Algernon loosed his first arrow, and Elon merely stepped back, letting it whizz by before it thunked into the ground. Algernon cursed, drew another, and fired. Elon began walking to the left, letting the arrow slash through the space he’d previously occupied. “You’ll have to do better than that.” Algernon growled, a low, guttural sound…
“You son of an Esmerian—” Carissa bolted upright in bed, her hand shooting to her waist for a weapon. Except she didn’t have any. Algernon stood in their tent, a bow aimed at Elon’s chest. Elon stared back at Algernon, his gaze steady and cool. Algernon was trembling so hard that she feared he’d release…
Carissa pointed to the discarded satchel. “If we can throw the Y’thapa to them, they can take it and the wolves will go away. Simple.” Algernon glanced at the satchel, then shrugged. “Whatever you wish, Carissa.” Carissa dismounted the horse, careful not to upset Kybelle’s body, and began treading towards the satchel. It was at…
Carissa plunged her dagger through the heart of the first wolf before slashing across the face of a second one. And then Algernon crashed through the pack on his horse, trampling a few wolves before he dismounted the horse. Another wolf began to lunge at Carissa, until Algernon nocked an arrow and shot him. Four…
As the wolves neared, the horses began tossing their heads and fighting Carissa and Algernon’s control. The wolves came near enough for her to see their bared teeth, near enough for her to hear their guttural snarling. Cold flashed across Carissa’s skin and she suppressed a curse. Their fear was drawing them, and the horses…
This had gone on far enough. She couldn’t allow Elon to just tell them how to kill him. She leveled the rod at the Elder’s chest. “I don’t think so.” Elon pushed Carissa’s hand down until she lowered the rod. “All is well, Carissa.” Carissa spun to face him. “All is well? You’re about to…
Elder Lorem turned to her, as did everyone else. “And why ever not?” Carissa replied, “He’s with us. We journeyed together from Nysia to Esmeray.” The entire crowd bristled with murmurs: “What’s the meaning of this? Are they Nysian spies?” “I knew we shouldn’t have trusted them.” “We ought to rid ourselves of all the…
As Carissa wandered through camp in search of food, Elon trailing behind her, she heard someone yell, “Carissa!” She turned just as Lyron ran up to her, a large grin on his face. “My family has a wagon. You could ride on ours until we make camp tonight.” Carissa buried a cringe. “You’re certain your…
“What did you mean by what you said earlier?” Carissa startled awake, thudding her head against the back of the tree. She must have been truly tired if she’d fallen asleep in this position. Carissa wriggled her fingers and toes, causing painful tingles to shoot up her arms and legs. The torches around the camp…
“Wait!” Lyron ripped away from the woman and sprinted towards Elon before standing in front of him. “You can’t shoot them. I won’t let you.” The man’s eyes glittered with anger. “Step away from them, Lyron.” “If not for them, I would still be a Reaper slave. They freed me and destroyed a Reaper stronghold.”…