“The Shee?” Cailean demanded.
“No,” the woman gasped. “The wulvers turned on us. They butchered the Marav garrison and drove the rest of us out.”
An invisible fist slammed into Lara’s stomach.
“When did this happen?” Cailean demanded.
“Two days ago … I’ve ridden hard to reach you.” She paused then, still breathing hard as she pushed tangled red hair off her face. “Word arrived from Duncrag that you were marching on Strath … and then a day later, the wulvers took the fort.”
Lara’s mind was wheeling, but somehow, she managed to grasp the words. “I never sent word to Doure,” she replied.
The woman’s face twisted. “Aye, well … someone did.”
39: SHIFTING ALLEGIANCE
DIZZINESS SWEPT OVER Lara. A moment later, she swayed in the saddle before she caught hold of her horse’s mane to steady herself.
She wouldn’t think about what this meant. Shecouldn’t.
Her mouth moved then, as if to form words, yet no sound came out.
Thankfully, those around her took action. “I’m riding ahead,” Roth announced. He then gestured to the warriors behind him. “We need to catch up with the advance guard and bid them to halt. Immediately.” When Lara didn’t answer, he turned to her. “My Queen?”
She stared back at him, mute.
“Do it,” Cailean replied when Lara didn’t.
Roth nodded brusquely, gathered the reins, and dug his heels into his stallion’s sides. The beast took off, heavy hooves churning up the damp ground.
Lara watched them depart, her heart pounding.
Shouting reached them then, drifting up the column from the south.
“The Mother’s tits!” Cailean twisted in the saddle. “What the fuck is it now?”
No one answered. Instead, the shouting grew louder, angrier.
Finally, Lara found her voice. “Go and find out what the problem is,” she ordered the warriors next to her.
They did as bid, returning a short while later. The grim look on their faces made queasiness roll over her.
“The wulvers that were traveling with the rear guard have all fled,” one of them announced, his face screwing up in disgust.
“Fled?” Cailean snarled the word.
“Aye … took off into the pines. Some of the warriors gave chase, but once they got into the woods, they lost them.”
Beside Lara, Bree breathed a curse.
And meanwhile, something cold and hard settled into the pit of Lara’s belly.
“We need to get to Dulross,” Cailean said roughly. “As soon as possible.”
“Aye,” Lara agreed, forcing herself to focus. “Let’s go.”
The army moved off, traveling faster now. The main body of it drew ahead of the lumbering wagons of the baggage train and the rear guard, their sights set upon their destination. Sitting rigidly in the saddle as her horse cantered along the road, the tattoo of pounding hooves surrounding her, Lara stared ahead.
And all the while, her mind churned.