“Draleid! Are you hurt?” Captain Undrír stormed across the floor and snatched the knife from where Salara had dropped it, then took a blanket and draped it over her naked shoulders.

“We heard Vyrmír’s roar. Something felt wrong.” Undrír looked about the room for any signs of struggle or an intruder, his mouth scrunching in confusion when he saw none.

“The druid is gone. Taken by more of her kind. Bring me to Vandrien.”

Chapter 70

The Belly of the Beast

20thDay of the Blood Moon

Marin Mountains – Winter, Year 3081 After Doom

Arden rippedhis Soulblade from the Urak’s chest, letting the beast drop. He twisted and caught another creature in mid-jump, his armoured fingers wrapping around its throat. Twice he drove his Soulblade into its gut before tossing it aside and unleashing a primal roar.

Shouts rose, hands pointing towards a tunnel on the other side of the cavern. The words were muffled in Arden’s ears. He charged forwards into a group of Bloodspawn. All he saw in his mind’s eye was Lyrin’s face, and the only sound that echoed was his fallen brother-knight’s voice.

He blocked the downswing of a massive black sword, green light bursting from the collision, then planted his boot in the wielder’s chest and sent the creature careening into an open chasm in the ground. He swung back his elbow, feeling acrunchas the plate of his Sentinel armour shattered bone. One backstep, one swing, and the creature was opened from shoulder to hip.

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