Page 72 of Path of the Dark
“We’ll free Thûn.”
“We’ll send those southern bastards home.”
Ninia’s breathing quickened as she listened, and she momentarily forgot about the shadow creatures. It was all becoming real now. She could almost taste the men’s eagerness. Nathan had whipped them into a frenzy.
Ninia’s mouth curved into a rueful smile. Despite the fact that she resented Nathan’s heavy-handed approach with her, she had to admit he knew how to lead. These men weren’t just fighting for him, but for justice.
Continuing on, Ninia headed toward the enchanters’ tents. Nathan and his King’s Guard had camped in the heart of the encampment, with the enchanters flanking him. The Royal City company formed the next ring, while the rest of the companies—soldiers from Orin, Errad, Idriss, and the Western Cradle—spiraled out toward the perimeter.
In the midst of the enchanters’ enclosure, Mira was lighting a fire. She stood before the High Enchanter’s tent, a large conical structure with a stag’s head flag hanging from the center pole.
Mira glanced up at Ninia’s arrival and raised her eyebrows. “Where have you been?”
Ninia forced down an irritated sigh. Old habits died hard it seemed. Mira sometimes forgot that she was no longer her protector. Even so, it wasn’t something to get surly over. “Practicing the Dark.”
Mira accepted her answer with a tired smile. “I was going to break open a skin of ale. Do you want a cup?”
“Aye, thank you.” Ninia sat down upon one of the leather packs that had been dumped outside the tents. Her throat was dry after a long day’s travel.
“This reminds me of the old days,” Mira said, handing her a cup. “On the road together.”
“Aye, Nelly and Melinda,” Ninia replied with a snort. “I think you enjoyed posing as my bossy aunt.”
Mira laughed. “Ilovedputting you in your place.”
Ninia’s mouth quirked. It worked both ways. On their journey north, as they tried to escape capture by Anthor soldiers, she’d taken pleasure in defying her protector.
They were half-way through their cups of ale when Asher appeared. Lilia and Dain were with him. Ninia waved them over. She’d met the couple for the first time that morning. Lilia especially fascinated her.
“Take a seat and grab a cup,” Mira greeted them. “Pour yourself some ale before we finish it.”
“Generous of you, my love.” The High Enchanter sank down onto the ground and folded his legs with loose-limbed grace. He took the cup Mira passed him, before his attention then shifted to Ninia. “Do you need to go through some Light drills with me later?”
“I’ve taken to practicing on my own,” Ninia replied. “I think I’m ready.” It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him about the Dusk Imps she’d spied in the woods. However, something stopped her.
She wasn’t sure why, but her instincts told her that she should keep her news to herself for the time being.
Asher frowned. “Is something wrong?”
Cursing how astute he was, Ninia shook her head—Asher must have seen her hesitation. “I’m just tired.” To prove her point she gave a delicate yawn.
“Make sure you get a good night’s sleep,” Asher replied, raising the cup of ale to his lips. “Tomorrow we take the leaguefort.”
Tension settled over the group gathered around the fire. Asher’s comment was a reminder that tonight was the last moment of quiet before the campaign truly began. Everything would change from this moment on.
“The men are excited,” Dain said, breaking the taut silence. “They’re itching to get to the border so that they can tear down that fort.”
Lilia muttered something under her breath at this, although Ninia smiled. She glanced over at Dain, meeting his eye. “It’s strange, but now that we’re on the march, I am too,” she admitted.
Around them the dusk settled in a heavy grey curtain. The mist that had wreathed the mountaintops lowered, blocking out the sky. The glow of the camp fire illuminated the faces of Ninia’s companions as they shared a simple supper of bread, butter, and boiled eggs.
Lilia sat to Ninia’s right. She had joined the army as a cook, and traveled in the rear-guard, whereas Dain was one of the foot soldiers.
Ninia kept stealing glances at Lilia. Small and flame-haired, she had a sweet, pert face and expressive brown eyes. Few realized that Lilia was a shape-shifter. Asher had warned Ninia to keep this fact secret during their journey south. Shifters had been reviled for centuries. Despite what Lilia had done, the soldiers on this campaign wouldn’t want her kind amongst them.
Eventually, Lilia stopped eating and looked over at her.
“It’s alright,” she murmured, her mouth curving. “I’m not going to suddenly start sprouting red fur and baring my fangs.”
Heat rushed into Ninia’s face. “Sorry,” she muttered. “I didn’t mean to stare.”
Lilia shrugged. “Your reaction is better than most. Curiosity I can understand … revulsion is harder to take.”
“Asher told me what happened last year,” Ninia replied, meeting her eye. “About what you did.”
Lilia smiled. “It’s strange, but these days it feels as if all of that belongs to someone else’s life.” Her expression shadowed then. “Unfortunately, destroyingThe King Breakerdidn’t fix everything. There’s always another threat to deal with … and this one has been growing for a while now.”
“Ninia … is it true Nathan is going to put you on The Swallow Throne?” Dain asked, his brow furrowing. Seated next to Lilia, he’d been listening to their conversation.
Ninia’s mouth curved. “Aye,” she replied. “If we manage to topple Reoul off his perch.”
