HERO,TRAITOR,DAUGHTER
(OFCROWNSANDGLORY--BOOK6)
MORGANRICE
MorganRice
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THEWAYOFSTEELONLYTHEWORTHY(Book#1)
OFCROWNSANDGLORY
SLAVE,WARRIOR,QUEEN(Book#1)ROGUE,PRISONER,PRINCESS(Book#2)
KNIGHT,HEIR,PRINCE(Book#3)REBEL,PAWN,KING(Book#4)
SOLDIER,BROTHER,SORCERER(Book#5)HERO,TRAITOR,DAUGHTER(Book#6)
RULER,RIVAL,EXILE(Book#7)
KINGSANDSORCERERSRISEOFTHEDRAGONS(Book#1)RISEOFTHEVALIANT(Book#2)THEWEIGHTOFHONOR(Book#3)AFORGEOFVALOR(Book#4)
AREALMOFSHADOWS(Book#5)NIGHTOFTHEBOLD(Book#6)
THESORCERER’SRING
AQUESTOFHEROES(Book#1)AMARCHOFKINGS(Book#2)AFATEOFDRAGONS(Book#3)ACRYOFHONOR(Book#4)AVOWOFGLORY(Book#5)
ACHARGEOFVALOR(Book#6)ARITEOFSWORDS(Book#7)AGRANTOFARMS(Book#8)ASKYOFSPELLS(Book#9)ASEAOFSHIELDS(Book#10)AREIGNOFSTEEL(Book#11)ALANDOFFIRE(Book#12)
ARULEOFQUEENS(Book#13)ANOATHOFBROTHERS(Book#14)ADREAMOFMORTALS(Book#15)
AJOUSTOFKNIGHTS(Book#16)THEGIFTOFBATTLE(Book#17)
THESURVIVALTRILOGY
ARENAONE:SLAVERSUNNERS(Book#1)ARENATWO(Book#2)ARENATHREE(Book#3)
VAMPIRE,FALLEN
BEFOREDAWN(Book#1)
THEVAMPIREJOURNALSTURNED(Book#1)LOVED(Book#2)
BETRAYED(Book#3)DESTINED(Book#4)DESIRED(Book#5)
BETROTHED(Book#6)VOWED(Book#7)FOUND(Book#8)
RESURRECTED(Book#9)CRAVED(Book#10)FATED(Book#11)
OBSESSED(Book#12)
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CONTENTS
CHAPTERONECHAPTERTWOCHAPTERTHREECHAPTERFOURCHAPTERFIVECHAPTERSIXCHAPTERSEVENCHAPTEREIGHTCHAPTERNINECHAPTERTENCHAPTERELEVENCHAPTERTWELVECHAPTERTHIRTEENCHAPTERFOURTEENCHAPTERFIFTEENCHAPTERSIXTEENCHAPTERSEVENTEENCHAPTEREIGHTEENCHAPTERNINETEENCHAPTERTWENTYCHAPTERTWENTYONECHAPTERTWENTYTWOCHAPTERTWENTYTHREECHAPTERTWENTYFOURCHAPTERTWENTYFIVECHAPTERTWENTYSIXCHAPTERTWENTYSEVENCHAPTERTWENTYEIGHT
CHAPTERONE
Akilahungintheriggingofhisshipandsawdeathapproaching.Itterrifiedhim.He’dneverbeenonetobelieveinsignsandomens,butthere
weresomehecouldn’tignore.Akilahadbeenafightingmanmostofhislifeinoneformoranother,yetstill,he’dneverseenafleetliketheonethatapproachednow.ItmadethefleettheEmpirehadsenttoHaylonlooklikeaseriesofpaperboatsbeingfloatedacrossapondbychildren.
ItmadewhatAkilahadlooklikelessthanthat.“There’stoomany,”oneofthesailorsnearhimintheriggingsaid.Akiladidn’treply,becauserightthenhedidn’thaveananswer.He’dhaveto
thinkofone,though.Onethatdidn’tinvolvetheleadencertaintythatwascrushinghischest.Hewasalreadyrunningthethingsthatneededtobedonethroughhismindashestartedtoclimbdown.Theywouldneedtoraisetheharborchain.Theywouldneedtogetcrewstocatapultsonthedocks.
Theyneededtospread,becausechargingheadlongintoafleetthatsizewouldbesuicide.Theyneededtobethewolveshuntingthegreatsnowoxen,dartingin,takingabitehereandthere,wearingthemdown.
Akilasmiledatthatthought.Hewasalmostplanningasiftheycouldwinthis.Who’dhavetakenhimforanoptimist?
“There’ssomany,”oneofthesailorssaidashepassed.Akilaheardthesamewordsfromothersasheclamberedbacktothedeck.By
thetimehereachedthecommanddeckagain,therewereadozenrebelsatleast,allwaitingforhimwithworriedexpressions.
“Wecan’tfightthem,”onesaid.“Itwouldbelikeweweren’teventhere,”anotheragreed.“They’llkillusall.Wehavetorun.”Akilacouldhearthem.Hecouldevenunderstandwhattheywantedtodo.
Runningmadesense.Runwhiletheystillcould.Formuptheirshipsintoaconvoylineandgo,runningalongthecoastuntiltheycouldbreakfreeandmakeittoHaylon.
Apartofhimevenwantedtodoit.PerhapstheywouldevenbesafeiftheycouldgettoHaylon.Felldustwouldseetheforcestheyhad,thedefensesoftheirharbor,andwouldbewaryofcomingafterthem.
Atleastforatime.“Friends,”hecalled,loudenoughthateveryoneontheshipwouldbeableto
hearit.“Youcanseethethreatthatwaitsforus,andyes,Icanhearthemenwhowanttorun.”
Hespreadhishandstoquietdownthemurmurthatfollowed.
“Iknow.Ihearyou.I’vesailedwithyouandyou’renotcowards.Nomancouldsaythatyouare.”
Butiftheyrannow,menwouldcallthemcowards.Akilaknewthat.TheywouldblamethewarriorsofHaylon,inspiteofallthey’ddone.Hedidn’twanttosaythat,though.Hedidn’twanttoforcehismentodothis.
“Iwanttorunaswell.We’vedoneourpart.We’vebeatentheEmpire.We’veearnedtherighttogohome,ratherthanstayheredyingforotherpeople’scauses.”
Thatmuchwasobvious.They’donlycomehereafterThanoshadbegged,afterall.
Heshookhishead.“ButIwon’t.Iwon’trunwhenthatmeansabandoningthepeopledependingonme.Iwon’trunwhenwe’vebeentoldwhatwillhappentothepeopleofDelos.Iwon’trun,becausewhoaretheytotellmetorun?”
Hejabbedafingerattheadvancingfleet,thenturneditintotherudestgesturehecouldthinkofonthespurofthemoment.That,atleast,gothismenlaughing.Good,theyneededallthelaughstheycouldgetrightthen.
“Thetruthisthateviliseveryone’scause.Amantellsmetokneelordie,thenIpunchhimintheface!”Thatgotthemlaughingharder.“AndIdon’tdoitbecausehe’sthreatenedme.Idoitbecausethekindofmanwhotellspeopletokneelneedspunching!”
Thatonegotacheer.ItseemedthatAkilahadjudgedthisright.Hegesturedtothespotwhereascoutshipsat,tiedupalongsidehisflagship.
“Downthereisoneofus,”Akilasaid.“Theytookhimandhiscrew.Theywhippedhimuntilthebloodpouredfromhim.Theylashedhimtothewheelandtheyputhiseyesout.”
Akilawaitedamomenttoletthehorrorofthatsinkin.“Theydidthatbecausetheythoughtitwouldscareus,”Akilasaid.“Theydid
thatbecausetheythoughtitwouldmakeusrunfaster.Isaythatifamanharmsoneofmybrotherslikethat,itmakesmewanttocuthimdownforthedogheis!”
Thatgotacheer.“I’llnotorderyou,though,”Akilasaid.“Youwanttogohome…well,noone
cansayyouhaven’tearnedit.Andwhentheycomeforyou,maybetherewillbesomeonelefttohelp.”Hemadehimselfshrug.“I’llbestaying.Ifneedsbe,I’llstayalone.I’llstandonthedocks,andtheirarmycancometomeoneatatimetogetcutdown.”
Helookedaroundthemthen,staringatmenheknew,atbrothersfromHaylonandfreedslaves,conscriptsturnedfreedomfightersandmenwhohadprobablystartedoffaslittlemorethancutthroats.
Heknewthatifheaskedthesementofightwithhim,mostofthemwouldprobablydie.HewasprobablynevergoingtoseethewaterfallsthatplungedthroughthehillsofHaylonagain.He’dprobablydienotevenknowingifwhathedidwasenoughtosaveDelosornot.Apartofhimwishedthenthathe’dnevermetThanos,orbeendraggedintothiswiderrebellion.
Evenso,hedrewhimselfup.“WillIbealone,lads?”heasked.“WillIhavetopunchmywaytothe
stoniest-headedfoolamongthembymyself?”Theroarof“No!”echoedacrossthewater.Hehopedtheenemyfleetheardit.
Hehopedtheyheardit,andhehopedtheywereterrified.Godsknewhewas.“Wellthen,lads,”Akilabellowed,“gettoyouroars.We’veabattletowin!”Hesawthemruntoitthen,andhecouldn’thavebeenmoreproudofthem.
Hestartedtothink,togiveorders.Thereweremessagestobesentbacktothecastle,defensestobeprepared.
Already,Akilacouldhearthesoundofbellsringingoutacrossthecityinwarning.
“Youtwo,getthesignalflagsup!Scirrem,Iwantsmallboatsandtarforfireshipsattheharbormouth!AmItalkingtomyselfuphere?”
“Quitepossibly,”thesailorcalledback.“Theysaymadmendo.ButI’llgetitdone.”
“Yourealizethatinarealarmy,you’dbeflogged?”Akilashotback,buthesmiledashedidit.Thiswasthestrangepartofbeingonthecuspofbattle.Theyweresoclosetopossibledeathnow,anditwasthemomentwhenAkilafeltmostalive.
“Now,Akila,”thesailorsaid.“Youknowthey’dneverletthelikesofusintoarealarmy.”
Akilalaughedthen,andnotjustbecauseitwasprobablytrue.Howmanygeneralscouldsaythattheyhadnotjusttherespectoftheirmen,buttruecamaraderie?Howmanycouldasktheirtroopstothrowthemselvesintodanger,notfromloyalty,orfear,ordiscipline,butbecauseitwasthemdoingtheasking?Akilafeltthathecouldbeproudofthatpartatleast.
Asthesailorrushedoff,hehadmoreorderstogive.“Oncewe’reclear,we’llneedtoputtheharborchainup,”hesaid.Oneoftheyoungsailorsnearhimlookedworriedbythat.Akilacouldseethe
fearthereinspiteofhisspeeches.Thatwasonlynormal.“Ifwehavethechainup,doesn’tthatmeanwecan’tretreatintotheharbor?”
theboyasked.Akilanodded.“Yes,butwhatgoodwoulditdo,retreatingtoacitythat’sopen
tothesea?Ifwefailoutthere,doyouthinkthecitywillbeasafeplacetohide?”Hecouldseetheboythinkingaboutit,tryingtoworkoutwherehewouldbe
safest,mostprobably.Eitherthat,orwishingthathe’dneversignedup.“Youcangobeoneofthosewhohelpsputthechainsupifyouwant,”Akila
offered.“Thenheadforthecatapults.We’llneedgoodpeoplefiringthem.”Theboyshookhishead.“I’llstay.Iwon’trunfromthem.”“Don’tsupposeyoufancytakingoverthefleetsoIcanrun?”Akilaasked.Thatsettheladofflaughingashewentabouthisduties,andlaughterwas
alwaysbetterthanfear.Whatelsewastheretodo?Therewasalwayssomethingelse,always
somethingtomovetonext.Therewerethosewhospokeaboutwarfarebeingwaiting,butAkilahadfoundthatwaitingalwayscontainedathousandsmallerthings.Preparationwasthemotherofsuccess,andAkilawasn’tgoingtoloseforlackofeffort.
“No,”hemutteredashecheckedthelinesofhisflagship.“Thepartwheretheyhavefivetimesasmanyshipswilldothat.”
Theonlyhopewastohitandmove.Drawthemontothefireships.Crushthemagainstthechain.Usethespeedoftheirownshipstopickoffwhattheycould.Eventhen,itmightnotbeenough.
Akilahadneverseenaforcethissize.Hedoubtedanyonehad.ThefleetsenttoHaylonhadbeenonedesignedforpunishmentanddestruction.Therebelarmyhadbeenacomingtogetherofatleastthreegreatforces.
Thiswasbigger.Thiswasn’tsomuchanarmyasanentirecountryonthemove.Thiswasconquest,andmorethanconquest.Felldusthadseenanopportunity,andnowitwasgoingtotakeeverythingthattheEmpirehad.Unlesswestopthem,Akilathought.Maybehisfleetwouldn’tbetheonestostopthem.Maybethebesttheycould
hopeforwouldbetoslowdownandweakentheinvadingarmy,yetmaybethatwouldbeenough.IftheycouldbuyCerestime,shemightbeabletofindawaytowinagainstwhatwasleft.Akilahadseenherdomoreimpressivethingswiththosepowersofhers.
PerhapsshewouldtakeonFelldust’sentirearmyandsavethemthetrouble.Mostlikely,Akilawoulddiehere.IfthatcouldsaveDelos,wouldthatbe
worthit?Thatwasn’tthequestion.Ifitcouldsavethepeoplethere,andthepeopleofHaylon,wouldthat?Yes,thatwaswortheverythingtoAkila.Menlikethisdidn’tstopwithwhattheyhad.TheywoulddescendonHaylonassoonastheyweredonehere.Ifhissacrificewouldkeepthefarmersoftheislandsafe,Akilawouldmakeitathousandtimesover.
Helookedoutoverthewatertowherethefleetadvanced,hisvoicesoftening.
“Youowemeforthis,Thanos,”hesaid,justastheprinceowedhimforcomingtoDelos,andfornotcuttinghimdownonHaylon.Probablyhislifewouldhavebeenalotsimplerifhe’ddonethat.
Lookingatthefleetahead,Akilasuspecteditmighthavebeenlonger,too.“Right!”heyelled.“Gettoyourplaces,boys!We’veabattletowin!”
CHAPTERTWOIrriensatattheprowofhisflagshipinamixtureofsatisfactionand
anticipation.Satisfactionbecausehisfleetwasadvancingexactlyashe’dordered.Anticipationbecauseofeverythingthatwouldcomenext.
Aroundhim,thefleetslidforwardinnearsilence,ashe’dorderedwhenthey’dstartedtohugthecoast.Silentassharkscomingafterprey,silentasthemomentafteraman’sdeath.Rightthen,Irrienwastheglintoflightonthepointofaspear,therestofhisfleetfollowinglikeitsbroadhead.
HischairwasnotthedarkstoneoneinwhichhesatinFelldust.Instead,itwasalighterframedthing,madefromthebonesofthingshe’dkilled,thethighbonesofadark-stalkerformingtheback,thefingerbonesofamansetinthearms.He’dcovereditinthefursofanimalshe’dhunted.Itwasanotherlessonhehadlearned:Inpeace,amanshouldspeakofhiscivility.Inwar,heshouldspeakofhiscruelty.
Tothatend,Irrienjerkedonachainconnectedtohischair.Theotherendheldoneoftheso-calledwarriorsofthisrebellion,whohadkneltratherthandieinbattle.
“Wewillarrivesoon,”hesaid.“Y-yes,mylord,”themanreplied.Irrienjerkedthechainagain.“Besilentunlesscommanded.”Irrienignoredthemanashestartedtobegforgivenessbadly.Instead,he
watchedthepathahead,althoughhe’dsetthemetalsurfaceofhisshieldsohecouldwatchbehindforassassins.
Awisemanalwaysdidboth.TheotherstonesofFelldustprobablythoughtthatIrrienwasmad,leavingforthisdustlesslandwhiletheyremainedbehind.Theyprobablythoughthecouldn’tseetheirplotsandmachinations.
Irrien’ssmilewidenedatthethoughtoftheirfaceswhentheyrealizedwhatwasreallyhappening.Hispleasurecontinuedasheturnedtothecoast,seeingthefiresthatwerespringingupthereashisraidingpartieslanded.Ordinarily,Irrienhatedthewastefulnessofburnedbuildings,butforwar,theywereausefulweapon.
No,therealweaponwasfear.Fireandsilentmenacewerejustwaystosharpenit.Fearwasaweaponaspowerfulasslowpoison,dangerousasablade.Fearcouldmakeastrongmanrunoryieldwithoutafight.Fearcouldmakefoeschoosestupidoptions,charginginrashbravado,orcoweringwhentheyshouldstrike.Fearmademenslaves,holdingtheminplaceevenwhenthereweremoreofthem.
Irrienwasnotsoarrogantastobelievehecouldneverfeelfear,buthisfirst
battlehadnotbroughtitthewaymentalkedabout,norhisfiftieth.Hehadfoughtmenonburningsandsandonthecobblesofbackalleys,andwhiletherehadbeenanger,excitement,evendesperation,hehadneverfoundthefearthatothermenfelt.Itwaspartofwhatmadeitsoeasytotakewhathewanted.
Whathewantednowswungintoviewalmostasifsummonedbythethought,theendlessstrokesoftheoarspullingtheharborofDelosintoIrrien’sview.He’dwaitedforthismoment,butitwasn’ttheonehe’ddreamedof.Thatwouldonlycomeoncethiswasdone,andhe’dtakenallthatwasworthtaking.
Thecitywasalowandstinkingthing,inspiteofitsfame,likeallthecitiesofmen.Itdidn’thavethegrandeuroftheendlessdust,orthestarkbeautyofthingsmadebyAncientOnes.Aswithallcities,whenyoucrammedenoughpeopletogether,itbroughtouttheirtruebaseness,theircrueltyandtheirugliness.Noamountofelegantstoneworkcoulddisguisethat.
Still,theEmpireforwhichitformedalynchpinwasaprizeworthtaking.Irrienwonderedbrieflyifhisfellowstoneshadrealizedtheirmistakeyetinnotcoming.Thattheyoccupiedthestonechairsatallspokeoftheirambitionandtheirpower,theircunningandtheirabilitytonavigatepoliticalgames.
Forallthat,though,they’dstillthoughttoosmall.They’dthoughtintermsofaglorifiedraid,whenthiscouldbesomuchmore.Afleetthissizewasn’therejusttobringbackgoldandslavelines,althoughbothwouldcome.Itwasheretotake,andhold,andsettle.Whatwasgoldnexttofertileland,freefromendlessdust?WhydragslavesbacktoalandblastedbythewarsoftheAncientOnes,whenyoucouldtakethelandonwhichtheystoodaswell?Andwhowouldbetheretoensurehegotthelargestportionofthisnewland?
Whyraidandleavewhenyoucouldwipeawaywhatwasthereandrule?First,though,therewereobstaclestoovercome.Afleetstoodinfrontofthe
city,ifyoucouldcallitthat.Irrienwonderedifthescoutshipsthey’dsetloosehadcomebackhomeyet.Ifthey’dseenthethingsthatawaitedthem.Hemightnotfeelthefearofbattle,butheknewhowtostokeitinweakermen.
Hestoodtogetabetterview,andsothatthosewatchingfromtheshoremightseewhoorderedthis.Onlythosewiththesharpesteyeswouldmakehimout,buthewantedthemtounderstandthatthiswashiswar,hisfleet,andsoon,hiscity.
Hiseyesmadeoutthepreparationsthatthedefenderswerestartingtomake.Thesmallboatsthatwouldnodoubtsoonbeaflame.Thewaythefleetwasformingintogroups,readytoharrythem.Theweaponsonthedocks,readytotargetthemastheycameclose.
“Yourcommanderknowshisbusiness,”Irriensaid,dragginghislatestcaptivetohisfeetbyhischains.“Whoishe?”
“Akilaisthebestgeneralalive,”theformersailorsaid,thencaughtIrrien’s
eye.“Forgiveme,mylord.”Akila.Irrienhadheardthename,andhadheardmorefromLucious.Akila,
whohadhelpedtofreeHaylonfromtheEmpire,andhelditagainsttheirfleet.Who,itwassaid,foughtwithallthecunningofafox,strikingandmoving,hittingwherefoesleastexpected.
“Ihavealwaysvaluedstrongopponents,”Irriensaid.“Aswordneedsirontosharpenit.”
Hetookhisswordfromitsblackleathersheathasiftoillustratethepoint.Thebladewasblue-blackwithoil,theedgearazor’s.Itwasthekindofthingthatmighthavebeenaheadsman’stoolforanotherman,buthe’dlearnedthebalanceofit,andbuiltthestrengthtowielditwell.Hehadotherweapons:knivesandstranglingwires,acurvedmoonbladeandamany-spikedsundagger.Butthiswastheonepeopleknew.Ithadnoname,butonlybecauseIrrienbelievedsuchthingsfoolish.
Hecouldseethefearonhisnewslave’sfaceatthesightofit.“Intheolddays,priestswouldofferupthelifeofaslavebeforebattle,
hopingtoquenchthethirstofdeathbeforeitcouldsettleonageneral.Then,itcamesothattheyofferedtheslavetothegodsofwar,inthehopethattheywouldshowfavortotheirside.Kneel.”
Irriensawthemandoitreflexively,inspiteofhisterror.Perhapsbecauseofit.
“Please,”hebegged.Irrienkickedhim,hardenoughthattheslavefelltohisbelly,hishead
stickingoutoverthebowoftheship.“Itoldyoutobesilent.Remainthere,andbegratefulthatIhavenotruckwithpriestsandtheirfoolishness.Iftherearegodsofdeaththeirthirstcannotbeslaked.Iftherearethoseofwar,theirfavorgoestothemanwiththemosttroops.”
Heturnedbacktotherestofhisship.Heheftedhisswordone-handed,andslaveswhohadbeenwaitingforhisinstructionsrushedtograbhorns.Ashenodded,thehornsblaredonce.Irriensawcatapultsandballistaecrankback,flamesbeingsettotheirloads.
Hestood,darkagainstthesunlight,hisbronzedskinanddarkclothesturninghimintoapatchofshadowbeforethecity.
“ItoldyouthatwewouldcometoDelos,andwehave!”hecalledout.“Itoldyouthatwewouldtaketheircity,andwewill!”
Hewaiteduntilthecheerthatfolloweddieddown.“Igavethescoutswesentbacktothemamessage,anditisoneIintendto
fulfill!”Thistime,Irriendidn’twait.“Everyman,woman,andchildoftheEmpireisnowaslave.Anyyoumeetwithoutamaster’smarkisthereforyouto
catchanddowithwhatyouarestrongenoughto.Anywhoclaimstohavepropertyislyingtoyou,andyoumaytakeit.Anywhodisobeysusistobepunished.Anywhoresistsusisinrebellion,andwillbetreatedwithoutmercy!”
Mercywasanotherofthosejokesthatpeoplelikedtopretendwasreal,Irrienhadfound.Whywouldamanallowanenemytoliveunlessitgainedhimsomething?Thedusttaughtsimplelessons:Ifyouwereweak,youdied.Ifyouwerestrong,youtookwhatyoucouldfromtheworld.
Now,Irrienintendedtotakeeverything.Thebiggestpartofthiswashowalivehefeltrightthen.He’dfoughthisway
uptobecomeFirstStone,onlytorealizetherewasnowherelefttogo.He’dfelthimselfstartingtostagnateinthepoliticsofthecity,playingoutthepettysquabblesoftheotherstonestoamusehimself.This,though…thispromisedtobesomuchmore.
“Readyyourselves!”heshoutedtohismen.“Obeymyorders,andwewillsucceed.Fail,andyouwillbelessthandusttome.”
Hesteppedbackovertothespotwheretheformersailorstilllay,hisheadextendedbeyondtheedgeoftheship.Heprobablythoughtthatwastheextentofit.Irrienhadfoundthattheyhopedthingswouldgetnoworse,insteadofseeingthedangerandacting.
“Youcouldhavediedfighting,”hesaid,hisgreatswordstilllifted.“Youcouldhavediedaman,ratherthanapitifulsacrifice.”
Themanturned,staringupathim.“Yousaid…yousaidthatyoudidn’tbelieveinthat.”
Irrienshrugged.“Priestsarefools,butpeoplebelievetheirfoolishness.Ifitwillinspirethemtofightharder,whoamItoobject?”
Hepinnedtheslaveinplacewithoneboot,makingsurethatallthosetherecouldseeit.Hewantedeveryonetoseethemomentwhenhisconquestbegan.
“Igiveyoutodeath,”hecalledout.“You,andallwhostandagainstus!”Hebroughthissworddown,stabbingintothepitifulscum’schest,spearing
theheart.Irriendidn’twait.Helifteditagain,andforonce,hisheadsman’sbladeperformeditsoriginalduty.Itcleavedthroughtheenslavedsailor’sneckcleanly.Notmercy,butpride,becausetheFirstStonewouldneverkeepaweaponwithlessthanaperfectedge.
Heliftedthebladewiththeedgestillbloody.“Begin!”Hornssounded,theskyfilledwithfireasthecatapultslaunchedandarchers
shotarrowsouttowardtheirfoes.Smallershipssnakedouttowardtheirtargets.Foramoment,Irrienfoundhimselfthinkingofthis“Akila,”themanwhohad
tobestandingtherewaitingforwhatwastocome.Hewonderedifhiswould-be
foewasafraidrightthen.Heshouldbe.
CHAPTERTHREEThanoskneltoverthebodyofhisbrother,andforamomentortwoitfeltas
thoughtheworldhadstopped.Hedidn’tknowwhattothinkorfeelinthatmoment.Hedidn’tknowwhattodonext.
He’dbeenexpectingsomesenseoftriumphwhenhefinallykilledLucious,oratleastsomesenseofreliefthatitwasfinallyallover.He’dbeenexpectingtofinallyfeelthatthepeoplehecaredaboutweresafe.
Instead,Thanosfoundgriefwellingupinsidehim,tearsfallingforabrotherwhohadprobablyneverdeservedthem.Butthatdidn’tmatternow.WhatmatteredwasthatLuciouswashishalf-brother,andhewasgone.
Hewasdead,withThanos’sdaggerinhisheart.ThanoscouldfeelLucious’sbloodonhishands,andthereseemedlikesomuchofittoholdinonebody.Somesmallpartofhimexpectedtheretobesomethingdifferentaboutitall,fortheretobesomesignthereofthemadnessthathadgrippedLucious,orthegraspingevilthathadseemedtofillhim.Instead,Luciouswasjustasilent,emptyshell.
Thanoswantedtodosomethingthenforhisbrother;toseehimburied,orhandhimtoapriestatleast.Evenashethoughtofit,though,heknewthathecouldn’t.Hisbrother’sownwordsmeantthatitwasimpossible.
FelldustwasinvadingtheEmpire,andifThanoswantedtobeabletodoanythingtohelpthepeoplehecaredabout,hehadtogonow.
Hestood,collectinghissword,readytoraceforthedoor.HetookLucious’saswell.Ofallthethingshisbrotherhadheldclose,thetoolsofviolencehadseemedliketheclosest.Thanosstoodtherewiththembothinhishands,surprisedtofindhowwelltheymatched.Hewasalmostassurprisedtofindacollectionoftheinn’spatronsblockinghisway.
“HesaidyouwerePrinceThanos,”abushy-beardedmansaid,fingeringtheedgeofaknife.“Thattrue?”
“Thestoneswillpaygoodmoneyforacaptivelikeyou,”anothersaid.Athirdnodded.“Andiftheydon’t,theslaverswill.”Theystartedforward,andThanosdidn’twait.Instead,hecharged.His
shoulderslammedintothenearest,knockinghimbackintoatable.Thanoswasalreadylashingout,cuttingatthearmoftheknifeman.
Thanosheardhimcryoutasthebladebitintohisforearm,buthewasalreadymoving,kickingthethirdmanbackintoaspotwherefourmenhadn’tstoppedplayingdice,evenforthebattlehe’djusthadwithLucious.Oneofthemsnarledandturnedthen,grabbingatthethug.
Inmoments,theinnmanagedtodowhatithadn’twhenLucioushadbeenthe
onefighting:iteruptedintoafull-scalebrawl.MenwhohadbeencontenttostandbywhileThanosandhisbrothertradedswordblowsnowthrewpunchesanddrewknives.Onegrabbedforachair,swingingitatThanos’shead.Thanossidestepped,hackingalumpfromthewoodasheredirectedtheswingintoyetanotherofthepatrons.
Hecouldhavestayedtofight,butthethoughtofthedangerCeresmightbeinpushedhimintoarun.He’dbeensosurethathecouldstoptheinvasionifheonlygottoLucious,andthentherewouldbeenoughtimetofindthetruthabouthisparentage,discovertheproofheneeded,andmakehiswaybacktoDelos.Now,therewasnotimeforanyofit.
Thanossprintedforthedoor.Hedroppedandskiddedunderthegrabbinghandsofamanwhotriedtostophim,scrapingashallowcutacrosshisthigh.Heranoutintothestreetsthere…
…straightintosomeoftheworstdustThanoshadseensincehe’dcometothecity.Hedidn’tslow.Hejustjammedhistwinbladesintohisbelt,pulleduphisscarfagainstthedust,andpushedforwardasbesthecould.
Behindhim,Thanoscouldhearthesoundsofmentryingtofollow,althoughhowtheyhopedtoseehimwellenoughtocatchupinthisweather,hedidn’tknow.Thanosgropedhiswayalonglikeablindman,passingamerchantwhowaspackingawayhiscart,thenapairofsoldierswhowerecursingastheyhuddledinadoorwayagainstthedust.
“Lookatthatmadman!”ThanosheardoneofthemcallinFelldust’stongue.“Probablyhurryingtojointheinvasion.IhearFourthStoneVexahasstarted
tosendmoreofafleet,whiletheotherthreearestillplotting.TheFirstStonehasstolenamarchonthem.”
“Alwaysdoes,”thefirstreplied.Thanoswasawayintothedustbythenthough,seekinghisroutebythevague
shapesofthebuildings,watchingoutforthesignsthathungabovethestreets,litbyoillamps.Therewerestonecarvingstoo,obviouslyintendedsothatthelocalscouldfindtheirwayfromthestreetofthecarvedbeartothatoftheknottedsnakesbytouchiftheyneeded.
Thanosdidn’tknowenoughaboutthesystemtobeabletouseit,butevenso,hepressedonthroughthedust.
Therewereothersdoingthesame,andseveraltimes,Thanosstopped,tryingtomakeoutwhetherthebootedfeetheheardwerethoseofpursuersornot.Once,hepressedinbehindthecurvedironbulkofawindbreak,hisswordsfindinghiswayintohishands,certainthatthosefollowingfromtheinnhadcaughtup.
Instead,ateamofslavesracedby,faceswrappedagainstthedust,carryinga
palanquinfromwithinwhichThanoscouldhearamerchanturgingthemon.“Faster,youcurs!Faster,orI’llhaveyouimpaled.Weneedtogettothe
harborbeforewemissthespoils.”Thanoswatchedthem,trackingalongbehindthepalanquinonthebasisthat
thosecarryingitprobablyknewthewaybetterthanhedid.Hecouldn’ttrackittooclosely,becauseinacitylikePortLeeward,everyonekeptawatchforwould-berobbersorkillers,butevenso,hemanagedtofollowitalongthelengthofseveralstreetsbeforeitdisappearedintothedust.
Thanosstoodthereforasecondortwo,catchinghisbreath,andasquicklyasithadcome,theduststormlifted,givinghimaviewoutovertheharbor.
WhathesawtheremadeThanosstandandstare.He’dthoughtthattherewereplentyofshipsintheharborbefore.Now,it
seemedthatthewaterwasfulltobrimmingwiththem,untilitappearedthatThanoscouldhavewalkedtothehorizonontheirdecks.
Manyofthemwerewarships,butmanymorenowweremerchantcraftorsmallervessels.WiththemainfleetalreadygonefromFelldust,theharborshouldhavebeenempty,yetitseemedtoThanosthattherewouldn’tbeenoughroomforanotherboatthere.ItseemedthateveryoneinFelldusthadcomethere,readytotaketheirpieceofwhatwastobegainedintheEmpire.
Thanosstartedtoseethescaleofitthen,andwhatitmeant.Thiswasn’tjustanarmyinvading,butawholecountry.They’dseenanopportunitytotakelandsthey’dlongbeendenied,andtheyweregoingtoacquirethembyforcenow.
Regardlessofwhatitmeantforthosealreadythere.“Whoareyou?”asoldierasked,cominguptohim.“Whatfleet,what
captain?”Thanosthoughtquickly.Thetruthwouldmeananotherfight,andnowthere
wasn’tthewelcomingveilofthedustinwhichtohide.Hehadnodoubtthathewasascoatedwithitasanyofthenatives,butifanyoneshouldguesswhohewas,orevenjustthathewasfromtheEmpire,thiswouldnotendwell.
HebrieflywonderedwhattheydidtospiesinFelldust.Whateveritwas,itwouldn’tbepleasant.
“Whosefleetareyouwith?”themandemandedagain,thistimeinaharshvoice.
“FourthStoneVexa’s,”Thanosshotback,makinghisvoiceequallyharsh.Hetriedtoinjectthesensethathehadnotimeforsuchinterruptions.Itwasn’thardtodorightthen,whenhehadsolittletimetogetbacktohelpCeres.“Pleasetellmeit’snottrueaboutherfleetleavingalready.”
Theothermanlaughedinhisface.“Lookslikeyou’reoutofluckthere.What,youthoughtyoucouldsitaround,sayingfarewelltoyourcrew’sfavorite
whore?Youwastetime,youwasteyourchance.”“Damnit!”Thanossaid,tryingtoplayhispart.“Theycan’tallbegone.What
aboutotherships?”Thatgotanotherlaugh.“Youcanaskifyouwant,butifyouthinkthere’snot
acrewthat’sfullrightnow,youhaven’tbeenpayingattention.Pickingslikethis,everyonewantsaplace.Halfofthemcanbarelyfight.Tellyouwhat,though,maybeIcouldfindaplaceforyouononeofOldForkbeard’screws.TheThirdStoneistakinghistime.I’donlyaskhalfofanyshareyouget.”
“MaybeifIcan’tfindtheladsI’msupposedtobewith,”Thanossaid.Everysecondhewastherewasasecondinwhichhewasn’tsailingbacktowardDeloswiththeonecrewtherewhowouldn’ttrytokillhimthemomenttheyfoundoutwhohewas.
Hesawtheothermanshrug.“You’llnotgetabetterofferthislate.”“We’llsee,”Thanossaid,andsetoffamongsttheboats.Fromtheoutside,itmusthavelookedasthoughhewaslookingforoneofthe
rareboatsfromthefleethe’dclaimed,althoughThanoshopedthathedidn’tfindone.ThelastthinghewantedwastofindhimselfpressedintoserviceinFelldust’snavy.
He’ddoit,though,ifhehadto.IfitmeantgettingbacktoCeres,ifitmeantbeingabletohelpher,he’driskit.He’dplaythepartofsomeFelldustwarrior,eagertocatchup.Ifithadbeenmainfleetsittingthere,hemightevenhavemadeithisfirstchoice,tryingtogetasclosetotheFirstStoneaspossibleinordertokillhim.
Now,though,ifhedriftedalongwiththissecondfleet,hewouldn’tgetthereuntilitwasfartoolate.Hecertainlywouldn’tbeabletohelp.Sohewalkedtheplanksbetweenthemanyships,watchingwarriorscarryonbarrelsoffreshwaterandcratesoffood.Thanoscutcracksinatleastthreecasks,butnoamountofpettysabotagewouldstopafleetlikethis.
Hekeptlooking,instead.Hesawmenandwomenhoningweaponsandchainingoarslavesintoplace.Hesawdust-coveredpriestsintoningprayersforgoodluck,sacrificinganimalsinwaysthatmadethedustintoblood-coloredmud.Hesawtwogroupsofsoldiersunderdifferentbannersarguingoverwhichofthemgottogoalongawharffirst.
Thanossawplentythatmadehimangry,andmorethatmadehimscaredforDelos.Therewasonlyonethinghecouldn’tfindamongthechaosofthedocks,anditwastheonethingthathe’dcometheretofind.Therewerehundredsofboatsthere,ofeveryshape,size,anddesign.Therewereboatsfilledtothebrimwithtough-lookingwarriors,andboatsthatlookedlikelittlemorethanglorifiedpleasurebarges,theretotakepeopletoseetheinvasionasmuchasparticipatein
it.Whathecouldn’tseewastheboatthathadbroughthimthere.Heneededto
getbacktoCeres,andrightthen,Thanosdidn’tknowhowhewasgoingtodoit.
CHAPTERFOURStephaniaranthroughthecastle,pushedonbythesoundofthewarhorns,
likeahartaheadofahuntingparty.Ifshedidn’tgetoutnow,therewouldbenoescaping.She’ddoneenoughwhenitcametoCeres.
“LetFelldustfinishheroff,”Stephaniasaid.Sheretracedherstepsthroughthecastle,tothepointwhereitconnectedwith
thetunnelsbeneaththecity.ShehopedthatElethehadkeptherescaperouteopenasStephaniahadordered.Nowwasatimetoflee.Iftheywerecaughtbytherebellion,thatwouldbebadenough,buttobecaughtinthemiddleofabattlebetweenitandFelldust’sFiveStoneswouldbefarworse.
Except…Stephaniapaused,lookingoutofawindowtowardtheharbor.Shecouldsee
theskydarkwithmissiles,shipsonfireasadarkribbonofinvadingvesselsmadeitswaycloser.Stephaniaranovertoaspotwhereshecouldlookoutoverthewalls,andshecouldseefiresbeyond,too.
Whicheverwaysherannow,itseemedthattherewouldbeenemies.Shecouldn’tjustslipoutoverthewater,thewayshe’dcomeintoDelos.Shecouldn’triskslippingoutintoopencountryside,becauseifitwereherrunningtheinvasion,therewouldberaidingpartiesouttodrivepeoplebacktowardthecity.Shecouldn’triskwanderingDelosopenly,becausetherebellion’sforceswouldtrytosnatchher.
Yet,wherewerethosesoldiers?Stephaniahadpassedafewguardsonthewayin,herdisguisemorethanenoughtoletherslipbythem.Therehadn’tbeenmanythough.Thecastlehadthefeelofaghostship,abandonedinthefaceofmorepressingmatters.Lookingout,Stephaniacouldseerebelsmovingthroughthestreetsinbrightarmorandpatchworkstuff.Therewouldbeafewfigurescloseby,buthowmany,andwhere?
TheideacametoStephaniaslowly,moreasapossibilitythanareality.Yet,themoreshethoughtaboutit,themoreitseemedlikeherbestoption.Shewasn’tonetodiveinwithoutthinking.Inthecirclesofnobility,thatwasawaytoputyourselfinsomeoneelse’spower,orfindyourselfcastout,orworse.
Thereweretimes,though,whendecisiveactionwastheanswer.Whenaprizewastheretotake,hangingbackcouldloseitassurelyasovereagerness.
StephaniamadeherwaydowntoElethe,whowaslookingbackandforthbetweenthetunnelsandthecityasthoughsheexpectedahordeofenemiestoarriveatanymoment.
“Isittimetoleave,mylady?”Elethesaid.“IsCeresdead?”Stephaniashookherhead.“Therehasbeenachangeofplan.Comewithme.”
Toherhandmaiden’scredit,Elethedidn’thesitate.ShewalkedalongwithStephaniainspiteoftheworriesshemusthavehad.
“Wherearewegoing?”Eletheasked.Stephaniasmiled.“Tothedungeons.I’vedecidedthatyou’rehandingme
overtotherebellion.”Thatgotashockedlookfromherhandmaiden,althoughitwasnothing
comparedtothesurprisetherewhenStephaniaexplainedmoreofherplan.“Areyouready?”Stephaniaasked,astheygotclosertothedungeons.“Yes,mylady,”Elethesaid.Stephaniaputherhandsbehindherbackasiftied,thenwalkedforwardwith
whatshehopedwasasuitableshowoffearfulcontrition.Elethewasdoingasurprisinglygoodjoboflookinglikeatoughrebelwithafreshlycapturedenemy.
Therewereapairofguardsnearthemaindoor,sittingbehindatablewithcardssetout,showinghowtheywerepassingtheirtime.Somethingsdidn’tchange,regardlessofwhowasincharge.
TheylookedupasStephaniaapproached,andStephaniawasquiteamusedbythesurpriseshesawthere.
“Isthat…you’vecapturedLadyStephania?”oneasked.“Howdidyoudoit?”theothersaid.“Wheredidyoufindher?”Stephaniacouldhearthedisbelief,butalsothesensethattheydidn’tknow
whattodonext.“ShewascreepingawayfromCeres’srooms,”Eletheansweredsmoothly.
Herhandmaidenwasagoodliar.“Canyou…Ineedtotellsomeone,butI’mnotsurewho.”
Thatwasagoodmove.TheybothlookedoveratElethethen,astheytriedtodecidewhattodonext.ThatwaswhenStephaniabroughtoutaneedlewitheachofherhands,bringingitforwardtostriketheguards’necks.Theyspun,butthepoisonwasafast-actingone,andtheirheartswerealreadypumpingitthroughtheirbodies.Abreathortwolater,andtheycollapsed.
“Fetchthekeys,”Stephaniasaid,gesturingtooneguard’sbelt.Elethedidso,openingupthedungeons.Theywerefullalmosttobursting,as
Stephaniahadsuspectedtheymightbe.Asshehoped,atleast.Thereweren’tanymoreguards,either.Apparently,allthosewiththeabilitytofightwereonthewalls.
Thereweremenandwomenwhowereobviouslysoldiersandguards,torturersandsimplyloyalnobles.Stephaniasawmorethanafewofherownhandmaidensthere,whichstruckherasalittlefoolish.Thesensiblemovewasnottoinsistontheirloyalty,buttopretendtoservethenewregime.The
importantthingwasthattheywerethere.“LadyStephania?”onesaid,asifshecouldn’tquitebelievewhatshewas
seeing.Asifsheweretheirsavior.Stephaniasmiledatthat.Shelikedthethoughtofpeopleseeingherastheir
hero.Theywouldprobablydofarmorethatwaythansimplyfromobedience,andshelikedtheideaofturningCeres’sweaponsagainsthertoo.
“Listentome,”shesaidtothem.“You’vehadalottakenfromyou.Youhadsomuch,andthoserebels,thosepeasants,daredtosnatchit.Isayit’stimetosnatchitback.”
“You’reheretogetusout?”oneformersoldierasked.“I’mheretodomorethanthat,”Stephaniasaid.“We’regoingtotakeback
thecastle.”Shehadn’texpectedcheers.Shewasn’tsomeromanticwhoneededfoolsto
applaudhereverydecision.Still,thenervousmutteringamongstthemwasalittlegrating.
“Areyouafraid?”shedemanded.“Therewillberebelsupthere!”anoblemansaid.Stephaniaknewhim.High
ReeveScarelhadalwaysbeenquickenoughtochallengeotherstofightswhenheknewhecouldwin.
“Notenoughtoholdthiscastle,”Stephaniasaid.“Notnow.Everyrebelwhocanbesparedisoutonthewalls,tryingtoholdbacktheinvasion.”
“Andwhatabouttheinvasion?”anoblewomandemanded.Shewaslittlebetterthanthemanwhohadspoken.Stephaniaknewsecretsaboutwhatshe’ddonebeforeshemarriedintowealththatwouldmakemostoftheothersthereblush.
“Oh,Isee,”Stephaniasaid.“You’dratherwaitinanice,safedungeonforitalltobeover.Well,whatthen?Atbest,youspendtherestofyourlivesinthisstinkinghole,iftherebelsdon’tdecidetokillyouquietlyoncetheyrealizehowinconvenientprisonersare.Iftheotherswin…doyouthinkbeinginacellwillprotectyou?Youwon’tbenoblestotheminhere,justamusements.Briefamusements.”
Shepausedtoletthatsinkin.Sheneededthemtofeellikecowardsforevenconsideringit.
“Orwecouldgooutthere,”Stephaniasaid.“Wetakethecastleandwecloseitagainstourenemies.Wekillthosewhoopposeus.I’vealreadydealtwithCeres,soshewon’tbeabletostopus.Weholdthiscastleuntiltherebellionandtheinvaderskilloneanother,thenwetakeDelosback.”
“Therearestillguards,”onesaid.“Therearestillcombatlordshere.Wecan’tfightthecombatlordsandwin.”
StephaniagesturedtoElethe,whostartedtoopenthelocksonthecells.“Thereareways.We’llgainmoreweaponswitheachguardwekill,andweallknowwherethearmoryis.Oryoucanstayhereandrot.I’llclosethedoorsandsendafewtorturerslater.Idon’tcarewhich.”
Theyfollowed,asStephaniaknewtheywould.Itdidn’tmatterwhethertheydiditfromfear,orpride,orevenloyalty.Whatmatteredwasthattheydidit.Theyfollowedherupthroughthecastle,andStephaniastartedtogiveorders,althoughshewascarefultomakeitsoundbetterthanthat,atleastfornow.
“LordHwel,wouldyoumindtakingsomeofthemoreablemenandsealingtheguardbarracks?”Stephaniasaid.“Wedon’twantrebelsgettingout.”
“AndmenloyaltotheEmpire?”thenoblesaid.“Canproveitbykillingthoseothertraitors,”Stephaniareplied.Thenoblehurriedtomeethercommand.Shesentoneofherhandmaidensto
gathermore,andaskedanoblewomantoinstructthoseservantswhowouldbeobedienttoStephania’sbidding.
Stephanialookedaroundthegroupwithher,judgingwhowouldbeuseful,whohadsecretsshecouldemploy,whoseweaknessesmadethemeasytocontrolandwhosemadethemdangerous.Shesentthenoblewhohadbeensokeentoavoidafighttocontrolthegates,andacantankerousdowagertothekitchenswhereshecoulddonoharm.
Theygatheredpeopleastheywent.Guardsandservantscametothemastheyheard,theirloyaltieschangingwiththewind.Stephania’shandmaidenskneltbeforeher,thenroseatatouchtobesentabouttheirnexttasks.
Occasionally,theyfoundrebelswhowouldn’tsubmit,andthosedied.Somediedinaquickrushofnobles,theirweaponsseized,theirbodiesbrokenastheywerebeatentodeath.Othersdiedwithaknifetakingthemfrombehind,orapoisoneddartslidingintotheirflesh.Stephania’shandmaidenshadlearnedtobegoodattheirtasks.
WhenshesawQueenAthena,Stephaniafoundherselfwonderingwhichitshouldbe.
“Whatisthis?”thequeendemanded.“What’sgoingonhere?”Stephaniaignoredherbleating.“Tia,Ineedyoutofindouthowthingsaregoingatthearmories.Weneed
thoseweapons.IimagineHighReeveScarelwillhavefoundafightbynow.”Shekeptwalkinginthedirectionofthegreathall.“Stephania,”QueenAthenasaid.“Idemandtoknowwhat’shappening.”Stephaniashrugged.“Ihavedonewhatyoushouldhave.Ifreedtheseloyal
people.”Itwassuchasimpleargument,andsuchaneatone,thatitneedednomore.
Stephaniahadbeentheonetodotheworkofsavingthenobles.Shewastheonetheyowedtheirfreedomto,andperhapstheirlives.
“Iwaslockeduptoo,”thequeenshotback.“Ah,ofcourse.HadIknown,Iwouldhaverescuedyoualongwiththeother
nobles.Now,excuseme.Ihaveacastletotake.”Stephaniastrodeoffbriskly,becausethebestwaytowinanargumentwasnot
togiveone’sopponentachancetospeak.Shewasn’tsurprisedwhentheotherstherecontinuedtofollowher.
Nearby,Stephaniaheardthesoundsofafight.Gesturingtothosewithher,sheheadedupaflightofstairs,searchingforabalcony.Shequicklyfoundwhatshewaslookingfor.Stephaniaknewthelayoutofthecastleaswellasanyone.
Below,shesawafightthatwouldprobablyhaveimpressedmostpeople.Adozenmuscledmen,notwoofwhoseweaponsorarmormatched,werefightinginthecourtyardbeforethemaingate.Theydidsoagainstatleasttwiceasmanyguards,maybethreetimesasmanybeforethebattlestarted,allledbyHighReeveScarel.Morethanthat,itseemedthattheywerewinning.Stephaniacouldseethebodiesscatteredacrossthecobblesintheirimperialarmor.Thenoblewholovedtopickfightshadpickedonefortheages,itseemed.
“Foolishman,”Stephaniasaid.Stephaniawatchedforamoment,andifshehadseenmoreofapointinthe
Stade,shewouldprobablyhavefoundsomekindofsavagebeautyinitall.Asshewatched,amanwithagreataxeslammedthehaftintotwomen,thenspun,catchingoneofthemwiththebladehardenoughtonearlysplithimintwo.Acombatlordwhofoughtwithachainleaptoverasoldier,wrappingitaroundhisneck.
Itwasabraveperformance,andanimpressiveone.Perhapsifshe’dthought,shecouldhaveboughtadozencombatlordssometimeearlierandturnedthemintoasuitablyloyalbodyguard.Theonlydifficultywouldhavebeenthelackofsubtlety.Stephaniawincedasaspatterofbloodmanagedtorisealmosttothelipofthebalcony.
“Aren’ttheymagnificent?”oneofthenoblewomensaid.Stephanialookedoveratherwithasmuchscornasshecouldmuster.“Ithink
they’refools.”ShesnappedherfingersinElethe’sdirection.“Elethe,knivesandbows.Now.”
Herhandmaidennodded,andStephaniawatchedwhilesheandsomeoftheotherstheredrewthrowingweaponsanddarts.Afewoftheguardswiththemhadshortbowstakenfromthearmory.Onehadaship’scrossbow,betterfiredbracedonadeckthanabalcony.Theyhesitated.
“Ourpeoplearedownthere,”oneofthenoblemensaid.
Stephaniasnatchedalightbowfromhishands.“Andtheyweregoingtodieanyway,fightingcombatlordssopoorly.Atleastthisway,theygiveusachancetowin.”
Winningwaseverything.Maybeoneday,theseotherswouldunderstandthat.Perhapsitwasbetteriftheydidn’t.Stephaniadidn’twanttohavetokillthem.
Fornow,shedrewthebowasbestshecouldwithherswollenbelly.Firingdownlikethis,italmostdidn’tmatterthatshecouldbarelypullitbackhalfway.Itcertainlydidn’tmatterthatshetooknotimetoaim.Withthemassofthosestrugglingtherebelow,itwasenoughthatshewouldhitsomething.
Morethanthat,itwasenoughtoserveasasignal.Arrowsraineddown.Stephaniasawonepunchthroughthemeatofa
combatlord’sarm,andheroaredlikeawoundedanimalbeforeanotherthreeslammedintohischest.Knivesflasheddowntocutandskim,digandgouge.Dartscarriedpoisonthatprobablyhadnotimetoactbeforethetargetswerepuncturedbyarrows.
Stephaniasawimperialsoldiersfallalongwiththecombatlords.HighReeveScarellookedupatherwithaccusingeyesashepawedatacrossbowboltthathadstruckhimthroughthestomach.Mencontinuedtofallunderthecombatlords’blades,orfoundgapsintheirdefenses,onlytofindtheirmomentofvictorycutshortbyarrowfire.
Stephaniadidn’tcare.Onlywhenthelastcombatlordfelldidsheraiseahandfortheassaulttocease.
“Somany…”oneofthenoblewomenstarted,andStephaniaroundedonher.“Don’tbesofoolish.WehavetakenCeres’ssupport,andwehavetakenthe
castle.Nothingelsematters.”“WhataboutCeres?”oneoftheguardsthereasked.“Isshedead?”Stephania’seyesnarrowedatthatquestion,becauseitwastheonethingabout
thisplanthatirritatedher.“Notyet.”Theyhadtoholdthecastleuntileithertheinvasionwasdoneortherebels
somehowfoundawaytobeatitback.Atthatpoint,theymightneedCeresasabargainingchip,orevenjustagiftsothattheFiveStonesofFelldustcouldshowtheirvictory.HavinghertheremightevendrawinThanos,lettingStephaniahaveallherrevengeatonce.
Fornow,thatmeantthatCerescouldn’tdie,butshecouldstillsuffer.Andshewould.
CHAPTERFIVECereswasfloatingaboveislandsofsmoothstoneandbeautysoexquisiteshe
almostwantedtocry.SherecognizedtheworkoftheAncientOnes,andinstantlyshefoundherselfthinkingofhermother.
Ceressawherthen,somewhereaheadofher,stillrobedinamist.Ceressprintedafterher,andshesawhermotherturn,butshestilldidn’tseemtobegainingonherquicklyenough.
Therewasagapbetweenthemnow,andCeresleapt,holdingoutherhand.Shesawhermotherreachingoutforher,andjustforamoment,CeresthoughtthatLycinewouldcatchher.Theirfingersbrushed,andthenCereswasfalling.
Shefellintothemidstofabattle,figuresflailingabouther.Thedeadwerethere,theirdeathsapparentlynotstoppingthemfromfighting.LordWestfoughtbesideAnka,RexusbesideahundredmenCereshadkilledinasmanydifferentfights.TheywereallaroundCeres,fightingoneanother,fightingtheworld…
TheLastBreathwasthereinfrontofher,theformercombatlordasbleakandterrifyingashehadeverbeen.Ceresfoundherselfjumpingoverthebladedstaffhewielded,reachingouttoturnhimtostoneasshehadbefore.
Nothinghappenedthistime.TheLastBreathknockedhersprawling,standingoverherintriumph,andnowhewasStephania,holdingabottleinplaceofastaff,thefumesstillacridinCeres’snostrils.
Thenshewoke,andrealitywasn’tanybetterthanherdreaming.Cereswoketothefeelofroughstone.Foramoment,shethoughtthatmaybe
Stephaniahadleftheronthefloorofherroom,orworse,thatshemightstillbestandingoverher.Ceresspun,tryingtocometoherfeetandcontinuethefight,onlytorealizethattherewasnoroominwhichtodoit.
Cereshadtoforceherselftobreatheslowly,fightingdownthepanicthatthreatenedtoengulfherasshesawstonewallsoneveryside.Itwasonlywhenshelookedupandsawametalgrilleaboveherthatsherealizedshewasinapit,notburiedalive.
Thepitwasbarelybroadenoughtositin.Therewascertainlynowaythatshecouldliefulllength.Ceresreachedup,testingthebarsofthegrilleaboveher,reachingdownforthestrengthtobendorbreakthem.
Nothinghappened.Now,Ceresfeltthepanicstartingtorise.Shetriedreachingdownforthe
poweragain,beinggentlewithit,rememberinghowhermotherhadcorrectedherafterCereshadburntoutherpowerstryingtotakethecity.
Thisfeltthesameinsomeways,andyetdifferentinsomanymore.Before,ithadbeenasthoughthechannelsalongwhichthepowerflowedhadbeenburned
throughuntiltheyhurttoomuchtouse,leavingCereshollowedout.Now,itfeltasthoughshewassimplynormal,althoughthatfeltlikelessthan
nothingcomparedtowhatshe’dbeenonlyalittlewhileago.Therewasnodoubtingwhathaddonethiseither:Stephaniaandherpoison.Somewhere,somehow,shehadfoundamethodtostripCeresofthepowersherAncientOnebloodgaveher.
Cerescouldfeelthedifferencebetweenthisandwhathadhappenedbefore.Thathadbeenlikeflashblindness:toomuchtoosoon,fadingslowlywiththerightcare.Thiswasmorelikehavinghereyespeckedoutbycrows.
Shereachedupforthebarsagainanyway,hopingthatshewaswrong.Shestrained,puttingallthestrengthshecouldmusterintotryingtomovethem.Theydidn’tgiveintheslightest,evenwhenCerespulledatthemsohardherpalmsbledagainstthemetal.
Shecriedoutinsurpriseassomeonethrewwaterdownintothepit,leavinghersoakedandhuddledagainstthestoneofthewall.WhenStephaniasteppedintoview,standingoverthegrate,Cerestriedtoglareatherindefiance,butrightthenshewastoocoldandwetandweaktodomuchofanything.
“Thepoisonworkedthen,”Stephaniasaidwithoutpreamble.“Well,itshould.Ipaidenoughforit.”
Ceressawhertouchherbellythen,butStephaniawentonbeforeCerescouldaskwhatshemeant.
“Howdoesitfeeltohavetheonlythingthatmadeyouspecialtakenaway?”Stephaniaasked.Likehavingbeenabletofly,butnowbarelybeingabletocrawl.ButCeres
wasn’tgoingtogiveherthatsatisfaction.“Haven’twebeenherebefore,Stephania?”shedemanded.“Youknowhowit
ends.Withmeescapingandgivingyouwhatyoudeserve.”Stephaniadumpedanotherbucketofwateronherthen,andCeresleaptatthe
bars.SheheardStephania’slaughterasshedidit,andthatjustdroveCeres’sanger.Shedidn’tcareifshehadnopowersrightthen.Shestillhadacombatlord’straining,andshestillhadeverythingshe’dlearnedfromtheForestPeople.ShewouldstrangleStephaniawithherbarehandsifneedbe.
“Lookatyou.Liketheanimalyouare,”Stephaniasaid.ThatwasenoughtoslowCeresalittle,ifonlybecauseshewouldn’tlet
herselfbeanythingStephaniawantedhertobe.“Youshouldhavekilledmewhenyouhadthechance,”Ceressaid.“Iwantedto,”Stephaniareplied,“buteventsdon’talwaysgiveuswhatwe
want.JustlookathowthingshavegonewithyouandThanos.OrmeandThanos.Afterall,I’mtheonewho’sactuallymarriedtohim,aren’tI?”
CereshadtoputherhandsagainstthestoneofthewallstokeepherselffromleapingatStephaniaagain.
“IwouldhavecutyourthroatifIhadn’theardthewarhorns,”Stephaniasaid.“Andthenitoccurredtomethatitwouldbeaneasythingtotakethecastleback.SoIdid.”
Ceresshookherhead.Shecouldn’tbelievethat.“Ifreedthecastle.”She’ddonemorethanthat.She’dfilleditwithrebels.She’dtakenthepeople
whowereloyaltotheEmpireandshe’dimprisonedthem.Theothers,she’dgivenchancesto,she’d…
“Ah,you’restartingtoseeitnow,aren’tyou?”Stephaniasaid.“Allthosepeoplewhoweresoquicktothankyoufortheirfreedomturnedbacktomejustasquickly.I’llhavetowatchthem.”
“You’llhavetowatchmorethanthat,”Ceressnappedback.“Youthinktherebellion’sfighterswillletyousithereplayingqueen?Youthinkthecombatlordswill?”
“Ah,”Stephaniasaid,withanexaggeratedshowofembarrassmentthatmadeCeresdreadwhatwascomingnext.“I’mafraidIhavesomebadnewsaboutyourcombatlords.Itturnsoutthatthebestoffightersstilldieswhenyouputanarrowinhisheart.”
Shesaidthatsocasually,sotauntingly,yetifitwasevenhalftrueitwasenoughtobreakCeres’sheart.She’dfoughtalongsidethecombatlords.She’dtrainedalongsidethem.They’dbeenherfriendsandherallies.
“Youjustenjoybeingcruel,”Ceressaid.Tohersurprise,shesawStephaniashakeherhead.“Letmeguess.YouthinkI’mnobetterthanthatidiot,Lucious?Amanwho
couldn’tenjoyhimselfintheslightestunlesssomeoneelsewasscreaming?YouthinkI’mlikethat?”
ItseemedlikeafairlyaccuratedescriptionfromwhereCereswasstanding.Especiallygiveneverythingthatwaslikelytohappennext.
“Aren’tyou?”Ceresdemanded.“Oh,I’msorry,andthereIwasthinkingthatyou’dputmeinastonepit,waitingtodie.”
“Waitingfortorture,actually,”Stephaniasaid.“Butthat’sjustyou.Youdeserveeverythingyougetafterallyoutriedtotakefromme.Thanoswasmine.”
Perhapsshereallybelievedthat.Perhapsshehonestlyfeltthatitwasnormaltotrytomurderyourrivalsinrelationshipsandlife.
“Andtherestofit?”Ceressaid.“Areyougoingtotrytoconvincemethatyou’rebasicallyaniceperson,Stephania?BecauseI’mprettysurethatship
sailedthemomentyoutriedtosendmetotheIsleofPrisoners.”Perhapssheshouldn’thavemadefunofherlikethat,becauseStephania
heftedathirdbucketofwater.Sheappearedtoconsideritforamoment,shrugged,anddumpeditoverCeresinawashoffreezingcold.
“I’msayingthatnicedoesn’tcomeintoit,youstupidpeasant,”shesnappedasCeresshivered.“Weliveinaworldthatwilltrytotakeallyouhavefromyouwithoutasking.Particularlyifyou’reawoman.TherearealwaysthugslikeLucious.Therearealwaysthosewhowanttotakeandtake.”
“Sowefightthem,”Ceressaid.“Wesetpeoplefree!Weprotectthem.”SheheardStephanialaughatthat.“Youactuallybelievethatfoolishnessworks,don’tyou?”Stephaniasaid.
“Youthinkthatpeoplearebasicallygood,andallwillbewellifyoujustgivethemachance.”
Shesaiditasthoughitweresomethingtomock,ratherthanagoodphilosophyforalife.
“Thatisnotlife,”Stephaniacontinued.“Lifeisawar,foughtanywayyoucanfindtofightit.Yougivenoonepoweroveryou,andyoutakeallthepoweryoucan,becausethatwayyouhavethestrengthtocrushthemwhentheytrytobetrayyou.”
“I’mnotfeelingverycrushed,”Ceresretorted.Shewasn’tgoingtoletStephaniaseehowweakshefeltinthatmoment,orhowempty.Shewasgoingtocreatethepretenseofstrength,inthehopethatshemightfindawayforrealitytofollow.
ShesawStephaniashrug.“Youwill.Yourrebellioniscurrentlyfightingabattlewiththearmyof
Felldust.Itmightwin,andthenIwilltradeyouforapathoutofthecitywithallthewealthIcantake.Myguess,though,isthatFelldustwillwashthroughthecitylikeawave.Iwillletthembreakagainstthewallsofthiscastle,untiltheyarereadytotalk.”
“Youthinkmenlikethatwilljusttalktoyou?”Ceresdemanded.“They’llkillyou.”
Cereswasn’tsurewhyshegaveStephaniathatmuchofawarning.Theworldwouldbeabetterplaceifsomeonekilledher,evenifitwasthearmiesofFelldust.
“YouthinkIhaven’tthoughtitthrough?”Stephaniacountered.“Felldustisfractious.Itcannotaffordtohaveitssoldierssitting,layingsiegetoacastleitcannottake.Theywouldfightamongstthemselvesinweeks,ifnotbefore.Theywillhavetotalk.”
“Andyouthinkthey’llplayfairwithyou?”Ceresasked.
Sometimes,shecouldbarelybelievethearroganceStephaniashowed.“Iamnotafool,”Stephaniasaid.“Ihaveoneofmyhandmaidenspreparing
toplaythepartofmeforthefirstmeeting,sothatiftheytrytobetrayus,Ihavetimetofleethecitythroughthetunnels.Afterthat,Iwillpresentyou,kneelingandinchains,toFirstStoneIrrien.Anofferingwithwhichtobeginpeacenegotiations.Andwhoknows?PerhapsFirstStoneIrrienwillfindhimself…amenabletojoiningourtwonationstogether.IfeelIcoulddoalotalongsidesomeonelikethat.”
Ceresshookherheadatthatthought.ShewouldnomorekneelonStephania’scommandthanonthatofanyothernoble.“YouthinkI’mgoingtogiveyouthesatisfaction—”
“IthinkthatIdon’thavetowaitforyoutogiveanything,”Stephaniasnappedback.“IcantakeanythingIwantfromyou,includingyourlife.Rememberthat,inwhatfollows:ifitweren’tforthiswar,Iwouldhaveshownyoumercy,andjustkilledyou.”
ItsoundedasthoughStephaniahadasstrangeanideaaboutmercyasabouteverythingelseintheworld.
“Whathappenedtoyou?”Ceresaskedher.“Whatmadeyouintothis?”Stephaniasmiledatthat.“Isawtheworldasitwas.Andnow,Ithink,the
worldwillseeyouasyouare.Ican’tkillyou,soI’lldestroythesymbolyoumadeyourselfinto.You’regoingtofightforme,Ceres.Againandagain,withoutthestrengththatmadepeoplethinkyouweresospecial.Inbetween,we’llfindwaystomakeitworse.”
Thatdidn’tsoundsodifferentfromanythingLuciousortheroyalshadtriedtodo.
“You’renotgoingtobreakme,”Cerespromisedher.“I’mnotgoingtocollapseandbegjustforyourentertainment,oryourpettyrevenge,orwhateverelseyouwanttocallit.”
“Youwill,”Stephaniapromisedherinreturn.“You’regoingtokneelbeforetheFirstStoneofFelldustandbegtobehisslave.I’llmakesureofit.”
CHAPTERSIXFelenehadstolenplentyofboatsinhertime,andshewaspleasedtofindthis
onewasoneofthebetterones.Itwasn’tmuchmorethanaskiff,butitsailedbeautifully,seemingtorespondasquickasthought,feelinglikeanextensionofherself.
“Itwouldneedmoreholesinitforthat,”Felenesaid,movingtobailoutwaterthathadwashedovertheside.Evendoingthathurt,andasforthetimeswhenshehadtorowbecausethewindhaddropped…
Felenewincedjustthinkingaboutthat.Shetestedthewoundgingerly,movingherarmineverydirectiontostretch
themusclesofherback.Thereweresomemovementswhereitalmostseemedasthoughshecouldignoreitspresence,buttherewereothers—
“Depthstakeyou!”Felenesworeaspainflashedthroughher,whitehot.Theworstpartwasthateveryflashofpainbroughtwithitmemoriesofbeing
stabbed.OflookingintoElethe’seyeswhileStephaniastabbedherfrombehind.Everyphysicalpainbroughtwithittheagonyofbetrayalaswell.She’ddaredtothink…
“What,”Felenedemanded.“Thatyoumightfinallyenduphappy?Thatyou’dfloatoffwithaprincessandsomelovelygirl,andtheworldwouldjustleaveyoualone?”
Itwasstupidthinking.Theworlddidn’tofferthehappyendingsyougotinsingers’tales.Certainlynotforathieflikeher.Nomatterwhathappened,therewouldalwaysbesomethingelsetosteal,whetheritwasajewel,orasliceofthemap,ortheheartofsomegirlwhowouldthenturnoutto…
“Stopit,”Felenetoldherself,butthatwasharderthanitlooked.Somewoundsdidn’tjusthealover.
Notthatherphysicalonehad,yet.She’dstitcheditasbestshecouldonthebeach,butFelenewasstartingtoworryaboutthepunctureStephania’sknifehadleftinherback.Sheliftedhershirthighenoughtodouseitwithseawater,grittingherteethagainstthepainasshewasheditclean.
Felenehadbeenwoundedbefore,andthisfeltlikeabadone.She’dseenwoundslikethisamongothers,andgenerallyithadn’tendedwell.Therehadbeenthatclimbingguidewhohadfoundhimselfmauledbyaniceleopard’sclawswhenFelenehadbeentryingtostealfromoneofthedeadtemples.TherehadbeentheslavegirlFelenehadrescuedonawhimafterhermasterhadwhippedherbloody,onlytowatchherwasteanddie.Therehadbeenthatgamblerwhohadinsistedonstayingatthetable,evenafterhe’dgashedhishandonabrokenshardofglass.
Thesensiblethingtodorightnow,Feleneknew,wastoheadbackthewayshehadcome,seekoutahealer,andrestforaslongasittooktogetbacktoeverythingshehadbeen.Ofcourse,bythatpoint,theinvasionwouldprobablybeover,andeveryoneinvolvedwouldbescatteredtothewind,butFelenewouldbeallrightagain,freetogooffwherevershewanted.
Itshouldn’tmakeanydifferencetoherhowtheinvasionturnedout,afterall.Shewasathief.Therewouldalwaysbethingstosteal,andtherewouldalwaysbethosewhowantedtohuntherdown.Therewouldprobablyevenbemoreintheaftermathofawar,whenthingstendedtogetalittlelesstightlycontrolled,andtherewerealwaysgapsforsomeonecunningenoughtoslipthrough.
ShecouldgobacktoFelldust,restup,andthenfindsomefreshadventuretosetouton.Shecouldgooffinsearchoflong-lostislands,orheadintothelandswhereiceclosedovereverythinglikeafist.Theremightbetreasureandviolence,womenanddrink.Allthethingsthathadtendedtomixtogethersoreadilyinherlifetodate.
Whatmadeherkeepthesmallboat’stillerpointedtowardDeloswassimple:itwaswhereStephaniaandElethewouldbe.StephaniahadtrickedheraboutThanos.She’dusedhertogettoFelldust,andthenshe’dtriedtokillher.Morethanthat,she’dtriedtokillThanos,eveniftherumorsaroundFelldustsuggestedthathehadatleastsurvivedthroughtotherebellion’scaptureofthecity.
Felenefoundthatshecouldn’tletwhatStephaniahaddonego.Felenehadleftplentyofenemiesbehindherwhenshesailedon,butshedidn’tliketoleaveunsettleddebts.She’dfoughtaduelinOakfordonceoveraninsultayearbefore,andoncehunteddownalocksmithwhohadtriedtocutheroutofhershare,followinghimacrosshalftheGrasslands.
Stephaniawasgoingtodieforwhatshe’ddone.AsforElethe…Inalotofways,thatbetrayalwasworse.Stephaniawasasnake,andFelene
hadknownitfromthemomentshesetfootontheboat.Elethehadactuallydaredtomakeherfeelsomething.Foroneofthefirsttimesinherlife,Felenehaddaredtothinkbeyondthenexttheft,andhadstartedtodream.
“Andwhatadream,”Felenesaidtoherself.“Travelingtheworld,rescuingbeautifulprincessesandseducingfairmaidens.Whodoyouthinkyouare?Somekindofhero?”
ItsoundedmorelikethekindofthingThanosmighthavedonethansomethingforthelikesofher.
“MylifewouldbesomucheasierifIhadn’tmetyou,PrinceThanos,”Felenesaid.Shejerkedononeofthelinesforherboat,settingitskimminginanewdirection.
Shedidn’tmeanitthough.Themainthingherlifewouldhavebeenifshehadn’tmetThanoswasshorter.ShewouldhavediedontheIsleofPrisonerswithouthim,andafterthat…
Hewasamanwhoseemedtohaveacause.Whostoodforsomething,evenifithadtakenFelenetoremindhimofwhatthatwas.Hewasamanwhohadbeenpreparedtofightagainsteverythinghe’dbeenbroughtuptobe.He’dfoughttheEmpire,eventhoughitwouldhavebeeneasierforhimnottodoit.He’dbeenpreparedtogivehislifetosavethelikesofStephania,whichwastrulythekindofthingaherodid.
“IsupposeifIhadanysense,I’dbefallinginlovewithyou,”Felenesaidasshethoughtabouttheprince.HewascertainlyabetterpersontofallforthanthelikesofElethe.Butyoudidn’tgetwhatyouwantedinthislife.Youcertainlydidn’tgettochoosewhenitcametolove.
ItwasenoughthatThanoswasamantorespect,evenadmire.ItwasenoughthatjustthinkingaboutthekindofthinghewoulddomadeFeleneintoabetterperson.
“Ifnotnecessarilyamoresensibleone.”Felenesighed.Therewasnopointinallthistryingtoarguewithherself.She
knewwhatshewasgoingtodo.ShewasgoingtoDelos.ShewouldfindThanosifbyanystrokeofluckhe
wasstillalive.ShewouldfindStephania,shewouldfindElethe,andtherewouldbebloodforblood,deathfordeath.Probably,Thanoswouldhavearguedforsomethingkinderormorecivilized,buttherewasonlysofaryoucouldgoinemulatingpeople.Evenprinces.
Now,therewasjustthequestionofgettingtoDelosandgettinginside.Bythetimeshegotthere,Felenehadnodoubtthatitwouldbeacityatwar,ifithadn’tfallenoutright.Felldust’sfleetwouldprobablybeafloatingbarricadebeforethecity,anditwasalongestablishedtacticintimesofwartoblockadeports.
NotthatFelenecaredaboutthatkindofthing.She’doccasionallymadequiteahealthyprofitfromsmugglingherwayaroundblockades.Food,information,peoplewhowantedtogetout,ithadallbeenthesame.
Still,Felenecouldn’timaginethatFelldust’ssoldierswouldbeverywelcomingtoherifshewerestupidenoughtojustchargeforthecity.Already,FelenecouldseefragmentsofFelldust’sfleetaheadofher,vesselsstrungoutacrossthewaterfromFelldusttotheEmpirelikejetbeadsonanecklace.Themainfleethadlongsincesailed,buttheyweregoinginclustersnow,forminggroupsofthreeorfour,settingofftogetherastheytriedtomakethemostoftheinvasiontocome.
Inalotofways,theywereprobablythesensibleones.Felenehadalwayshad
moreofanaffinityforthepeoplewhocameupafterafighttostealthanfortheonesriskingtheirlives.Theyweretheoneswhounderstoodaboutlookingoutforthemselves.TheywereFelene’speople.
Anideacametoherthen,andFelenesteeredherskiffinthedirectionofoneofthegroups.Withherbetterarm,shepulledoutaknife.
“Hoythere!”shecalledinherbestFelldustdialect.Amanappearedovertherailings,holdingabowaimedather.“Thinkwe’ll
takeallyou—”HegurgledasFelenethrewtheblade,cuttinghimoffmid-sentence.He
tumbledfromtheboat,hittingthewaterwithasplash.“Hewasoneofmybestmen,”aman’svoicesaid.Felenelaughed.“Idoubtthat,oryouwouldn’thavemadehimtheonetolean
outandseeifIwasathreat.Youthecaptainhere?”“Iam,”hecalledback.Thatwasgood.Felenedidn’thavetimetowastenegotiatingwiththosewho
weren’tinapositiontodoit.“YouallofftoDelos?”shedemanded.“Whereelsewouldwebegoing?”thecaptaincalledback.“Youthinkwe’re
outcatchingfish?”Felenethoughtofsomeofthesharksthathadhuntedheronthewayintothe
shore.Shethoughtofthebodytumblingamongthemnow.“Mightbe.There’sbaitinthewater,andtherearesomebigprizesintheseparts.”
“AndsomebiggeronesinDelos,”thevoicecalledback.“Youlookingtojoinourconvoy?”
Felenemadeherselfshrugasifshecouldn’tcareeitherway.“Ifigureanextraswordisgoodforyou.”
“Andanextrafiftyisgoodforyou.Butitlooksasthoughyoucanfight.Youdon’tslowusdown,andyoueatyourownsupplies.Fairenough?”
Morethanfair,sinceFelenehadfoundherwayintoDelos.Howevercarefulthecordonaroundthecity,Felldust’sfleetwouldn’tlooktwiceatherwhenshewasapartofit.
“Fairenough,”shecalledback.“Justsolongasyoudon’tslowmedown!”“Eagerforgold.Ilikethat.”Theycouldlikewhattheywanted,solongastheyleftFelenebe.Letthem
thinkthatshewasthereforgold.Theonlythingthatmatteredwas—ThecoughingfitcaughtFelenebysurprise,almostdoublingherupwiththe
forceofit.Itrippedthroughher,herlungsfeelingasthoughtheywereonfire.Sheputahandtohermouth,anditcameawaywetwithblood.
“Areyouallrightdownthere?”thecaptainoftheFelldustshipcalled,ina
voiceofclearsuspicion.“Isthatblood?You’renotcarryingsomeplague,areyou?”
Felenehadnodoubtthathewouldmakehertravelaloneifhethoughtshedid.That,orfirehershipjusttobecertainthatnodiseasegotclose.
“Gotgutpunchedinafightonthedocks,”shelied,wipingherhandontherailing.“It’snobigdeal.”
“Ifyou’recoughingblood,itsoundsbadenough,”thecaptaincalledback.“Youshouldgooffandfindahealer.Can’tspendgoldifyou’redead.”
Itwasprobablygoodadvice,butthen,Felenehadneverbeenonetolistentosuchthings.Especiallynotwhenshehadbetterthingstodo.Ifithadbeenjustgoldontheline,shemighthavedoneexactlywhatthemansuggested.
“Sotheysay,”Felenejoked.“Me,Isaythey’renottryinghardenough.”Shelettheothership’scaptainlaugh.Shehadbetterthingstodo.ItwastimetokillStephaniaandElethe.
CHAPTERSEVENEveryday,theconvoyofformerconscriptsmadeitswayaroundthe
countrysidesurroundingDelos,andeveryday,SartesfoundhimselfstaringatLeyana,tryingtofindawaytotellherhowhefelthavingheraround.
Everyday,Sartesspenttimetryingtoputitintowords,thinkingofthethingssomeonemoreeloquentmighthavecomeupwith.WhatwouldThanoshavesaid,orAkila,or…oranyoneelsewhowashalfinloveanddidn’tknowwhattodonext?
HespenthistimecaughtbetweenthinkingaboutLeyanaandthinkingofthethingsheoughttobedoing.Theywentfromvillagetovillage,passingoutwhatsuppliestheyhad,givingbackconscriptswhohadbeentakenfromtheirhomes,andreassuringpeopleasbesttheycouldthattherebellionwouldnotbeanothersetoftyrants.
Everyday,hetriedtocomposesomethingtosay,andeveryday,hefoundhimselfgettingtothepointofmakingcampwithouthavingdoneit.
“Areyouallright?”Leyanaaskedwithasmile.She’dtakentoridingonthesamewagonasSartes,andSarteshadtoadmitthathelikedthat.Whentheymadecampeverynight,hertentwasneverfarawayfromhis.Sarteslikedthattoo.Hefoundhimselfgratefulthatiftheyweretobeattacked,hewouldbeabletorushoutandsaveher.
Hefoundhimselfhalfhopingthatsomeonewouldattacksothathecould.Wasthiswhatbeinginlovefeltlike?Sartesdidn’tknow.Hedidn’thave
enoughexperiencewithgirlstoknowforsure,anditwasn’tasthoughhecouldjustasksomeone,becausehewassupposedtobetheleader,andhe’dlearnedfromwatchingAnkathatleaderscouldn’taffordtobethatuncertaininpublic.Hehadtobestrong,sothattheycouldkeepdoingwhatCereshadsenthimtodo.
HewishedthatAnkaweretheretotalkto,ratherthandead.HewishedthatCeresweretheretoo.Maybehisbigsisterwouldhavebeenabletogivehimsomeadvice.MaybeshecouldhavetoldhimhowsheknewwhatshefeltaboutThanos.
Theytraveleddownthroughavillage,handingoutfood.Asseemedtohappeninalmosteveryvillagenow,peoplestartedtoappearthemomentitwasclearthattheconscriptsweren’ttheretoattackthem.Fartoomanylookedpainfullythin,starvingafterLucioushadburnedthecountryside.
Thereweremoreofthemnow.Sarteshadseenthelinesofrefugees,somecarryingeverythingtheyowned.Twicenow,hisconscriptshadcomeacrossthievesorbanditstryingtorobthem.Twice,Sartesandtheothershaddriven
themoff.Hehopeditwouldbethatsimplewiththeinvasion.Everygroupofrefugees
theypassedbroughtrumorswiththem,talkingaboutthegreatfleetthatwascoming,thebattlesthatwereragingontheopenwateraroundthecityasAkila’sfleettriedtoslowtheinvasion.
Apartofhimwantedtorushbackrightthenandhelp,butSarteshadtotrustthathissisterknewwhatshewasdoing.IfCereshadaroleforhiminthedefenseofthecity,shewouldsendamessenger.Untilshedid,thebestthingSartescoulddowaskeepgoing,tryingtomakethecountrysidesafer.
Thenexttimetheystopped,though,hetookhisswordfromhisbelt,holdingitupforeveryonetheretosee.
“Thisiscoming,”hecalledouttotherefugees.“You’rerunningfromit,butyouwon’tbeabletorunforever.Theinvasionwillspreadbeyondthecity,soyoumightaswelllearnhowtoprotectyourselves.Grabwhateverweaponsyoucanfind.You’regoingtolearnhowtousethem.”
Hehopedthathesoundedenoughlikealeaderforthemtobelieveit.Plentyofthemgrabbedwhattheycould:knivesandhatchets,hoes,andeventheoccasionalsword.Sartestriedtorememberwhathecouldofthelessonsthey’dforcedintohiminthearmy.
“Youneedtostandtogetherifsoldierscome,”Sartessaid,movingaroundthegroupofthem.“Youcan’tjustlookafteryourself;youlookafterthepeoplenexttoyouaswell.No,holditlightly,oryouwon’tbeabletoputthebladewhereyouwant.Stayinline.Ifyougooffalone,you’llbesurroundedbyanyonewhoattacks.”
Tohissurprise,hefoundLeyanaattheendoftheline,holdingaknifeaslongasherforearm.
“Iwanttolearnhowtofight,”shesaid.“Thenexttimemencome,Imightnotbeabletohide.”
“Iwon’tletanythinghappentoyou,”Sartespromised.Shesmiledatthat.“That’ssweet,butwhatifyouaren’tthere?”Sartescouldn’timaginenotbeingthere,becausethatwouldmeanleaving
Leyana’sside.“I’llbethere,”hepromised.Herealizedwhathewassaying.“Thatis…I
mean…ifyouwantmetobe.”“Iwantyoutobe,”Leyanareplied.“Butifyou’reprotectingme,it’sonly
rightthatIshouldprotectyou,isn’tit?”Thatwasafairpoint,andLeyanaseemedtogetthebasicsofusingthe
weaponquickly.Evenso,Sarteshopedthatshewouldn’thavetofightanytimesoon.Hecouldn’tstandthethoughtofherpotentiallybeinghurt,andanyfight
camewithrisks.ToSartes’ssurprise,whentheyleft,acoupleofmenwalkedalongwiththe
wagons.Sartesfrownedatthat.“Theywanttohelpfighttheinvasion,”Leyanasaidbesidehim.“Yousaidit
yourself:wehavetostandtogether.”“Thatwasn’twhatImeant,”Sartessaid.Sometimes,though,itdidn’tmatterwhatyouweretryingtodo.Itmattered
whatyoudid.Sartesjusthopedthateverythinghedidwouldprovetobeenough.
***Theymovedon,headingforthenextvillage.Therealwaysseemedtobe
anothervillage.Whentheyfinallystoppedforthenight,Sarteswanderedfromtheroadalittleway.Hespunatthesoundoffootstepsbehindhim,paddingacrossthemeadowgrass,hishandalreadygoingtohissword.
HerelaxedwhenhesawitwasLeyana,althoughherpresencebroughtnervesofaverydifferentkind.
“Ijustwantedtoseewhatyouweredoing,wanderingofflikethat,”Leyanasaid.
“Iwasjusttryingtogetsometimeawayfromalltheothers,”Sartesreplied.Leyanalookedsuddenlyembarrassed.“I’msorry,Icouldgo.”Sartesrealizedwhathe’djustsaid,andhowthathadtosound.Hedidn’twant
Leyanathinkingthathewasn’tinterestedinher.“No,don’tgo.Ilikehavingyouhere.Imean…”“Whatdoyoumean?”Leyanaasked.ShegavehimalookthatSartescouldn’t
decipher.“Whatisityouwant,Sartes?Arewe…doImeansomethingtoyou?”“Yes,ofcourseyoudo!”Sartesblurted,andthenrealizedthatheshould
probablybesayingsomethingmorepoetic.Thatwaswhatpeopledid,wasn’tit?“You…you’relike…themostbeautiful…the…”Hetrailedoff.“I’msorry,I’mnotverygoodatthis.”
Shekissedhimthen.Sarteshadn’tevendaredtoimaginewhatitmightbeliketokissLeyana,becausehe’dbeensureitwouldn’tbepossible.Yetwhensheputherarmsaroundhisneckandtheirlipsmet,itwasbetterthananythinghecouldhaveimagined.Itfeltasthoughhisbodywasfilledwithfireandice,bothatthesametime.
Hekissedherback,notknowingifhewasdoingitrightornot.Allthethingshe’dbeenthroughsincetherebellionstarted,butnoneofithadpreparedhimforthis.He’dpreparedforbattlesandsneakingaroundpastenemies,notforkissingthemostbeautifulgirlhe’devermet.
“Ithink,”Leyanasaidwhentheypulledbackfromoneanother,“thatyou’rebetteratthisthanyouthink.”
“Ijust…”Sartestriedtogetagriponhisstraythoughts.“It’sjustthatthereareallthesethingsIwanttosayanddo,andIwanttotellyouhowIfeel,butItryandIjustgetintoabigjumble.”
“Pretendthatyou’regivingaspeechtosomeofyourmen,”Leyanasaid.“Youdothatwellenough.”
Sarteslaughedatthat.“I’mnotsureI’mevergoingtogivethemaspeechtellingthemhowmuchI
lovethem.”Again,itfeltasthoughhismouthhadrunaheadoftherestofhim.“I’msorry,”hesaid.“Iknowit’sfartooearlytosaythingslikethat,andI—”“It’sallright,”Leyanasaid.Foramoment,Sartesthoughtthattheymightkissagain.Onlythesoundof
someoneelseapproachingmadehimturnfromLeyana,andthenitwasreluctantly.
ThemanwhowasapproachingwasoneSartesdidn’tknowwell,buthewaswearingthecolorsofoneoftherebellion,andSartesthoughtherecognizedhimfromtheforges.Hewastallandlean,obviouslyoutofbreath,asifhe’djustruntotrytocatchup.Sartesknewamessengerwhenhesawone.
Hewasn’talone.Itseemedthathalfthecamphadcomewithhim,eagertohearthenews.Sartesdidhisbesttohidehisembarrassment.Whateverthiswas,ithadtobeimportant.
“Whatisit?”Sartesasked.“DidCeressendyou?”Therewassomethingabouthisexpressionthatsaidwhateveritwashe’d
comefor,itwasserious.Maybethatwaswhysomanyoftheothershadfollowedhim.
“Yourfather,”themessengersaid,stillalmostdoubledupwiththeeffortofitall.Ifhe’dpushedhimselfthathard,ithadtobeimportant.
“Takeyourtime,”Sartessaid.Heofferedthemanawaterskin.“Thereisn’ttime,”themessengerreplied.“I’vebeenlookingforyoufor
days,butIcouldn’tfindwhereyou’dbenext.There’strouble.Theinvasionhascome.”
Sartesnodded.He’dheardthatmuch.“WhatdoesCeresneed?”Hesawthemessengershakehishead.“Ceres…hasbeentaken.Wewenttothewallstofighttheinvasion,andthe
EmpiretookthecastlebackwithCeresinit.Stephanialeadsthem,wethink.”Stephania?Thatdidn’tmakealotofsense,butSartesknewhowbadthat
madethings.Stephaniahadbeentheonetosendhimtothetarpits,afterall.Stephaniahadbeentheonebehindsomuchofthis.Ifshewasthere,Cereswasinalotofdanger.
SartesturnedbacktoLeyana.“Ihaveto—”“Youhavetogohelpyoursister,”shesaid,reachingouttotouchhisarm.“I
know.”Theothersstoodaroundhimthen,asifwaitingfororders.“Telluswhatyouwantustodo,”ayoungmannamedHedrinsaid.“Dowe
leaveforthecitynow?”Sarteslookedaroundattheyoungmenthere.Theywereallconscripts,and
fartoomanyofhimwerehisage,orevenyounger.“Ican’taskyoualltodothis,”hesaid.HesawLeyanasmileatthat.“Ithinkyoudon’thavetoask,”shesaid.“This
isforCeres.Morethanthat,thisisforyou.”“Istillcan’task,”Sartessaidtotheothers.“Ican’tmakeyoudothis.I’m
sorry,Ineedtogetreadytogo.”Hedidn’twanttobetheoneresponsibleforbringingthembackintoawar.
Evenso,whenhewenttocollecthisthingsfromaroundthecampfirethey’dbeensettingup,theothersweretheredoingthesame.Itseemedthathewasn’tgoingtostopthem.
HesawLeyanagatheringherthingstoo,andranover.“Youshouldn’tcome,atleast,”hesaid.“Itwillbedangerous.”“Idon’tminddangerous,”Leyanareplied.“Idomindnotbeingtherenextto
you.”“Leyana—”Sartesbegan,butLeyanacuthimoff.“We’redoingthistogether,”shesaid.“I’mgoingtohelpyou,andtogether
we’regoingtosaveyoursister.”Shemadeitsoundsosimple,yettherewassomuchtheycouldalllose.Sartes
sworethenthathewouldkeephersafe.Whateverittook,hewasn’tgoingtoloseher.
CHAPTEREIGHTThanoshadn’tthoughtthatPortLeewardcouldgetanydarkerormore
dangerous,butsomehowthecaveportsmanagedit.Hesteppedintothem,unabletoshakethefeelingthatsomeonemighttrytocuthisthroatatanymoment.
HekepthishandonthetwinhiltsofhisandLucious’sswords,lookingaroundfordangers.Thetroublewasthatthereweresomanytofinditwashardtopickoneoutfromanother.
ThecaveportswerecutintothecliffthatovershadowedPortLeeward.Perhapstheyhadstartedlifebeingerodedbythewashofthesea,butteamsofslavesandengineershadobviouslyworkedtoenlargethem,creatingaseriesofcavernslikethefrothontheedgeofthetide.Shackshuddledupagainsttheside,somestackedatoponeanotheratimprobableangles.Therewerejettiesthere,andmerchants.Orsmugglers.Itwashardtotellthedifferenceinaplacelikethis.
“What’stooevilevenforPortLeeward?”Thanosaskedhimselfashemadehiswaydownthere.
Thedifferencewashardtospotatfirst,ifonlybecausePortLeewardalreadyhadspacesforitsdrugmerchantsanditsslavers,itskillersanditsfences.Therewasanedgetothisplace,though,thatsaiditwasashadeortwodarkereventhanthat.Thanosspottedateamofmentransportingasquirmingsackontoaboat.Hesawacrowdofhollow-eyedmen,emaciatedfromyearsofchewingtragaleaf.
Hesawaman’scorpsechainedtoapost,withasignaroundhisneck,thewords“taxtaker”scrawledinseverallanguages.ThatsaidmoreaboutthisplacetoThanosthantherestofitputtogether.IfPortLeewardwasaplacewhereFelldusttookfromtheworld,thiswasonewhereitsinhabitantstookwhatwasleftfromoneanother.
Whenamansteppedtowardhimwithahungrylook,Thanoshalfdrewhissword.Thefigureslunkbacktowardthecavewalls,leavinghimbe.
Thiswasobviouslyaplaceforsmugglers,buttherewereotherboatstheretoo.ThanoscouldseeshipsthatwereobviouslyoutofDelos,theSouthlands,andadozenotherplaces.Hesawoneloadinggrain,whichdidn’tseemtofitwithaplacelikethis,andguessedthatthishadbecometheplaceforallthosewhoweren’tplanningtojointheinvasion.EvenwithafleetthesizeoftheoneheadingtoDelos,therehadtobesomeshipsstillgoingtotradewithotherpartsoftheworld.
Thatdidn’tmakethecaveportsanysafer.Ifanything,Thanosguessed,it
madethemworse,puttingthetemptationofeasypickingsinthewayofsomeoftheharshestpeopleinFelldust.
Hestillcouldn’tfindtheshiphe’dcometolookfor,butahead,hecouldseethebeginningsofafight.Awomanstoodattheheartofacrowdofthugs,spinningabladedchaintokeepthematbay.Hersoft,darkskinhadbeensmearedwithsomethinglikeash,lendingitagrayishtint,whileherheadwasshavedbald,revealingmarkingsetchedincobaltblue.Theymatchedthesilkdressshewore,althoughthatwasstainedwiththedustofthecity.
“Boneeater!”oneofthethugssnarled.“Cannibalwhore!”anotheradded.“We’regoingtomakeyoubegtobekilled.
Youandyourcowardpeople!”Ifherappearancehadn’tbeenenough,theinsultssealedit.Thiswasoneof
theBoneFolkofFelldust’sfarthercoast.Thestoriesaboutthemwerethekindofthingthatsoundedasthoughchildrenhadmadethemuptoscareoneanother.Yettheywereundeniablyraiders,killers,andworse.
Evenso,Thanosdidn’tlikeseeinghalfadozenthugsthreateningonewoman.Theyseemedtobewaitingfortheirmoment.Noneseemedtowanttobethefirsttomove,buteachseemedtounderstandthatthemomentthatsharpenedchainbithome,theotherswouldbefreetoattack.
Thanossteppedintotheringofmen,drawingbothhisswords.“Timetostepback,boys,”hebegan,butthensomethingblurredpasthis
shoulder,andamanscreamedasthechaincutintohim.Thanossawthewomanchargepasthim,andsuddenlyhewasinthemiddleofafight.
ThanossawtheBoneFolkwomancatchaknifeman’sarminthechain,wrenchingandcutting,thenkickoutatanother.Hebarelyhadtimetoregisterthat,though,becausetwomenwerealreadychargingathim.
Thanosduckedlow,dodgingthefirstattack,cuttingwithhisright-handswordtohamstringoneoftheattackers.Hestrucktheotherwiththehiltofhisothersword,catchinghimatthebaseoftheskullandhearingthecrunchasthemanfellintounconsciousness.
Hespunandsawthewomanwithherchainwrappedaroundanotherman’sthroat,whilethelastofthethugsran.
“That’senough,”Thanossaid.“There’snoneedfor—”Shedraggedthechaintight,andthesharpedgesallbutdecapitatedher
opponent.“Idecidewhatthereisaneedfor,”shesaid.Shekickedthebodyintothe
water.“Fools.Itisnotworthcarryingtheirspirits.Whoareyou?”“I’mThanos,”hesaid.Hecouldhavegivenafalsename,buthedidn’tplan
tobeheremuchlonger.“Andyou?”
“Jeva,”shesaidafteralongmoment.“Youhavemythanks.Itwouldhavebeenhardtokillsix.”
Therewasagrudgingnotetothat,asthoughevenadmittingitcosther.“Whyweretheyattackingyou?”Thanosasked.Hesawherspreadherhands.“Whydooutsidersdoanything?Theyattack
whattheyaretoostupidtounderstand.Mypeoplewillnotbendthekneetojointheirwar,andsotheythinktheycankillme.”Sheshookherhead.“NowImustfindaboattotakemehome.”Shelookedhopefulforamoment.“Doyouhaveone?”
Thanosshookhishead.“Ican’tfindtheboatIcamein,andifIdo,itwillbegoingtoDelos.”
Sheshookherheadagain.“Fools.Theworldisfullofthem.”Shewalkedaway.Thanoslether,becauseinthatmomenthespottedavery
familiar-lookingship.Herantoit,asifworriedthatitmightdisappearifhedidn’tgettheresoon.
Yetitwasassolidwhenhereacheditasithadbeenwhenhe’dbeentravelingthere.Theyseemedtobeloadingitforavoyage.
Onthedeck,Thanossawthecaptainarguingwithafiguredressedmorelikeapiratethanamerchant,apparentlyindisagreementoverthepriceofbalesofaweedthatgaveoffabitterscent.AssoonasthecaptainsawThanos,hewavedtheothermanaway.
“Offwithyou.I’venotimetowastewithmenwhowanttochargemesomuch.No,Imeanit.Offmyship.Itwillbealessontothenextmanwhowantstoallbutrobme.”
Themerchantlookedshockedbythat,buthestillhurriedofftheboat.Almostassoonashewasgone,thecaptainrushedforwardtoenfoldThanosinacrushinghug.HesteppedbackandlookedatThanoswithaseriousexpression.
“Iseeyou’rewearingtwoswordsnow,notone.It’sdonethen?”Thanosnodded.“It’sdone.”ItseemedtoobriefawaytotelleverythingthathadgoneintokillingLucious,
butmaybethatwasforthebest.“Andhowdoyoufeelnow?”thecaptainasked.“Therearesomethingsthat
leavetheirmark,andthisisone,Ithink.”Thanosnodded.Whathefeltrightthenwasmorecomplicatedthanhecould
havebelieved.Satisfactionandjustice,maybe,butalsogrief,andasensethathe’dfailedeventhen.Theinvasionhadstillbegun,andkillingLucioushaddonenothingtostopit.
“Itneededtobedone,”hesaid,halfhopingthathecouldconvincehimselfofthat.
Thecaptainreachedouttotouchhisarm.“Itwillgeteasier.”Thanoswasn’tsurethathewanteditto,butheappreciatedthesentiment.“Wheretonow?”thecaptainasked.Thatpart,atleast,waseasy.“Delos.”“Delos?Areyoumad?”Thecaptainshookhishead.“No.Iwillnotdoit.IfI
hadknownyouwouldasksuchathing,IwouldhaveleftwhileIcould.”Thanosfrownedslightlyatthat.“Itwasalwaystheplan,”hesaid.“I’dcome,
I’d…stopLucious,andthenwe’dgohome.”“Thatwasbeforehometurnedintoaplaceatwar,”thecaptainshotback.“We
failed,Thanos.Weweresupposedtostopawar,butwecouldn’t.Now,togobackissuicide.”
Thanoscouldunderstandthatsentiment,butthatdidn’tmeanhecouldgoalongwithit.EveryonehecaredaboutwasinDelos.CereswasinDelos.Hewouldfindanotherwaybackifheneededto,butrightthen,hewasn’tsuretherewasone.Therewasnowayhecouldhidewhohewaslongenoughtosneakbackwithanyothership.
ThecaptaincouldobviouslyseethedeterminationinThanos’sexpression,becausehecutThanosoffbeforehecouldsayanythingmore.
“No,Thanos.Imeanthis.You’retryingtoprotectthepeopleyoucareabout,butI’mtryingtoprotectmycrew.ItwouldtakeanarmytobeabletogotoDelos,andIdon’tseeanyonearoundherewillingtostanduptoFelldust’sstonesrightnow.”
Thanosfoundhisgazedriftingbackoverthedock,thinkingaboutthethingsJevahadsaid.Aboutherpeoplenotwantingtobendtheirkneestothestones.Hethoughtaboutthewayshe’dfought.
“WhatifIcouldfindusanarmy?”Thanosasked.“Andwherewouldyoufindoneofthose?”thecaptainasked.Jevawaseasytopickoutofthecrowd.Thanoswavedtoher,andsheonly
hesitatedforamomentbeforerunninginthedirectionoftheship.Shesprintedthroughthecrowdwithease,dodgingherwayaroundthepeopleinherway,neverslowing.
ThecaptainlookedinthedirectionThanoshadgestured.Thanossawthemomentwhenhespottedthefigurerunningtowardthem,becausethatwasthemomenthisexpressionhardened.
“YouwanttobringaBoneEaterontomyship?”hedemanded.“Iwanttodomorethanthat,”Thanossaid.“Yousaidityourself,weneedan
army,andtheBoneFolkhavenoloveforFelldust.”Thatjustaddedanoteofexasperationtothecaptain’sexpression.Thanosfelt
theotherman’shandsclampontohisshoulders.
“Theyhavenoloveforanyone.Theyhuntshipsandtheysteal.Doyouknowthethingstheydotocaptives?They’llkillandeatyousofastyou’llwishyou’djustpickedaforeignshoreformetotakeyouto.”
Thanosappreciatedthesentiment.Therewasevenapartofhimthatwantedtogoalongwithit.He’dbeentoldbyhisfatherthattherewereanswersabouthisparentageinFelldust.Hecouldgooffinsearchofthetruth.
ThatwouldmeanabandoningCeres,though,andThanoscouldn’tdothat.Evenifitmeanttakingthemostdesperateofrisks.
“TheBoneFolkwillhavetheirprice,”Thanossaid.“IfIcanpayit,they’llbeperfectmercenaries.”
Bynow,Jevawasrunningupthegangplank.“IguessIcandropyouinarowboat,”thecaptainsaid.“ButI’mnotgetting
closerthanthat.”Itwouldbeenough.Thanoshadtobelievethatitwouldbeenough.ThecaptaingaveJevaaharshlook.“Justdon’tblamemeifyougetyourselfeaten.”
CHAPTERNINEWhenthetorturerscame,Cerestriedtofight.Sheflungherselfatthem,
pullingtogetherallthestrengthandfuryshehad.Itmadenodifference.Theygrabbedherbetweenthem,andallCerescouldthinkwaswhatitwouldbethistime,andwhethershewouldbeabletokeepfromshowingthemhowmuchithurther.
Shehadnowayofknowinghowlongshe’dbeenintheholeintheground.Everysooftentheydraggedherouttobeather,orchainherinpositionsthatwereagonytohold.Theystarvedhertoo,feedingheronlythetiniestbowlsoffoul-smellingfoodthatmadeCereswanttovomitatthethoughtofit.
Now,sheguessed,theywereplanningsomethingworse.TheydraggedhertoavaultedspacethatCeresrecognized.Ithadbeenthere
forthetrainingofthecombatlords.She’dwatchedThanostrainthere.She’dtrainedthereherself.Now,though,theweaponsweregone,andthedirtfloorstoodalmostempty.
Almost,butnotquite.Polesstoodinacircle,andoneachone…“No,”Ceressaid,horrorfloodingthroughher.Theskullsoftheformercombatlordssatatopthepoles,inabloodyringthat
seemedlikeagruesomeaudienceforwhatevertookplacewithinit.Howcouldanyonedothistomenwhohadbeenherfriends?Tomenwhohaddonenothingbuttrytoprotecther?
“Doyoulikeit?”CeresspunandsawStephaniaenteringtheroomwithanentourage.There
wasaraisedareaabovethedirtfloor,fromwhichownersmighthavewatchedtheircombatlordstrain.Shetookachairtherenow,withservantsandguardsallstandingaroundher.
“Howcouldyoudothis?”Ceresdemanded.Stephaniamadeasmallgesture,andCeresguessedwhatwascoming,butshe
wasn’tfastenough.Ceresstumbledforwardasoneofthetorturersstruckheracrossthebackofthehead.
“Youwillspeaktomewiththedeferenceapeasantowesherbetters,”Stephaniasaid.“Youwillrememberthatyouarenothing,oryouwillbetaughtit.Asforthesemen…youhelpedthemtoforgettheirplace.Ihadnohatredforthemuntilyougotinvolved.Now,howdoesitfeeltoknowyoucan’tprotectthepeopleclosetoyou?”
ItfelttoCeresasthoughherheartwerebeingtornfromherchest,butshedidn’tsaythat.Shewasn’tgoingtogiveStephaniathesatisfactionofseeingher
brokenlikethat.“Stilltryingtobestrong?”Stephaniasaid.“Thetorturerstellmethatittakes
alottogetascreamfromyou.ButI’mnotinterestedinyourscreams,solongasyoubreak.”
“You’llbewaitingalongtime,”Ceressnappedback,andthistimeshedidmanagetoducktheblow,halftrippingthetorturerwhostruckather.
“Lookather,”Stephaniasaid,andthistime,itdidn’tevensoundasthoughshewastalkingtoCeres.Ceresguessedthatshewasn’tsupposedtobeimportantenoughtospeaktodirectly.“Sheputssomuchofherprideinherabilitytofight.Fightingisausefultool,butitgetsyounowherealone.Howmuchwillittakeoutofhertobeshownthetruth,doyouthink?”
CeresheardStephaniaclapherhands,andsawthreemeninthecolorsoftheEmpire’sguardsstepforward.Theyhadnoweapons,butthatdidn’tmakeitbetter.ItjusttoldCereswhatmightbecoming.Onebyone,theguardsdroppeddownintothetrainingpit.
“Doyourecognizeanyofthesemen?”Stephaniaasked.“Eachofthemhatesyouenoughtovolunteerforthis.Theyfoughtyoubefore,andyouknockedthemaside.Youbeatthemliketheywerenothing.Apparently,it’sthemosthumiliatingthingthatcouldhappen.Iplantoseeifthat’strue.”
“You’llneedmorethanthree,”Ceressaid,asthetorturerssteppedbackfromher.
“Idoubtthat,”Stephaniashotback.“AsItoldthemen,you’renotquitewhatyouwere,areyou?Youthree,beatherbutdonotkillher.”
ShenoddedandCeresknewthemomentfortalkingwasdone.Ceresslidintoafightingstance,tryingtoignorethepainthatcamewitheverymovement.Shefocusedonthelessonsshe’dlearnedontheislandoftheForestPeople.Itdidn’tmatterhowdifficultthingshadbeenthere;thelessonshadkeptcoming.
AndCereshadlearnedthem.Sheleaptforward,strikingatoneman,thenkickingoutatthenext.Theblowsslammedhome,makingthemstumble.Ceresstillunderstoodtheflowofcombat.
Theblowsdidn’tknockthemflying,though,andnoflashofpowercamebacktoanswerwhenthethirdmancaughtherwithastingingslap.Itwassomuchofasurprisethatforamoment,Ceresalmostfroze.Sheforcedherselftokeepmoving,though.Shespunawayasoneofthementriedtograbher,pushinghimoffbalance,thenturnedtothenext.
Anotheropen-handedblowclippedher,andCeresfoughtback,coveringupanddrivingforward.Atthelastminute,sheswervedaroundhimandbroughtherkneeuptocatchhiminthestomach.
Ceresspunaway,steppingintoagapbetweenthetwoothers.Shestruckone
underneaththeear,madeasoundofpainashisfootfoundherthigh,andmissedwithanelbowthatwouldhavestruckhiminthetempleotherwise.
Thethreemenspreadout,morecautiousnow.Thatwasgood.Shewaspersuadingthemthatshewasstilldangerous.Shefeintedtowardoneandthenturnedtoanotherandgrabbedhisarm,twistingforalock.Shegaveitupasthethirdcameforher,catchinghimwiththepunchshe’dreallybeenaimingfor.
Ceressmiledinsatisfactionasshebackedawayagain.Shewastiring,though,andevenherbeststrikesweren’ttrulyhurtingthese
men.Sheneededtoattack.Sheneededtobedecisive,becauseshewasn’tgoingtoletherselflosesimplybecauseherpowersweren’ttheretohelpher.Shecircled,tryingtokeepmoving,determinednottostayinonespotlongenoughforthemtograb.
OneofthemenstumbledandCeressawheropening.Sheknewshehadtomakeitcount.Shelungedforwardtokickthemaninthethroat,lookingtoendthis,missedhighandcaughthimonthejawinstead.Herockedback,buthishandswentoutautomaticallytowraparoundherleg.
Anotheroftheguardscameinfromtherighttopunchherinthestomach,hardenoughtodoubleherup.AslapcaughtCeresfromtheside,makingherreel.Shetriedtoturntofightback,butthatjustletthethirdmanshoveheroffbalanceagain.
Cereslashedoutblindly,feelingherfoothithome,butsomeone’sfootslammedintothebackofherkneeandshewentdown.Shetriedtoscramblebacktoherfeet,buttherewerehandsthereholdingherdown,hittingandgrabbingastheybeather.
Asfastasthat,whathadbeenafightturnedintoabeating.Cerestriedtobreakfreefromtheirgrips,buttherewerethreeofthemandtheyknewhowtofight.Shesimplydidn’thavethestrengthlefttobreakaway.
Theylaughedastheydidit.“She’snotsostrongnow,isshe?”onelaughed,slappingCeresacrossthe
face.“Weaklittlething,really,”anotheragreed,pinningCeres’sarms.“Wecould
doanythingwewantedwithher.”RealterrorroseinCeresthenasoneofthemtoreathertunic.Anotherstarted
totieherhands,stringingthemouttotiethemtooneofthepolesthatheldthecombatlords’heads.
“No,”shecriedout.“Please,no.”Shekickedoutblindly,triedtoscratchandbiteandroll,buttheyheldher,
andtheycontinuedtobeather.Whenshemanagedtobiteintooneoftheguards’earsastheycameclosetoher,hestood,aimingakickthatwouldhavedoubled
herupiftheyhadn’theldher.Theywrappedmoreoftheropesaroundherlegs,tyingthemtomoreofthepostssothatshecouldbarelystruggleatall.Please,shebeggedherpowerssilently.Please,ifyou’rethere,help.Noansweringflashofstrengthcame,buttoCeres’ssurprise,salvationcame
fromanunexpecteddirection.“That’senoughfornow,”Stephaniacalled.Cereshadtocraneherneckback
justtobeabletoseeher.“Leaveherassheis.”Stephaniawastherethen,aboveCeres,withthesereneexpressionof
someonewhoknewtheywereperfectlysafe.Cereswonderedhowshemustlooktotheothergirl,whostoodsopristinewhileCereswascoveredinthedirtofthetrainingspace,herclothestornalmosttonothing,bloodsmearedatthecornerofhermouth.Cerescouldevenfeeltears,althoughshefoughttoblinkthemaway.
Stephaniacrouchedbesideher,brushingawaysomeofthosetearswithherthumbinagestureashumiliatingasitwasgentle.
“Whenyoutormentsomeone,”shesaidsoftly,inwhatmusthaveseemedlikeacomfortingtonetothosebeyond,“goingtoofarcanbeasbadasnotgoingfarenough.Pushthemtoofar,toosoon,andthere’snowaytomakeitworse.Iwantyoutothinkonthat,Ceres.Itwillgetworse.”
“I…I’llkillyou,”Ceressaid.Stephanialaughed,thenslappedher.Itwasdelicateincomparisontothe
slapsthemenhadalreadydelivered,butthatwasn’tthepoint.ThepointwasthatStephaniawasthereaboveher,strikingher,andtherewasnothingCerescoulddoaboutit.
“No,youwon’t.”Sheheldoutahand,andoneofthehandmaidensnearherpassedheraknife.
CerescouldfeelthesharpnessofitasStephaniapressedittoherthroat.Justalittlemorepressure,anditwouldopentheveinsthere.
“ShallIdoit?”Stephaniaasked.“Shallweallseewhat’ssospecialaboutyourblood?”
Ceresforcedherselfnottoshrinkback,althoughrightthentherewasnothingshecoulddo,regardlessofwhatStephaniachose.
ShesawStephaniasmile.“AsIsaid,youaremoreusefulasabargainingchip.Still,wecan…improvethings,can’twe?Therearealwayswaystomakethings…moredifficult.”
CerescriedoutasStephaniagrabbedherhair,hardenoughthatCeresthoughtshemightripitfromherscalp.Stephaniatracedtheknifeslowlyupherfeatures,hoveringoverhereyesoclosethatCeresdidn’tevendaretobreathe.
ThenshehackeddownatCeres’shairlikeabutcher,againandagain.There
wasnoartordelicacytoit.Stephaniaprobablyhadwell-trainedmaidswhodidthemostdelicateofthingswithscissorstoherownhair.Thishadnothingtodowiththat.Itwassimplyawayofshowingthatshecoulddoit.
ShecutawayCeres’shairthen,bitbybit,shearingherthewaysomefarmhandmighthaveshearedasheep.Cerescriedatthat,eventhoughsheforcedherselftostaystill.Itwasn’tjustatthelossofherhair.ItwasatthehelplessnessthatletStephaniadoit.Sheheldbackthesobsonlywithdifficulty.ShehadnodoubtthatStephaniacouldseethetears.
“Today,Iwantedtoshowyouhowweakyouare,”Stephaniasaid.“Tomorrow…maybetomorrowI’lljustwanttohurtyou.Eitherway,itwon’tbeyourchoice,Ceres.Idon’tcareifit’stherebellionorthestonesofFelldustIgiveyouto.I’llhandyoutothembroken.”
Shestalkedawaythen,andherentouragewentwithher.TheyleftCeres.Theyjustlefther.Shehauledattheropesholdingheranditmadenodifference.Shestruggledinthedirtandthatjustcoveredherinmoreofit.
Finally,shecriedagain.Thatdidn’tmakeanydifferenceeither.Herpowersweregone,Stephaniawasgoingtokeepplayinghertwistedgame,andCereswastooweaktostopher.
CHAPTERTENStephaniapracticallyfloatedbackfromthepitonatideofherowntriumph.
She’denjoyedwatchingCeresbeatenthewayshe’denjoyedfewotherthings.Itwasn’tjustwatchingherhurt;itwashavingthepowertodoit.Before,CereshadbeensomethinguntouchablethankstothebloodoftheAncientOnes.
Now,Stephaniacouldprovetoeveryonewhowatchedthatshewasmorepowerful.Anditmeantthatshehadawaytokeepherfollowersdistracted.Thatwasimportanttoo.
HermindflowedthroughallthepossibilitiestherewereforbreakingCeres,judgingthemonebyoneasshetriedtobalancewhatwouldproveentertainingwithwhatwouldleavetoomanymarkswhenthetimecametogiveheraway.
“I’llthinkofsomething,”Stephaniasaid,butCerescouldn’toccupyherthoughtscompletely.ShesnappedherfingersatElethe,summoningherhandmaidenforward.“Iseverythinginthecastleasitshouldbe?”
Herhandmaidenbowedherhead.“Theguardswhoweresuspecthavebeenquietlypurged,mylady.Thelastrebelshavebeendrivenoutorcaptured.Therewasanattemptbyafewtobreakinthroughthetunnelsearlier,butitwasrepulsed.”
Stephanianodded.She’dexpectedthemtotrysomethinglikethat.Sheturnedtooneoftheguards.“Keepwatchersthere,andsetdoorswithinthetunnels,stronglybarred.Anescaperouteisallverywell,andwemayneeditifthenegotiationsdonotgoasplanned,butacastleshouldkeeppeopleout.”
“Yes,mylady.”Stephaniaturnedtothenextofthosearoundher,andthenext,takingin
information,piecingthingstogetherfromfragmentsthewayaseamstressmighthavestitchedscrapsintoablanket.
“Isthegirlprepared?”Stephaniaaskedanotherofherhandmaidens.Inanswer,thewomanbroughtforwardagirlwithgoldenhair,wearinga
dressthathadobviouslybeenborrowedfromoneofStephania’sclotheschests.TosomeonewhohadneverseenStephania,shemighthavepassedforher.
“No,”Stephaniasaid.“She’sstandingallwrong.Ifshestandsastimidlyasamouse,FirstStoneIrrienwillknowwhosheisinaheartbeat.Shemustbeconvincingforthefirstmeeting,untilwecangaugetheirmood.”
“I’lldobetter,mylady,”thegirlsaidinatremblingvoice.“Andteachhertospeakbetter,”Stephaniaaddedtothehandmaidenbehind
her.“Ifyoucan’timproveonthissoon,wemayhavetofindsomeoneelse.”Thehandmaidennodded,leadingthegirlaway.Oneoftheguardcaptainsgaveherareportontheconditionofthecastle’s
walls,notingacoupleofsmallgaps.Itwouldn’thavemadeanysensewithoutahandmaiden’sreportonthenoblewhowastryingtosmugglesuppliesoutofthebuilding.Aspytoldheraboutmessagesfortherebellionthey’dtakenalongwiththecastle,andthefiguresintherebellionthatthey’dmanagedtoidentifyfromthem.Stephaniafiledthatinformationawayforlater.
Therewerereportsontheprogressoftheinvasion,ofcourse.“Thefullfleethasn’tarrived?”Stephaniaasked.“Someofitappearstohave,”oneofherscoutssaid.“Therebellion’sfleet
seemstobeharryingitasitadvances,slowingsomeofit.”Itwasprobablytheonlytactictherebelsknew,althoughgiventhesizeof
Felldust’sfleet,itwasprobablyalsotheonlythingthatmightwork.“Someofit?”Stephaniaasked.Anotherofherhandmaidensansweredthatone.“Partsofthefleethave
landedbeyondthecity,spreadingouttoburnvillagesandbesiegeDelos.Afewhavemadeitin,andtheyseemtobefightingwiththerebelsinthestreets.”
Itsoundedlikechaos,yetitcouldalsobeexactlythekindofplantherebelsmightfavor.Stephaniaknewbetterthantothinkthattheywerestupid.Theyknewaboutfightingagainststrongeropponents.Theyknewabouttraps,andambushes,andpickingoffenemiespiecemealbeforemeltingaway.
“WhataretheFelldustgeneralsdoingtodealwithit?”Stephaniaasked.Whennoanswerwasforthcoming,shetriedchangingtack.“Whataretheydoingwiththeareasthey’vemovedinto?Thevillages,theoutskirts,allofit?”
There,atleast,itseemedthatsomeofherpeoplehadanswers.“Theyappeartobeburningthevillages,”oneofthesoldierstheresaid.“Or
theywere.Therearefewerfiresnow.”Thatwasn’tnecessarilyagoodthing.They’dobviouslybeenusingthefires
todrivepeasantstowardthecity.Now,itdidn’tmeanthey’dstoppedattacking.Itmightjustmeanthattheywantedthevillagesintactafterward.
“Wewereabletospotsomeslavelinesfromoneofthedistrictswherethey’velanded,”oneofherpeoplesaid.“Wetriedtosendawatchertoinvestigate.”
“Butyouhaveheardnothingsince,”Stephaniaguessed.Itwasafoolishrisktotake,butshedidn’tsaythatnow.Instead,shefoundherselfplanningahead,tryingtoworkoutthebestwaythroughwhatwastofollow.
“Weholdwhereweare,”shesaid.“Ifimperialsoldiersseeksanctuaryhere,containthemuntilsomeonecanvouchforthem.Ifanyoneelsetriestoenter,anyoneelse,cutthemdown.Weholdhere,nomatterwhathappens.”
Iftheycoulddothat,theywouldbeabletoforceterms.Theyhadenoughsupplieswithinthecastleforasiege,andthepotentialforescapethroughthe
tunnelssolongastheycontrolledthem.TheirwallswouldholdwhileFelldusttookwhatitwantedfromthecity.Theycouldn’thopetorunyet,ortheywouldbehuntedthroughthecountryside.Thebettercoursewastowait.Lettheinvasionrunoutofmomentumagainsttheirwalls.
ThenStephaniacouldstarttoputherproposalstoFirstStoneIrrien.ShewouldofferhimCeresasagifttodemonstratehisvictory.Shewouldoffergoldfromthetreasury.Perhaps,ifhewashandsomeenough,shewouldofferherself.Afterall,itwasonethingtoruleacastle,andstillhaveanEmpiretoreclaim,butifshecouldseducehim,shecouldhavetwokingdomsatherfingertips.
Butshewoulddecidethatlater.Inthemeantime,theonlyrealdangerwasdiscontent.
“Livinia?Arrangeamasque,andseethatallpleasuresareprovided.”“Yes,mylady.”Stephanialedthewaydowntothethroneroom.Theguardsthereraisedtheir
weaponsinsalute,yetwhatshesawwithinwasn’tquitesowelcome.QueenAthenasatonthethronethere,surroundedbyasmallcoterieof
nobles,guards,andservantsstandinginformalattendance.ShelookedupasStephaniaentered.
“Stephania,didyounotreceivemycommandtoattendme?”Therewasahintofrebukeinthequeen’stone.“Ihavebeenwaitinghere,andnoonewilltellmewhatishappening.”
“WhereasIhavebeenoutinthecastle,”Stephaniasaid.“Lookingformyself.”
Thatearnedherahardlookfromthequeen.“Careful,Stephania.Yourroleintakingbackthecastlehasbeennoted,andI
amgrateful,butrememberyourplace.”Stephaniasteppedforward.“Iammorethanawareofmyplace.Currently,
youaresittinginit.”Sheenjoyedthelookofsurprisethere.Stephaniawasn’tnormallydirect
aboutthesethings,buttherewassomethingwonderfulaboutthemomentswhenshecouldbe.Theywerethemomentswhensomethingshe’dplannedhadcometofruition.Whenshehadpower,andallthatremainedwastodemonstrateitsexistencetoothers.
“Stephania,”Athenasnappedback.“Youforgetyourself!Kneeltherebeforeme,andImayforgiveyouwhenIamdonespeakingwiththeothershere.”
TherewasprobablyapointinherlifewhenStephaniawouldhavedoneit.Whenshewouldhavesoughtthequeen’sfavoraboveallotherthings.Well,thingsmovedon,andQueenAthenahadonlyeverbeenusefulforthepowershecouldprovidetothosewhopleasedher.Stephaniahadnotimeforthosewho
clungontosuchthingslongerthantheyneededthroughweakness,orsomemisplacedsenseofloyalty.
“Theothers,”Stephaniasaid,lookingateachoftheminturn,silentlyassessingthenoblesthereandguessingwhichwaytheywouldjump.Shelookedbeyondthem,totheguardsandtheservants.“Iwonderifyoucanevenrememberalltheirnames,yourmajesty.Ican.Theirnames,theirsecrets,thethingsthatmattertothem.Irememberedenoughtogivethemthetitlestheyhavesoughtforyears,thegoldyouwouldnevergivethemtohelpwiththeirgamblingdebts.”Shelookedtothenoblesagain.“Youneedtoaskyourselveswhatismorelikelytobenefityou,servingawomanwhoknowsnothingofyou,orservingonewhounderstandseverythingyoudesireandispreparedtogiveit.”
“Youdare?”Athenacountered.Shepointedtothespotinfrontofthethrone.“IamtheQueenoftheEmpireandyouwillkneel,orIwillhaveyouslainasatraitor!”
Stephaniasmiledatthat.“You’veneverreallyunderstoodpower,haveyou,Athena?Youthinkit’senoughtoyellthatyouarethequeen,asifthatgivesyousomething.Asifitisatool,notaprize.Youthinkpeopleobeyjustbecauseofthebloodinyourveins?”
“Ithinktheywillobeythis,”Athenasnappedback,withawaveinStephania’sdirection.“Takeher!Hangherfromthetallestpointofthecastle,foralltosee!”
Stephaniapusheddowntheknotoffearthatcamewiththosewords.Howcouldshenotfeelfearinamomentbalancedlikethat?She’dmadeherpreparationsforthismoment,havingquietconversations,makingpromises,occasionallyremindingpeopleofthingsthatmightcomeoutifshedied.Ifshe’dmisjudgeditevenalittle,shewouldquicklyfindherselfexecutedasatraitor.Onlyafoolwouldfeelnothinginthatmoment.
Yetonlyafoolwouldshowtheslightesthintofit.Instead,Stephaniastoodatthecenteroftheroom,lookingaroundattheguardsthereandthenobles.Notbeggingfortheirallegiance,butexpectingit.Onelookedasthoughhemightmovetowardher,butStephaniastilledhimwithatwitchofherhand.Shefiledhisfeaturesawayinhermemory,incaseshehadtohavehimkilledlater.
Fornow,though,shereturnedherattentiontoAthena,smilingasgentlyasshecouldmanage.
“Itseemsthatyourcommandsaren’tworthmuchhere,”shesaid.“Shallweseehowminedo?Kneel,Athena.Kneel,andIwon’tkillyououtright.”
Athenasatthereforamomentortwo,lookingaroundasifhopingthatthiswasallsomedream.SheroseasifshemighttrytodefyStephaniaeventhen.Thenshecrumpledlikeastorm-blownleaf,fallingtoherknees.
“There,”shesaid.“Areyouhappy?”“Yes,”Stephaniareplied.“Very.”ShesteppedovertoAthena,reachingdowntotouchhershoulderthewayshe
mighthavereacheddowntoachild.“Poweriswhereveryoufindit,”Stephaniasaid.“Itiswhereveryoucan
convincepeopleitlies.Rightnow,itisinmyhands.”“Comparedtothearmyinvadingus,youhavenothing,”Athenasaid.
“Felldustwillwashthroughthiscitylikeaflood.”Stephaniamovedpasther,standinginfrontofthethrone,readytosit.She
tookaheartbeattosavortheexperience.“Ourformerqueenisright,”shesaid.“Thearmyinvadinguswillgothrough
thecity.Butwearenotinthecity.Itisnotaflood,butarisingtide.Itwillbreakagainstourwallsandfallagain,andthentheywilltalk,becausethefivestoneswillwantaclearvictoryratherthanamuddydriftingawayoftheirforces.Wearesafehere.Youknowme,andyouknowhowclearlyIplanthesethings.DoyouthinkforonemomentthatIhaven’taccountedforwhatmightcomenext?”
Shecouldseesomeofthoseintheroomstartingtorelax.Thiswaspartofthepowershehadnow.Theytrustedthatshewastheonewhomighthaveaplantosavethem.Ittiedthemtoherwiththreadsofobligationassolidassteel.Still,theywouldneedtobedistractedfromtheirquestions.Stephaniawasgladoftheentertainmentsshe’dordered.Therewaspowertobefoundinbeingtheonlyonethinkingbeyondtheirnextwineglass.
Athenalookedbackatherwithavenomousexpression.Stephania’ssmilewidened.
“You’veneverbeengoodatdisguisingwhatyoufeelhaveyou?”sheasked.“You’veneverhadto.Tellme,whyshouldIkeepanenemynearme?”
“Youpromisedme,”Athenashotback.“Youpromisedyouwouldn’tkillmeifIknelt.Look,allofyou.Thisisthekindofoathbreakeryouserve!”
Stephanialookedaroundtothem.Athenahadapoint.Killherdirectly,andtheotherswouldceasetotrusther.Failtokillher,though,andshewouldbeleavinganenemyalive.
“You’reright,”Stephaniasaid.“Igavemyword.Youwillnotbeexecuted.”Shegesturedtotwooftheguards,whosteppedforwardwithouthesitation.“TakeAthenafromhere.Takehertothefrontgateofthecastleandlether
go.”Athenaturnedtoherinobvioushorror.“You’regoingtothrowmeoutinto
thecity?Iftherebelliondoesn’tkillme,theinvaderswill.No,Iwon’tleave!”StephanianoddedtoElethe.“Findabow.Whentheguardstossthisidiot
throughthegate,counttoahundred.Ifsheisstillinrangethen,shoother
down.”“Yes,my…yourmajesty.”Stephaniasmiledatthecorrection.Sheloweredherselfintothethrone,
enjoyingthefitofit.Shecouldgetusedtobeingaqueen.
CHAPTERELEVENIfSarteshadknownhowbadthingswereinDelos,hewouldhavehurried
backsooner.Hedrovehiswagonupontoariseinfrontofthecity,andfromthere,hecouldseeFelldust’swarriorsapproachingitlikesomegreatswarmofinsectsreadytoengulfit.
Thenavalbattlebeyondthecitywasraginginfireandburstsofviolence,shipssweepingforwardandthenpullingback.Sartesdidn’tknowhowlongithadbeengoing,butfornowatleast,itseemedtobeslowingthemainbulkoftheinvasion.
Itcouldn’tstopallofit,though.Sartescouldseefiresinthedistancewherevillageshadbeenburned,andlinesoftentsarrangedinaroughcrescentinfrontofthecity.Thereweresignsofviolenceinsidethecitytoo,withsmallfiguresrunningtogetherinthestreets,thedistancerenderingitsilentinspiteofthemayhemofit.
Hecouldseeotherfiguresleavingthecity,someofthemfleeinginbunches,otherssprintingalone.Sartescouldseeonegroupoffiguresinthedust-smearedarmorofFelldust,bearingdownonagroupofthosefleeing,theirintentobvious.
“There,”Sartessaid,pointing.“Withme!”Hecrackedthereins,forcingthewagonforward.HeturnedtoLeyana.“Bereadytojump.”Thewagonbuiltspeedasitthundereddowntheslope.Sartessteeredit
towardthefleeingfiguresandthenpastthem,aimingforthearmoredwarriorsbeyond.Hesawtheirfacesasthewagonboredown,andheforcedhimselftokeepthewagonstraight.
“Now!”heyelledtoLeyana.“Jump!”Hewrappedhisarmsaroundherandleaptwithher,makingsurethathetook
thebruntoftheimpactastheyrolled.SartescameupjustintimetoseethewagonbarrelintotheranksofFelldust’ssoldiers,crushingandscatteringthem.
Herolledtohisfeet,drawinghisswordoninstinctassomeofthewarriorsofFelldustcontinuedtorushforward.Someofthemworebrightchainmail,buttherewasn’ttheuniformityamongthemthattherehadbeenintheEmpire’sarmy.
Thatdidn’tmatter,though,whentheywerechargingtowardhim.Sartesbracedhimselffortheattack,lookingaroundatthepeasantsandtownsfolkwho’dbeenfleeing.
“Stand!”heyelled.“Standandfight!”Theyran,though,andSarteshadtostandtherewhilethemightofFelldust’s
soldiersboredownonhim.Thefirstsoldierswerealmostonhimwhenanother
wagonrushedpasttoslamintothem,thenanother.Herealizedinaflashofshockthattheotherconscriptshadstartedtocopyhisexample.He’dhopedtheymightfollow,buthe’dneverbelievedthattheymightdothis.
Sarteswatchedthewagonsstrikehome,andsuddenly,itwasFelldust’swarriorswhowererunning,fleeingbackdowntheslopetowardtheirlines.Itshouldhaveseemedlikeablessing,butinstead,Sartescouldonlyseethedangeritrepresented;thechancesofthemreturninginforce.
“Areyouallright?”heaskedLeyana.“I’mfine,”sheassuredhimwithasmile.“Weshouldkeepmoving,shouldn’t
we?”Theyhadto,butSartescouldn’thelpstaringafterthecrowdofpeoplefleeing
thecity.“Theywouldn’thelp,”hesaid.“We’vedonesomuchtohelpthem,andthey
wouldn’thelp.”“They’rejustafraid,”Leyanasaid.Itdidn’tseemtobeenoughofananswertoSartes,buttheykeptgoingdown
towardthecityanyway.Therewasaspottherethattherebellionhadusedasasmuggler’swaythroughthewalls.Itwasopennow,andSartescouldseesoldiersbeyondit,fightingoneanotherinaskirmishthatrangwiththesoundsofsteelandpain.WhenSarteslookedthroughthegaptoseewhowasfighting,hehurriedforward.
“Quick,”hecalled.“Weneedtohelpthem.Myfather’sthere!”Hisfatherwasswinginghissmith’shammerwiththestrengthofamuch
youngermanwhilearoundhim,rebelstriedtopushthewarriorsofFelldustback.Hisfatherhadothersmithswithhimthere,theirhammersrisingandfallingasrhythmicallyastheymighthavewhenforgingsteel.They’dobviouslybeenoutworkingonthewallswhenthefighthadcome.
Sartessawonefalltoathickbodiedknife,cutdownwhiletryingtoholdtheinvadersback.Heplungedintothesmallbattle,throwinghimselfatawarriorfrombehindandfeelinghisbladesinkhome.AnotherranathimandSartesbarelyduckedoutofthewayintime.
Theothersweretherethen,pouringinwithhimtoattacktheforcestryingtogetintothecityfrombehind.Atthesametime,hisfathergaveashout,urginghismenforwardinafreshattack.
Thereseemedtobebladeseverywhereinthenextfewseconds.Sartesduckedunderthesweepofasword,tryingtostabbackasitcameathimandnotknowingifheconnected.HedodgedpastanattackertomakeittoanotherwhowasgrapplingwithLeyana.Hepulledthemanfromher,trippinghim,andtherestofthebattleflowedoverhim.
Itwasn’tasbriefasthefighttosavetherefugeeshadbeen.There,they’dhadthecrushingpoweroftherunawaywagons.Now,itwasdowntoviolenceandspeed,buttheystillhadtheadvantageofsurprise.Theinvaderswereexpectingtobetheonesdescendingwithdeathandchaos.Theydidn’texpecttobetheonesbeingattacked.
Sartessawhisfathersweepamanfromhisfeetwithhishammer,sawapairofrebelsdivingononeoftheiropponentstogether,sawoneofLordWest’smenthrustrightthroughanattacker.
Justasquicklyasithadbegun,itwasdone,andtheystoodpantingastheadrenalineleftthem.Sarteslookedaround,andrelieffloodedhimashesawthatLeyanawasallright,andsowashisfather.
Herushedforwardtodrawhisfatherintoahug.“I’msogladyou’resafe,”hesaid.“Igotyourmessage.”
“Thingsarebad,”hisfathersaid.“I’mtryingtopatchtheholesinthewalls,buttheykeeppunchingnewones,orfindingthem.”
SartestookLeyana’shand.“Father,thisisLeyana.Wemetoutsidethecity,andshe’sbeentravelingwithus.”
Hewantedtosaytherestofit:thathelovedher.Fromhisfather’sexpression,though,itseemedthathedidn’tneedtosayit.
“IwishIcouldtellyoutobothrunnowandbehappy,”hisfathersaid.“But…weneedallthehelpwecangettofightthisinvasionandfreeyoursister.”
Sartesnodded.Heunderstoodthat,andthetruthwasthattherewasnowayhewouldhaveagreedtogowhenCereswasindanger.Itseemedthatnoteveryonefeltthatwaythough,becausehesawacoupleofLordWest’sformermenstandandheadtowardtheholeinthewall.
“Whereareyougoing?”Sartesdemanded.“BacktotheNorthCoast.There’snowinningthis.”Angerflaredinhim.“You’regoingtodesert?Afteryousworeanoathto
Ceres?”Oneofthewarriorsclimbedthroughthegap.Theothershookhishead
ruefully.“Ceresisgone,”hesaid.“YouthinkStephaniawillkeepheralive?Ceresis
gone.Thecastleisgone.Thecitywillfollowsoon.It’snotasthoughmostofthepeopleherearestandinguptofight.”
“They’recowardslikeyou,”Sartessaid.Hefelthisfather’shandfallonhisshoulderinasilentwarning.
“I’mnocoward,”thewarriorsaid.“I’llstandandfight,butI’lldoitontheNorthCoast.I’lldoittoprotectmylandandmypeople.Thiscityislost.”
Heduckedthroughtheholetoo,andSarteswantedtorushforwardtodraghimback,buthisfather’shandpreventedit.
“Letthemgo,”hesaid.“Wecan’tforcepeopletofight,butwehaveto,andthereisn’tmuchtime.”
Thatpart,atleast,Sartescouldunderstand.Hissisterwasinthecastlesomewhere,inspiteofwhatthemenhadsaid.
“Weneedtogetintothecastleifwe’regoingtorescueCeres,”Leyanasaid.Sartessawhisfathersmile.“Itseemsyou’vefoundyourselfagirlasbraveasyouare,”hesaid.“Yes.Use
thetunnels.Idon’tknowifanyonewillhaveclosedthem,buttryingtofindawayinthroughthemisouronlyrealchance.Thewallsaretoostrongtojustscale.AtleastwithoutCeresandthecombatlords.”
Hedidn’tsoundthathopeful,butSartesknewtheyhadtotry.Thecastlehadalwaysbeensecure,butthetunnelsunderthecityranalmosteverywhere.Therehadtobeawayin,didn’tthere?
“Ifit’spossible,I’lldoit,”Sartespromised.“We’lldoit,”Leyanacorrectedhim.“Andinthemeantime,I’llholdontothecity,”hisfathersaid.“I’llkeep
patchingthewalls,andwe’llkeepfightingtheoneswhodogetin.”They’ddecidedthen.Theonlydifficultynowwasdoingit.
***
Sartescreptthroughtheneardarkofthetunnelsbeneaththecity,holdingupa
smuggler’slamptolightthewaywhiletheothersfollowedhim.Hekepttheshuttersonitlow,illuminatingonlyashortstretchofthepathahead.Theothersfollowedbehind,forcedtogosinglefilebecauseofthenarrownessofthetunnelsaroundthem.
“Isthistherightway?”Leyanaasked,fromclosebehindhim.“Idon’tknow,”Sartesadmitted.“Weusedtothinkthatthereweren’tany
waysstraightintothecastle,orwe’dhaveattackeditthatway.Now…Iknowthereweresecretpassagesinthecastle.I’mjusthopingtheyconnect,Iguess.”
Leyanareachedouttosqueezehishand.“It’simportanttohavehope.”Thehardestpartwasthatitwasdifficulttokeeptrackofthedirectionthey
weremovingin.Sarteswasdoinghisbesttomaptheturnsandopeningsastheymadetheirwayalong,butitwasdifficulttobecertain.Theycouldbeheadinginthewrongdirectionentirely,eventhoughhe’dspentplentyoftimeintherebellion’ssectionsoftheoldtunnels.
Theonetheywerewalkingdownstartedtoopenout,andSartessawthe
stoneworkaroundthemchangeslightly,tomoreregularstone,dressedanddecoratedinawaythatseemedfamiliar.
“Ithinkthismightbeit,”hesaid,althoughhekepthisvoicedownsoitwouldn’tcarrytoofar.“Thisway.”
Heledthewayasthetunnelbecameacorridor,whichgavewaytodead,emptyroomsthathadobviouslybelongedtofarolderstructures.Therewasevenfurnitureinsomeofthem,sooldandrottedthatwhenSartestouchedanancient-lookingchair,itcollapsed.
Thenextroomwascircular,withsunlightvisiblefarabove.Fragmentsofmirrorssetalongthewallsreflectedthatlight,suggestingthatithadoncebeensomekindofwelloflight.Foramoment,Sartesfoundhimselfdazzledjustlookingatit…
…andthatwaswhenthesoldierscame.Theyrushedfromopeningsinthewallsinamassthatcaughttheirlineof
formerconscriptsunprepared.Sartessawoneslashhisbladeacrossthethroatofaboybeforehecouldevenstarttoclearhisweapon.
Sartesbarelymanagedtobringhisowntobearintime.Heparriedastrokethatwouldotherwisehavegonestraightthroughhisheart,jumpingbackwithnochancetocounterattack.Heparriedagain,swingingbackblindly.
Heknewhewasn’tagreatfighter.NotthewayCereswas,orAkila,orThanos.Whenhe’dsucceededbefore,itwasalwaysbecausehe’dfoundwaystooutthinkhisopponents,tosurprisethemorstrikeattheminunexpectedways.
Here,though,therewasnoroomformovement,notimeforplanning.SartessawtheEmpire’smenslamintotheconscripts,andalthoughtheyfoughtback,theslaughterinthosefirstfewsecondswashorribletowatch.Hesawswordsslidingintofleshandoutagain,bloodcoveringthem.Hesawconscriptsstrugglingdesperately,tryingtoovercomethesurpriseandfightback.
Sartestriedtofight.Hethrustatoneman,feelinghisbladestrikehome,thenbarelymanagedtostepbackasareturnthrustcameathim.Inanenclosedspacelikethis,therewasbarelyanyroomtododge.Aroundhim,hesawtheformerconscriptsfightingbravely,theirbladesflashinginthelightastheystruggledwiththeirattackers.
Sartesshouldhaveknown.HeshouldhaveguessedthatStephaniawouldhavethetunnelswatched,andthatthewatcherswouldseethemcoming.Heshouldhavebeenmorecareful.Heshouldhave—
“Sartes!”HespunatthesoundofLeyana’svoice.Shewaspressedupagainstawall,a
soldierholdingherpinionedwristswithonehandwhilehisotherstruggledwithalengthofrope.Asifshewerenothingmorethananotherslavetobetaken.
FuryflashedthroughSartesthen,andheranattheotherman.Inthepressoftheviolence,though,therewasnoroomtodoit.Hefoundasoldierbargingintohimfromoneside.Hepushedpastandtrippedasaleghookedhisankle.
Hebrieflysawtheworldstretchedoutabovehim,withthefiguresofthosefightingalittleabove,thenthemirroredwallsofthelightwell,thentheopenskybeyond.Sartesstruggledtostand—andthensomethingstruckhimonthesideofthehead.
Heslippedintoblackness,andeventhesoundsofbattlefadedtonothingness.
CHAPTERTWELVEBythetimeDeloscameintoview,Felenefeltasthoughshemightkeelover
atanymoment.Herbackburnedinawaythatitshouldn’thave,alongwayfromthedullachethatdenotedhealing.
“YoushouldhavestayedwiththehealersinFelldust,”shetoldherself,butshedidn’tbelieveit.Shehadatask,andshewasgoingtodoit,whateverittook.
Thesmallconvoyshewastravelingwithwasnohelp.TheircaptainhadbeenseriousaboutFeleneonlyeatingherownsupplies,andeveniftherehadbeeninvitationstojointheothersonthedeckoftheadjoiningships,Felenewouldn’thavetrustedthem.Attheveryleast,sheneededtomaintaintheillusionthatshewasoneofthem,andherFelldustaccentwasn’tgoodenoughforalongconversation.
Seeingthebattlethatragedahead,Felenefoundherselfgratefulthatshedidfitin.Felldust’sfleetwaslikeastainonthewater,heldbackonlybytheshoredefensesandtheharborchains.Felenecouldseeshipsflyingthecolorsoftherebelliontryingtoharrytheedgesofthefleet,fightingbravely,butshecouldseethattheirnumberswerefartoofewtoeverhold.
Thenshecaughtsightofmore.Therewerehalfadozenshipsofvaryingsizes,includingonegreatgalleythat
lookedfartoomuchasthoughithadbeenstolenfromtheEmpire.Theydescendedontheconvoyshewasapartofthewayraidersonlandmighthaveharassedanarmy’ssupplylines.Itwasagoodtactic.Ifthefleetturnedtohelpthosejoiningit,thenitwouldbedistractedfromitsworkwhiletheattackersmeltedaway.Ifitdidn’t,thenitlostpotentialalliesandsupplies.
WhichwouldbefineifFeleneweren’tononeoftheshipstheyweretargeting.
Shebrokeawayfromtheotherswhilethesquadronofshipsboredownonthem.Shedidn’ttrytobreakawaycompletelythough.Thebiggershipsoftherebellionhadmoresailsandfullbanksofoars.AllFelenehadwasawoundthatcontinuedtopainherandaneedtogetintothecity.
Sheheardthemomentwhenthegreatgalleyslammedintooneoftheshipsshe’dbeentracking.Itsoundedlikeatreefallingastheramontheprowtorethroughthesideofthevessel.Therowersputitintoreverse,whileatthesametimewarriorsnearthefrontfoughtagainstthosewhotriedtosavethemselvesbyjumpingaboardtheattackingship.
TherewerebattlesgoingonallaroundFeleneastheothershipsclosedandboardedtherestofthefleet.BattlesonlandwerebadenoughthatFelenealwaystriedtoavoidthem.Battlesonthewaterwerealwaysmorebrutal,becausethere
wasnoplacetokeepprisoners,andthemonstersofthedeepwaterwerealwayscircling,waitingforthosewhohitthewater.Feleneheardonemanscreamingasthesharkstookhim,thenrealizedthatsheshouldbeworryingaboutherself,becausethegreatgalleywasturninginherdirection.
Quickly,Felenestartedtounwindthemaskthathidherface.Notthatitwouldhelp.Itwasn’tasthoughanyonebutThanosknewwhoshewas.Thatwasheronlyhope.Shepointedhersmallboatatthehugeshipasifshemightramit,hopingthattheywouldn’tjustpickheroffwitharrows.
“Thanos!”sheyelledabovethenoiseofthebattle.“Thanossentme!”Shekeptyellingasshegotcloser,pullingjusttothesideofthegalleywhere
theoarsrosetolethergetclose.Archersappearedatthesidethen.Felenedidn’ttrytokillthese;shejustkeptyelling.
“PrinceThanossentme!”Someonemusthavesaidsomethingupondeck,becausethearrowslowered
andaboardingnetdroppeddownthesideofthegalley.Feleneunderstoodwhattheywanted,butshewasn’tgoingtoletthemdictatethingssoeasily,soshetookagrapplinghookandlobbeditupthere,ignoringthepainofthemovement.Shefixedittohersmallboatsoitwouldn’tfloataway,thenstartedtoclimb.
Shesoonwishedshehadn’t.Rightthen,everymovementwasagony.Halfwayup,itfeltasthoughshemightcollapsebackintothewaterwiththesharks.Bythetop,itwasallshecoulddotopullherselfovertherailingsandfalltoherfrontonthedeck.Shelookeduptoseeawiry,tough-lookingmanwatchingher,recognizedAkila,andforcedherselfatleasttooneknee.
“Consideryourselfboarded,”shemanagedbetweenpantingbreaths.“I’ddemandthatyouallsurrenderatonce,butyoumighthavetogivemeaminute.”
Thatgotatightsmilefromthemanthere.“Irememberyou,”Akilasaid.“You’retheonewhobroughtThanosto
Haylon.”“Andyou’retheonewhosaidyouweren’tgettinginvolved,”Felenesaid.“I
guessthingschange.”Akilalookedatherforalongmoment.“Doyouneedhelp?Wehavehealers
aboard.”Hegestured,andawomanranforward,examiningFelene’sbackwhilethey
kepttalking.Felenehissedinpaineverytimethewomantouchedher.“HaveyoujoinedFelldust’sarmythen?”Akilaasked.“ShouldIbethrowing
youbackovertheside?”“Youmightaswellnotbother,withthelookofthiswound,”thehealersaid,
proddingattheholeinFelene’sback.ItwasallFelenecoulddotokeepfromspinningaroundandknockingherdown.
“Pleasedon’tdothat,”Felenesaid.“It’sbadenoughI’vebeencoughingbloodhalfthewayfromFelldust,withoutyoudoingthat.”
“SoyoudidcomefromFelldust?”Akilaaskedher.They’dmetbefore,butFelenehadfoundthatdidn’talwaysstoppeoplefrom
tryingtokillyou.Particularlyiftheythoughtyou’dpickedthewrongside.Shedecideditwasprobablyagoodmomentforanexplanation.
“Stephaniafooledme,”shesaid.“Thanostoldmethathewasgoingtotrytosaveher,andwhenshecametomyboatforanescapefromDelos,Iboughtherliethathewasgone.ItookhertoFelldust,andshestabbedmeintheback.NowIhearthatshe’sreturnedtoDelos.”
“Shehasthecastle,”Akilasaid.“I’vehadmessengerbirds,butIcansparenomen.”
“GoodthingI’mnotoneofyourmen,then,”Felenepointedout.Sheforcedherselftoherfeetinspiteofthepain.“I’mgoingtofindher,andI’mgoingtoendthis.”
Shedidn’thavetoforcethatdeterminationintohervoice.Itwasthereattheheartofherlikethehardkeelofaship,holdingittrueandbalanced.ShewasgoingtofindStephania.Shewasgoingtostopher,whateverittook.
“Anadmirableambition,”Akilasaid.“Whatmakesyouthinkyoucandoit?”Felenegavehimahardlook.“I’mnotaskingyourpermission.”Sheforcedherselftostandstraightthen.Shedrewablade,lettingitshinein
thesun.“I’vebeenacrosscontinents.I’vestolenheartsandjewelsandtreasuresyou
couldn’tbegintoimagine.I’vefoughtmywaypastcreaturesandmen.YoureallythinkonecastlewallisgoingtostopmewhenIwantrevenge?”
ShesawAkilasmileatthat.“Probablynot.Tellme,areyoustartingtowishthatyou’dnevermet
Thanos?”“Areyou?”Felenecountered.Shesawhimshrugthen.“Sometimes,whenwelosemymeninoneoftheattacks.I’mthrowing
myselfattheirfleet,andImightaswellbeablood-flyscrapingatahorse’shide.Ibite,andthetailswishes,andIhavetoflyagainincaseI’msquashed.”
Feleneunderstoodthatfeeling.Shewasthrowingherselfatacastlesinglehanded,afterall.
“ThereareplacesI’veseenwheremenrunfromtheinsectswarms,”Felenepointedout.“Wheretheydrainhorsesdry,ortheydiediseasedafterwards.”
“Notthemostcomfortingofimages,”Akilareplied.Felenedidn’tcare.Shewasn’ttheretobecomforting.ShesawAkila’shealer
movetohim,whisperingsomethinginhisear.Felenecouldtellfromthegeneral’sexpressionthatitwasn’tgoodnews.
“Yourhealer’stellingyouthatI’mdying,isn’tshe?”Feleneasked.Akilahesitatedforamoment,andthennodded.“Yes.I’msorry.”Felenedidn’thavemuchtimeforsympathythen.Bythesoundofit,she
didn’thavemuchtimeforanything.“TellmesomethingIdon’tknow,”Felenereplied.Thehealerdidn’tseemwillingtostop,though.“Yourwoundhasfestered,”shesaid,“andworse,Ithinkthereisaflakeof
metalleftinthere.IfI’dbeenabletogettoitearlier,Imighthavebeenabletohelp,butasitis…I’msorry.”
Shesaidthatinthetonesofsomeonewhohadalreadylookedattoomanydyingsoldierstoday.Felenecouldn’tblameherforit.Shehadtosaveherblameforthepeoplewhodeservedit.
“AndyoutoldAkilaratherthanmebecauseyouwantedhimtodecideifIoughttoknow.Becauseitmightbebettertosendmeoffnotknowing.”
Thatgotaslightlyfrightenedlookfromthehealer.Felenewaveditaway.“I’veknownhowthisendssinceIleft,”Felenesaid.“Itdoesn’tmatter,does
it,Akila?”ShewatchedashelookedouttowardthebulkoftheFelldustfleet.“No,Iguessitdoesn’t.”HeheldouthishandtoherandFelenetookit.Shecouldfeelthestrength
thereandthecertainty.Shehopedthatshefeltthesamerightthen.“Wishyou’dstayedonHaylonwhenIgaveyouthechance?”heasked.“Wishyou’dstayed?”Felenecountered.Hewasgoingtodie,assurelyasshewas.Shemightbleedtodeath,ordie
fever-riddenandraving.Hewasgoingtobecrushedbythefleet.Eitherway,itwasbetterthandyingoldandtoothlessyearsfromnow,theirglorydayslongforgottenbyallaroundthem.Althoughsomewhereinbetweenthosetwopointsmighthavebeennice.
“Belucky,”Akilasaid.“I’dratherbedeadly,”Felenesaid.“Luckcomesintwokinds,afterall.”Akilanoddedatthat.“We’lldowhatwecantohelpyou,”hepromised,“butthat’slittleenough.”“You’veabattletowin,afterall,”Felenesaid.Shemadeajokeofit,though
itdidn’tseemlikeafunnyonerightthen.“MaybeI’llclimbontotheirshipssinglehandedanddemandthatthey
surrender.”Feleneguessedshedeservedthat.Evenso,lookingatthefleetahead,itdid
lookprettyimpenetrable.“Canyoudoonethingforme?”sheasked.“Canyougivemeawayin?
Thereareplentyofspotswhereasmugglermightland,butIdon’twanttofindmyselfchasedbyhalfofthebattlewhileIdoit.”
“ThenI’lltrytomovethebattleforyou,”Akilasaid.Thenhenodded.“I’lldrawthemoff,giveyouanopening.Butyou’llneedtobefast.”
Felenewasalwaysthat.Fast,anddeadly,andcertain.Soonenough,shedecidedasshestartedtoclimbbacktoherboat,Stephaniawouldfindoutexactlyhowmuchofallthreeshecouldbe.
CHAPTERTHIRTEENThanosstaredatthespacewhereFelldust’scoastgavewaytothevillagesof
theBoneFolk,tryingtohidethetrepidationthathefeltaboutgoingtoaplacelikethat.He’dheardasmanyofthestoriesaboutwhattheydidtooutsidersasanyone.
Morethanthat,hestilldidn’tknowifthiswastherightmove.HisheartachedtobebackinDelos,helpingCerestodefendthecity.Yethewasjustoneman.Alone,hecouldn’thopetostoptheinvasion.Heneededallies.
“Areyousureaboutthis?”thecaptainasked,asthecrewstartedtolowerthesmallboatthatheldThanosandJeva,theBoneFolkwomanhe’dsavedonthedocks.
“I’msureitneedstobedone,”Thanossaid.HesawJevanodgravely.“Peoplemustalwaysdowhatisneedful,”shesaid.“Andwhattheancestors
wouldapproveof,ofcourse.”“Whichjusthappenstoincludebutcheringstrangers,”thecaptaincalled
down.Jevagavehimacontemptuouslook,butThanosthoughthecouldseeaflash
ofhumortherebeneaththepaleashthatcoveredherface.“Someofourancestorswereveryviolent,”shesaidwithashrug.“Whoare
thelivingtodisputewiththeweightofthedead?”Thanosfelttheboathitthewater,andhestartedtorowbeforehecould
changehismind.Overhisshoulder,hecouldseethevillageadvancing.Manyofthebuildingswerewooden,butthey’dobviouslybeendriedoutbythesunandwornbythewind,bleacheduntilitlookedasthoughJeva’speoplelivedinbuildingsmadefrombone.Itdidn’thelpthattherewasanarchdownbythespotwherethewatermettheshore,builtfromthebonesofsomeseacreaturesovastThanoswasgladhewasn’tmeetingitwhileitlived.
“Iknowthatlook,”Jevasaid.“Itisthelookallyourkindget.Itsaysthatwearebarbariansbecausewehonorthedeadproperlyandcarrythemwithus.Itisthelookthatcomesbeforetheinsults,whichcomebeforetheviolence.”
“MaybeIdon’tunderstandyou,”Thanossaid,“butthat’snotthesamethingashatingyou.”
“Ihavefoundittobethesame,manytimes,”Jevasaid.Sheshruggedagain.“Yoursailorwasright.Mypeoplearenotoftenfriendlytostrangers.Thisisaplaceforpirates,notfarmers.Afteryourassistance,Iwillhelpyoutospeakwiththem,butIcanpromisenothing.”
ThatwasalreadyfarmorethanThanoscouldhavehopedfor.
Theybeachedtherowingboattogether,draggingituptowherethetidewouldn’tclaimitbeforetheyheadedintothevillage.Jevaseemedtobeleadinghiminthedirectionofoneofthefewstonebuiltstructuresthere:amany-sidedhallwithchimneysthatbelchedoutacridsmoke.
Therewereguardsonthedoor,bare-chestedandwearingkiltsoftoughleather,carryingstaffswithbulbousends,obviouslymeantforcrushing.TheyfrownedasJevaapproached,butshesaidsomethinginalanguageThanosdidn’tunderstandandtheysteppedback.
“WhatwouldhavehappenedifI’dtriedtalkingtotheminFelldust’slanguage?”Thanosasked.
“Theywouldprobablyhaveignoredyou,”Jevareplied.“Barbariansarerarelyworthspeakingwith.Removeyourboots.Thehouseofthedeadmustnotbedisturbedbythedirtoftheliving.”
Thanosdidit.Henotedthatshedidn’taskhimtoleavehisweapons.Inside,itwasobviousthatthiswasn’tjustahall,butsomethingclosetoa
temple.Peoplethrongedabout,talkingandarguing,whileabove,onaraisedplatform,menandwomeninsilkrobesverysimilartoJeva’sstoodinfrontofgreatfiresthatburnedinpits.
OrdinarymembersoftheBoneFolkcameuptothem,receivingsomethingthattheyputontheirtonguesbeforereturningtothecrowd.SomepausedtospeaktothosethereinthelanguageJevahadused,andjudgingbythetoneofthecrowdthosearoundthemeithercalledouttheirsupportorcondemnedtheirwords.
“Isthissomekindofreligiousceremony?”Thanosasked.“Somekindofpublicforum?Somethingelse?”
“Allthree,”Jevaanswered.“Thosewhogotothepriestsreceivetheashofthedeadtobindthemtoourancestors.Someclaimtospeakwiththeirvoice,butthatwasararetalenteveninolderdays.Eventhepriestsmustcastrunesandreadsigns.Mostofthosewhospeaksaythingsthataretheirown.”
Thanossawonemanstepuptothestage,onlyfortheprieststostepback,shakingtheirheads.Themanstoodtherefirmly,holdingoutahand.
Aprieststeppedforwardandstruckwithalongdagger,slashingitacrosstheman’sthroat.Ashecollapsed,thepriestshovedhisbodyintooneofthefires,lettingtheflamesconsumehim.ItwassosuddenandbrutalthatThanoscouldonlystandthereinshock.
“Notallarejudgedworthy,”Jevasaid.“Thatonewasathiefandaliar,whodaredtoselloneofourkindtoslavers.Hewastoldhecouldnotbeonewiththedeadanymore.Theytreatedhimastheywouldanoutsiderwhodemandedtospeakwhenheshouldnot.”
“You’resayingthey’llkillme?”Thanosasked.Jevashrugged.“Maybe,maybenot.Butyoumusttaketheashifyouwish
themtolisten.Iwilltranslate.”SheledthewayforwardasifitwereobviousthatThanosshouldfollow.
Maybeitwas,becausethefactshadn’tchanged.Heneededthehelpofthepeopleinthisroom.Hesteppedafterher,followingherthroughthecrowd.ItoccurredtohimashefollowedthatJevalookedremarkablysimilartothepriestsupthere.
“Areyouoneofthem?”heasked.Shelookedbackathim.“Ihavebeenthroughtherites,yes.TheythoughtI
mightspeakwiththevoiceofthedead.”Thanosfrownedatthat.“Doyou?”Shedidn’tanswer,headinguptotheplatform.AsThanosfollowed,hesaw
peoplestaringathim.Althoughtheyallseemedsostrangehere,heknewthathewastheonewhostoodoutasnotbelonging.WhenJevaledhimtotheraisedplatform,Thanosevenheardafewgasps.
Hecertainlyheardthesharpnessofthepriest’stonewhenoneofthemsteppedforwardtospeakwithJeva.Shesaidsomethingback,andThanoshadtheimpressionofafast,determinedargument.Finally,Jevasteppedtoaspotwhereanurnstood,takingapinchofash.Thanosthoughtshewasabouttoconsumeit,butthenherealizedthatshewasholdingitouttohim.
“Ifyouhesitatenow,”shesaidinaharshwhisper,“theywillneverlistentoyou.”
Thanosopenedhismouth,lettingherplacetheashonhistongue.Ittastedbitteranddryinthemomentsbeforehemadehimselfswallow.
“SpeaktotheminFelldust’stongue,”Jevasaid.“Theywillunderstand,andIwilltranslateforthosewhodon’t.”
Thanosnodded,lookingoutoverthecrowdoftheBoneFolk.He’daddressedpeoplebefore,butrarelywithsomuchridingontheoutcome,andrarelywithsuchaterrifyingaudience.
“I’mheretoaskforyourhelp,”Thanossaid.“YouknowofthefleetthatFelldusthassentagainstwhat’sleftoftheEmpire.TheyareattackingDelosaswespeak.Withoutassistance,itwillfall,andpeopleIcareaboutwilldie.”Hehesitated,justforamoment.“ThepersonIcareaboutmostwilldie.”
“Allpeopledie,”amancalledfromthecrowd.“AndawarbetweentheFirstStoneandsomefar-offcityisnobadthing.Itmeansthatwedonothavehisshipsharassingus.Whyshouldwehelpyou,outsider?”
Thanoshadknownthatquestionwouldcomeeversincehe’dcomeupwiththisplan.He’dbeenthinkingaboutwhattooffer,andwhattodemand,ever
sinceheinvitedJevaontotheship.“I’mnotaskingyoutodothisfromthegoodnessofyourhearts,”Thanos
said.“TheEmpirehasgold,andwouldbegratefultoanyonewhosavedit.”He’dexpectedthattogetaresponse.Thiswasacommunityofpiratesand
robbers,afterall.Itwasjustashortstepfromthattobeingmercenaries.“Irrienofferedusyourgold,”oneofthoseinthecrowdcalledout.“Hesaid
wecouldkeepwhatwetook,butwedidn’ttrusthim.Hehasspenttoomuchtimeattackingus.”
Thanoslookedoutattheman.Hehadhairthathadbeenspikedintoelaborateshapes,andscarsfromplentyofconflicts.
“Thenthisisyourchancetodefeathim.Ifwedothattogether,hecannotbeathreattoyourpeopleanymore.”
“Orhedestroysuscompletelyfordaring,”themanshotback.“Anyway,theEmpirehasbeennofriendtous.”
Probablybecauseitdidn’tlikehavingitsshipsattacked.Thanoscouldonlythinkofonemorethingtooffer.
“Whataboutland?”heasked.“Youdon’thavemuchhere.Iamthesonofaking,hisrightfulheir.Icouldgiveyounewplacestolive.”
“Awayfromthelandsofourancestors?”onedemanded.“Youwouldtakeusfromourownlands?”
“That’snotwhatI—”Thanosbeganbuttheywerealreadyshoutingoverhim.Worse,oneofthepriestswasadvancing,thethreatinhisdrawnweaponobvious.
ThanosfeltJeva’shandonhisarm.“Timetogo,unlessyouwanttoenduponthepyre,”shesaid.Thanosdidn’targue,althoughrightthen,itfeltasthoughitdidn’tmakemuch
differencewhereheendedup.He’dbeensocertainhecouldgethelpforDelos,andhe’dfailed.HefollowedJevabackoutofthehall,buthekeptlookingbacktowardtheplatformashedidit.
“WhoisthispersonwhoisgoingtodieinDelos?”Jevaaskedastheycameoutintotheopenair.
Thanosthoughtaboutnotsayinganything.Ithurttoomuchtothinkaboutitrightthen.YethefeltasthoughheowedJevasomethingforgettinghimthisfar.
“HernameisCeres,”hesaid.“She…she’sinchargeofthingsthere,Iguess.SheandI…”
HowcouldhehopetoexplaineverythingbetweenhimselfandCerestosomeoneelse?Therehadbeentoomanythingsstackedoneatoptheother,betweentherebellion,andStephania,andthinkingshewasdead.
“Ceres?”Jevaasked.“ThegirlwhohastheAncientOnes’bloodrunning
throughher?Thisisforher?”Thanosnodded.Thatseemedtobeonedetailthathadspreadrapidly.HeexpectedJevatotakehimbackdowntothesmallboatandsendhimon
hisway.Instead,shestoodthere,herhandsballedintofists.“Whatisit?”Thanosasked.“TheAncientOnes…theyarecalledthatforareason.Theyaresomeofthe
oldestoftheancestors.Thosewhoclaimtospeaktothedeadsaytheirvoicesareloudevenafterallthistime.Waithere.Donotmoveifyouvalueyourlife.”
SheleftThanosstandingthere,headingbackintothehall.Hewantedtofollowherthen,morethananything,butherwarninghadbeensoclear,andsodetermined,thathedidn’tdare.Notforhisownsafety,butbecausethismomentfeltlikeagossamerthread,andhedidn’twanttosnapthepossibilitiesembeddedinit.
Sohehadtowait,instead,standinginthemiddleofthevillage,listeningtotheargumentscomingfrominsidethehallandbarely,barelybeginningtohope.
WhenJevacameoutagain,therewasbloodonthechainshecarried.Therewasalsoacrowdofherpeoplefollowingher.TheyspreadoutaroundThanos,lookingathimnowasthoughseeinghimforthefirsttime.
“What’sgoingon?”Thanosbarelydaredtoaskthequestion.Jevasmiledgrimly.“Itoldthemthatyouspokewiththevoiceofthemost
ancientancestors.Theywillnotfightforyou,buttheywillfightforoneofthatblood.Youhaveyourfleet.”
CHAPTERFOURTEENAkilaranacrossthedeckofhisship,shoutingordersashewentandhoping
thathismencouldkeepupwiththem.“Beartostarboard!Fullstroke!Signaltheotherstoregroup.They’regetting
toospreadout!”Hefelttheshiplurchasitchangedcourse,itstimberscreakingwiththeeffort
ofcomingaboutsorapidly.Speedwaswhatittook,though,inthemiddleofthebattlethathadbeenraginginfrontofDelos.SpeedwastheonlythingkeepinghimandhiscrewalivewhiletheyharriedthelargerfleetfromFelldust.
Whenhadhelastsleptproperly?Akilahadbecomegoodatsnatchingsleepwhenhe’dbeenarebelfightinginthemountainsofHaylon.Now,thereseemedtobeafreshattackloomingeverytimeheclosedhiseyes,dragginghimuptoassessanddirect,commandandhope.
Withanenemythispowerful,sometimeshopewasalltherewas.Now,Akilaranhissquadronoffightingshipsattheedgeoftheenemyfleet’s
line,rushingpastitwithallthespeedhisrowerscouldpullfromtheirbanksofoars.
“Archersready!”hebellowed,andthefighterswaitingonthedeckdrewtheirbows.Thegreatballistaeonthedeckcrankedbacktheirstrings,flamingboltsfittingintoplace.“Fire!”
Theystrafedthenearestshipastheypassed,andAkilafeltaflashoftriumphastheirflamingboltscaughttheothership’ssails.Buttheydidn’tslow,keepinggoingwhileenemyshipsneartheonesthey’drunbyturnedtofollow.Akilaletthem.Hecouldhaveorderedtherowerstofindyetmorespeed,couldhaveputupfullsail.Hecouldhavesprintedfortheopenocean.Instead,heletthegalleyjogthere,itsfoesalmostkeepingup.
“Ready,”Akilacalledout.“Waitforit…now!”Theoarsmenhauled,hispilothauledonthetiller,andthegalleyturned.At
thesametime,moreoftherebellion’sshipscameinfromtheside,catchingthechasingfoesbetweenthemrightatthemomentwhentheystartedtorealizehowfartheyweregettingfromthemainfleet.Therebellion’sshipsclosed,throwinggrapplinghooks,firingarrows,andchargingacrossattheirenemies.
Thecombatwasquickandbrutal.ThebattleforHaylonagainsttheEmpirehadtaughtAkilathevalueofhittingfast,hittinghard,andnotshowingmercytoenemieswhomightbetheretokillyoutomorrowifyoudid.Thiswasthesamething,carriedoutonthewater,withstrikeafterstrikeagainsttheirfoes,designedlesstowinthansimplytohurtthemuntiltheygottiredofbeinghurt.
Itwasn’tworking,though,andAkilaknewhehadtothinkofsomethingelse.
Theonlyquestionwaswhat.EachstrikehurttheFelldustfleet,buteventheburningshipsAkilaleftbehindbarelyslowedthem.
Hestaredoutoverthewater,wonderingifFelenehadmadeittoshoreyet.He’dgivenherthedistractionhe’dpromised,buttherestwouldbeuptoher.HehadtoadmirethekindofdeterminationthatwouldsendherhuntingacrosstheseaforStephania,inspiteofwoundsthatwouldkillher.Shewaslikeanarrowsentafteritstarget,nomattertheconsequences.
Inthatmoment,Akilaknewwhathehadtodo.“Formuptheships,”hecalledout.“Signaltheothers.We’regoingtoend
this.”Hesetouthisplanstohismen.Hecouldseethegrimsetoftheirfeaturesas
hetoldthemwhatheintended,butnoneargued.Noneevenquestioned.Thiswasthebestway.Theonlyway.
Hesignaled,andtheysprangintoaction.Atitsstart,itwasavariationontheplanthey’dusedwiththesmallergroups
ofships.Akilasat,watchingwhiletheshipsunderhiscommandscatteredandhunted,harriedandran.Theydrewtheirtargetsawayfromthemainbodyofthefleet,onlythistime,theydidn’tswarmtogethertoattackthevesselsthey’dluredaway.Thistime,theykeptrunning,drawingmoreshipsandpullingthemfurtherout.
Allthewhile,Akilaheldthegalleyinposition,itsoarsmenpoised,forcinghimselftowaiteventhoughtherewereshipsthatcouldhaveusedhishelp.Eventhoughtherewasarebelshipburningnowinthedistance.Therewouldonlybeonechancetogetthisright.
Hesawitthen.TheflagshipofFelldust’sfleetcameintoview,appearingfrombehindwallsofothervesselsastheybrokeawaytoattackhisfleet.Theyscatteredlikehoundschasingafterrabbits,andindoingso,theylefttheirleaderexposed.
“Row!”Akilaordered,andhismenweremorethanequaltothetask.Thegalleypoweredforward,cuttingthroughwhathadoncebeenanimpenetrablewallofshipstostrikeatwhatlaybeyond.
Akilawasn’tnaïveenoughtobelievethatkillingtheFirstStoneofFelldustwouldendtheinvasionlikemagic.Thiswasn’tacasewherecuttingoffthesnake’sheadwouldkillthebody,butitmightslowthings.Itmightcausetheinvasiontofragmentasthedifferentfactionstherefoundthemselvesfightingforcontrolofthefleet.Withoutaleader,itmightnotscattertothefourwinds,butitwouldsplitintosmallerthingstheycoulddealwith.
“MaybeIcanevendeclaremyselfFirstStone,”Akilasaidwithalaugh.Thatwashowthingsworkedthere,wasn’tit?Thestrongesttooktheruler’sseat.
“MaybeIcouldjustorderthemalltogohome.”Somehow,Akiladoubtedthatitwouldworklikethat.Hewasn’tevensure
thathewasgoingtosurvivethis.HecouldkillIrrienthough.Thefirstimpactfromthegalley’sramwouldtearthroughthehullofhisflagship,andtheycouldpullbacktogivehimtothewater,pickinghimandhismenoffatwillastheytriedtofleethesinkingship.
Akilastoodasclosetotheprowashedaredrightthen.Thegalleywasagiantspear,andhewasitspoint,readytoslamhomeinIrrien’sheart.Hedrewhisshortswords,readytofight…
AndthatwaswhenhesawIrrien’sflagshipstarttoshiftinthewater.Itturned,andifAkilahadthoughtitwouldbeponderouslyslow,hewas
wrong.Itturnedwithallthespeedofhisownship,andAkilahesitatedatthethoughtthatitwasheadingstraightforhimnow,nottryingtogetaway,butcharging.
Akila’sheadsnappedaroundtogivetheordertobreakoff.Agoodcommanderthoughtonhisfeet.They’dmissedthismoment,buttherewouldbeanother,andanother,untilfinallyhefoundthechancetomakethistacticwork.Theyneededtobreakforopenwater,maybehelponeofthedistractingships.
Butashelookedaround,Akilasawtheshipsthatwereclosinginfromotherdirections.Theonesthathadbeenchasinghisshipshadbrokenoff,andwereskimmingtheirwaybackintowardtheflagshipwhiletherebellion’sshipscontinuedtorun.
AkilahadthoughtthathewasthrustingattheheartofFelldust’sfleet.Now,itwasmorelikehewasrunningintothepalmofitshand,anditsfingerswerecomingintocrushhim.TheFirstStonehadoutthoughthim.He’dleftanopening,andAkilahadchargedinlikeanoviceonhisfirstdayofswordpractice,toberappedontheheadwhilehewentfortooeasyathrust.
Inarealfight,though,thatkindofthingcouldstillwork.Justsolongasyoumadesureyourattackstruckhometoo,andyouwerepreparedtopaytheprice.
“Keepgoing,”Akilaordered.“We’regoingtotakethemwithus,ifnothingelse!Getreadytoboard!”
Thegalleyandtheflagshipcontinuedontheircollisioncourse.Rammingwasout.Theonlyquestionnowwaswhichwaytogo.WhichwaywouldtheFirstStonechoosewhenthetimecametoturn?Wouldheturnatall?No,Akiladecided.Hewouldplowon,thedeterminedwarriorrelyingonthestrengthofhisship.
ThatmeantAkilacouldpickhisside.“Portrowers,bereadytoshipoars.Tillermen,bereadytogohardstarboard.
Soldiersreadyontheportside.”
Foramomentortwo,therewasascrambleashismenhurriedtotheirpositions.Thesailorswhoweren’tgoingtobeinthefirstrushofbattlefoundrailstobracethemselvesagainst,guessingwhathewasplanning.
Akilawaitedaslongashedared.Finally,hecouldn’tleaveitanylonger.“Now!”heyelled.“Shipoars.Hardstarboard!”Itwasariskymove,butpotentiallyadecisiveonewhenfightingwithgalleys.
Ifyoucouldn’tram,youscrapeddownthesideoftheenemy’sshipandtoreawaytheiroarswithyourhulltoleavethemlimping.Thatmadeiteasytoattackfromanangletheycouldn’tdefend.
Exceptthatevenashecalledtheattack,hesawthehookedspikesonthesidesoftheFelldustflagship.Hesawitpullinginitsownoars.Itwasreadyforthis,andiftheydidn’tpullaway—
Thethoughtcutoffinthecrashofwoodagainstwood.Itwasacollisioninslowmotion,butevenso,theimpactmadeAkilafalltoonekneeasthehookstoreintohisship,rippingatitastheywentpastoneanother.Theygougedintotheoarbanksofhisship,andAkilaheardmenscreaming.
Theshipseemedtoscreamtoo,inthegroanandcrackofwoodpushedbeyonditsbreakingpoint;inlinesthatsnappedandironplatesthatbuckled.Thewhistleofarrowsjoinedthosesoundsasthetwoships’crewsshotatoneanother,andAkiladuckedoutofthewayasonestruckthedeckbesidehim.
Asquicklyasthey’dcometogether,theshipswerepastoneanother,butthatbroughtnoreliefwithit.Akilacouldfeelthegalleybeneathhimlistinginthewater,thewholethingtiltingandrollingasitstruggledtorecoverfromtheimpact.
“Bringustobear!”heyelled,hopingthatsomeonewaslistening.“Bringusaroundorwe’redead!”
Itmadenodifference.Akilacouldgivealltheordershewanted,buttheshipanditscrewjustweren’tcapableofmakingithappen.Hedidn’tknowhowmanyoarsthey’dlost,orhowmanymen.Howevermanyitwas,itwastoomany.Theyweretryingtoturn,butnowthefightwaslikeamanweigheddownwithheavysackstryingtokeepupwithaduelist.ItwasthekindoffightAkilahadalwaystriedtohave,butnowhewasonthewrongsideofit.
HewatchedIrrien’sflagshipturn,asgracefullyasablade-coveredswan.Itspuntowardhisship,andnowitwaslineduptostrikeamidships.Akila’sgalleywasturning,butitcouldneverdoitfastenough.
Hesawtheramoftheflagshipbearingdownonthem,andallAkilacoulddowasbracefortheinevitable,crushingimpact.Allhecoulddonowwastrytodiewell.
That,andtakeIrrienwithhim.
CHAPTERFIFTEENTheothersonhisflagshipbracedagainstwhatevertheycouldgrabwhilethey
rammedtheenemy’sgalley,butIrrienremainedimpassiveinhisthrone.Hewouldnotletothersseehimclingingtothemastlikesomeweakling.Hewasstrong,andinmoments,hewouldbevictorious.
Hehadamomenttosavorthewayhe’ddrawninhisenemy.Thisfoehadbeenacunningone,worryingattheedgesofhisfleetthewaywolveshoundedtheedgesofaherd.He’dforgotten,though,thatIrrienwasnotsomedeerorcattletobebroughtdown.Hewasafightingman,wellusedtosuchtactics.Thefolkofthedusthadfoughtthatwayforyears.
Irrienhadbeenpatient.He’dlethisenemy’sconfidencegrow.Thenhe’dlefthisopening.Nowhesmiled.Heenjoyedthemomentwhenheoutthoughtanenemy.Whenitcametothepoliticsofthecity,helovedwatchingtheirfaceswhentheyrealizedthatsomeplothadfailed.Helovedwatchingtheirhopefade.
Therewasaplaceforallofthat,buttherewasaplaceforviolencetoo.Forprovingyourselfthestronger,thedeadlier,themoreable.Irriendrewhisswordandwaited.
Theimpactofthecollisionwasliketheshakingofamountain,makingtheboardsbeneathIrrien’sfeetrumbleandknockingsomeofhisslavessprawling.Hisflagshipplungedintothegalleylikeaswordthroughthesideofafoe,thenheldtoit,astightlyasalover.Itwouldneedtopullbacksoonsothattheweightoftheruinedvesseldidn’tdragthemalldown,butfornow,therewaskillingtobedone.
“Attack!”Irrienordered,andtheviolencebegan.Hewatchedarrowsraindown,fromhismenandthoseoftheenemywho
hadn’tbeenknockeddown.Hesawaspearflungbetweentheships,thrownbyoneofhiscrewwhofanciedhimselfanexpertwithit.Irriensnorted.Anexpertdidnotthrowawayhisweapon.
Hestayedseatedasthefirstwarriorsleaptbetweenthetwoships.Therewerethosewholeaptfromtheenemygalley:ratsleavingtheirsinkingshiporbravemeneagertotakethefighttoanenemy.Hesawasailorleapwithalongknifeclutchedinonehand,grabbingontotheriggingofIrrien’sshipashesoughttoleavehisstrickenvessel.Hesawawarriorwearingmailleapacrossthegapbetweenthetwoonlytobepushedback,tumblingdownintothewaterbelow.
“Fool,”Irriensaidsoftly.Thewordwasquicklylostinthesoundsofthebattle.
Hisownmenleaptontotheenemyship,usinglinesandhookstopullitcloseenoughtomaketheleap.TherewerealwaysthosewhosoughttoimpressIrrien
withtheirbraveryandtheireagerness.Irrienevenencouragedthem,offeringcoinandbetterspoilsharestothosewhowerethefirsttoscalewallsorboardships.Hediditbecausetheywereinvariablythefirsttodie,andlessermenhadtobegiventheillusionthatitwasworthit.Agoodleaderknewwhentobuyloyaltyandwhentocommandit.Oh,andwhentousefear.Anymanseentobeholdingbackwouldsufferforit.
Irrienwasnotholdingback.Hewaslettingthebattlebloomlikeaflowerbeforeplucking,orwineleftbeforedrinking.Somepleasureswerebetterwhentakenattheirpeak.Sohesatandwatchedasoneofhiswarriorsclovethroughthecollarboneofafoewithanaxe;asanenemycuthimdowninturnwithrapidthrustsofaknife.
Thechaosspread,andIrriensethisswordacrosshisknees,waitingfortheperfectmoment.Hewatchedafoeimpaledonaspikedshield,scrabblingattheedgesandtryingtothrustoveritwithashortsword.Hesawaslavewomangetinthewayoftheviolence,cutdownbyabackhandsweepofasword.Irriencursedthewastethere,andthestupidityofthewomanforgettinginthewayinthefirstplace.
Hesawamanleapacrosswithabladeineitherhand.Hewasscarredandwhiplean,movinglikewaterthroughtheviolencearoundhim,hisbladessingingwitheveryclashofsteel.
IrrienwatchedhimandknewwithoutbeingtoldthatthiswasAkila.He’dlearnedtoreadmenbywatchingthemfight,learningaboutthemintheonlyarenawhereamancouldn’thidewhathewas.HewatchedAkila,andIrrienlikedwhathesaw.Thiswasamanwhowasdirect,butnotfoolish,quickthinking,butnotflighty.WhenAkilaparriedblowsmeantforothers,Irriensawthathecaredabouthismen.Whenhecommandedthemevenashefought,Irriensawtheabilitytokeepaclearheadinthechaos.
Afoeworthkilling,then.Irrienstood,takinghislongbladeinbothhands.Hisslavessteppedback
fromhimashelethiscloakfall.Hestilledhimself,checkingtheangleofthesunsothathewouldn’tbeblindedbyitashefought.
Thenhestrodeforwardandstartedkilling.Therewereprobablymenforwhomfightingwashard.Forwhomitwasa
rushofemotionsandneedsclutteringthesimplebeautyoftheviolence.Irriendidn’tfeelthat.Therewasaseaofcoldragefloodingthroughhislimbs,yethefloatedaboveit,directingandreactingwiththespeedthathadalwaysbeenhisgiftdespitehissize.
Heswepthisswordaroundinanarcthatsmashedthroughaman’sshield,takinghalfthearmbeneath.Hedeflectedaswordblowwiththecrossguardof
hissword,thenstruckoutwiththepommel,feelingbonebreak.Hespun,cuttingupwardtohackthroughaman’sleg,duckedanattack,then
threwonefoeintoanother.Hepausedforamoment,listeningtotheclashofbladesasiftryingtohearthesongwithin,thenplungedbackintothefray.
He’dalwaysbeenaskilledwarrior.Inhistribe,theyhadreckonedhisfatherstronger,untilthedayIrrienhadkilledhim.He’dhonedhisskillsthen,throughyearsofwarandthechallengesofthecity.He’dhadcombatlordsbroughtfromthepitsoftheEmpiretoteachhimmore,andblademastersfromadozendifferentlands.Always,he’dhadthempoisonedwhenhewasdone,tomakesurethattheycouldtellnooneofanyweaknessestheysaw.
Nomancouldhopetostandagainsthimnow.Theytried,though,asIrriencuthiswayacrossthedeckofhisship,aiming
forthespotwheretherebels’leaderfought.Akiladancedhiswayfromenemytoenemy,slicingandmoving,neverstill.Already,Irrienfoundhimselfplanningforthefightahead,andthatwasdangerous.Hefeltaswordglancefromthearmorhewore,trappeditwithhisbladeandthrustthroughaman.
Spacestartedtoopenuparoundhimasmenkeptbackfromtheswingsofhissword.ThatwastoIrrien’sadvantage.Itmeantthathecouldseeattackscoming,andcouldpickhistargetsonebyone.Hislongarmsandstrongframemeantthathecouldclosethedistancequickly,pickingoutasailorandstrikinghimdownbeforehecouldevenraisehissword.
Twicemore,Irrienstruck,eachtimepickingtheweakestlookingofthefoesaroundhim,eachtimecuttingthemdownwithsavageblowsthatcarvedrightthroughtheirflesh.Hekepthisbladesharp.
“Enjoyingtakingoutmenwhocan’tgiveyouagoodfight?”Akilaasked,steppingintothespacethatIrrienhadopenedupwithhisblade.
Irrienshrugged.Ashe’dthought,Akila’sattachmenttohismenwasaweapontoturnagainsthim.Everyweaknesscouldbeexploited.Amanwhodidnotunderstandthisdeservedtodie.
Irrienstruckoutfirst,althoughhedidn’tcommit,thewaymanylargemenmighthave.HewasalreadyanticipatingAkila’sevasion,althoughtherebelleadersurprisedhimbyspringingforward,notdodgingsideways.Irrienhadtospringback,barelyavoidingtheblow.
“You’refast,”hesaid,withagrimsmile.“That’sgood.Amanshouldhavefoesworthkilling.”
“Well,Idon’tknowaboutthat,”Akilashotback.“Butuntiloneshowsup,I’llsettleforkillingyou.”
Irrienignoredthat.Weakmenallowedthemselvestobegoaded.HeparriedasAkilasprangforward,therebel’stwinbladesseemingly
everywhereatonce.Irrienblockedthreestrikes,dodgedafourth,andkickedouttoforceAkilaback.Hetriedalateralsweepofhissword,whichAkiladucked,thencutlowsothatthemanhadtojump.
“Youdancewell,”Irriensaid,andcuthalfwaythroughsayingit,aimingtotakehisfoebysurprise.Therewerenorulesinwar.Intruth,Irrienonlyobeyedthoseintherestoflifebecausetheyhelpedtogethimwhathewanted.
Akilaparriedthestrikewithhisbladescrossed,andIrrienfelttheimpactofit.Theothermancircledthen,keepinghisdistanceanddartinginforstrikes.Hefeintedhighandcutlow.Irrienwenttoparry,andAkilacamebackhighagain.Irrienjerkedhisheadback,butfeltthetipofthebladenickhisjaw.
Heattackedthen.Speedandcunningcounted,butsodidstrength,andIrrienhadthatinabundance.Hecutandcut,forcingAkilatomove,toblock,tododge.Irrienworehisfoedown,whilearoundhimthebattleraged.Hesawanopeningtoattack,andinthatmomenttwowarriorsstumbledintotheirway,strugglingoverahatchet.
Irriencutthembothdown,notcaringthatoneofthemwashisfollower.Noonekepthimfromadeathhehadclaimed.
HewentbacktochasingAkila.TherebelleaderprobablythoughtthathewaswearingIrriendown,butIrriencouldfightforhoursifhehadto.Evenso…
Helethisbladedragalittle,asiftheweightofthegreatswordweretoomuch.Heevenletashallowcutthrough,allowingittoscrapealonghisarm,onlypartlyparried.Hefeignedastumble.
“Really?”Akilademanded,loweringhisweapons.“Youcaughtmewiththattrickoncewithyourfleet,remember?I’mnot—”
Irrienlungedthen,snakefastanddeadly.He’dguessedthathisopponentwouldn’ttakethebait.He’dguessedthathewouldlowerhisguard.Alwaysbeingthatextrastepaheadwaswhatwonfights.
Itwonthisone.Irrienfeltthemomentwhenhisswordstruckhome,plungingdeepintoAkila.
Irrienhadamomenttosavorthatvictory—untilherealizedthatAkilawaspullinghimselfforward,alongtheblade,movingcloser.Whatkindofstrengthdidittaketodothat?Whatkindofinsanitydidittaketodoitjustforthesakeofsomecause?
Akilasuddenlylashedout,andIrrienshriekeddespitehimself,feelingpainblossominhisshoulderasAkila’sswordbithome.Thewoundwasdeep.
Irrienwasstunned.“Youwon’twin,”Akilasaid.“Ofcoursewewill,”Irrienreplied.IrrienralliedandkickedtheswordfromAkila’shands.
HeheardAkilagaspwithpainasheshovedhisownsworddeeper.“Ceres…willstopyou,”Akilagasped.Irrienshookhishead.“Ithankyou,”hesaid.“Youwereaworthyfoe.”HesteppedforwardandkickedAkilafromtheship,hislongbladestill
embeddedinhim,andwatchedhimplungeoverboard,intothemurky,bloodywaters.
“Butnotworthyenough.”
CHAPTERSIXTEENStephaniawassereneasshemadeherwaytotheHallofKnowledge,gliding
astheelegantheartofacoterieofguardsandhandmaidens,noblesandspies.She’dalwaysseenthevalueofinformation,andthiswastheplacewhereshecouldfindoutalmostanythingshewanted.
Shejusthopedthatitheldanswersthatcouldsaveherchild.Someofthenobleslookedasthoughtheyhadn’twalkedsomuchinyears,
andStephaniasmiledalittleatforcingthemtomaketheeffort.Itwasgoodforarulertokeepthosearoundheralittleuncomfortable.
Aruler.Stephaniadidn’tgettiredofthinkingthat.Whenshe’dbeenjustanoble,Stephaniahadassumedthatroyaltywasatinystep,anditwas,butitwasmorethanthat.Itwasashiftinstate,takingherfrombeingoneoftheforemostofagroupofpeerstosomethingdifferent.Somethingspecial.Shecouldorderanyoneofthemexecutedonawhim,andtheyknewit.
“Howarethedefensesprogressing?”Stephaniaasked.Theguardcaptain,herguardcaptain,steppedforward.“Thereisnothingto
worryabout,yourmajesty.Everythingisinhand.Theinvaderswillnotgettousinhere.”
HesaiditthewayStephaniamighthavereassuredsomeyoungnoblegirlworriedaboutherfirstfeast.Sheheldherangerincheck,becauseshecouldn’taffordtoalienatetheman.Inthatsense,beingarulerwasn’tsodifferent.Evenaqueenstillrequiredthesupportofothers,thecontrolofopinionandthepowerboughtthroughloyalty.QueenAthenahadforgottenthat.Stephaniawouldn’t.
“Iamnotlookingforreassurances,”Stephaniasaid.“Irequiredetails.Iknowoureffortsinthetunnelshavebeensuccessful,butwhatoftherest?”
Theguardcaptainlookedalittlesurprised,butnodded.“Wehavereinforcedthegateswithironbars,”hesaid,“andsetboilingsandabovethem.Anenemywithoutakeywoulddielongbeforehebrokethrough.Thewallshavebeencheckedfordefects,andwehavesetnetstocatchfirearrows.”
Itdidsoundasthoughtheycouldkeepenemiesoutforweeksifnecessary.Stephaniaknewthattheyhadstores.She’dcheckedonthemherself.
“Elethe,whataboutouragents?”“Wehaverecruitedsomewithinthecityusingthepromiseoffoodandshelter
iftheygiveusvaluableinformation,”herhandmaidensaid.“LydiaandNerinearequestioningQueenAthena’sformerservantstoseeifanymightbesuitabletojoinus.”
Questioningwasprobablyapolitewordforsomeofit.Stephaniahadtaughtherhandmaidenstoberuthless.
“WhataboutbeyondtheEmpire?”sheasked.“Thewarwillpass,butthenwemustbewellplacedtocontinueourrelationswithothers.Wemusthaveinformation.”
“Birdshavebeensent,”Elethereplied.“Withtheinvasion,itishardtodomore.”
Yettherewasalwaysmorethatcouldbedone.Stephaniaturnedtothenoblesinthecontingentwithher.
“IfyouhaverelativesbeyondthebordersoftheEmpire,”shesaid,“makeuseofthem.Writetothem.Usewhateverbirdsyouneed.Frameitasaskingfornews,andI’msuretheywilltellusallweneedtoknow.TellthemthatIwilloffercoinforinformerstheyfind.”
Shesnappedherfingersatanotherofherhandmaidens.“Wewillneedmessengerstosendtotheinvaders,startingtonegotiatethepeace.Tellthemthattheymaytakewhattheywishfromthecity,butthatwhentheytireofbatteringinvainagainstthecastlewalls,wewillbereadytotalk.”
Ofcourse,consideringwhattheFirstStonewouldprobablydotothemessengers,itprobablywasn’tworthwastinggoodpeopleonit.
“SendthoseofQueenAthena’speoplewhowishtoprovethemselves,”Stephaniasaid.“Althoughmakesurethattheydon’tknowanythingtooimportantfirst.”
Whatevertheydidknow,theywouldundoubtedlytelltheinvaders.Felldust’storturerswererumoredtobeveryinventive.Stephaniathoughtofthegirlshewaspreparingtoplaythepartofher.IfIrriensawthroughthedisguise,orifhehadnointerestintalking,thatgirlwoulddie.Stephaniafeltahintofguiltatthat,butnotmuch.Youlookedafteryourselffirst,yourfamilysecond,andthosebeyondonlyafterthat.
ThethoughtofthatbroughtherattentiontotheHallofKnowledge.Thedoorswereshutforonce,andStephaniawasimpressedbythewaytheymuffledsomeofthecriesfromwithin.
“Elethe,withme,”shecommanded.“Therestofyou,waithere.”Whenshesteppedinside,Stephaniahadtoadmitthatshewasalittle
disappointed.Shelikedthingstobeneat,andthingsinherewereanythingbutthat.Therewerepapersstrewneverywhere,severalwithbloodonthem.OldCosmassattiedtoachair,withbloodonhisface,andonhishandswherethetwohandmaidensbesidehimhadtornouthisfingernails.Onesideofhisfacewasbruiseduntilhebarelyresembledthescholarhehadbeen.
Stephaniamadeasmallsoundofdisappointmentasshelookedatherhandmaidens.Theystaredatherinsurprise,thenquicklyknelt.
“Isentyoutogaininformation,”Stephaniasaid,“nottocausechaos.”
“Forgiveus,yourmajesty,”theolderofthetwosaid.“Buthewouldnottalktous.Hecalledyouafalsequeen,andhedidn’trespondtothreatsorpromises.WhenUstraofferedherselftohim,helaughed.”
“Andsoyoubeathimbloodyasasideofbeef,”Stephaniasaid,lettingthedisappointmentcreepintohervoice.“Go,bothofyou.We’llfindyoutasksmoresuitedtoyourtalents.”
Theyleft,ataspeedthatsuggestedtheyknewexactlyhowluckytheyweretobeallowedtodoso.
Stephaniafoundachairforherself,sittingbesideCosmasandputtingahandoverhis.Ofcourse,givenhisinjuries,thatjustmadetheoldmanwhimperinpain.
“Pleaseforgivemyhandmaidens,Cosmas,”shesaid.“Theyhavesuchalimitedideaofhowtodothings.Theydon’tunderstandthatthegoalistogetinformation,notjusttogratifytheirneedforpain.Ifithelps,Iwillbehavingbothofthemwhippedfortheirmistakelater.”
“You…areworsethanbothofthem,”Cosmasreplied.“ThephilosopherCaxintellsusthatwecannotblameasnakeforbiting—”
“Butwecanblametheonewhoputsitinyourbed,”Stephaniafinishedforhim.“Yes,Ihavereadhiswork.Ididn’tfindhimveryconvincing.Oh,isthatasurprise,Cosmas?YoualwaysdidgivemesuchcondescendinglookswhenIcameinhere.DidyouthinkIwasjustlookingatancientdressdesigns,orreadingthepartsofthetenthousandpleasuresIshouldn’thavebeen?”
She’ddoneboth,ofcourse.Forayoungnoblewoman,bothwereweaponstouseagainstenemies,andofcourse,she’ddoneagoodjobofpretendingtobeharmless.
“I’mmoresurprisedyouweren’treadingthetomesonpoisons,”Cosmassaid.“Ah,soyoudidknowwhatIwaslike,”Stephaniareplied,eventhoughshe
didn’treallybelieveit.Itwasbettertoflattersometimes.Bettertoletpeoplegoonthinkingthattheywerethecleverones,untilitwastoolate.“WiseoldCosmas,whoseesallandknowsall,thentellspeoplewhateverhethinkstheyneedtoknow.Tellme,oldman,whosesideareyouon?”
Eventiedandbeaten,hemanagedtogiveStephaniaalookthatsaidshewouldneverunderstand.
“OnthesideoftheEmpire,”Cosmassaid.“Onthesideofdoingwhatwasbestforallofit,notjustafewnobles,orafewrebels.Sinceyouknowsomuchofthephilosophers,youwillhaveheardXinLu’scontentionthatamanmustmakehisownmoralityandsticktoit.”
Stephaniahadreadit.Ithadseemedtohertobemorewastedair.Youdidwhatyoucouldinthisworldforyourownbenefit,becauseyouknewthat
everyoneelsewouldbedoingthesame.“Well,”Stephaniasaid,“asamanwhohearseverything,youwillhaveheard
thatIruletheEmpirenow.Asitsqueen,Icommandyourobedience.”“Queenofacastleabouttobetaken,”Cosmascountered.“Queen,notby
right,butbyviolence.”ElethesteppedforwardtostrikeCosmas.Stephaniastoppedherwitha
gesture.Itwasn’tmercy.Itwassimplythatshecouldn’taffordfortheoldmantodiebeforehe’dtoldherallheknew.
“Allrulersrulethroughviolence,”Stephaniasaid.“Thekindestkingwillhangthosewhoriseagainsthim,orseehisthronetaken.Asforright…IthoughtIwasmarriedtotheEmpire’srightfulheir?”
SheenjoyedtheshockonCosmas’sface.“Oh,IknowaboutThanos.Idon’tsupposeyouhaveproofforme,doyou?It
mightcomeinuseful.”Cosmassatinsilence.“Thisisunwise,Cosmas,”Stephaniasaid.“You’regoingtotorturemesomemore?”heshotback.Stephaniashookherhead.Instead,shestood,lookingarounduntilshefound
aslimvolume,crackedwithage.“Oneofthephilosophersyoulovesomuch,”shesaid.“Presumablyvery
rare?”“Irreplaceable,”Cosmasreplied.Stephaniasmiledatthat,thenstartedtoripoutpages.“No,”Cosmassaid.“Whatareyoudoing?”StephanialookedoveratElethewhileshecontinuedtotearoutpages.“The
keytogettingwhatyouwantfromsomeoneistounderstandwhattheyholddear.Itmightbetheirwell-being,inwhichcasepainandthreatswillwork.Itmightbetheirchildren,ortheirposition…orthebooksthey’vespentalifetimeaccumulating.Fetchabrazier,wouldyou?Ithinkitwillbeeasiertoburnthings.”
“No!”Cosmassaid,tearingathisbondsasifhemightescapethechairthatheldhim.“Youcan’t!”
Stephaniatoreoutanotherpage.“Ican,andIwill.Youwillwatchmedestroyeverybookhere,unlessyoustarttotellmewhatIwanttoknow.”
ShegotthroughthreemorepagesbeforeCosmasbroke.Stephaniaraisedaneyebrow.She’dexpectedittobemore.
“Thanosismentionedinagenealogy,”Cosmassaid.“He’sthereastheking’sson.”
Thatwasastart,althoughStephaniadefinitelywouldn’tleaveitthere.
“Iwillneedmorethanthat,”Stephaniasaid.Sheheldupthebookbywayofemphasis.
“Therewas…therewastalkthatThanos’smotherhadmovedon,”Cosmasreplied.“TherumorssaidtoFelldust,butI…therewereletters.Somewhereinhere,thereareletters.”
“Where?”Stephaniademanded.Cosmasshookhishead.“Idon’tknowthelocationofeverythinghere,only
thattheyarehere.Ortheywere.Iputtheminaboxsomewhere.”ThatsoundedlikeCosmas.Alltheinformationintheworld,andhecouldn’t
findhalfofit.Stephaniadecidedtomoveontotheonethingshewantedtoknowaboutevenmore.
“Whatdoyouknowaboutsorcerers?”Stephaniaasked.ShesawCosmasswallow.“Therearemanythingswrittenaboutthem.Ihave
accounts—”Stephaniawavedthataway.“TherewasasorcererinFelldust.Daskalos.I
needtoknowabouthisweaknesses.Imadeadealwithhim,andIneedtoknowhowtoundoit.”
ShesawCosmaspaleslightly,andknewhe’dheardthename.“Icannothelpyou,”Cosmassaid.“Elethe,fetchthatbrazier,”Stephaniacommanded.Thistime,her
handmaidenrushedtoobey.StephaniaclampedherhanddownoverCosmas’s,ignoringhiscryofpain.“YouthinkIwon’tcarryoutmythreats?YouthinkIwon’tburnyourpreciousscrolls?Youwilltellmewhatyouknow.Iwillsavemychild!”
“Youpromisedhimyourchild?”Cosmassaid.Heshookhishead.“Youareafool.AmanlikeDaskaloscannotbecheated.”
“ThenI’llkillhim,”Stephaniasaid,althoughevenasshesaidit,shefoundherselfthinkingofthewayhe’dcomebackfromherknifethrustinthecave.“Iwillfindaway.”
“Thereisnoway,”Cosmassaid.“I’vereadabouthim,inbookssooldthatwithanyothermanIwouldhavethoughtitwasasuccessororastudentnow.Theysaythathehasthesecretofhidinghislifeinanobject,andunlessyoudestroythat,hecannotbekilled.Thathecanusethewindtolistenandtherefectiononapooltosee.Howdoyoufightsuchaman?”
“ThatiswhatIwantyoutotellme,”Stephaniasaid.Shecouldfeeltheangerrisinginhernow.Shetriedtobereasonable,butpeopleneverdidwhattheyweresupposedto.
Cosmaslaughedthen.Helaughedlongandloud,evenasStephaniathrewhispreciousbookagainstthenearestwall,scatteringitspages.
“Lookatyou,”hesaid.“You’reright,everyonehassomethingtheycareabout.Forme,yes,it’smybooks.Foryou,though…you’vegivenawaytheonethingthatmatterstoyou,youstupidgirl.YouhadalifewithThanos,youhadachildontheway,andyougaveitallup.Youcan’tstopDaskalos,andI’lllaughwhenhetakestheonethingthatmattersfromyou.”
“Noyouwon’t,”Stephaniaassuredhim.Shetookaknifefromherbelt.“I’msickofyourinterference,Cosmas.I’msickofyouhoardingotherpeople’ssecretstohandoutlikesweetmeats.I’msickofyoupretendingtoknoweverything,anddoyouknowthethingaboutbeingaqueen?”
Cosmasmighthavestartedtoanswer,butStephaniasteppedforward,thrustingherbladeupunderhisribs.
“Thethingaboutbeingaqueenisthatyoudon’thavetolistentopeoplewhoangeryou,”shesaid.“Youcanjustdealwiththem.”
ShewatchedCosmasdie.Therewasprobablyatimewhenshewouldhavefeltsomethingatseeingthelightgooutoftheoldscholar’seyes.Now,shewasjusthappythathewouldn’tbeinterferinginherbusinessanylonger.
WhenElethecamewiththebrazier,Stephaniasawherhesitatebeforesettingitdownanddroppingtooneknee.
“Myqueen?”Stephaniaimaginedhowshemustlookthen,withbloodonherhands.Idly,
shewipedherhandsontheremainsofoneofCosmas’sscrolls.“Igottiredofwaiting.Removehisbody,thenhavetheothersgothroughthis
placefromtoptobottom.TherearelettershereIwanttofind.”“Yes,yourmajesty.”Elethesoundedfrightenedthen.ThatcaughtStephaniaa
littlebysurprise.“Youdon’tneedtobeafraidofme,”Stephaniasaid.“You’reservingmewell.
Comefindmewhenyou’redonehere.”“Yes,yourmajesty.WhereshouldIfindyou?”Therewasonlyoneanswertothat.“WithCeres.AsIsaid,everythinghasabreakingpoint.Iintendtofindhers.”
CHAPTERSEVENTEENThanosdreamed,andinhisdreams,thedeadstaredathim.Hesawpeople
he’dknown,peoplehe’dfought,peoplehe’dbeenforcedtokill.Hesawhisbrotherandhisfather,fightinginfrontofthestatuesofhisancestorsthatlinedtheroyalchambers.Asecondlater,thestatueswerereplacedbyfigureswhostoodthere,ancestorslookingathiminaccusation,inrecognition,andveryoccasionallyinrespect.
“Areyoureallyhere?”Thanosasked.“Whatisthis?”Hisfatherdidn’tanswer.NordidLucious.Theykeptfightinginfrontofthose
whohadgonebefore,rollingonthefloorasnewfiguresstartedtoemergefromspacesinthewalls.
TheBoneFolksteppedupnexttoThanos’sancestors,andonebyone,hesawthemstarttodevourthem.Theydrankdowntheghostslikesmoke,takingtheminhugegulpsthatleftnothingbehind.WhentheyturnedtohisfatherandLucious,Thanoswantedtodosomething,buthecouldn’tmove…
HewoketotherockingoftheshipthatwascarryinghimtoDelos.ThanossatupandsawJevacrouchedalittlewayaway,hereyesfixedonhim.Afterthedreamhe’djusthad,thatwasalittleunnerving.
“Youlookasthoughyou’retryingtodecidewhethertoeatme,”Thanossaid.Shegavehimagrimlook,andwhenshespoke,itwasintonesofobvious
insult.“Youknowitdoesnotworklikethatforus.”“I’msorry.”“Besides,”shecontinuedwithalaugh,“you’dbefartoostringy.”Thanoslaughedwithher.Hewasn’tsurehecouldevenbegintounderstand
theBoneFolkwoman.They’dbeentravelingtogetherfordays,andThanosstillwasn’tsurehewasanyclosertobeingabletoreadJeva.
Itseemedshecouldreadhimthough.“Thedeadcanbedifficultsometimes,”shesaid.“Didyouseesomething?”Thanosasked.Shespreadherhands.Itwasn’tananswer,butitseemedasthoughJeva
wasn’tonetogiveoutanswers.Itwasenoughthatherpeoplehadagreedtohelp.“DoIlooklikeaseer,toseeintoyourdreams?”sheasked.“Ijustknowthat
look.Whatdidyoudreamof?”“OfsomeoneIcaredabout.Ofthedeadbeingeaten.”Thanoscouldn’tthinkofabetterwaytoputit.“Thatisagoodthing,”Jevasaid.“Itremindsusofourconnectiontothem.
Wearethetipofaspearthatgoesbacklifetimes.”Thanoswishedthathecouldseethingsthatway.Maybehewouldn’tfeel
quitesoalonethen.ThatthoughtmadehimthinkofCeres.Hewouldgetbacktoher.Rightthen,hewantedtogetbacktohermorethananythingelseintheworld,butitfeltasthougheverystephetookwasafrustration,leadinghimintomoreproblems,andpullinghimfurtherfromher.
Itdidn’thelpthattheBoneFolk’sfleetwasastrangethingthatlookedasthoughitshouldbarelyhavefloated.Eachoftheirshipsincorporatedasmanyofthebonesofgreatbeastsastherestoftheirarchitecture,sothatribstakenfromwhaleswrappedaroundtheirhulls,andsharkteethformedarrowtipsastheypreparedforwar.Itwasaterrifying-lookingfleet,andapartofThanosstillwasn’tsureifheshouldbebringingthesepeopletotheshoresofDelos.Whatifhewasjustmakingthingsworse?
EventhesmugglerswhohadtakenhimtoPortLeewardkepttheirdistancefromthemainbodyofthefleet,asthoughunwillingtoriskhavingtheBoneFolktooclose.WhenThanoshaddeclaredthathewouldbetravelingononeoftheirships,thecaptainhadlookedathimasthoughhewasmad.YetThanoshaddoneit.Heknewheneededtoshowhisnewalliesthathetrustedthem.Strangely,hedidtrustthem.
Andtheywerewillingtohelp.Thatcountedforalot.Inthedistance,Thanosthoughthesawships.Hehurriedtotherailing,trying
toignorethebonefeelofitunderhishands.“TheyarethestragglersofFelldust’sfleet,”Jevasaid,comingupbesidehim
soquietlythatThanoswasgladshewasn’thisenemy.“Theyheadtothecitylikegullsuponacarcass.Wouldyoulikeustodestroythem?”
Thanoslookedaround.Theyhadtheshipstodoit.TheBoneFolkhadanimpressivefleetofshipsthankstotheiryearsofpiracy.Evenso,iftheywentintocombatwithaconvoylikethat,theoddswerethattheywouldsufferlosses.
Thanosshookhishead.“It’sbetternotto,”hesaid.“Idon’twanttogetintoanyfightswedon’tneed
beforewegetthere.”“Thatiswhatwethought,”Jevasaid.“WearegoingtoyourCeres’said.
Betternottowasteoureffortsonlesserthings.”HisCeres.Thanoswisheditwereassimpleasthat.Thatthingsbetweenthem
hadn’tbeensodifficultwhenheleft.Witheverythingthathe’ddone,andeverythingthatStephaniahadmanagedtoinsinuate,Thanoswasn’tsurethatthey’deverbeenfurtherapart.Heonlyhopedthathecouldchangethatbyshowingherhowmuchhewaspreparedtodotokeephersafe.
HewaspreparedtobringafleetofthemostfearedpiratesofFelldusttoattackitsfleet,foronething.
Yet,themorehelookedatthefleettheBoneFolkhadassembled,themore
worriedhegot.TheywouldhavesufferedlossestakingonafragmentofthefleetthatFelldustcouldbringtobear.Howwouldtheyfareagainstthewholething?Thanoshadseensomeoftheshipsforthat.He’dseenthevesselsstretchingacrossPortLeeward’sharbor,andthosewerejusttheonestryingtocatchup.Howhugewouldthemainforcebe?
Moretothepoint,howcouldtheyeverhopetostandagainstit?Whatiftheyreachedthefleet,attackedit,andfoundthatitwaslikeaddingasingledropofwinetoabarrelofwater?Theymightbeoverwhelmedanddestroyedsoquicklythatitwasasthoughtheyweren’tthereatall.
“You’reworrying,”Jevasaid.Thanosnodded.“Iam.I’veseenyoufight.I’veheardyourreputationsas
pirates,andthefactthattheFirstStonewantedyoutojointheinvasionsaysalotabouthowdangerousyouareaswarriors…”
“But?”Jevaprompted.Shesoundedasthoughshe’dbeenwaitingforthismoment.Perhapsshehad.
Thanoswasquicklylearningnottounderestimatethepeoplehetraveledwith.“Wemightnotwin,”Thanossaid.“I’vebroughtyouallthisway,andImight
besendingyoutoyourdeaths.Felldust’sfleetisgoingtobehuge.Sobigthatwemightnotbeabletobeatitevenifwetakeitbysurprise.”
HewatchedasJevacockedherheadtooneside.“Andyou’retellingmethisbecause…”“BecauseIwanttobefair,”Thanossaid.“Iwanttogiveyouthechanceto
pulloutofthisifyouwantto.Youandallyourpeople.”Jevanoddedgravely.Sheturnedbacktotherestoftheshipandstartedto
speakinthestrangedialectherpeoplehad.ItseemedtobearnoconnectiontothemaintongueofFelldust,withclicksandsharpedgestothewordsthatmadeitsoundalmostlikebonescrapingagainstbone.
“Iamtellingthemthatwemightnotwin,”shesaid.“Thatyouwantedthemtoknowthis.Thatitwasveryimportanttoyoutosaythis.”
Thensheburstoutlaughing.So,toThanos’ssurprise,didmostoftheothersontheship.Theytreatedthewholethingasifitwerethebestjokethey’dheardinalongtime.Oneofthesailorsactuallyleanedagainstthebleachedmastoftheshipasthoughhehadtroublekeepinghisfooting,hewaslaughingthatmuch.
“Weknowwewon’twin,”Jevasaid.“Isawthefleetmyself.YouthinkIcan’tcount?”
“No,”Thanossaid.“Ijust—”“Youjustthoughtthatyoucouldfindawaythroughallthiswithoutanyone
dying.We’renotafraidofdying.Goingtojoinourancestors?Forus,itmeansfinallygettingasayinhowthingsgo.”
Thanoswasn’tsurethathecouldwraphismindaroundthat.Alltheotherpeoplehe’dmetcaredwhethertheylivedordied,evenifoccasionallytheyfeltthatacause,oranotherperson,wasworththerisk.
“Wecamehereknowingwhatwouldhappen,”Jevawenton.“Theoneswhospeaktothedeadsaythatitisathingworthdoing.Morethanthat,weknowitisworthdoing.WehavestoriesabouttheAncientOnes.Weknowhowimportanttheyweretotheworld,andhowimportanttheymightstillbe.”
ThanosfounditstrangethatCeres’snamecouldinspiresomuch,eventhoughheknewthatshewasmorethanworthanyriskinperson.Thesepeoplehadnevermether,buttheywerewillingtodieforher.
“Wewillstrikeattheirfleet,”Jevasaid.“Wewillpunchaholethroughthem,andperhapsinthathole,youwillbeabletogettheAncientOnetosafety.Wewilldowhatisnecessary.”
Thanosdidn’tknowwhattosaytothat.Shouldhethankthemforwhattheyweredoing,orwouldtheyseethatasanotherjoke?Worse,wouldtheyseeitasaninsult?Thanoswasstartingtorealizethathedidn’tknowthematall,butthatdidn’tmatter.Notwhentheywerepreparedtodothis.
Lookingout,hesawlandappearingonthehorizon.TheEmpirelayahead,withalltheconflictthatwouldfollow.Inthedistance,Thanosthoughthesawfires,andfeargrippedhimthen.Whatiftheyweretoolate?Whatiftheconflictwasalreadyover?
“Youshouldgobacktotheotherboat,”Jevasaid.“Youdonotwanttobeonthisonewhenthebattlestarts,andwewouldn’twanttogetyourbonesmixedupwiththoseofourpeoplewhenitisdone.”
“Thankyou,”Thanossaid.Jevashookherhead.“Donotthankus.Dowhatmustbedone.Andwhenthe
timecomes,remembertodiewell!”
CHAPTEREIGHTEENIrriensmiledingrimsatisfactionashisflagshipscrapedupagainstDelos’s
docks.Withtheenemyfleetintatters,ithadbeenaneasythingtobreaktheharborchainandpourintothespacebehindlikeastainonthewater.Hefeltthedeeprightnessofthingsgoingashehadplannedthem.
Flamingmissilesflewoverhishead,butIrriendidn’tduck.Aleadercouldn’taffordtoshowweakness.EspeciallynotaFirstStone.Irrienhadtakenhispositionbydefeatingthelastholderoftheseat,seizinghisinterestsandfinallyslayinghim.Hismenlikedtoprofesstheirloyalty,butheknewtherewasalwayssomeone,somewhere,whowouldtrytotakeitfromhimiftheyfeltthattheycould.
Sohestoodtall,ignoringthepaininhisarmwhereAkilahadwoundedhim,ignoringtheflightofthefirearrowsandtheclaypotsthathissedwithoilwhentheystruckthewater.Ignoringeventhethoughtthatvictorywasinhisgrasp.Astrongmandidnotletwhatwastobegaineddistracthimfromtheprocessofseizingit.
“Forward!”Irriencalled.“Takethedocks!”Hefollowedthefirstwaveofmendownontothem,drawingaknifesolong
thatforanothermanitwouldhavebeenashortsword.Hewasgratefulinthatmomentthathe’dthoughttoleavehisgreatswordinAkilawhenhe’dkickedhimdownforthesharkstotake.Abladecouldbereplacedeasilyenough;areputationwasamoredifficultthing.
Irriensawarebelcomingathimthroughthethrongofthebattle,holdinganaxe.Hesidesteppedtheman’sattack,strikingoutwithhisknifeatthroatlevel.Helettheattackerdrop,sheathedhisknife,andtookuptheaxewithhisgoodhand.
“ThefirstvictoryonEmpiresoil!”Irriencalled,heftingitoverhead.Hedidn’traisehisleftarm.Hewasn’tsurethathecould.Nodoubthishealerswouldbeabletohelp,butfornow,hewantedthatauraofinvincibility.
Aroundhim,hismenhackedandkilled,spurredonbyIrrien’sdisplay.Theytoreintothedefendersaroundthedocks,fightingtheirwaytothespotswheretwocatapultscontinuedtoflingflamingpotstowardIrrien’sfleet.
Mentryingtobebrave.Irriendidn’tknowwhethertobeimpressedortolaugh.
Hedidneither,insteadsettlingforsmashinghisaxethroughtheskullofanotherfoe,thenusingittosweepasidetheheadofaspearsothathecouldcutintoitswielder.
“Killthemenonthosecatapults,”Irriencalled,“butdonotdestroythem.
Insidetheharbor,theycanprotectus.”Hiswarriorshastenedtoobey.Irriensawawomaninthewrapsofoneofthe
dusttribesplungeashortspearintoarebel.Hewatchedasoneofthespike-hairedgangmembersofPortLeewardjumpedinwithaknifeineitherhand.Warbroughtpeopletogetherthewayalmostnothingelsecould.
Awaytohisleft,Irriensawacollectionofpeoplewiththeirbelongingsontheirbacks,scuttlingthroughthestreetsliketheratstheywereastheytriedtoflee.Menandwomen,evenafewchildren.Irrienlookedaroundandsawthatthebattleforthedockswasgoingwell.
Wellenoughforhimtotakeadetour.“Allofyouhere,withme,”Irriensaid,andraninthedirectionofthefleeing
people.Hesprintedalongthefrontofthedocks,leadingasmallgroupofhiswarriorswhobayedforbloodlikesandlizards.
Hesawthetripwirejustintime.“Halt!”heyelled,skiddingtoastop,butsomeofthosewithhimweretoo
slowtoreact,orhadn’theardhim,orweretoocaughtupintheirneedforbloodtolisten.Whateverthereason,severalsprintedpasthim,hittingthelineoftripwiresasagroup.
Boltsflewoutfromcrossbowsconnectedtothem,thuddingastheyslammedintoflesh.IrriensawamuscledmanwiththebearskincloakofoneoftheDeadForesttribesgodown,lookingsurprisedatthethoughtthatdeathmighthavecomeforhim.Awarriorinlightchainfoundthatitwasnomatchfortheforceoftheweaponcomingtowardher.
Irrienhadtoadmirethemindthathadputthesetrapsinplace.Amancouldnotlivewithsuchthingsaround,butthiswasnotaboutlivingwiththem;itwasaboutdenyingthecitytothosewhoattacked,whateverthecost.
“Careful,”Irriensaid.“Therewillbemore.”Therewere.Astheyadvanced,hespottedwireslinkedtobarricadesholding
rubble.Hefounddeadfallsandpits,spikesandmorecrossbows.Everystepseemedtobefraughtwithdanger,butIrrienpickedhiswaythroughit.
Thosetryingtofleewerestillahead,andIrrienwasn’tgoingtolettheweakescapesoeasily.
Hesawthemaheadandchargedafterthem.Hisfollowerschargedwithhim.Irrienslammedintothebackofthem,cuttingdownoneofthemen.Anotherturned,tryingtodrawaknife,andIrrienhackedathimwithhisaxe.Heignoredthesprayofblood,lookingforanotherfoetokill.
Therewerenone,though,becausethesefolkwouldnotfightfortheirlives.Theyjustcoweredthereliketheslavestheywouldsoonbe.Halfofthemwerealreadyontheirknees,andIrrienfoundhimselfsortingtheminhismind.The
youngwomenandthefewstrongmenwhowouldfetchthebestprice.Theolderwomenandtheboys.Therest.Sometheywouldkeepfornow.Sometheywouldputonoars.Onewomanwithdarkhair,Irriendecidedthathewouldkeepforhimself,untilsheboredhimenoughtosellorgivetothepriestsforoneoftheirsacrifices.
Hestrodetoher,standingoverher,seeingthefearinhereyes.“Tellme,whosetthetrapsinthestreet?”Irriendemanded.Shelookedupathimwithobviousterror,andIrrienthoughthemighthaveto
strikehertogethertalking.Butthewordscameblurtingout,astheyalwaysdidfromthosewithoutthestrengthtofight.
“ThereisamannamedBerin,”thewomansaid.“Ceres’sfather.Heandhissmithscamethroughthestreets,buildingdefenses.”
“Anddidanyherehelphim?”Irriendemanded.Sheshookherheadfrantically.“No.Wedidn’twanttobeinvolvedintheir
war.Wewanted…wewantedtobesafe.”Thebleatingofthelambinthefield,asitalwayswas.Pleasedon’thurtus.
Asifwordscoulddoanythingtostoponewithstrength.Perhapsthisonethoughtthatshe’ddonesomethingrightbyadmittingthatshehadn’teventriedtodefendwhatwashers.
“AndCeresisinthecastle,waitingforus?”Irrienasked.Thewomanshookherhead.“No,Imean…maybe.TheysaythatLady
Stephaniatookthecastlebackfromtherebellion.ThatshecapturedCeres.”Irrienconsideredthat.Itwasaninterestingdevelopment.Hehadheardof
LadyStephania,foronething.Itwassaidthatherbeautyoutshonethestars,whilehercunningleftmendeadinitswake.Awomantoadmire,inotherwords.
Still,itmadenodifferencewhosatwithinthecastle.Irrienintendedtotakeit,ashewouldtherestofthecity.Hisnewslave’swordsmerelychangedthenatureoftheprize,notwhathadtobedone.
“YouwilltellmeeverythingyouknowofthisLadyStephania,”hesaid.“Imightbeabletohelpyouwiththat,”awoman’svoicereplied.Shestepped
fromtheshadowsofoneofthehouses,movingquietlyenoughthatevenIrrienhadn’tspottedhercoming.Thatwasthekindofsilencethattooktraining.
Shewascomelyenough,andnoblydressedbeneathadarkcloakthatwasnodoubtdesignedtodisguisewhoshewaswhileshemadeherwaythroughthecity.
“LadyStephaniasentme,mylord,”shesaid,withacurtseythatwasprobablyfitforakinginthisuncivilizedlandwheretheweakdidnotkneelbeforetheirbetters.“MynameisWanale.”
“Wereyousentasamessenger,agift,oranassassin?”Irriendemanded.
“Asamessenger,mylord,”Wanalesaid.“LadyStephaniawishestoofferyouterms.”
Irrienlaughedatthat,evenashismindconsideredthepossibilities.He’dheardthestoriesofthetimesLadyStephaniahadmanipulatedpeopleintodoingwhatshewanted.Shehaddoneagoodjobofseemingharmlessandthenstriking.
“WhattermscouldshehavethatIwouldwant?”Irriensaid.“Iwilltakethecity.IwilltakeallthatIwant.Shehasnothingtogive.”
“Shetoldmetosaythatshehasthepotentialtotakefromyou,”Wanalesaid.“Thatthecastlewillremainstrong,andthatfailingagainstitwillmakeyoulookweak.Thatitisbettertoagreetermsthantowatchyourforcesfightamongthemselveswhentheycannottakethecastle.”
Irrienlookedatthemessengeruntilshequailedandfelltoherknees.Thatwasgood.Amanshouldhaveenoughstrengthtocowlesserfolk.
“AllofthisassumesthatIcannottakewhatisinfrontofme,”Irriensaid.Hetookasteptowardthewoman.“Youwillfindoutthatisnotthecasewithmyslavechainsonyou.Thenyouwilltellmeeveryweaknessthecastle.Iwillseizeit,alongwiththerestofthecity.”
Ahandtouchedhisarm.Hiswoundedarm.Painshotthroughhim,andIrrienspun.
Thewomanfrombeforewasthere,reachingoutasthoughto…what?Convincehim?Prevailuponhim?Irriendidn’tcarerightthen.Thepainthatroaredthroughhimathertouchwaswhitehot,overwhelmingallelse.
“Please,mylord,whatabout—”Irrientookherheadfromhershoulderswithonesweepofhisaxe.He
breathedhardashewaitedforthepaintosubside,butheknewhecouldnotleaveitatthat.Tellhismenthatthiscaptivehadprovokedhimbytouchinghiswound,andtheywouldwonderhowbaditwas.Theywouldstarttowonderiftherewasaweaknesstheretoexploit.
“Killthem,”heorderedhismeninstead.“Therewillbeplentymorecaptivestotake,andwehavenotimeforthese.”
Theydidn’tquestion.Instead,theyfellontheprisonerslikewolves,stabbingandslashinginspiteoftheirscreams.Irrienfeltnogriefatit,onlyafaintdisappointmentatthewasteofpotentialslaves.Aleaderdidwhatwasnecessarytokeephimselfappearingstrong.
Whentheystoodpantinginthewakeofthekilling,Irrienstartedtogivecommands.
“Gothroughthecity,”hecommandedthem.“Bereadyfortrapsandforthosewhowillfightback.Bethorough.Iwantyoutosweepeverystreet,findevery
straggler.Killthosewhoresist,takethosewhosurrender.Iwanttheslavelinestobelongenoughtostretchacrosstheocean.”
Helookedovertowherethecastlestood,examiningitthewayhemighthaveexaminedtheguardofarivalswordsman.Hisorderswouldslowthetakingofthecity,butthatwouldgivehimtime.Timeinwhichtofindwaysintothere.
HelookedatthemessengerLadyStephaniahadsenttoo,standingthereinobviousshockattheviolence.Hegrabbedherbythenapeoftheneck,forcinghertoherknees.Therewouldbetimeinwhichtoforceanswersfromthosewhohadthem,too.Hewouldenjoythatpartofit.Theweaknessofotherswasonlyconfirmationofhisstrength.
LadyStephaniawasrightinoneway:hecouldn’taffordtofailagainstthecastle’swalls.Hecouldn’tseemthatweak.Buthewouldn’t.Hismenwouldforcehiswayinside,andthen…well,ifthemessengershe’dsentwasanythingtogoby,thepickingswouldberichindeed.
CHAPTERNINETEENCereswokeasshealwaysseemedtowakenow,withwaterthrownonher,
coldanddirtyenoughthatshegaspedatit.Automatically,hertonguedartedout,tryingtocollectsomeofthemoisturethere,becauseinthedungeonsofthecastletheygaveheralmostnothing.
“Lookather,”someonecalledfromaboveher.“She’slikeananimal!”“Filthylittlething,”anotherjeered.“Dressedinscrapslikethat!”Itdidn’tseemtomattertothemthatithadbeenStephaniawhohadhacked
herhairaway;StephaniawhohadlethermentearCeres’sclothesuntiltheywerelittlemorethanafewbarestripsofcloth.Theslavesthereworemore.
Cereslookedaroundher,andwhenshesawwhereshewas,sheshuddered.Shewasbackinthetrainingpitbeneaththecastle,thesandbeneathherscratchingassherolledtoherknees.Thatwasn’teasy,becauseherhandswereboundbehindheratherwristsandelbows,tightenoughthathershouldersachedwithit.
Inspiteofallthattheyinflictedonherinthedungeons,thiswastheplacethatCereshadcometodread.They’dtakenaspacethatshe’doncethoughtofasherdomain,andthey’dturneditintoaspaceofhumiliation.CereshatedStephaniaforthat,andforsomuchelsebesides.
Shesatabove,ofcourse,lookingdownfromherthronetherewithanairoffaintamusement.Ceressawothernoblesbesideher,withservantsandhandmaidens.Theysmiledandlaughedasthoughtheywereenjoyingapleasantdayinthecountry.
Cereshatedallofthemthen.Stephaniasignaled,andCeresfeltthenickofabladeastwoguardscuther
ropes.Shewatchedthemhurrybackwhilesherubbedherwrists,andonethrewsomethingintothedirtinfrontofher.Asword.
Notarealonethough.Notsomethingshecouldhopetofightherwayoutoftherewith.Thiswasashort,ugly,dull-lookingthingwithroundededgesthatprobablyhadn’teverbeensharpened.Itwasthekindoftrainingbladecombatlordsusedwhentheythoughtwooddidn’tgivethemtherightfeel.
Inspiteofitnotbeingarealblade,Ceressnatcheditup,testingtheweightofit.Despitethepainandthehumiliation,theworldfeltbetterwhenshehadherhandwrappedarounditsgrip.Thiswassomethingsheunderstood,andStephaniacouldn’ttrytotakethatawayfromher.
Shewouldtry,though,andasaburlyEmpiresoldiercameinwithhisownpracticeblade,Ceresrealizedthatshedidn’twanttodothis.Shedidn’twanttobeStephania’splaything,dancingtohertune.Shethrewherweaponintothe
sand.“Iwon’tfightjustforyourentertainment,”Ceressaid.“Oh,youwill,”Stephaniasaid.Shegestured,andaheraldblewalongnote
onhistrumpet.“Youwillfight,ortherewillbeconsequences.”Whatconsequencescouldtherebe?Dying?Rightthen,Cereswouldrather
diethanbestucksufferingeverydayatStephania’swhim.Shestoodthereastheguardapproached,keepingherarmsdownashethrustatherchest.
Theswordslammedintoherwithbruisingforce,butCeresmadeherselfstandtherewithoutreacting.Shewouldn’tgiveStephaniathesatisfactionofseeingthepainasitbruisedher,orwatchingherstaggerwiththeforceofit.
“There,”Ceressaid.“I’velost.Iwon’tfightback,Stephania!”“Really?”Stephaniacountered.“Notevenonceyouknowtheprice?”Ceressawhergesture,andayoungmanwasbroughtforward,hishandstied.
AtanothersignalfromStephania,aguardliftedasword,anditwasobviousthatthisonewasn’tatrainingweapon.
“No,”theyoungmanbegged.“No,no,please.”Theguardthrust,strikingtheyoungmaninalmostexactlythespotCeres’s
opponenthadstruckher.Thebladeslidintohimandoutagain,leavinghimtocollapsewhileCereswatched.Shewincedatthat;atalifesnuffedoutfornobetterreasonthanbecauseofStephania’sgames.
Stephaniasignaledagain,andmorepeoplewerebroughtforward.Ceresthoughtsherecognizedsomeoftheyoungmenthere,thatshe’dseenthembefore,fightingalongsidetherebellion.ThenshesawSartesandshefroze.
“Wecapturedthemtryingtofighttheirwayintosaveyou,”Stephaniasaid.“Now,youhaveachancetosavethem,orcondemnthem.Iamnotgoingtokillyou,buteverytimeoneofmyguardslandsablowonyou,oneofthemwillsuffer.You’llwatchthemdie,andyou’llrealizehowweakyouare.”
“I’llkillyou,”Cerespromised.Stephanialaughed.“It’snotmeyouneedtokill.”Shegesturedtotheguard,andthemanlungedatCeresagain.Ceresbarelythrewherselftothesideintime,comingupwiththepractice
swordandcircling.Thesituationwasn’tfair,ofcourse,becauseStephaniawouldneverkeepthingseven.Thiswasafresh,well-restedman,whilehertorturershardlyevergaveCerestimetosleep.Thentherewasthethreathangingoverher.Allthismanhadtofearwasbeinghitwithapracticeblade,whileanywoundonCereswouldcountfortheprisonersabove;forherbrother.
Shewhirledawayfromanattack,parriedanother,andthenstruckdownacrosstheguard’shand.Shehadtofocus.Shedidn’thavethestrengthofherAncientOneblood,butshestillhadtheskillsshe’dlearnedintheStade,andshe
couldstillrememberthelessonstheForestPeoplehadsoughttoteachher.ShecouldstillrememberEoin,underawaterfall,movingwithsuchgracethatitseemedlikemagic.
Itwasn’tmagic,though;itwasmovingasyouneededtomove,inharmonywiththeworld.Ceresforcedherselftorelax,parryingandshifting,feelingtheweightofherweapon.Itdidn’thaveanedge,butitwasstilliron.Itstillhadweightandstrength.Itcouldstillkill,intherighthands.
Ceressweptastrikeoutoftheway,thenchoppeddown,hearingthecrackasshestruckthesoldier’sknee.Hestartedtocollapse,andCereshithimacrossthejawashefell,sendinghimdownintounconsciousness.
WhileCerestriedtogetairintoherlungs,twomoresteppedintothetrainingcircletotakehisplace.Theyspreadout,tryingtoencircleher,butCeresdartedbetweenthem.
“Areyoujustgoingtokeepsendingthemuntilyourunoutofmen?”CerescalleduptoStephania.
“Justuntilyoulearnyourplace,”Stephaniaassuredher.Oneofthemencutlow.Ceressteppedoverthestroke,hittinghiminthe
throatwithherbluntedsword.Evenwithoutanedge,itwasenoughtocollapsehim,gaspingforair.Shespunintimetoparryanotherattack,barelyleanedbackfromathird,andmanagedtopushherattackeraway.
TwomorejoinedhimasCeressnatchedupasecondpracticeswordfromoneofthefallenguards.
Shecharged.Rightthen,attackwastheonlydefenseshehad.Sheduckedassheranin,feelingaswordwhistleoverherhead.Shestrucktheattackerinthestomach,butthatwasn’tenoughtobringhimdown.
Sheparriedandstruckback,alwaysmovingontheedgeofdistance,tryingtokeeponeoftheswordsmeninbetweenherandtheotherssothattheycouldn’tstrikeatheralltogether.Inspiteofherefforts,shetookablowacrossherforearm,andheardsomeonescreamupabove.Ceresdidn’tdaretolookuptoseewhatwashappening.
Shelashedoutatthehandofoneofherattackers,hearingbonesbreakashedroppedhissword.Shespunpastanotherstrike,lashingoutwithherelbowtothebaseofanattacker’sskullevenassheparriedanotherblow.
Somewhereinit,Ceresfeltherselffallingintotherhythmofthefight,feelingitthewayshefelttheriseandfallofherownbreathing.Shedidn’thavethespeedorpowerthatshe’dpossessedjustafewdaysago,butshecouldstillchoosetherightmomenttoswaybackfromablow,sendingonemanstumblingintoanotherwhileshestruckouttothespinewithherheavyironblade.
Ifthishadbeenafightwithliveblades,therewouldhavebeenblood.Above,
Cerescouldhearsomeofthosewatchinggrowingrestlessatthelackofit,butafightdidn’tneedbloodtobedeadly.Therewasstillthecrackofbreakingbone,theemptygaspingofmentryingtodraginairthroughcrushedthroats.
Perhapsonce,Cereswouldhavetriedtoholdback,butnowshecouldn’taffordto.Itwasn’tjustherownlifeonthelinehere,andinanycase,shewasn’tsurethatshehadthestrengthtodoit.Allshecoulddowasflowfrommomenttomoment,strikingoutwithouthesitationorregretwheneverthemomentpresenteditself.
Shestruckatjoints,atbones,atthethroatortheskull.Shewieldedherpracticeswordsasapairofironclubs,theretocrushandsmashratherthansliceorpierce.Sheswayedasidefromathrust,bringingaweapondownontoherenemy’selbow,thenlungedintothrustherother“sword”deepintothesoftfleshofaguard’sstomach.Ashedoubledup,shehithimbehindtheear,sendinghimdownintounconsciousness.
Ceresstoodthere,lookingaroundforfreshopponents,butitseemedthatthoseguardswhoweren’tonthesandgroaninginpainwerelyingthereindeathlystillness.Cerestookherpracticeswordsandplungedthemintothesand,hopingthatshewouldlookstrongerthanshefeltrightthen.
Thetruthwasthatshefeltexhausted,asifastrongbreezemightblowherover.Shecouldn’taffordtoletthatshow,though.Sheknewshehadtolookasthoughshecouldkeepfightingallday,becauseotherwiseStephaniawouldkeepsendingmenagainsther.
Ceresforcedherselftostareupindefiance,instead.“Isthatit?”shedemanded.“Arewedone?I’msickofplayingyourgames,
Stephania.Ifyouwanttopunishmeforsomecrimeonlyyoucansee,thendoit,butleavetheothersoutofthis.”
“Youbroughtthemintoit,”Stephaniacountered.“Wouldtheybehereifitweren’tforyou?Allthesepeople,andyoucan’tsavethem.You’llneverbeenoughtosavethem.”
Thathurtmorethananythingtheothershaddonetoher.StephaniahadaknackforfindingthethingsthatpokedatCeres’sheartmorethananythingelse.Sheseemedtounderstandwhatwouldhurtmost,andneverhesitatetopushfurther.
“Andyoustillhaven’tlearnedyourlesson,”Stephaniasaid.“Youarenotsomeleader.Youarenothing.Allowmetodemonstrate.”
Sheclappedherhandsagain,andguardspushedthreemorefiguresintothering.Threemen,allwiththemusclesbuiltthroughlongtraining,allarmedwithweaponsthattheyhadlongpracticewith.Oneheldaswordandshield,oneatrident,oneashortspear.Ceresrecognizedthecombatlords.She’dtrained
alongsidethem.“IknowItoldyouthatwekilledthecombatlords,”Stephaniasaid.“Butwe
managedtosavetheseonesjustforyou.Itwillbejustlikeoldtimes,watchingyoufightthemtothedeath.”
Hornsblew,andthethreecombatlordsspreadoutaroundCeres.
CHAPTERTWENTYSartesstoodbythesideofthetrainingpit,strugglingagainstthebondsthat
heldhiminplaceeventhoughitmadenodifference.Hecouldn’tjuststandthere.Hecouldn’tdonothingwhiletheyweretryingtobreakhissisterlikethis.
Yettherewasnothinghecoulddo.They’dtiedhimtoapostthere,ropesaroundhiswrists,hisankles,histhroat,sothathecouldn’tmoveasmuchasahand’swidthwithouttheropestighteningtohalfchokehim.They’dputhimwhereCereswouldbeabletoseehimandknowthatshecouldn’tsavehim,butthey’dbeencruelerthanthat.
They’dputhimwherehehadtowatchhisfellowconscriptsastheysuffered.Alreadyhe’dseenJustinostabbedthroughtheheart,hadwatchedthemhackahandfromUllo,leavinghimscreamingandbleedingslowlytodeath.He’dheardthebrayingofthenoblesandtheguardsthereastheydidit,laughingasifitwereallsomegame.
WhattheyweredoingtoLeyanawasworse.Sarteswatchedherastheymadehercrawlthroughthecrowd,apitcherofwineinherhands.Astheonlywomanwiththemwhenthey’dbeencaptured,theyhadn’ttiedherwiththeothers.Instead,theyweretreatingherlikethelowestofslaves.Noblesandsoldiersbarkedcommandsather.Menreachedouttograbather,makingSarteswanttothrowhimselffromthepolethatheldhimtocutthemdown.
Evenashewatched,anoblemanseizedherbythewaist,liftingLeyanauptosetheronhislap.Onearmheldhertightlyinplaceasshepouredwineintohisgoblet,andwhenshesquirmedtogetaway,heslappedher,hardenoughthatSartesheardthecrackofit.Shetumbledtothefloorandresumedherroundsoftheothers.
Sarteshadnodoubtsaboutwhatwouldhappentoherwhentheyweredoneinthepits.Somenoblemanwouldclaimherashisown,dragginghertohisbedthewaythey’dalwaysdonewithpeasantsandslaves,probablybeatingherifsheresisted.AllSartescoulddowaswatch,andashewatched,heknewStephaniahadarrangedthis.Onlyshecouldmanagetobesocruel.
Leyana’sroutewastakingherclosetohimnow.Sartestriedtocatchhereyetoofferwhateversilentsupporthecould.Ratherthanpainorhumiliationonherface,though,hewassurprisedtoseealookofdetermination,eventriumph.
Shepressedclosetohim,andinaninstant,Sartesfeltsomethingpressedintohishand.Aknife.
“Thenobleshouldhavebeenmoreconcernedwithwheremyhandswerewanderingthanhis,”shewhispered.
Sartesstartedtosawattheropes.
Fearfilledhimasheworkedatthem.Leyanawasstillserving,stillbeinggrabbedandgropedandpushed.Whatifsomethinghappenedtoherbeforehecouldfinish?Whatifsomeonespottedwhatshe’ddone?
Sartesfelthishandscomefree,andthatdidn’tmatteranymore.Asquickasthinkingit,hereacheduptocuttheropeathisneck,thenbenttogettheonethatheldhisankles.Hedidn’thesitate,butinsteadrushedforwardtowhereLeyanastoodandgrabbedherarm.
“Run!”heyelled.Thenoblewhowascurrentlygrabbingathertriedtoholdon.Sartesstabbed
him,feelingthedaggersinkhome,thenran.HepulledLeyanawithhim,sheerspeedcarryinghimpasttheguardsatthedoor.Criesbehindhimtoldhimthattherewouldquicklybepursuit.
Hewishedthattherewastimetocuttheothersfree.TohelpCeres.Instead,therewasonlyenoughtimetorunblindlywithLeyana,pickingdirectionsalmostatrandomthroughthenearlyemptycastle.
Theysprinted,andwhenSartesheardfootstepsbehindthem,hesprintedfaster.
“Inhere,”Leyanasaid,pointingtoasideroom.Sarteswentwithher,butheknewassoonashediditthatitwasamistake.
Theroomseemedtobeastoreroom,butitwasalmostempty,withnowheretohide.EvenasSartesthoughtit,twoguardsfollowedthemintotheroom,withswordsdrawn.
IfLeyanahadn’tbeenthere,hemighthavehesitated.Instead,Sartesflunghimselfforward,strikingatthefirstwiththeknifeagainandagain.Heshovedhisopponentatthesecond,butthatjustmeanttheywentdowntogether,eachwithahandlockedonthewristoftheother’sweaponarm.Theguardrolledontop,hisgreaterstrengthforcinghisbladetowardsSartes’sthroat.
ThetipofaswordappearedfromhischestasLeyanastabbedhimwiththefirstguard’ssword.Heseemedtofreezeinplace,staringdownatit,thentoppledsideways,awayfromSartes.
Sartesstood,takinghissword.“Aretheremore?”Leyanaasked.Sarteslookedoutofthedoorway,andsawthatthecorridorwasempty.“It
seemsclearfornow,butweneedtokeepgoing.”“We’regoingtorun?”Leyanaasked.Shesoundeddisappointed.“We’re
goingtoleavetheothersbehind?”Sartesshookhishead.Hecouldneverjustabandonhissisterlikethat,orthe
otherconscripts.“We’llhelp,butweneedassistancetodoit.Ineedtofindmyfather.”
***
Theywalkedthewalls,duckingdowneverytimetheythoughttheysawa
guard.Below,Sartescouldseethecity,spreadoutinitsdistrictsanditswarrensofstreets.Hecouldseethesoldiersswarmingthroughittoo,theflamesthereandthelongchainsofslavesthattheyweretakingwiththemastheywentfromhousetohouse.Thesheerrapaciousnessofitwasenoughtomakehimfeelasthoughhewantedtorunawayandneverlookback.
Hedidn’t,though.Hekeptlooking.Hisfatherandtheotherswithhimhadbeennearthecastle,tryingtoholdthecity.Hejusthadtohopethatwasstillthecase.Whilehescannedthestreetsbelow,Sartesranalongtoaspotwhereacoilofropesatbyacatapult,obviouslyintendedtobeareplacementpart.Iftherehadbeenanyonetomanthedevice,itmighthavebeendifficulttotake,butitseemedthatthosewithinweretrustinginthestrengthoftheirwallsfornow.
“There!”Leyanasaid,pointing.“That’shim,isn’tit?”Sarteslookeddowntoaspotwheresmallfigureswerefighting.Hesawa
burlyformstrikingleftandrightwithahammer,andknewthatLeyanawasright.ItwascloseenoughtothewallsthatSartesdecidedtoriskcallingout.
“Father!”heyelled.Hestartedtowave.“Father!”“Careful,”Leyanasaid.“You’llattracttheguards.”Thatwasthedanger.Eventhoughtherewerefarfewerpeoplethantherehad
beeninthecastle,therewerestillsomeguardsoutthere.Sartescouldkeepwaving,though,andsoon,thesmallfigureofhisfatherturnedtolookathim.Sartessawhimandacoupleofotherfiguresbreakawayfromtheskirmish,runningforthecastlewalls.
Whilehisfatherrancloser,Sarteslookedforaplacetoanchortheropeheheld.Heendeduptyingitaroundtheunusedcatapult’sframe,hopingthatthegreatweightofitwouldbeenough.
Hedroppedtheropeoverthewallandwaited.Therewassomuchthatcouldgowrongnow.Whatifsomeonesawthem?Whatifhisfatherfell?
“Itwillbeallright,”Leyanaassuredhim,butrightthen,allSartescouldfeelwasthetensionrunningthroughthemoment.
Hesawhisfatherpullinghimselfoverthewallandreacheddowntopullhimup.Twosmithsfollowed,strongmen,butobviouslyoneswhohadbeeninalotoffightstoday.Onehadbruisesalloverhisface.Theotherhadabloodybandagewrappedaroundhisshoulder.
Hisfatherpulledhimintoatightembrace.“Sartes,you’realive!Whenyoudidn’tcomeback,Iwassoworried.Whathappened?”
Sartesdidn’tknowhowtoputit.“Wewereambushed.Ceres…they’remakingherfightinapit.Icouldn’tgetheroutalone.”
“Ihavenodoubtyoudideverythingyoucould,”hisfathersaid.Sarteswishedthathecouldbesosure.Maybehecouldhavestayedand
fought.Maybehecouldhavebeenmorecarefulinthetunnels.“Andyou’refree,”hisfathersaid.Sartessawhimswallow.“That’sgood.
Thereisn’tmuchtime.They’reinthecitynow.”Sartesnodded.Hecouldseetheinvadersfromthewall.Theyformedaring
hecouldn’tseeawaythrough;anoosetighteningonthecastle.“Wecan’trunyet,”Sartessaid.“WestillneedtogetCeresout.”Hisfatherlookedathim.“Youhaveanidea,don’tyou?”Sartesnodded.He’dbeenthinkingaboutthissincetheycapturedhim.They’d
blockedoffsomanyofthewaysout,butwhatwasblockedcouldbeunblocked,couldn’tit?
“Wefindoneoftheentrancestheythinkaresecure,andweopenit,”Sartessaid.“Theywon’thavepeopleonit,becausetheydon’thaveenoughtowatchthemall.Wecouldn’tforceourwayinfromoutside,butnowthatwe’reinside…wecanlettherebellionin.”
Itwasasimpleplan,butitfeltlikeagoodone.Stephaniahadonlytakenthecastlebecauseshe’dbeenabletoshuttherebelsout.Iftheycouldprovideawaybackin…
Sartessawhisfathershakehishead.“It’stoolateforthat,”hesaid.“Anhourago,twohours,anditmighthave
beenpossible.Now…thereisn’tenoughoftherebellionlefthere,Sartes.Wetriedtoholdbacktheinvaders,andtheyjustwashedoverus.”
Foramoment,Sartesstoodthere,feelingbroken.Ithadseemedsosimple.Now,therewasnothing.HelookedoutatthedarklineofFelldust’sarmy.Heknewhisfatherwasright.Thatwouldbeheresoon.Eveniftheycouldsomehowtakethecastle,howlongcouldtheyhold?Iftheytriedtosneakout,theywouldbecaught,becauseitwasobvioustheywerebeingthoroughinsackingthecity.Iftheytriedtofight,theywouldjustbeoverwhelmed.
Whatdidthatleave?TheanswercametoSartesslowly,anditseemedinsaneashethoughtofit,
butwhatotheroptionswerethere?Whatwastherethatmightwork?“Thenwelettheinvadersintothecastle,”hesaid.Theotherslookedathimasthoughhe’djustproposedthattheyshouldjump
fromthewalls.“What?”Leyanaasked.“Sartes,thatwouldmeanchaos.”Sartesnodded.“Andchaosiswhatweneedrightnow.Ifwestayherewith
thingsastheyare,eventuallyStephaniakillsus.Ifwegooutthere,Felldust’sarmykillsus.Ifweletthemin,maybethey’reallsobusykillingoneanotherthatwecanescape.”
Itwasadesperateplan,Sartesknewthat.Thereweresomanywaysitcouldgowrong.Hemightbebringingtheirdeathsdownonthem,butwasn’teventhatbetterthansomeofthethingsStephaniamightdo?
“Wehavetodothis,”hesaid.“Father,willyoudoit?Willyoufindagatetoopen?”
Hisfatherhesitated,andSartescouldn’tblamehim.Whathewasaskingwouldbringviolencetothecastlethatotherwisewouldn’ttouchit.Itwouldcostpeopletheirlives.
“Allright,”hisfathersaidatlast.“WhatwillyoudowhileIopenthegate?”Sartesnoddedinthedirectionofthemainbodyofthecastle.Therewasonly
onethinghecoulddo.“I’mgoingtogogetCeres.”
***Berincreptdownthroughthecastlecourtyard,weighinghishammerinhis
hand.Itwasalmostasheavyashisthoughtsrightthen.Whathewasabouttodowouldbringdeathtoalotofpeople.
“Arewereallygoingtodothis?”Casparasked.He’dbeenoneofBerin’ssmithsonlyacoupleofweeks,buthewasagoodmaninafight.J’ket,besidehim,wasaformerslavewho’dbeenasmithbackintheSouthlands.
“Firstweneedtofindagatewecanopen,”Berinsaid.Itwasn’tananswer,butrightthen,hedidn’thaveananswer.HecouldimaginetheslaughterwhenFelldust’sarmybrokeintothecastle,therapes,thelooting.
Hedidn’thavetoimagineit,becausehe’dalreadyseenitintherestofthecity.
“There,”J’ketsaid.“They’veweldeditshut,buttheseimperialscan’tweldworthmyhammerscale.”
Itturnedoutthathehadagoodeyeforit,becauseonelookatthesmallgatehewaspointingtotoldBerinthatitwastheonethattheywanted.Theguardshadindeedtriedtoweldmetalbarsinplaceoverit,butBerincouldseethebadweldsthere.Onlytheoriginalboltswouldbestrong,andtheywouldbeeasyenoughtopullback.Eventhecoupleofwoodenbarsnailedinplacewouldbeeasytoripclear.
“Thisistheone,”Berinagreed.Hestartedtohammeratthebadwelds,thesoundofmetalonmetalringing
outaroundthecourtyard.Theywerestrongerthantheylooked,andforamoment,hethoughtmaybehe’dpickedthewronggate.Thefirstonegave.
Justasitdid,agroupofguardsapproached.Therewerehalfadozenofthem.Toomanytowinagainst,butrightthen,thatwasn’tthepoint.
“Holdthemoff,”Berinsaid,pointingwithhishammer.“Ineedtogetthisdooropen.”
Theydidn’thesitate,andBerinwasproudofthemforthat.Theytookupapositioninfrontofhim,swingingtheirhammerstokeepthesoldiersback.Berinswunghisown,butatthedoorwelds,notattheirattackers.Hehitwithalltheforcehe’dbuiltinyearsofblade-smithing,strikingrightatthepointoftheweakestwelds.
Hedaredaglancebackatthebattle.Casparwasgrapplingwithoneoftheguardswhileanotherwasdown.J’ketwasgivingground,afreshwoundopenonhisside.Berinsawhimcharge,butcouldn’twatchtherest.Hehadtofocusonthedoors.
Hestruck,shatteringweldsevenwhilethesoundsofbattlecontinuedbehindhim.Hebrokeapartmetal,rippedfreechains,andtoreatwood.
Whenhelookedbackagain,CasparandJ’ketwereontheground,whiletwoofthesoldiersremainedstanding.J’ketwasstillmoving,tryingtokeephishammerbetweenhimandtheenemy,whileCasparhadallthestillnessofthegrave.
Berin’shandclosedoverthelastbolt.Ifhepulledthis,thegatewouldbeopen.Theinvaderswouldhaveawayin.Hewouldberesponsibleforwhateverfollowed.Hefoundhimselfthinkingofthenoblesinthecastle,theservants,thesoldiers.
Thesamepeoplewhoweretormentinghisdaughtereventhen.“Ifyou’veanysense,you’llrun,lads,”hesaid.Hepulledbacktheboltandthrewthedooropen.
CHAPTERTWENTYONECeresstoodtherewatchingasherbrothermadehisbreakforfreedom.She
feltreliefinthatmoment,andsomethingmore.Shefelttriumph.ItwasasmallvictoryoverStephania,andtherewasatleastonemorethatshecouldgain.
Shethrewdownherbluntedexcusesforswords,turningherbackonthecombatlordsStephaniahadsentintothetrainingpit.“I’mnotgoingtoplayyourgamesanymore,Stephania.Iwon’tfightforyouramusement.”
Sheheardthecrowdofnoblesboothen,asifthiswerereallytheStade.Asifshewerebeingacowardbynottakingpart.
“Thenyourrebelswilldiewitheverystrikethecombatlordsland,”Stephaniasaid.Shegesturedtothewaitingcombatlords,andCeresbracedherselfforthestrikestheywouldland.
Theydidn’tmove.“Fighther!”Stephaniaordered.“Fighther,ordie.”“We’dratherdie,”oneofthemsaid,foldinghisarms.“I’msickofplaying
nobles’games.”CerescouldseethefuryonStephania’sfacethen.She’dneverlikedthings
beingoutofhercontrol.Thishadtobeimpossibleforher.“Thendie,”Stephaniasnapped.“Guards!Killthecombatlords!”Theypoureddownintothesmalltrainingspace,andCeressnatchedupher
weaponsagain.Shestoodwithherbacktothecombatlords,waiting.Thesoldierscharged.Theirweaponsweresharpthistime,butCeresdidn’tcare.Ifanything,it
madeiteasier,becausenowshecouldaffordtotakeascratchfromonewithoutaprisonerlosinganarm.
Shedoveintothefight,strikingoutwithherbluntedweapons.Assoonassheknockeddownasoldier,shesnatcheduphissword,tradingitforoneofthepracticeweaponsthey’dfoistedonher.Shethrustitthroughanotherguard,snatchedhisswordtoo,andspuntostrikeatthenext.
Thecombatlordsseemedtohavethesameidea,castingasidethetrainingweaponsStephaniahadallowedtheminfavorofsnatchingbladesfromtheirattackers.Theyspunandcutnow,workinginformationwithCeres,andeventhoughshedidn’thavethestrengthshe’doncehad,theyhadmorethanenoughtomakeupforit.Shesawonepickupasoldierandthrowhimintoanother,whileasecondbargedasoldierstraightintothewallofthetrainingpit,stabbingasheclosedin.
Sheparriedanattack,droppedtocutatthelegofoneofthesoldiers,thenbouncedup,hersecondbladesweepingacrosshisthroat.Before,she’dbeena
thingofcrushingviolence,usingtheweightoftheheavypracticebladestoattack.Now,shemovedthemlikerazor-edgedclouds,usingtheirspeedandsharpnesstomakeupfortheleadenexhaustionseepingintoherlimbs.
Thatwasfartoorealaftersomuchfighting,butCeresdidn’tcare.Sheparriedandthrust,duckedandcut,forcingherselftokeepmovingontheshiftingsand.Shestumbledslightly,recovered,andcutasoldier’sheadfromhisshoulders.
Quickly,thesoldierspulledback,obviouslyunwillingtokeepriskingtheirlivesagainstsuchtrainedkillers.
“Enough,”Stephaniasaidfromabove.“We’lltrythisanotherway.Bows!”Someoftheguardsabovesteppedforward,drawnbowsintheirhands.“Youhaveachoice,”Stephaniasaid.“YoucanfightCeres,oryoucandie.
Andyou,Ceres,ifyouwon’tfight,I’llhavethemputarrowsinyourlegs.YoucanstillcrawltotheFirstStonethatwaywhenIgiveyoutohim.”
Theguardswiththebowsdidn’twaverintheiraim.Cereswonderedifshecoulddodgethearrowssomehow,ormaybeputherselfbetweenthemandthecombatlords.Shewasthereasontheywereinthissituation,afterall.Shesteppedintheirway,buttheguardswereallaroundthepit.Therewasnowayforthemtododge.
Thatwaswhenthehornsstartedtosound.Theyblaredloudenoughthattheyseemedtofilltheworld,andshoutscamewiththem,aswellasscreams.
Aguardcamerunningin.“Invaders!Invadersareinthebuilding!Thegateshavefallen!”
Heshouteditasawarning,buthedidn’tdoitquicklyenough.Afigureindarkstripsofclothcameupbehindhim,thrustingabladethroughhim.Guardsturnedtofight,cuttingdownthefirstoftheinvaders,butthereweremore,andmoreafterthat.
TheguardswhohadbeenpointingbowswerefightingtheFelldustsoldiersnow.Ceresstoodthereasabove,noblesstartedtoscream,servantsran,andStephaniastood,tryingtoshoutorders.
Inspiteofthechaos,shesmiledtoseeStephanialikethat.“Somuchforbeingincontrol,”shesaid.
***Stephaniastoodonherthrone,tryingtoshoutorderstohermen,tryingto
pushdownthepanicthatthreatenedtooverwhelmher.“Fightback!”sheordered.“You,whyareyourunning?Wehavetohold
them!”ShewatchedasFelldustsoldiersforcedtheirwayintotheroom.Shesawa
servantgetintheway,onlytobecutdownbythestrokeofacurvedknife.Asoldierstruggledwithoneoftheinvaders,tryingtopushhimbackevenasanotherstabbedhimfromtheside.
Stephaniacouldfeelthepanicintheroom.Noblesscrambledoveroneanothertotrytofindanexit.Menwho’dboastedabouttheirfightingprowesspushedandshovedtorunaway.Womenscreamedastheattackersgrabbedforthem.
Stephaniafeltascreamrisinginherownthroatandpusheditdown.Shewouldstaycalm.Shewouldstayincontrol.
“Whatarewegoingtodo?”agirldemanded,grabbingatStephania’shands.“Helpus,yourmajesty!”
Stephaniarecognizedherasthegirlwhowassupposedtobeherdouble,butrightthen,thetwodidn’tlookmuchalike,despitewearingthesamedress.Thiswasjustapanickinglittlegirl,whileStephaniawasincontrol.Shewas—
Awarriorindust-ingrainedarmorcameather,awavybladedaxeraisedtostrike.Oninstinct,Stephaniashovedthegirlintohispathastheaxesweptdown.Hershriekwascutshortastheaxeplungedintoher,cuttingthroughherfromcollarbonetoabdomen.Stephaniasteppedback,lettingothersdotheworkoffighting.
Someofthemweretrying.Theguardswerestrugglingtobringtheirswordsintoplay,stabbingandslashingdespitetheconfinesofthecrowd.Ifthey’dbeenfightingonthewalls,theymighthavehadachance,butwiththeinvadersinsidethecastle,thiswasalaststandratherthananorganizeddefense.
Someofthenoblemenseemedtorealizethattherewasnowayoutexceptthroughtheattackers.Theydrewtheirshort,mostlyceremonial,weapons,andstartedtofightback.Stephaniasawonefallwithhisthroatcutopen,sawanoblewomanpusheddownintothefightingpit.
AhandclosedoverherarmandStephaniaspun,goingforoneofherhiddenblades.ShebreathedasighofreliefwhenshesawElethethere,abloodyknifeinonehandandadeterminedexpressiononherface.
“Thisway,yourmajesty,”shesaid,pullingStephaniadowntowardthetrainingpit’sentrance.OneofFelldust’smensteppedintheirwayandElethestabbedhimwiththespeedofastrikingsnake.“Weneedtogetyououtofhere.”
“Thisismycastle,”Stephaniaarguedautomatically.“Andit’sfullofinvaders,”Elethesnappedback.Sheseemedtoremember
herself.“I’msorry,mylady,but…wehavetokeepyousafe.”Stephanianodded.“You’reright.Weneedtogo.Therestdoesn’tmatter.”She’dbeenpreparedtoabandonallofitjustashortwhileago,afterall.She’d
traveledtoFelldustwithalmostnothing.Shestillhadherpoisonsandher
emergencyjewels.Evenasaqueen,shecarriedthosewithher.Eletheledthewaythroughtheviolence,guidingherwaythroughitthewaya
fishmighthaveslippedthroughashoal.Awarriormovedintoherwayandshestabbedagain.Stephaniashovedbackanoblewomanwhograbbedholdofher,beggingforhelp.
Theymadeittotheentrancetheslavesusedwhentheytrained,slippingthroughit,downintothesweatstinkofthespacebeyond.Itwasdarkthere,butStephaniawasusedtosneakingthroughthedark.Eletheledtheway,snatchingatorchfromthewallandlightingit,butStephaniafollowedclosebehind.Shedrewashortblade,readyfortrouble.
“Doyouknowwhichtunnelsareblocked?”Stephaniaasked.“It’shardtotellforsure,”Elethereplied.“Theremightbeinvadersdown
here.We’llfindtheway.”Stephaniahadnodoubtthattheywould.Theysetoffthroughtheneardark,
andateverystep,Stephaniahadthefeelingthatsomeonewaswatching.Thatsomeonewasfollowingthemthroughthedark,stalkingthewayahuntermighttrackananimal.Stephaniadismissedthatasjustherfeartalking.
Shespottedaturningshethoughtsherecognized,andsetoffagain.“Thisway.”Sheledthewaydownthroughthetunnelsnow,onlypausingwhenshesaw
figuresahead.SheheardthemtalkingandrecognizedthewordsinthetongueofFelldust.
“…toldustowaithereandcutoffescape.Wait,isthatalight?”Eletheedgedforward.“Whatdoyouwantmetodo,mylady?”Stephaniapushedherwithoutthinking,sendingherstumblingintothepathof
thesoldierswhileshestoodbackandwatched.Yes,Elethehadsavedherlife,butStephaniahadtobepracticalaboutthesethings.EitherElethewoulddowell,orshewouldbethedistractionStephanianeededtoescape.
Shewatchedtheguardsdrawtheirweapons,thensmiledasEletheleaptforwardtotheattack.Herkniferoseandfellasshestruckatthefirstofthem.Thesecondmovedinbehindher,andthatwaswhenStephaniasteppedinwithherownblade.Shecutthewarrior’sthroatandlethimfallwhileElethestaredupather.
“Youpushedmestraightatthem,”shecomplained.Stephaniagaveheranevenlook.“IdidwhatIthoughtwasbesttotakethem
bysurprise.Therewasnotimetogiveyouawarning.”ShereachedouttotouchElethe’sshoulder.“Youdidwell.Iwon’tforget.”
Stephaniawasn’tsureifshewouldbelieveit,butitdidn’treallymatter.Herhandmaidenhadalreadyshownthatshewasloyal.ShewoulddowhatStephania
required.“Thisway,”Stephaniasaid,leadingthewaythroughthetunnels.Sheknew
them.She’dmadeitherbusinesstoknowthem.Shetookasmallkeyfromacollectionatherbelt,unlockingagate.Shekeptgoing.
Asshewalked,shetriednottothinkabouteverythingshe’djustlost.She’dgambledonholdingoutinthecastle,forcingtheFirstStonetotalk,andbuildingherpowerbaseashewithdrew.She’devenconsideredseducinghim,andbecomingthequeenofacombinedempirethatwouldstretchacrossthesea.
Thatwasdonenow.Herbargainingchipsweregone.Evennow,Felldust’stroopswerecuttingdownhernobles,takinghervaluables.
“Someonebetrayedus,Elethe,”Stephaniasaid.“Someoneopenedagate.Whowouldbetrayme?”
“Idon’tknow,mylady,”Elethesaid,althoughshedidn’tsoundcertainaboutit.Stephaniaignoredthat.
“Wewillrebuild,though.Wewillusethetunnelstogetbeyondthecitywalls,andthengetclear.Ihavesomevaluableswithme,andIknowwheretherearecaches.Evenifwecan’tretakeDelos,Iwillsetupsomewhereelse.”
Therewouldalwaysberoomforanobleandaspinnerofsecrets.StephaniamightevengotoFelldust,andstarttotakethecityoveronepieceofinformationatatime.Shestillhadhernetworks.Shestillhadhermind.
Ahead,Stephaniathoughtshesawaglimmeroflight.Ifsherememberedthistunnelcorrectly,itwouldbringheroutinasmallgrovebeyondthewalls.Hopefully,itwouldbebeyondthelinesofFelldust’sarmytoo.Fromthere,shecouldslipaway,stealahorse,findaship.ShewouldsellElethetoslaversifshehadto,althoughitwouldbebettertohaveherprotection.Perhapsitwouldbebettertokeepherloyalwithmorehalf-promisesandsuggestions.Whateverittooktostaysafe.
Shewasalmostoutintothelightwhenafigureshuffledoutinfrontofthem.Foramoment,StephaniathoughtthatithadtobeanotherstragglerfromFelldust’sarmy,silhouettedagainstthelight.Awomanthistime,notthatitmadeanydifference.Thenshesawthewoman’sface,andfroze.
“Well,princess,”Felenesaidasshesteppedoutwithagrimsmile.“Fancymeetingyouhere.”
CHAPTERTWENTYTWOFeleneleanedagainstthewallasnonchalantlyasshecould.Shedefinitely
didn’twanttoletStephaniaknowthatitwastheonlythingholdingheruprightthen.
“Surprisedtoseeme?”Feleneasked,forcingherselftosmile.“Youshouldn’tbe.Whatdidyouthinkwasgoingtohappenwhenyoutriedtokillme?”
“Mostly,”Stephaniasaid,“Ithoughtthatyouwouldhavethedecencytodie.”Felene’ssmilewidenedatthat.“Ah,that’swhereyouwentwrong,thinking
thatIhaveanydecency.Ifyou’dwaitedawhilelongerbeforebetrayingme,maybewe’dhavehadachancetofindout.”
Stephaniamadeafaceatthat.“Inyourdreams,thief.”Ordinarily,FelenewouldhavemadeaquipaboutallthethingsStephania
mighthavebeendoinginherdreams,butthetruthwasthattheonlydreamsshe’dhadwhenitcametoStephaniahadherdying.Dyingahundreddifferentwaysforwhatshe’ddone,andnoneofthemseemedlikeenough.
FelenesawElethetherebehindhermistress.Thedreamsinvolvingherhadbeenmorecomplicated,butFelenepushedthemoutofhermind.Itwasn’tasthoughtherewassomebrightfuturewaitingforherafterthis.
Ithadbeenhardenoughtogettothispoint.She’dslippedinthroughtheattackingfleet.She’dfoundapointnearthecastlefromwhichtowatch.She’devenresumedherdisguiseasoneoftheFelldusttroopsforawhileasshemadeherwayfrombuildingtobuilding.Allthewhile,she’dtriedtoignorethepainofherwound,andthecoughingthatseemedtobringmoredropsofbloodeachtime.
Whenshe’dseenthegateopen,thetemptationhadbeentopourinwiththerestofthem,butFelenehadheldback.She’dknownshewouldn’tgetwhatshewantedbygoingalongwiththeothers.She’dknownthatStephaniawouldbequicktorunfromthecastlethemomentitfell.
She’dgonedownintothetunnelsbeneaththecity,findingherwaybyfeelandthedimlightofathief’slamp.Therehadbeenguardsdownthere,andmoreofthesoldiersofFelldust,butFelenehadlearnedtohideontheIsleofPrisoners,wherethehuntershadbeenfarmoredangerousthananysoldiers.
She’dwalkeduntilshe’dspottedStephania,thenshe’dstalkedherthroughthedark,waitingforhermoment.Nowitwashere.Felenedrewalongknife.
“Felene?”Elethesaid,hurryingforward.“You’realive?”ShethrewherarmsaroundFelene,andforamoment,Felenecouldalmost
believethatshemeantit.ThatshewassorryforherpartintryingtokillFelene.Thatsheactuallycared.Shecertainlysoundedasthoughshewashappytosee
heragain.Butthen,she’dseemedhappyontheboat,too.ElethemovedbackwithherhandsonFelene’sshoulders,standingthereasif
waitingforFelenetokissher.Asifwaitingforthecouragetodoitherself.FeleneheardElethegaspasthebladesheheldslidhome.Upundertheribs,
straightintotheheart.FelenesawhermouthformitselfintoasmallOofsurprise,asifshe’dexpectedthistogodifferently.
“DidyouthinkI’dfallforthesamethingagain?”Felenedemanded,herangerwellingoverasshestruck.“Didyouthinkyoucouldfoolme?”
“ButIwasn’ttryingto—”Elethebegan.Shedidn’tmanagetofinishit.Felenefelthershudderasthelifewentoutofher,helduponlybecauseFelenestillhadhandsonher.
SheheldElethethereamomentortwolonger.Itwastheclosestthetwoofthemhadbeen,butnothalfascloseasFelenehadbrieflyhopedtheycouldbe.
GriefthreatenedtowellupinFelenethen.Shepusheditdownwhileshepulledtheknifeoutandlethercollapse.Itwasdone.Therewasnogoingback.DwellingonwhatElethemightormightnothavebeenabouttosaywouldcausehernothingbutpain,andFelenealreadyhadmorethanenoughofthat.
Stephaniadidn’tseemtoagree,ofcourse.“ItseemsIoweyoumythanks,”shesaid.“Ishouldhavespottedthatmy
handmaiden’sloyaltieswerestill…divided.”“Isthatallyouhavetosay?”Feleneasked.“Sheservedyou.Shechoseyou,
andyoufeelnothingaboutherdying?”ShewatchedStephaniashrug.“ShouldIgetemotionalaboutthedeathofaservant?Besides,you’retheone
whokilledher.”Thatwastrue,andFelenesuspectedthatshewouldregretitforthebrief
remainderofherlife.Regretseemedtobesomethingshespecializedinthesedays.
“Ithurts,doesn’tit?”Stephaniasaid.“Haveyouconsideredsimplydyingthewayyoushould?”
Sheflungsomethingthen,andFelenebarelyleanedbackoutofthewayintime.Needlesskitteredoffthewallofthetunnel.
“You’llhavetodoalotbetterthanthat,”Felenesaid.“AndI’mprettysureyoucan’t,princess.Youcan’tactuallyfight,canyou?Justattackwhensomeoneisn’tlookingandhopeforthebest.”
Sureenough,Stephaniaflungherselfforward,aknifeinherhand.Felenesteppedoutoftheway,sentherstumbling,andkickedthebladefromherfingersasshefell.
“Ihavealotofregretsinmylife,”Felenesaid,heftingherownweapon.“Butyouknowwhat?Killingyouisn’tgoingtobeoneofthem.”
***
AthenacreptthroughtheslumsofDelos,astolenblanketwrappedaroundher
likeacloak.Thefearofahuntedanimalwormedthroughherwitheverystep,andeverysoundsentherskitteringintothecoverbeneathwalls.
Shewashungry.InthetimesinceStephaniahadejectedherfromthecastle,shehadn’tfoundanythingtoeat.She’dbeenforcedtodrinkrainwatertakenfromawaterbutt,andshe’donlyfoundsheltertosleepinbecausesomanypeoplehadabandonedthecity.
Hercity.Howhaditcometothis?Notlongago,shehadbeenpowerfulbeyond
dreams.ShehadbeenthequeenoftheEmpire,herhusbandlongreigningandstrong.NowClaudiuswasdead.Hersonwasgone.TheEmpirehadfallenbothtotherebellionandtheinvaders.
Athenapressedherselfbackintothespacebetweentwowallswhileagroupofwarriorsinthedust-coloredclothesofFelldustwentpast,chasingafterasmallgroupofcommoners.Athenawatchedastheycutdownalmostallthemen,takingthewomenandsomeoftheyoungerboysinchains.Theystoodoveroneoftheolderwomenasifassessingher,thencutherthroatasifitwasnothing.
Shefoundherselfwonderingwhatwouldhappeniftheycaughther.Wouldtheykillheroutofhand?Wouldtheytakeherasaslave?Whatwouldhappenifsheannouncedwhoshewas?Wouldthatmakethemmoreorlesslikelytokillher?Woulditmakethemkillherquickerorslower?
“Betternottobecaught,”Athenawhisperedtoherself.Sheneededtogetoutofthecity,butthetruthwasthatshedidn’tknowhow.
She’dpridedherselfonbeingtheonewhocoulddealwiththeintriguesofthecourttogetthingsdone,butshewasn’tinthecastleanymore.Shedidn’thavesoldierstohelpher,orwealth,oranythingbeyondtheclothesshestoodupin.
Apartofherwantedtogooutandannounceherselftothesoldiersthen,justtogetitoverwith.Itwasbetterthanstumblingaroundthestreets,notknowingwhattodo.Maybetheywouldn’tdecideshewastoooldtoenslave.Maybetheywouldtakeherifsheannouncedthatshewastheformerqueen.
Formerqueen.Athenahadneverimaginedherselfasthat.Shehadassumedthatshewouldbethequeeninsomeformfortherestofherlife,eitherrulingalongsideherhusband,orcontrollingtheEmpirethroughherson.Now,shehad
neither.Shewasn’tusedtochangingherwaysofthinking.Theworldranthewayit
didbecauseofchannelsofpowerthathadbeencarvedandre-carvedthroughtheworld.Status,propriety,allofitbuiltupintosomethingthatmadetheworldsomethingshecouldworkwith.Now,shewashavingtothinkofwaystogetoutofacityshenolongerhadanycontrolover,ableonlytohide,withnoonetoturntoforhelp.
Shecertainlywasn’tgoingtotrustanyofthecity’speople.Afterallthathadhappened,theywouldprobablykillherasquicklyashelpher.She’dthoughtthatenoughcrueltycouldkeepthemintheirplace.Instead,ithadjustpoisonedthemagainsther.IfonlyClaudiuscouldrideupandtakemeawayfromthis,Athenathought,
creepingoutofherhidingplaceandcontinuingonherroutethroughthecity.He’dbeenthekindofmantodothatonce.He’dbeentheerrantknight,and
shethefairyoungmaiden.Itwasstrangehowtimeandpoliticschangedthings.She’dneverreallywantedtomarryClaudius.He’djustbeenaroutetopower.He’dbeenadutytofulfill,alongwithsomanyothers.Maybethatwasapartofwhathadgonewrong.Maybeifshe’dthoughtalittlelessaboutduty…
“Neverlookback,”shetoldherself.“Alwayslookforward.”Thatwashardtodo,though,whentherewassomuchmoreofherlifebehind
herthanahead.Still,sheneededtofocusonthethingsthatwouldkeepheralive.Sheknewtherewouldbenochanceofgettingpastthewallswiththeinvadersencirclingthem.Heronlyhopenowwasthedocks.
Shestartedtowalkdowninthedirectionofthem.Againandagain,shehadtoduckbackintotheshadows,hidingfromthe
soldierswhoworkedtheirwaythroughthecity.Athenahadassumedthatthefallofacitywouldlookmorechaoticthanthis.She’dassumedthatthestreetswouldbefullofmaraudingenemies,withnoordertotheviolence.Instead,theyseemedtobemovingsystematicallyfromhousetohouse,pullingpeopleoutintothestreet,killingsome,chainingothers.Anyonewhofoughtbackdied.
Avoidingthatwashard.Athenafoundherselfsqueezingbetweenhouses,duckingunderoverhangsandhidinginshrubbery.Onlythefactthatshewasheadingforthedockshelpedher.Theinvadersseemedtoassumethatthosefleeingwouldheaddeeperintothecity,ormakeforthewalls.
Eventually,Athenacaughtsightofthedocks.Thatwasenoughthatshealmostcollapsedwithit,becausetheinvadingfleetfilledtheharbor,takingupalmostalltheavailablespace.
Therewasnowheretogo.Therewasnowaytoescape.Athenasatthere,andforthefirsttimesinceStephaniahadejectedher,shesobbed.Shesatthere,
waitingforthemomentwhensomeinvaderwouldcomeandlockchainsaboutherwrists,notcaringanymore.
Thatwaswhenshesawthesecondfleetapproachingfrombeyondtheharbor.Atfirst,itseemedlikejustonemoreadditiontotheFelldustfleet.Onemoresetofsharkstheretopickatthecarcassofthecity.OnlyonethingkeptAthenawatching.
Therewasanimperialgalleyattheheartofit.Thatwasenoughtomakeherstand,continuingonherroutedowntothe
docks.Perhapsallhopewasn’tgoneafterall.
CHAPTERTWENTYTHREECeresfought,andnowitfeltasthoughshe’dbeenfightingforever.Fromthe
firstmomentsshe’dfallenintotheStade,fromthemomentshe’dstartedservingThanosashisweaponsbearer,she’dbeenfighting,andthisfeltliketheculminationofit.
Guardscameather,andwarriorsfromFelldust.Theycharged,theysnarled,theycutandtheythrust.Itdidn’tmakeanydifference.Cereswhirledoutoftheway,parriedandcut,keepingherselfinthespacewhereshecouldflowinthemoment.Shefeltaswordsliceacrossherforearm,aspeartippuncturetheskinaboveherhip.Noneofitmadeanydifference.
Inthatmoment,shewasthebattle.Shewasonepieceofitandthewholeofit,thewayadropletofwatercouldn’tbeseparatedfromtherestoftheocean.Shefollowedthetideofthebattle,duckingunderthestrokeofawide-bladedsword,thrustingupinitswake.
Thecombatlordsstayedwithher,andinabattlethiscloselypressed,Ceresfoundherselfgratefulforthat.Italmostdidn’tmatterhowgoodshewaswithaswordwhenanattackcouldcomefromanywhere.Ifshecouldn’tseeit,couldn’tanticipateit,theneventheskillsEoin’speoplehadtaughthercouldn’thelp.Withthecombatlordsatherback,shecouldtrustthattheywouldstoptheblowsthatwouldkillherotherwise.
Ceresfought,andwhileshedid,sheheardthescreamsofthenobles,thecriesoftheservants.Ceresshookherhead.Shecouldn’tdoanythingtohelpthem.Evenifshecouldhave,they’dstoodbyandwatchedhertorment.Manyofthemhadyelledtheirapprovalwhileshe’dbeenbeaten.Whiletheconscriptshadbeenmurdered.
Theywouldhavetosavethemselves,iftheycould.Evenasshethoughtit,CeressawthatStephaniawasmakingherownefforts.
Sheandoneofherhandmaidensleaptdownintothefightingpit,andfromthereranforthegatethatallowedslavesintoit.
Ceresstartedafterher,butthereweresoldiersintheway.Shewantedtoscreamatthemthen,toyellatthemtogetoutofherway.FollowingStephaniawasasinstinctiveasbreathingrightthen,butthewaythebattleranwaswrongforit,andCerescouldn’tbreakfreefromthewashofitwithoutopeningherselfuptomoreattacks.
Shepressedforward,tryingtocutherwaythroughtheproblem,butthereweretoomanyenemiesforthat.Wheretheguardsandtheinvadershadalliesandclearenemies,forCeres,itseemedthateveryonewasafoe.
Thatcouldbeanadvantage,though,andCeresthrewherselfintothemiddle
ofit,cuttingleftandright.Shetooktheblowofahammeronhercrossedblades,hackedatthearmofitsholder,andturnedintimetosweepasideafightingpick.
Sheturned,lookingforhernextopponent,andinthatmomentshesawherfatherandherbrotherjoiningthebattle.Theywereupabove,wheretheconscriptswerestilltiedtotheirposts.ShesawSartescutthroughtheropesofoneboy,whileherfatherandagirlCeresdidn’tknowtriedtoprotectagainstthosepressingin.
Theykeptgoing,eventhoughitwastoolateformanyoftheconscripts.CeressawoneofFelldust’swarriorsthrustabladeintooneofthetiedboys,whileanoblecutthethroatofanother.Cereswishedthenthatshecouldleapuptheretohelp,butallshecoulddowasplungebackintothefightinthepitandhopeitwouldbeenough.
Shestartedtocutapathtoherbrotherandfather.Besideher,thecombatlordspushedmenback,smashedthemfromtheirfeet,cutthemdown.Thereseemedtobefewersoldiersattackingthemnow,asifrealizingthattheireffortsneededtobeonthefoeswhohadcomeintothecastle.
“Downhere!”shecalledup,andsawherbrotherlookdown.Shewatchedhimnod,thenlowerthegirlwithhimintothefightingpit.Shehadasword,andshelookeddeterminedtoCeres.
“ThisisLeyana,”Sartessaid.“Lookafterher.”OnelookatSartes’sexpressionwhenhepassedherdowntoldCeres
everythingsheneededtoknowaboutthetwoofthem.Theconscriptfollowed,thenherfather.Sarteswaslast,hoppingdownlightly
ontothesand.OneoftheFelldustwarriorsranathimasherolledtohisfeet,butCeresranintocuttheman’sspearinhalf.Sheopenedhisthroatwiththebackswing,turningtoherbrotherandpointing.
“Thatway!”sheyelledoverthenoiseofthebattle.“Throughtheslaveentrance,tothetunnels.”
Therewereenoughofthemnowtopushtheirwaythroughthebattleasawedge.Ceresformeditstip,cuttingdownanyonewhowasfoolishenoughtotrytoslowthem.Twoofthethreecombatlordsflankedher,providingstrengthandpushingpowertobreakthroughthewallsofmeninfrontofthem.Sartes,Leyana,herfather,andtheconscriptcamenext.Thefinalcombatlordbroughtuptherear,sothatnoonecouldambushthemfrombehind.
Theypushedforward,headingforthespotwherethepitgavewaytothetunnels.ChasingafterStephania,becauseCereswasn’tgoingtolethergetawayaftereverythingshe’ddone.
Theypushedthroughthelastfew,andthenplungeddownintothetunnels.Sarteshadalight,andsohehadtogofirst,butCeresfollowedascloseasshe
could.Shethoughtshecouldseetheflickerofanotherlightfarahead,andfollowedbehindit.
Twistsandturnsfollowed,downbeneaththeearth,andCeresletSartesguideher,althoughshekepthereyeontheflickeroflightaswell.
Perhapsthatwaswhythewarriorswhosmashedintothemtookherbysurprise.Onebarreledintoher,takingCeresfromherfeet.Theothersmashedpasther,andsheheardherfathergruntasabladegrazedhim.
Sherolledwiththemanwho’dslammedintoher,comingupontopandgrabbingforhiswristintheneardark.Sheforceditawayfromherevenashegrabbedherwristinreturn.Thatwasbad,becauseitturnedthisintoacontestofstrength,andalthoughshewasontop,shecouldfeelthatthemanbeneathherwasstronger.
Shesnappedherheadforward,smashingherforeheadintoherattacker’snoseonceandthenagain.Itgavehertheopeningsheneededtowrenchherswordarmfree,thrustingdownandfeelingherbladeslideintohisthroat.Themanshewasgrapplingwithmadeasmall,swiftsoundofpain,andthenitwasdone.
Ceresspun,readytohelpwiththesecondman,buttheothershadalreadyrushedintofighthim,andhewasdown.Herfatherwasrubbinghisshoulder,butCeresfeltasurgeofreliefthathewasallright.She’dbeensoworriedthatshemightturnaroundtofindhimgone.
“They’reinthetunnels,”Sartessaid.Cerescouldhearthefearthere.“We’llfindawaythrough.Theywon’tcatch
us.”ButtheywouldcatchStephania.Cereswasgoingtofindher,andshewas
goingtokillher.Shewasgoingtoendthis.Ifshecouldfindher.“Whichway?”Ceresasked.“WhichwaywouldStephaniahavegone?”Shewatchedwhileherbrotherthoughtforamoment.“She’dhavekeystosomeofthetunnelssheclosedoff,”Sartessaid,“sothe
quickestwayforhertogetoutwouldbe…thatway.”Ceresdidn’thesitate.Shesetoffthroughthedimnessofthetunnels,moving
asfastasshedared.Herfeetcaughtrocksassheran,butshemanagedtorecoverherfootingeachtime,forcingherselftokeepgoing.ShehadtobelievethatStephaniacouldn’tmovethisfast,evenifshehadaheadstart.
Ateachcrossroads,shepaused,lookingaroundforsigns,waitingforSartestocatchupwiththeothers.Sarteshadspentmoretimethanshehadinthetunnelsunderthecity,workingtherewithAnkaandlearningtheroutes.Cereshadnoideawheretheywerebynow,butSartesseemedcertaineachtime.
“We’resomewhereunderthecattlemarket,”hesaid.“Can’tyousmellit?”
Cerescould,butshehadn’tthoughttouseitasadirectionalmarker.Moreimportantly,shehadotherthingstofocusonrightthen.
“Whichway?”sheasked.Sartespointed.“She’llbetryingtogettothedocks.Thatway.”Ceresranon.Shecouldhearothersoundsdowninthetunnelsnow.She
couldhearbootedfeetandcallsinalanguageshedidn’tunderstand.SheguessedthatitwasonlyamatteroftimebeforethetunnelsfilledwithFelldustsoldiers,huntingforthelastpeoplehidingfromthem.
Ceresdidn’twanttohavetofightawholearmy.Shedoubtedthatshecouldcomeclosetoitnow,withonlyhumanstrengthandnopowerstoturnherenemiestostone.Ceresfoundherselfmissingthatforamoment.Iftherewasonepersonwhodeservedtobeturnedintoastatue,itwasStephania.Shecouldstandthere,beautifulbutharmless,fortherestoftime.
Thatwasn’tanoption,though,soshewasgoingtohavetodothingstheotherway.
“Ceres,”herfathersaid.“Wait.”Cerespaused,butshecouldn’tstaypatient.Sheshiftedinplace,looking
aheadinthehopethatshemightcatchaglimpseofherquarry.“There’snotimetowait,”shesaid.“EverysecondIhesitateisasecondin
whichStephaniamightgetaway.”“Solethergetaway,”hisfathersaid.“It’sdone.Stephaniadoesn’thavethe
Empire’sarmytocommand.Shedoesn’thaveanypower.She’sjustrunningnow.Sheisn’tathreat.”
Ceresshookherhead.Herfatherdidn’tunderstandwhatStephaniawaslike.Notthewayshedid.
“Stephaniawillalwaysbeathreat.Youcouldabandonheronanislandsomewhere,surroundedbynothingbutbirdsandtrees,andshewouldfindawaytomakethemintoherspies.”
“Iknowshehurtyou,”herfathersaid,puttingahandonherarm.“Shedid,”Ceressaid.“AndshehurtSartes,andwhoknowshowmanyother
people?Shewon’tstopunlesssomeonestopsher.Permanently.”“Isitworthyourlife?”herfathercountered.“Youcanhearthem,inthe
tunnels.Idon’twanttolosemydaughter.”Ceresshookherhead.“Itwon’tcometothat.Whichway,Sartes?”Shesawherbrotherhesitate,thenpoint.Heobviouslyunderstood.“Stephania
willbegoingthatway,”hesaid.Hepointedinadifferentdirection.“ButCeres,Ithinkweshouldgothatway.Itwilltakeustooneoftherebellion’salternateexits.Wecangettoaboat.Father’sright.TheEmpireisdone.Stephaniaisdone.Therewon’tbemuchtimebeforethisplaceisfullofFelldustsoldiers.”
CeressawhimlookovertoLeyana.Itwasonlynaturalthathewantedtoprotecther.Ceresknewwhatshehadtodo.
“Yougo,”shesaid.“Getdowntothewaterandseeifyoucanfindusaboat.I’llcatchup.”
“Ceres—”herfatherbegan.“I’llcatchup,”Cerespromisedagain,andshestartedtorun.Stephaniawasn’tgoingtogetawaythistime.
CHAPTERTWENTYFOURFromthedeckofthesmugglingship,ThanoswatchedtheBoneFolkslam
intothebackofFelldust’sfleet.Itwasamomentthatwassimultaneouslyimpressiveandterrifying,thewoodandboneshipsrippingintotheirtargets,thewarriorsstartingtoswarmoverthedecksoftheirfoes.
Itlookedincredible,unstoppable,destructivebeyondwords.Thanossawwarriorscuttingdowntheirfoeswithbrutalstrength,sawJevaleapandcutaman’sheadfromhisshoulders,sawadozenmoremomentsthatprovedjustwhatdeadlywarriorstheBoneFolkwere.
Thanosknewitwouldn’tbeenough.Itcouldneverbeenough.Theirfleethadlookedsoimpressivewhenithadbeentraveling,and
individually,thewarriorsofJeva’speoplewerefarmoredangerousthanthemassesofFelldust’shorde,butagainstthemightoftheinvasionfleet,theyweretoofew.Atbest,theycouldbeadistraction.ThefactthattheywerewillingtodietobethatlittlemadeThanos’sheartclench.
TheywerewillingtodoitforCeres.Thanoscouldunderstandthatpart.“Thisisascloseaswecanget,”thecaptainofthesmugglingshipsaidas
Thanosclamberedintoasmallskiff.“Fromthispoint,you’reonyourown.I’llprobablymakemywayfurtherupthecoast,butIcan’twaitthistime.Youunderstand?”
Thanosunderstood.Itwouldbesuicideforthemantowaitwithhiscrewbytheharbor.Morethanthat,itsoundedasthoughhedidn’texpectThanostocomebackatall.Thanosdidn’tmindthat.ThecaptainhadalreadydonemorethanThanoscouldhavehopedfor.
Hesatwhiletheyloweredtheskiffintothewater,thenhurrieditforwardusingoars.Thesurroundingshipswouldhaveblockedthewindifhe’dtriedthesmallsail,sohepulledhiswaythroughtheviolenceandthechaosofit.
Itwasterrifying,rowinghiswaythroughabattle.Screamsandvoicesyellingordersfilledtheair.Arrowsstruckthewaterlikeflyingfishreturningtotheirhomes.ThanoswatchedasaBoneFolkshipwithagreatramstruckoneoftheFelldustbargesinwhatseemedlikeslowmotion,timbersbroaderthanThanoswastallsnappingasthoughtheywerenothing.
Ifthishadn’tbeenforCeres,Thanoswouldn’thaveriskedsomethingasmadasthis.
Ajarofflamingoilstruckthewaterahead,burninginafilmontopofthelowwaves.Thanosrowedbackashardashecould,tryingtoavoidit.Hissmallboatcouldneversurvivesomethinglikethat,andintheheartofabattle,hehadnodoubtthatpredatorswaitedintheharborwatersifhefellin.
Herowedashardashecouldforshore,notaimingforthemainjettiesoftheharbor,butinsteadforapatchofshinglenearbywheresmallfishingboatsstooduntouched,obviouslyabandonedbytheirownerswhentheyrealizedthattheoncomingfleetwouldblocktheirescape.
ThatmadeThanoswonderhowlonghisownescaperoutewouldlast.HowlongwouldtheBoneFolkbeabletofight?HowlongwouldtheybeabletokeeparoutethroughFelldust’sfleetopen?Howmanyofthemwoulddiedoingit?
Thanosdidn’tknow,butrightthen,itdidn’tmatter.HehadtofindCeres.Hepulledtheboatupontotheshale,drawinghislongswordashestepped
down.Hehadnodoubtthatitwouldbeafightifanyonesawhim,andtherewasalongroutebetweenhimandthecastle.HewouldfindCeresthereandhewouldgetheroutofthecity,whateverittook.
Heranupthroughthecity.Hesawmenfightingthere,sackinghousesonebyone.Thanosgrippedhisbladetighter.Apartofhimwantedtoruntothosehouses,fighttheattackersoff,andsavethosewithin.
“You’redeadifyoudoit,Thanos,”afamiliarvoicesaid.Awoman’svoice.“Oh,Iknowyouwanttohelp,buttherearetoomany,andafterall,they’reonlypeasants.”
Awomansteppedfrombetweentwobuildings,holdingoutahand.Thanoshalfraisedhisweapon,expectinganattack,butitwasobviousthatshewasalone.Shewasdirtyandstarvedlooking,withringsaroundhereyesthatsuggestedshehadn’tslept,andablanketwrappedroughlyabouthershoulders.
Thanoswasn’tsurethathewouldhaverecognizedQueenAthenaifshehadn’tspoken.
“Quick,thisway,”shesaid,gesturingforhimtofollowherbackintothehouse.“They’vebeenpastthisspot,sotheywon’tbebackforawhile.Oneoftheadvantagesofsystematicplunderisthatyouknowwhereyou’resafe.”
“Iwouldhaveexpectedyoutobeperfectlysafeinthecastle,”Thanossaid,buthefollowedher.Thequeenwasright:heneededtogetoutofsight.
Theyduckedbackintoahousetogether.Thedoorwasn’tlocked.Ifanything,itlookedasthoughithadbeenbrokenopenwithanaxe.Thanosdidn’twanttothinkaboutwhathadhappenedtotheinhabitants.
ItgaveThanosamomenttodecidewhathefeltaboutthismeeting,buthewasn’tsurethatitwasenough.Thelasttimehe’dseenAthena,she’dbeenfalselycondemninghimforthemurderofherhusband,inordertosaveherson.Shewasaviper,yetnowsheseemedlesslikeanenemyandmorelikejustanolderwomancaughtupintheviolence.
“Whatareyoudoingouthere?”Thanosasked.“IthoughtCereshadyouimprisoned.”
HewatchedwhileAthenasatdownonaroughwoodenchairthatwaspracticallyallthatremainedofthefurniturethere.
“WhenStephaniatookthecastlefromher,shedecidedIwasn’tworthkeepingaround.Itseemsboththewomeninyourlifehateme,Thanos.”
Theyprobablyhadeveryreasonto,butThanosdidn’tsaythat.“AndCeres?”heasked.“WasStephania’stotorment,thelastIsaw,”Athenaanswered.Sheseemed
neitherpleasednordispleasedbythat,whereonceshemighthavereveledinit.“Alive,though,ifthat’swhatyou’reasking.”
Wasthatwhatthiswas?Wastheformerqueentheretohurthim?Perhapssheplannedtodemandhishelp.Ifso,shewouldbewaitingalongtimeafterallshehaddone.
“You’rewonderingwhatI’mdoinghere,”sheguessed.“WhatIwantfromyou.”
Thanosnodded.“Frankly,I’mwaitingforassassinstojumpoutofthewoodwork.Youwere
tryingtokillmethelasttimewesawoneanother.”Hetriedtosummonmoresympathyforher,andhedidhavesome,thesame
wayhewouldhavesympathyforanyonecaughtupinthissituation.Thiswasawomanwhocouldhavebeenlikeamothertohim.
Thetruthwasthatsheneverhadbeen,though.She’dbeendistantatbest,hostileatworst.Thanoshadalwayshaditmadecleartohimthathewasaspareanduselessprincearoundthecourt,andalotofthathadbeenAthena’sdoing.
“Iwastryingtoprotectmyson,”shesaid.“Youwentafterhim,didn’tyou?DidyoufindhiminFelldust?”
“Idid,”Thanosadmitted,andinthatonebriefmoment,hedidfeelsorryforher.Ithadtobeahardthinghearingthatyoursonwasdead.
Shesatthere,anddidn’teventrytoholdbackthetearsthatfellthen.“Myson,”shemurmured.“Mybeautifulson.”Herbeautifulsonwhohadbeenamonster.Whohadlookedlikeeveryone’s
dreamofaprinceandturnedlivesintonightmares.Thanosreachedouttotouchhershoulderthen,andAthenapulledback.Hewatchedherpiecinghercomposurebacktogether,andwhenshelookedupathimagain,therewasnotraceofhergrief,she’dburieditthatdeep.
“Ishouldhateyou,”shesaid.“ButthetruthisthatIsetthisinmotion.Luciouswas…hewasmad.Stephaniaisjustevil.Shehastreatedmelikethis.Shehastrickedandabusedyou.Iwantyoutokillher.Iwantyoutodothat,asyourpenanceforkillingmyson.”
“Asmypenance?”Thanosechoed.Hecouldn’tbelievethatshewasthinking
likethat.“I’mheretosaveCeres.”“AndStephaniahasher,”Athenasaid.“Doyouknowallthewaysintothe
castle?Doyouknowthetunnels?”“Iknowsome,”Thanossaid.“Imadeitinsidewithouttheguardsspotting
me.”Hehadthesensethattheywerebargainingnow,buthedidn’thaveenough
timetobargain.Outside,hecouldstillhearthesoundsofthebattleraging,thescreamsofmenandwomenastheyweredraggedoutintothestreets.
“Andyouthinkthat’swhatyouneedtodonow?”Athenacountered.“Lookaroundyou.Look.Thecityhasfallen.Thecastlewillfall.Andwhenitdoes…IcanguesswhichofthetunnelsStephaniawilltake,whereitwillcomeout.She’llrun,andyoucanbetherewhenshedoes.”
“I’mnothereforStephania,”Thanossaid,althoughhecouldn’thelpthinkingaboutherthen.He’dgonetherebeforetotrytogetherout,andshestillmattered.Itwasjust…thiswasaboutCeres.Wasn’tit?
“Doyouthinktheywon’tbetogether?”Athenasaid.“Doyouthinkshewon’tkeepCereswithher?Shewasplanningtousehertobargain.Besides,thosetwoareboundtogetheraslongastheybothloveyou.They’llkeepcomingbacktogether.It’sinevitable.”
Thanoshopedthatwasn’ttrue.HereallyhopedthatheandCeresandStephaniawouldn’tbecaughtuplikethatfortherestoftheirlives.HecouldbelieveAthena’sreasoningthough.Stephaniawouldsitsafeuntilshethoughttherewasnothingtodobutrun,andthenshewouldabandoneverything.
Andyes,shemighttakeCereswithher.“HowaboutifIsweetenthis?”Athenasaid.“Iknowwhereyoucanfindout
moreaboutyourmother.”“InFelldust,”Thanossaid.“Iknow.”“IsthatwhatClaudiustoldyou?”Athenacountered.Shesmiled.“My
husbandhadmanyfinequalities,buthewasn’tgoodatkeepingtrackofthings.Ikeptmyeyesonyourmother,becauseIdon’tlikehavingrivalstoocloseathand.MypeoplealmosttookherinFelldust.Itwasprobablywhyshemovedon.”
Thanosstaredather.OnlyAthenawouldadmitthatshewasplanningtokillsomeone’smother,righttotheirface.Butthen,hehadjustadmittedwhathe’ddonetoLucious,hadn’the?
“Where?”Thanosasked.“Promisethatyou’llkillStephania,givemeawayoutofhere,andI’lltell
you.”Thanosswallowed.Hewantedtoknow,buttherewasonlysomuchhecould
promise.“I’mgoingafterCeres,”hesaid.“IfIrunintoStephaniaI’ll…I’lldo
whateverIthinkisright.Asforgettingyououtofhere,therearesmallboatsontheshore,andpeopleIbroughtarecreatingadistractionevennow.Ican’tgiveyoumorethanthat.”
Athenasatthere,seemingtoconsiderit.Sheactuallysatthereasthoughthisweresomenegotiationshecouldjustwalkawayfrom.Finally,shestood.
“Verywell,”shesaid.“Thereisaspotnearby,amongthreecedartrees,behindastatueofthemaskedrevelers.ThatistheescaperouteIwoulduseifIwereStephania.Asforyourmother,shefledtothelandsofthecloudpalaces.”
ThatwasfarenoughthatThanoswincedatthethoughtofhavingtotravelthere.Thelandswerenotoriouslydifficulttotravelthrough,withtheirwarringclansandtheirmountainousislands.
“I’vedonemypart,”Athenasaid.Shestood.“Forwhatit’sworth,Iwishthatthingscouldhavebeendifferentbetweenus.”
“SodoI,”Thanossaid,butAthenawasalreadygone,slippingofftowardthewater.
CHAPTERTWENTYFIVECeressprintedafterStephania,followingthetunnelseventhoughshecould
barelyseenowwithoutherbrother’storch.TheneedtoseeStephaniapunishedforeverythingshe’ddonedroveheron.Shewasn’tgoingtogetawayfromthiswithoutcost,thewaysheseemedtohavegottenawaywithsomuchelseinherlife.
Cerescouldfeeltheweightoftheswordsinherhands.Stephaniahadkilledsomanypeople.She’dmurderedthemtokeepsecretsandtohurtCeres,tograbpowerandtotrytohangontoit.Byanystandard,shedeserveddeath.
Ceressawsunlightaheadandrantowardit.IfStephaniagotoutintotheopenair,therewouldbetoomanydirectionsshecouldgoin.Ceresmightbeabletomovefasterthanher,butshewouldn’tbeabletofindher.
ShebrokeoutintotheopenairandfoundherselfinaspotthatseemedincongruousinthemiddleofDelos.Statuessurroundedtheentrance,representinggodsandgoddessessooldCerescouldn’tbegintonamethem,halfofthemwornsmoothwithtime.Afewtreesenclosedagreenspace,withafountainatthecenter.Itwasthekindofplacethatmighthavebeenplannedandthenforgottenabout,leftasawaytodisguisethetunnelentrance,orthatmighthavegrownupbyaccident.
Stephaniawasthere,butnotinthewayCeresexpected.Shewascurrentlyfacedowninthefountain,kickingandstrugglingasanotherfigureheldherthere.ThewomanworestripsofclothwoundroundherinthefashionofFelldust,andifithadbeenanyonebutStephania,Cereswouldhaverushedforwardtohelp.Thentherewaswhatshewassaying.
“AndthisisforeverythingyoudidtoThanos.Hesavedme,andyoutreatedhimlikehewas…”Shelookedup,obviouslyhearingCeresapproach.ShehauledStephaniaup,wrenchingherarmbehindherbackinawaythatmadeherwince.
Good.AsfarasCereswasconcerned,shedeservedthat,andmorethanthat.Evenso,Cereskeptherhandsonherswords.
“Whoareyou?”Ceresasked.“Whatareyoudoinghere?HowdoyouknowThanos?”
Ceressawtheotherwomanlookherupanddown.“Stephania?Whoisthis?”CeresheardStephanialaughatthat,thesoundcomingoutasaseriesof
splutteringcoughs.“Doyouhearthat,Ceres?You’reunrecognizablenow.Thanksto—”Theotherwomancutheroffbydunkingherheadbackunderthewater.“Ceres?You’reCeres?”Again,Ceressawtheotherwomanlookingherover.
Sheflashedasmile,suddenandbright.“Yes,Icanseewhatheseesinyou.IfIweren’tdying…”
ShepulledStephaniaup,gasping.“Whoareyou?”Ceresaskedagain.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”“MynameisFelene,”shereplied.“Mystoryisalongandcomplexone,and
thebardshadbetterlearntosingitrightwhenI’mgone.Felene,thepiratewhotrackedaprincessacrosscontinentsforrevenge.There’sasonginthat,don’tyouthink?”
Frankly,Ceressuspectedthatshemightbedrunk.Evenso,rightthen,anyonewhohadStephania’sarmtwistedpainfullybehindherbackprobablycountedasafriend.
“ForgivemeifIramble,”Felenesaid.“ButsomeonestabbedmeinthebackoverinFelldust,andthedeliriumisgettingabit”—shebrokeintoafitofcoughing—“much.NowwherewasI?ThisisformakingmekillawomanwhohadthemostgorgeouseyesI’veeverseen.”
ShedunkedStephaniabackunderthewaterofthefountain.Toherownsurprise,Ceresfoundherselfsteppingforward,reachingoutanarmtopullFeleneback.ThelookshegaveCeresasStephaniacameupgaspinghadhardedges,butalsoahintofconfusiontoit.
“TherewasatimeI’dhavepunchedyouforputtingyourhandsonmelikethat,”Felenesaid.Shewinced.“Whichprobablysayssomethingunfortunateaboutmylife.What?Doyouwanttotakeaturndrowningher?”
Ceresshookherhead.“Thisiscruel,Felene.Idon’tknowyou,butIknowThanos,andhewouldn’ttravelwithsomeonewhowouldtorturesomeonetodeath.”
ShesawFelene’sexpressionsoftenalittle.SheflungStephaniadownatCeres’sfeetsosuddenlythatCereshadtotakeastepback.
“Thanosisthesoft-heartedone,”Felenesaid.“I’mfranklyastonishedhe’slivedthislong.Still,you’reright.Ifyouwantsomeonedead,youkillthem.Noamountofpainisgoingtoundowhatshe’sdone.”
CerescouldunderstandthedesiretohurtStephania.Itwasthereinsidehertoo.ApartofherwantedtobeatStephania.TocutherinretaliationforeverythingthatStephaniahaddonetoher.Cereswasn’tgoingtodothat,though.Notbecauseshedidn’tthinkStephaniadeservedit,butbecauseshedidn’tdeservetohavetodoit.
“Youaregoingtokillherthough?”Feleneasked.“Ifyoudon’twanttodoit,Iwill,but…Ifigureshe’shurtyoumorethananyone.Moreeventhanme,andshe’skilledme.”
Ceresnodded.Sheputawayoneofherblades,grabbingStephania’shairso
thatshecouldbareherthroat.StephaniastaredupatCeres,andCerescouldseethefearthere,butshecouldalsoseethedefiance.
“Soyou’rejustgoingtocutmythroatincoldblood?”Stephaniademanded.“I’mgoingtoexecuteyouforallthecrimesyou’vecommitted,”Ceres
countered.Stephaniatwistedinhergrip,managingtogettoherfeet.Thiswouldhave
beensomucheasierifCereshadstillhadthepowersofherAncientOneblood.Stephaniawouldalreadyhavebeenstone.
“Mycrimes?”Stephaniasaid.“Whataboutyourcrimes?YouoverthrewtheEmpirethatbroughtstabilitytothisregion.Youbutchereditstroopsandplottedtobringdownitsking.Why?”
“Sothatpeoplecouldbefree,”Ceresreplied.Shewasn’tgoingtoletStephaniapretendthattheyweresomehowthesame.
“Andarethey?”Stephaniaasked.Shegestured,asiftotakeinthecity.“Youtookawaytheonlythingholdingbackinvadersfromoutside.Thepeopleofthiscitywillbeslaves,orslaughtered.Alltheirdeathsareonyourconscience.”
Thehardpartofthatwasthatitwastrue.IfCeresandtherebellionhadn’trisenup,theEmpirewouldstillbeexactlywhatithadalwaysbeen.Itwouldbefilledwithcrushinginequalities,runbyrapaciousnobles,andtakeeverythingfromthepoorest,butitwouldn’tbethis.
“Thiscameoutofthewarforit,”Ceressaid.“Notoutofwhatweweretryingtodo.”
“Anddidyouthinktherewouldn’tbeawar?”Stephaniademanded.“AreyouthatnaïvethatyouthoughttheEmpirewouldjusthandoveritspower?”
Cerescouldn’tbelievethis.WasStephaniatryingtotellherthatallthiswasherfaultfortryingtochangethingsandmakethembetter?
Stephaniawasn’tdoneeither,itseemed.“Letmetellyouhowthingscouldhavebeen,”shesaid.“Ifyouhadn’tshown
up,IwouldhavemarriedThanoswithoutanyofthethingsthathappenedlater.IwouldhavemaneuveredforpowerintheEmpireforbothofus,andwewouldhavegottenit.”
“Youinpower?”Felenesaidfromtheside.“Arewesupposedtopretendthat’sagoodthing?”
Cerescouldseethatshewasgettingrestless.Shehadaknifeinherhandnow,andwasshiftinghergriponitasshewaited.
“MeandThanosinpower,”Stephaniareplied.“Doyouthinkwewouldn’tmakegoodrulers?Hissenseoffairness.Myunderstandingofwhatittakestorule.Iamnotcruelforthesakeofit.Icouldhavebeenagreatqueen,besideThanos.”
Thehardestpartwasthatitwasprobablytrue.CeresknewenoughaboutStephaniatoknowthatshecouldbekindtothosearoundheraswellascruel.Shethoughtofherselffirst,butshewasn’tLucious.
Cerescouldseehowitmighthavehappened.Luciouswouldhavehadsomekindofaccident.NewsaboutThanos’sbirthwouldhavebeenspreadasrumors.Eventually,Claudiuswouldhaveadoptedhimformallyashisheir.PerhapsStephaniawasright.PerhapssheandThanoswouldhavebeentheperfectrulingcouple.PerhapsitwouldhavebeensomegreattimefortheEmpire,achievingmoreforitspeoplethaninvasionanddeath.
Noneofthatmatteredthough.“Idon’tcare,”Ceressaid.“Youhadmetortured.Youweregoingtokillme.
Youhavekilledpeoplewhofollowedme,whoweremyfriends.”“Andyou’vekilledhowmanyimperialguards?”Stephaniademanded.“How
manyofmyhandmaidensaredeadorinthehandsofFelldust’swarriorsthankstoyou?”
Ceresdidn’tknow.Shewasn’tevensurethatshecouldexplainthedifference,exceptbysayingthatthey’dchosenthatfight,andthatshe’dtriedtosaveliveswhereshecould.
“Isitjustthatthey’renotonyourside?”Stephaniaasked.“You’vedecidedyou’regood,soanythingyoudomustbegood?Invadingacity?Killingthenoblesthere?Howmanypeoplehaveyouturnedtostone?Howmanyareworseoffnow,becauseof—”
“Enoughtalking,”Felenesnapped.“Wearen’thereforaphilosophylesson.Ifyouwantareasontodoit,mymurderismorethanenough.Killher.”
CeresknewthatFelenewasright.Thiswasthemomentwhenithadtohappen.Shecouldn’tleaveStephaniaalivebehindher;notwhenitmeantthatshewouldjustkeepcomingafterher.Leaveheralive,andCereswouldneverbesafe.
Sheliftedherblade,readytothrustitintoStephania’sheart.Unlikeher,Cereswasn’tgoingtodragthisout.Thatwasonedifferencebetweenthem.Ceresdidn’twantStephaniatosuffer.Shejustwantedthistoend.
Stephaniaseemedtosensewhatwasgoingtohappen,becauseshebackedawayuntilshewaspressedagainstoneofthestatuesthere.Shelookedaroundasifseekingsomewheretorun,buttherewasnowhereforhertogo.
Ceresreadiedherself,determinedtostriketrue.
CHAPTERTWENTYSIXThanosranforthespotAthenahadtoldhimabout,tryingtorecallher
directionsashehurriedthroughthestreets.“Thespotwiththestatuesandtrees,”Thanossaidtohimself.InDelos,there
wereplentyofspotslikethat,wheregreeneryintrudedonthemarbleandstoneofthecity’sbuildings.Therewerefeweroftheminthepoorerdistricts,though.Noblesdidn’tseethepointinprovidingthemforordinarypeople.
Hetriedtomakesenseofthestreetsaroundhim,recallingallhecouldaboutthecity’slayout.He’dbeenoutintothecitymorethanmostnobles,butevenso,findinghiswaywasfarfromeasy.Especiallynotwhentherewereinvadersthere.
Thanospressedhimselfbackintoadoorway,tryingtostayquiet,asagroupmovedpast.
Whichwayfromhere?Hewishedhe’dthoughttomakethequeencomewithhimandshowhim,buttherewouldhavebeendangersindoingthattoo.Shemightnothavebeenabletokeeptotheshadowsaseasily.Shecertainlywouldn’thavebeenabletodowhatThanosdidnext,whichwasclimbontooneofthenearbyroofs,lookingforaspotthatmatchedherdescription.
Hesawaspacenotfarawaythathadtreesarounditandafountaininthemiddle.Whenhesawwhatwashappeningthere,Thanosskiddeddownfromtheroof,landinghardandredoublinghisefforts.Hehopedthathewouldbeintime.
“Ceres!Wait!”Hedidn’tdarecallouttooloud,incasehebroughtdowntroubleonallof
them.Yethehadtorisksomething,becauseifhedidn’t…Hereachedthecircleatafullrun,sprintinginbetweentwoofthestatues.
CeresstoodwithStephaniapinnedbackagainstastatue,hersworddrawnbackreadytostrikeherthroughtheheart.ButtoThanos,itlookedasthoughshewasabouttothrustthebladethroughStephania’sstomach,slayingherandherchildtogether.
“Stop!”Thanosyelled,runningintothecircleofgrassandtrees.Cereswasthere,andStephania,and,incredibly,Felene.Thanoshadnever
thoughtthathewouldseethethreeoftheminthesameplacetogether.“What’sgoingonhere?”hedemanded.Tohissurprise,Felenesteppedinfrontofhim,asiftoholdhimback.“An
execution.Onethat’slongoverdue.”Thanosshookhishead.“Ican’tletthathappen.Ceres,thisiswrong.”Hestartedtomovepasther,butshemovedbackintotheway.Cereslooked
around,andhecouldseethehurtthere.
“Youwanttostopmekillingher?”Ceresdemanded.“Iwanttostopyoufromkillingherchild,”hecorrected.Sheseemedtosoftenabitatthat.Thenherlookhardened.“Nottomentionyourwife,”Stephaniaspatfromherspotbythestatue.ThanossawCerestense,andhepushedpastFelene,grabbingforherarm.His
fingersclosedaroundit,andapartofhimstillexpectedtobeflungbackbythepowerswithinhereventhoughhe’dheardaboutStephaniapoisoningher.HeexpectedCerestoripfree,butforonce,Thanoswasstronger.
Shelookedbackathim,andshejustlookedhurtthen.“She’skilledsomanypeople,Thanos,”Ceressaid.“Andyoujustwantto
forgiveher?”Felenechippedinatthatpoint.“Shedoesn’tgettowalkawayfromthisfree,
Thanos.Shetrickedme,andthenstabbedmeintheback.I…I’mdyingbecauseofher.”
Thanosstaredather.He’donlyknownFeleneforabrieftime,butthatnewswaslikeapunchtothestomach.HecouldseewhyFelenewouldwantStephaniadead.Hecouldseewhyanyonewould.Afterall,he’dkilledLuciousforonlyalittlemore.Thanosshookhishead.Heknewthatthereweresomethingsthatcouldn’tbeforgiven.Thatwasn’tthepoint.
“I’mnotlookingtoforgiveanything,”hesaid.“ButStephaniaispregnantwithmychild.ItbrokesomethinginmewhenIthoughtI’dlostthatbecauseofLucious.Itwouldbeworselosingitbecauseofyou.Luciouswasamonster,andyou’reanythingbutthat.”
Still,Cereshesitated.“Whenyouleft,Iwasworriedthatyoukeptgoingbacktoher,”shesaid.“I
wasworriedbecauseyouchosetomarryher,settledownwithher,haveachildwithher.Youkeepsayingthatitisn’tStephaniayouwant—butyoudon’tactlikeit.”
Thanoscouldunderstandthat.ItseemedsometimesthattheworldwasconspiringtopushhimandStephaniatogether.Yetthetruthwasthatitwasn’therheloved.
“Please,”hesaid.“Thisisn’tabouther.It’saboutus.Ifyoudothis,theneverytimeIlookatyou,I’llfindmyselfwonderingaboutwhatmychildmighthavegrownuptobe.I’dfindmyselfhatingyou,andIcan’timaginemyselfhatingyou,Ceres.”
Shepausedforamoment,andThanoscouldseeherarguingwithherself.Shestillheldtheswordtightly,andThanosdidn’tknowwhathewoulddoifshethrustthebladeatStephania.
Wouldhebeabletoactintimeifshedid?WouldhebeabletogetbetweenherandStephania?WouldhefightCerestosaveStephania?Fightthewomanhelovedtosavethemotherofhischild?Couldhebringhimselftodothat?
Hedidn’tneedtoanswerthatquestionthough,becausefinally,mercifully,Ceressteppedback.
“Areyousurethatthisisn’taboutwhatyoufeel,Thanos?”Ceresdemanded.Stephaniachosethatmomenttospeak,steppingawayfromthestatueand
movingaroundtowhereCerescouldn’tjustthrustabladeintoher.Thanosreallywishedthatshehadn’t.
“Wecouldstillbegoodtogether,Thanos.Iknowyoustillfeelsomething,evenifyouwanttopretendthatyoudon’t.”
Thanosstoodthere,unabletospeak.DidStephaniareallythinkthatthingscouldstillworkoutbetweenthetwoofthem?
“Youcamebacktosaveme,”Stephaniasaid.“YousentFelenetocarrymeacrosstheseatosafety.Amanwhofeelsnothingwouldn’tdothat.”
“Iwishyouhadn’t,”Felenesaidwithawince.Sheleanedagainsttheneareststatue,coughing.Thebackofherhandwaswetwithbloodwhenshewasfinished.“I’mreallystartingtowishIhadn’tstoppeddrowningher.”
Thanoscouldunderstandthat,andguiltflashedthroughhimathavingbroughtthethieftothis.
“There’sstillawayoutofthis,”Stephaniasaid.“Yes,”Ceressaid.“Werun.”ThanossawStephaniashakeherheadindisagreement.“Thisisn’taboutyou.
It’saboutus.Thanos,andme.”Thanosheldupahandtostopher.“Thisisn’taboutus,Stephania.”Allthistime,andshestillwasn’tpreparedtoacceptit.“We’restillmarried,”Stephaniasaid.“We’restillhavingthischild.Andwe
canhavesomuchmore.Wecanstillcomeoutofthissituationahead.”ThanosheardFelenesnort.“Honestly,whatdidyoueverseeinher?”shedemanded.“Daysatseawith
her,andallshedidwaswhine.Andnowthisnonsense.Justclapahandoverhermouthsothatwecangowithoutattractingtheattentionofeverywarriorinthecity.”
Thatwasarealconcern.Thanoshadseenwhatwashappeninginthecity.Hissmallboatwouldstillbethere,andifhewaslucky,theymightbeabletocatchupwiththesmugglingboattogofurther,buttheyneededtomovenow.Hesitatemuchlonger,andtheywouldlosetheirrouteoutofthere,rightatthemomentwhensoldierswouldbecomingforthem.
“Feleneisright,”Ceressaid.“Weneedtogo.Idon’tknowhowmany
soldierswillhavefollowedusdownthetunnelsbeneaththecity.”“Andthereareplentyaroundonthestreets,”Felenesaid.ToThanos’ssurprise,Stephaniadidn’tseemputoffbythat.“Thenwebringthemtous,”shesaid.Thanosfrownedatthat.“What?”Hewasmoreconvincedthaneverthatshewasn’tthinkingclearly,although
thetruthwasthatStephaniahadalwaysbeengoodathidingwhatshethoughtfromhim.She’dplottedbehindhisbackforalmostaslongashe’dknownher,andThanoshadonlyknownaboutwhatshewasdoingforashorttime.
“Ihadtorunwhentheybrokeintothecastle,”Stephaniasaid.SheglaredatCeres.“Youruinedthatplan,buttherearestillwaysback.”
“Stephania—”Thanosbegan.“ThewarriorsofFelldustvaluestrengthandcunning,”Stephaniainsisted.“A
leaderisonlyaleaderforaslongashecanholdontohispower.Betweenus,youandIhaveallthecunningandstrengthwecouldneed.”
Thanoscouldn’tquitebelievewhathewashearing.Evenso,hefeltasthoughheoughttocheck.
“YouwanttochallengetheFirstStone?”heasked.“Iwantyoutochallengehim,”Stephaniasaid.“Icangetustohim.Ican
convincehimtofight.Youcankillhim,andIwillbeabletoturnthatintomore,bypersuadingthemthatitmeansyouhavesucceededhim.Wecouldn’tstoptheinvasion,butwecouldcontrolitsoithurtfarfewerpeople.”
ThanosheardCeresscoffatthat.“Soitdidn’thurtyou,youmean?”shesaid.“Ifitwerethatsimple,why
couldn’tIjustwalkupandkillhim?”“Becausethisisn’tjustaboutcuttingtheheadfromthesnake,”Stephania
snappedback.“You’rethinkinglikesomekindofbard’ssong,wheretheherowalksupandkillstheirfoeandthat’sit.”
Thanosfoundhimselfcockinghisheadtooneside.“Isn’tthatwhatyou’reproposingIdo?”
Stephaniashookherhead.“It’smorethanthat.It’spolitics.It’snotenoughtokillhim.Youhavetolookasthoughyoucansucceedhim.Shecouldn’tdothat,butwecould.ThecurrentqueenoftheEmpireandherhusband,joiningwithFelldustnotbybeingconquered,butbytakingapositionwithinit.It’sastorytheycouldbelieve.Astorytheycouldgetbehind.”
Thanoscouldn’tbelievethatshewasactuallysuggestingthis.Shemadeitsoundsoeasy,asiftheycouldjustwalkupandstealsomeoneelse’sinvasionfromthem.Thenagain,itwaswhatshe’ddonewiththethroneoftheEmpire,wasn’tit?
“You’remad,”Felenesaid.“Acountryisn’tjustsomebaublethatyoucanliftfromarichman’scorpse.”
“Howelsedoyouthinkpeoplegetthem?”Stephaniademanded.ShelookedbacktoThanos.“Wecandothis,Thanos,anditwouldbegoodfortheEmpire.Felldustisgoingtofinishitsinvasion,buttogether,wecouldcontrolhowithappens.Wecouldlimitthedamage.AndourchildwouldbeheirtothewholeofFelldust,aswellastheEmpire.Wecoulddothis.”
Thanoscouldhearthedeterminationthere,andforamomenthecouldfeelhimselfbeingcarriedalongbyit.Perhapsitwouldbepossibletodoit.PerhapshecouldjusttakeoverIrrien’sseat,andstoptheworstexcessesoftheinvasion.Ifhecouldsavepeoplelikethat,didn’thehaveadutytodoit?
ThenhelookedacrossatCeres,andknewthathecouldneverreallydoit.Stephania’sanswermeantstayingwithher.Itmeanttrustingherandworkingalongsideher.Thanoscouldn’tdoanyofthosethings.EspeciallynotwhenStephaniawouldprobablyuseanypowershegotasawaytostrikeoutatCeres.
“No,”Thanossaid.“No,I’mnotgoingtodoit.Iknowyou,Stephania.Evenifbysomemiracleallthisworked,you’dbeplottingthemomentwegotintoanykindofpower.Tellmethatyouwouldn’ttrytokillCeresthemomentyouhadtheopportunity.”
“Wecouldletherliveifthat’swhatyouwanted,”Stephaniasaid.Thanoslookedoverather,thenatCeres,thenbackagain.Thetruthwasthat
itwasn’tevenachoice,notanymore.Whateverhe’doncehadwithStephania,itwasn’tthesameasthethingshefeltforCeres.Stephaniahadtriedtopaintapictureofthetwoofthemlivingtogetherinharmony,butthetruthwasthattheonlyoneofthemThanoscouldpicturehimselfwithwasCeres.
“No,”hesaid.“Thisiswhatisgoingtohappen.We’regoingtogetoutofhere,allofus.You’regoingtolive,becauseyou’recarryingmychild,butwhenthatchildisborn,you’llgo,andwe’llneverseeyouagain.Iwon’tbecaughtupinyourplots,Stephania.Itisn’tyouIwant.ItisCeres.”
Stephaniascowled.“Youthinkyougettodecidewhathappenstome?”Stephaniademanded.
“Youthinkyougettochooseforme?”Shetookabreath,andThanosguessedwhatshewasgoingtodoamoment
beforeshedidit.Buthewasn’tfastenoughtomoveinandstopher.Sheshouted,loudenoughthatnooneinthedockscouldhavehelpedbuthear
it.“WarriorsofFelldust!We’reoverhere!”ShelookedbackatThanosinsomethingliketriumph.“Itlooksasthoughwe’llhavetogowithmyplanafterall,doesn’tit?”
CHAPTERTWENTYSEVENStephaniasmiledintriumphastheotherslookedatherinshock.Didthey
reallythinkthattheygottodecidewhathappenedtoher?Didtheythinkthattheycouldjustcondemnhertoalifewhereherchildwouldbetakenfromher?Whenshewouldbecastasidetobelessthannothing?
Shewouldfightofftheworldratherthanletthathappen.Noonewouldtakewhatwashers.NotFelldust’ssorcerers,notthenoblesofDelos,andcertainlynotThanos.Shewoulddiebeforesheletthathappen.
Shewouldkillbeforesheletthathappen.“Whathaveyoudone,youarrogantidiot?”Felenedemanded.Stephania’ssmiletightened,temperedonlybytheknowledgethatthethief
wasdying.AssheshouldhavebackonFelldust.Ifshe’dhadthegracetodothat,Stephaniawouldalreadyhavebeenawayfromthere.
“She’sdonewhatshealwaysdoes,”Ceressaid.“Actedwithasmuchbileasshecanbecausesheisn’tgettingherownway.”
ShemadeitsoundasthoughStephaniawasachild,ratherthananewlycrownedqueen.
EvenThanosseemedshockedbythemove.ThatwasCeres’sfault,nodoubt.Ifhe’dbeentherealone,Stephaniawouldhavebeenabletopersuadehim.They’dhavebeenkillingtheFirstStoneeventhen.
“Stephania,howcouldyoudothis?”Thanosasked.Stephaniahaddoneitforthesamereasonshedideverythingelse:becauseit
wasnecessary.Nowtherewasnowayoutbutthroughthis.“They’llbecoming,”Stephaniasaidtohim.“Stayhere.Fightthem.Helpme
tokilltheirleader.Wecandothis,Thanos.WecansaveDelos.Wecanruleit.”Shecouldruleit.Stephaniahadfeltwhatitmeanttobearuler.Shewasn’t
goingtogivethatup,andifitmeantthatshegotThanostoo—Felenecutheroffwithaslapthatrockedher.“Weneedtogetoutofhere,”
shesaidtotheothers,asifStephaniawerejustadistraction.WhensheturnedtoStephania,Stephaniacouldseethehatredthere.“Runifyouwanttolive.Justdon’tpickthesamedirectionasus,orI’llcutyourthroat,childornochild.”
“No,”Thanossaid.“Wetakeherwithus.I’llbindanddragherifIhaveto.Justuntilthechildisborn.Please.”
StephaniasawCeresnod,althoughshecouldseethatthepeasantwasn’thappyaboutit.
“Allright,”Ceressaid.“Yougetherarms,I’ll—”Stephaniareactedoninstinct,herhanddivingintothefoldsofherdressfor
oneofthedaggersshekeptthere.Shedidn’thavemanyweaponsleft,butshe
woulduseeveryoneshehadtokeepthemfromtakingherchild.ShewouldnotbetreatedasnomorethanthevesseltobearThanos’sbaby.Thesorcererhadtriedtodothat,andnowherhusbandwas…no,shewouldn’tallowit!
Sheleaptforward,springingpastFelene,abladeinherhandasshesprangforThanosandCeres.
Shehadn’treckonedhowfastFelenewas,eveninjured.Felenespranginthewayasquickasasnake,andStephaniafeltherblade,
meantforThanos,sinkdeepintotheotherwoman’schest.Ofcourse,thistimeitwouldbethateasy.Ifshe’dmanageditsocleanlybackontheboat,maybetheywouldn’tbestandingtherenow.
Felene’sfacewassetwithdeterminationasshepunchedStephaniaback,knockinghersprawling.
Cereswentonebetter,kickingtheknifeoutofStephania’shand.Stephaniaranfortheedgeofthecircleofstatues,butCereswasfaster.So
wasThanos.Stephaniafelttheirhandscloseonherarms,pullingherbackeventhoughshefought.
“Ifyoudon’tkillhernow—”Ceresbegan.“What?”Stephaniademanded.“Whatwillyoudo?Leavehim?Youcareso
littleforhim,don’tyou?”Shediditbecauseshecould.Becauseevendrivingthatsmallwedgebetween
CeresandThanoswassomething.StephaniasawthelookthatpassedbetweenCeresandThanos.ShesawthelookofconfusionandhurtonThanos’sfaceashefoughttoworkoutwhattodonext.Sheenjoyedthat.Shecouldn’thavehim,butatleastshecouldmakesurethatCeresdidn’tgethim.
“I…Istillcan’tkillher,”Thanossaid.“Ican,”Ceresreplied.StephaniasawThanospullatherarm.Shesmiledatthat.“Oh,howsweet,”Stephaniasaid.“Thenobleprince,protectinghiswife.His
wife,Ceres.”Shedidn’tcarehowangryshemadeCeresthen.Angrywasgood.Angry
meantthatshewouldn’tbethinking.Stephaniamightgetanotherchancetostrike.
“Whatdoyouwant,Thanos?”Ceresasked.“Wecan’ttakeherwithus.She’dkillusatthefirstopportunityshegot.”
“Yes,Thanos,”Stephaniaasked,assweetlyasshecould,“whatdoyouwant?Whatdoyoureallywant?”
Sometimes,theonlyweaponsshehadwerewords,butStephaniawasanexpertwhenitcametousingthem.
“Ican’tkillher,”Thanossaid.“AndIcan’tletyoukillher,Ceres,becauseI
wouldn’tbeabletolookatyouthesamewayagain.”“Thanos—”Ceresbegan,andStephaniasmiledinvictory.“ButIcanleaveherbehind,”Thanossuddenlysaid.Hishandstightenedon
Stephania’sarms,catchingherassherealizedwhathe’djustsaid.“IcanleavehertothefateofFelldust’sarmy.”
Stephaniafeltawaveofterrorovercomeher.“No,”Stephaniabegged.“They’llkillme.They’lldoworsethankillme.
Please,Thanos.”Hedidn’tanswer,though,butinsteaddraggedherinthedirectionofoneof
theneareststatues.“Youcan’tleavemeheretodie!”sheshrieked.“Toberaped!Tobetortured!
Tobemadeamockeryof!”YetshesawThanos’sexpressionandherterrorincreasedassheknewher
pleaswerefallingondeafears.“I’llkillyou,”Stephaniashrieked,filledwithrage,desperate.“I’llkillyou
both!”Thanoswrenchedherarmsbehindherback,whileCerescutaway
Stephania’sbeltandthentiedherarmsinplace.Stephaniawrenchedatthebonds,tryingtopullherarmsfree,butnothinghappened.
Worse,shesawFelenestrugglingtoherfeet,drawingaswordandlongknife.“Go…”thesailormanaged.“I’llholdthemoff.”“Felene,”Ceresbegan.“Go!”StephaniacouldnotbelieveitasshewatchedThanosandCeresrunoff,
leavingherlikethis.Shevowedherhatredwitheverysteptheytook.“Lookslikeit’sjustyouandme,princess,”Felenesaid.“Don’tworry…I’m
not…goingtokillyou.Youdeserve…farworsethanthat.”Stephaniaignoredherandkeptworkingatherbonds,tryingtobreakfree,
tryingtogetawaybefore…Theycameinarush,thefirstmenofFelldustburstingintothecircleofgrass
whileFelenemovedforwardtofacethem.Stephaniasawherthrustabladethroughonewarrior’schest,parryablowfromasecond,andcutacrossthethroatofathird.
Shewasn’tmovingwell,though.Stephaniahadseenhowfastshecouldbewhenshe’dfoughtElethe,butnowshestaggeredfromblowtoblow.
Good.Stephaniawatchedasawarriorthrustaspearintothethief.Felenecutback,
bringingthewarriordown,butanothercutacrossherleg.Shecollapsed,andthewarriorssteppedbackthewaytheymighthavefromawoundedomnicat.
StephaniarecognizedFirstStoneIrrienashesteppedintothecircleformedbythetrees.Hewaseverythingherspieshadsaid:tall,imposing,cruellyhandsomeanddeadlylooking.Felenefelltohersideasheapproached,heftinganaxewithonehand.
“You’retheFirstStone?”shedemanded.Henoddedtoher.“Iam.”Sheforcedasmile.“Good,I’ve…beenwaitingforsomeone…worthyof
killingme.”“ThenI’msorryIdidn’tgethereearlier,”hesaid.“Restnow.Yourpartinthis
isdone.”Felenelaythere,coughingupblood,ashewalkedpastherasifsheweren’t
there.Andthen,toStephania’shorror,shespokeherfinalwords:“AndthatisStephania,”Felenesaid.“Don’tlether…tellyouotherwise.”Felenethencollapsed,dead.StephaniafeltarushoffearastherulerofFelldustgrinnedinsurpriseand
delight.Felenehadruinedheronechancetopretendshewassomeoneelse.Inherdyingbreath,Felenehadsomehowmanagedtokillher.
Hestalkedtowardherandliftedhisaxe.Foramoment,Stephaniathoughtthathemightcutherdown,andsheflinchedbackagainstthestatue,unabletostopherfear.
Heburiedtheaxeintheground,thenreachedoutahandtotouchherface.Stephaniawantedtopullaway,butshewouldn’tshowthatweakness.Shewouldn’t.
“LadyStephania,”hesaid.“Talesofyourbeautydonotdoyoujustice.”Therewasstillachance.TheFirstStonewasstillaman,stillaruler,stilla
warrior.AllthreeofthosewerethingsStephaniacouldworkwith.Shecouldcomeoutofthismorepowerfulthanshe’dgoneintoit.
“FirstStoneIrrien,”shesaid.“WelcometoDelos.Ihopeyou’reenjoyingyourtimehere.”
Shetriedtomakeitsoundasiftheyweremeetinginthemiddleofsomenoblemasque,nottheaftermathofaninvasion.Pretendathingenough,she’dalwaysfound,andtherealitywouldfollow.
“Someonecertainlyseemstohaveleftmethemostinterestingthings.”Hereachedouttotouchherthroatthistime.Stephaniatriednottothinkabout
howeasilyhecouldcrushthatthroat.“IhopeIwillprovemoreinterestingthanyouthink,”Stephaniasaid.“Ifyou
knowwhoIam,youknowwhatIcandoforyou.”“Yousoundasifyouareproposinganalliance,”Irriensaid.Hesounded
amusedbyit,butalsointerested.Stephaniaknewthatshehadhimthen.Shemightbetheonetiedinplace,but
soonenough,Irrienwouldbetheonewithherstringsaroundhim.Shewouldhavetobecarefulatfirst,havetosuggestandpersuaderatherthandemand,butshecoulddothis.
“IamcurrentlythemostimportantnobleoftheEmpire,”Stephaniasaid.“Itookitsthronebyforceandcunning.”ThetwothingsthattheyadmiredmostinFelldust.“Whileyouareamanwithoutawife.”
“You’reproposingmarriage?”Irrienasked,movingbehindStephania,slicingthroughherbondswithaknife.“You’reboldindeed.”
Sheresistedtheurgetorubherwrists.Thatwouldhavelookedweak.Instead,shestoodbeforehimthewayarulershould.
“Thestrongarebold,”Stephaniasaid.“Andwecoulddogreatthingstogether.IknowtheEmpire,allitssecrets,allitswebsofconnections.Morethanthat,Ibringasenseoflegitimacy.Wecouldjoinourlandstogetherformally,rulingboth,abovemynoblesandyourfellowstones.”
“Itisatemptingoffer,”Irrienadmitted.Shecouldtempthimmorethanthat.Shemovedclose,pressingagainsthim.“Andifyourwallshadheld,”Irrienwenton,“Imighthaveconsideredit.
Now,though,youhavenothingtogiveIcannottake.”“What?”Stephaniamovedtostepback,butIrriencaughtherbythethroat,suddenand
tight.Shegrabbedforhishand,butcouldn’tmoveit.Hisotherhandmovedtoherdress,andStephaniacriedoutasherippedtheouterlayersfromher.
Hethrewhertotheground,andStephanialaythere,staringupathiminterror.Whenhereachedtohisbeltanddrewoutawhip,sheshrankback.
“Donotworrythough.Iwon’tbekillingyou.Youwillmakefartoofineaslaveforthat.”
Stephaniawantedtostand,toargue,tofight,buttherewasnotimetodoanyofit.Thefirstblowstruckher,andallshecoulddowasscream.
CHAPTERTWENTYEIGHTCeresleanedonThanosasmuchasheleanedonherastheymadetheirway
downtowardthedocks.Thankstoeverythingshe’dsuffered,shefeltasthoughshebarelyhadthestrengthtostand,whileheseemedtobeunwillingtorisklettinggoofher,evenforamoment.
“Thatway,”Thanosmanaged,pointing.“Therearesmallboats.”Ceresnodded,tryingtosteerthetwooftheminthedirectionhe’dpointed.
Shetriedtokeeptotheshadowstokeepthemfrombeingspotted,butthetruthwasthattheyneededtomovequicklymorethantheyneededtokeepoutofsight.
Somewherebehindthem,CeresheardStephaniascream,andshefeltThanostense.Foramoment,shefoundherselfwonderingifhewouldrunbackforher.He’ddoneitbefore,hadn’the?He’dreturnedtoDelostosaveher.
Hepressedforward,though,andCeresdaredtobreatheasighofrelief.Maybetheycoulddothis.Maybetheycouldgetthroughit.
CeressawagroupofFelldustwarriorsahead,lootingtheirwayalongoneofthestreets.Therecouldn’tbemuchinthewayofpickingsforthembynow,buttheyseemedtobegoingthroughthehousesanyway,determinedtocollecteveryscraptheycould.
CerespulledThanosdownasidestreet,lookingtododgepastthem.Shehurriedwithhim,makingherwaypastawaterbutt,thenoveralowfence.Theypausedforamoment,waitingformoresoldierstopass.Inthatmoment,ThanossaidthewordsthatCeresbothwantedtohearanddreaded.
“Iloveyou,”hesaid.“Iloveyoutoo,Thanos,”Ceressaid.“Butcan’tthiswaituntilwe’reclear?”Shewantedtoputthisoffifshecould.Thanoshadgonewithher.He’d
rejectedStephania,butevenso,thereweresomanythingstheyneededtotalkabout.
“No,”Thanossaid.“Imeanit.Imean…Iloveyou,notStephania.Ichoseyou.Ichooseyou.”
Thatwasgoodtohear,butitwassomethingThanoshadsaidbefore.He’dstillgonebackforStephania,hadn’the?He’dstillkeptCeresfromkillingher.CeresunderstoodthatwasaboutStephaniabeingthemotherofhischild,butthatdidn’tmakeitbetter.ItmeantthattherewouldalwaysbesomethingconnectingThanosandStephaniatogether.
Ontheotherhand,hehadlefther.He’dtiedherthereforFelldust’swarriors.MaybethatwasasclearachoiceasCereswasgoingtoget.
Thatwasaquestionforlater,though.Fornow,theonlythingtheycoulddo
wastrytogetoutofthecityalive.Cereskeptpickingtwistsandturnsthroughthecity,tryingtododgethe
soldiersthere.Sheknewthestreets,thankstoallthetimesshe’ddeliveredweaponsforherfatherorpickedupfoodfromthemarkets.Shewoveherwaythroughthesmallstreetsandalleyways,tryingtofindaroutethatFelldust’ssoldierswouldn’tblock.
Shedidn’tsucceed.Threesoldierscameoutofahousejustastheypassed,andCeres’sbreath
caught.Theystoodthereforamoment,staringatthetwoofthemasthoughnotabletounderstandwhotheywere.
Cereswastired,butshestillhadenoughenergylefttoreactfirst.Shedrewaswordwithheroffhand,thrustingitupunderthebreastplateofoneoftheinvadersasshedrewhersecond.
Thanossteppedpasther,parryingastrikeaimedatherhead.TheattackerpushedhimbackintoCeres,butCeressawhimthrustaroundtheattacker’sguard,deepunderhiscollarbone.Ceresrodethemotion,strikingforthelastenemy.Offbalanceasshewas,though,theblowfellshort.
ThemanyelledsomethinginthelanguageofFelldust,andCeresguessedthathewascallingouttheirpresencetoanyonewhowaslistening.Shethrustherbladeintohimatthesecondattempt,andThanosthrustwithher,butbythen,thedamagewasdone.
“Canyougofaster?”Ceresasked.Thanosnodded.“Asfastasyouneedtogo.”Ceresdidn’treply,butinsteadtriedtorushintomotion.Shewasbonetired,
almoststaggering,butshestillforcedherselfacrossaflatroof,thendownacrossthecobblesbeyond.
Ceresheardsomeonecalloutbehindthemandriskedaglanceback.Shesawfiguresinthemish-mashofdifferentuniformstheinvadersfavored,rushingafterthemwhilesomepointed.
“Run!”sheyelledtoThanos.Heranwithher,keepinggoinginherwake,followingherlead.They
skimmedoverthecobbles,headingdowninthedirectionofthedocks,movingasquicklyastheycould.Cereswasn’tsurethattheyweremovingquickenough.Sheheardfootstepsbehindher,spun,andsawaspearheadingforherface.Shesweptitasideandsenttheattackersprawling,kickinghimasshewentpast.ShesawThanosshoveasideasecondattacker,throwinghimintothenearestwallwithsheermomentum.
Cereskeptmoving,notdaringtostopandfight.Everymomenttheyspentfightingwasamomentwhenmoreenemiesmightarrive.Soon,theywouldfind
themselvesoverwhelmed.Itwasbettertorun.Butrunningmightnotbeenough.Eveniftherewereboatsdownonthe
waterfront,itwouldstilltaketimetogetoneofthemintothewater,tocastoff,tobreakfree.Howcouldtheydoallthatifthereweresoldierscomingafterthem?
Theyweregoingtodie,butCereswasn’tgoingtogiveup.SheandThanoskeptgoing,continuingtohope.
Shesawthebeachaheadandpressedonasfastasshecould.Whatshesawtherelentherstrength,andquicklyshefelttheshingleofitunderherfeet.Therewasaboatoutthereintheshallowsandonit,Cerescouldseeherbrother,herfather,Leyana,andthecombatlordsCereshadhelped.Theypointedastheysawher,thenwavedasiftomakecertainthatsheknewwhichwaytogo.
“Notfarnow,”Ceressaid.“That—”Sandcaughtunderherfeet,andshestumbled.Sherolledbacktoherfeet,butThanoswasalreadythere,standingreadyto
meettheirfoes.Thefirsttoreachthemdied,Thanos’sbladefindingahomeinhischestandthenspringingfreeagain.
Ceresjumpedpast,parryingablowfromalongsword,thenduckedunderthesweepofacurvedknife.Shedidn’tgiveground,couldn’tgiveground,becausetodosowouldhavebeentoleaveThanosalonetotheirblades.Theycouldsurvivethisonlyaslongastheystoodtogether.
Shestoodthereandfought,choppingandparrying,feelingaswordslicealineacrossherabdomenbecauseshecouldn’tspringaside.SheheardThanosgruntasabladecuthim,thensawhimtakeanenemy’sheadfromhisshoulders.
Figuresburstpasther.Thethreecombatlordsslammedintothechasingtroops,cuttingdownthoseclosestandpushingbacktheothers.CeresglancedroundtoseeherfatherstandingsidebysidewithThanos.
“Totheboat!”heyelled,andCeresnodded.Sheranwiththeothersintotheshallows,feelingthewaterlaparoundher
ankles.Shethoughtshesawabodythere,washedupfromthebattle,aswordstillstuckthroughit.Shewasabouttorunpastwhenhiseyesopened,andCeresrecognizedhimalmostinthesameinstant.
“Akila?”Sheheardhimgroan.Hisinjurylookedterriblerightthen.Howlonghadhe
beenthere?Ceresrantohim,ignoringthecallsoftheothersandthethreatofthesoldiersapproachingbehindthem.ShekneltbyAkilaatthepointwherethetidemettheshore,butsheknewtherewasnotimetobegentleaboutthis.
“I’msorry,”shesaid,asshewrappedbothhandsaroundthehiltoftheswordandpulled.
Therewasagoodchancethatthiswouldkillhim.Cereshadseenenoughwoundstoknowthatsometimesabladeoranarrowcouldbetheonlythingpluggingagap,staunchingthebloodthatwouldotherwiseflowout.Butshecouldn’thopetocarryAkilabacktotheboatwiththebladestillinhim,anditwoulddefinitelyshiftandcutdeeperifshetriedtodraghim.
AkilascreamedasCerespulledthebladeout,andhisscreamswereworseasthesaltwaterwashedoverhim.Thatwasprobablyagoodthing,though,becauseshe’dheardofsailorswashingwoundsoutwithseasalt,anditbeingalmostasgoodascauterizingforkeepingoutinfections.
Shesawthecombatlordsfightingtheirwaybacktoher,thesoldiersofFelldustfollowing.Ceressteppedforwardastheyapproach,heftingthebladeshe’dpulledfromAkilawithtwohands.
Tohershock,theinvadersstopped,staringather.No,notather,atthesword.Didtheyrecognizeit?Theywerecertainlystaringatitasifitweresomethingspecial.Cerescouldn’tunderstandmuchofwhattheyweresaying,butshethoughtsherecognizedtheword“Irrien”andthewordforsword.
“Irrien’ssword?”shecalledouttothem,holdingitup.“Well,tellhimthatI’llgiveitbacktohimsometime.Tellhimthatthisisn’tover.”
Cereshelditbetweenherandthem,readytostrikeatthefirsttoapproach.Itwassoheavythatittookallherstrengthtowieldit,butitwouldbemorethanenoughtosmashthroughtheguardofthefirsttoattack.
Onedid,charging.Ceresduckedunderhisblow,thenspunandcut.Thesword’sweighttookitthroughhisneckasifitwasn’tthere,slicinghisheadfromhisbodyascleanlyasanexecutioner’saxemighthave.AnotherraninandCerescutacrosshisabdomen.
Thanoswastherethen,liftingAkilaaseasilyasachild.HekeptbehindCeres,trustinginherskillstokeepthemallsafe.Thatsaidmorethananythingaboutwhathefeltforher.
Cerescouldseethecombatlordsmovingwithhim,draggingAkilaontotheboat,andshestartedtobacktowardit.Onceagain,shefeltthewateraroundherankles.Therestofthesoldiersseemedtobehangingback,nonewillingtobethenexttodie.
Shefeltthewoodoftheboatbumpagainstherback,andpassedupthesword.Shewasn’tgoingtoletitgo,ifonlybecauseofthesymbolicvaluethatcamefromhavingit.Herfathertookthebladefromher,andCeresclamberedupintotheboat.Shebarelyhadthestrengthtodoit.Infact,withoutSartes’sandLeyana’shelpinghands,Ceresdoubtedthatshe’dhavemadeitinatall.Itwascrowdedinthesmallboat,buttherewasjustaboutenoughroomforallofthem.Itwouldgetthemawayfromthecity,atleast.
“We’rein!”herfathercalled.“Let’sgo!”Someoneputupthesail,andsomeoneelsegrabbedoars.Cereswastoo
exhaustedtodoeither.Forthefirsttimeindays,shewasn’tbeingtortured,ormadetofight,orhavingtotrytoenduretheworstconditionsthecityhad.Shedidn’thavethestrengthtostandrightthen,anditseemedthatThanosdidn’thavemuchstrengthlefteither.Helayinthebowoftheboat,breathingheavily,soshecrawledovertowhereThanoslay,restingherheadonhisshoulder,lookingbackatthecityastheysailedfromit.
Behindthem,Delosfell.Partsofitburned,butonlyparts,andinalotofwaysthatwasworsethanthe
alternative.Itsaidthattheinvadersweren’ttheretoraidandleave,thattheyweren’trushingintheirdepredations.Theyweren’tsweepingthroughlikeastorm,butclosingonthecitylikeavise,crushingthepeopletheresystematically.Ceresfelttearsinhereyesatthethoughtofthosepeoplewho’dtrustedherenoughtostay;peoplewhowere,eventhen,dyingorbeingmadeintoslaves.
Butshecouldn’tdoanythingtohelp.Allshecoulddowassailclearofthecity,lookingafterthefewpeopleshecaredabout.Shedidn’tknowwheretheywouldgo,orwhattheywoulddonext,butCereshopedthatwherevertheywent,shewouldbeabletokeepthemsafe.
Somehow,Ceressuspectedthatwouldn’tbeeasy.
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whereneitherlifenordeathexists,wheresheismorelikelytocomeoutdeadthanalive.TheFirstStoneIrrien,meanwhile,isdeterminedtokeepStephaniaashisslaveandtooppressDelos.ButtheotherStonesofFelldustmayhaveotherplans.RULER,RIVAL,EXILEtellsanepictaleoftragiclove,vengeance,betrayal,ambition,anddestiny.Filledwithunforgettablecharactersandheart-poundingaction,ittransportsusintoaworldwewillneverforget,andmakesusfallinlovewithfantasyalloveragain.“AnactionpackedfantasysuretopleasefansofMorganRice’spreviousnovels,alongwithfansofworkssuchasTheInheritanceCyclebyChristopherPaolini….FansofYoungAdultFictionwilldevourthislatestworkbyRiceandbegformore.”--TheWanderer,ALiteraryJournal(regardingRiseoftheDragons)Book#8inOFCROWNSANDGLORYwillbereleasedsoon!
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AboutMorganRice
MorganRiceisthe#1bestsellingandUSATodaybestsellingauthoroftheepicfantasyseriesTHESORCERER’SRING,comprisingseventeenbooks;ofthe#1bestsellingseriesTHEVAMPIREJOURNALS,comprisingtwelvebooks;ofthe#1bestsellingseriesTHESURVIVALTRILOGY,apost-apocalypticthrillercomprisingthreebooks;oftheepicfantasyseriesKINGSANDSORCERERS,comprisingsixbooks;andofthenewepicfantasyseriesOFCROWNSANDGLORY.Morgan’sbooksareavailableinaudioandprinteditions,andtranslationsareavailableinover25languages.
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