A Shield of Fate and Ruin (Apollo Ascending Book 3) by Nicole Bailey
Author:Nicole Bailey [Bailey, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-08-23T16:00:00+00:00
21
Artemis
Soldiers stood in the cool shade of massive trees that made up the woodline edging against the camps. When Orion had concocted this plan, I had envisioned a few hundred soldiers taking part. I wasnât sure how much help the twenty or so heâd gathered would provide in the scenario Iâd imagined. They couldnât even fully cover both sides of the forest.
But it was a start, I guess.
Sitting and waiting for an army to show up had done nothing for my nerves, and others could do the tasks Iâd spent my time on like sharpening weapons. This felt meaningful, at least. Orion walked around shaking hands, causing the men to laugh.
So he was popular.
Figures with the swagger he had.
Two more horses trotted up, and their riders dismounted, landing with a chuff beside me. Lenâs expression remained neutral, but Delon grinned. âHeard you had something interesting going on over here. Came to ask if we could join.â
I surveyed both of them, the rich fabric of their clothing, the sureness of their stance. âAre you a good shot?â
Delon shrugged. âA decent one.â
âWhoâs the better marksman, you or Valerian?â
Delonâs expression froze for a moment, his lips tightening. He sighed. âValerian, but heâs had more time to practice, and I can hold my own with him.â He nudged Len in the ribs. âAs can Len.â
Well, that was the most humility Iâd ever seen from Delon. So he probably told the truth. I knew he was a skilled rider. âYou wonât actually take part in the fighting, though?â
Emerald leaves in a bush behind him clattered together. Delon squared his shoulders again. âWe arenât to march with the soldiers. That doesnât mean we canât help from the sides if this plan plays out.â
I considered that and the way the two of them looked at me. It reminded me a bit of Apollo, stuck in a role cast for him, desperate to matter. Well, if Delon was half the shot Valerian was, they wouldnât hurt anything, and they both were excellent riders. âAll right.â
Delonâs confident smile snaked over his face again. âExcellent.â
Orion stomped over. âGot a couple of recruits here, Temi?â
âMeet Delon and Len.â
Orion shook both of their hands as Valerian rode up and dropped beside us, his boots smashing the tender shoots of grass beneath him. Heaviness permeated his expression, his lips set in a hard line. Orion grasped his hand and then clapped to gather everyoneâs attention. âIf you havenât met Valerian, heâs the master of horses here and heâs going to help us prepare.â
Val nodded, his gaze skipping past the gathering of humans and lingering on the animals. The same hurt Iâd seen in his expression when weâd watched the horse die seemed to sink into him, like he imagined these creatures sacrificed in battle, suffering, as if he helped create that reality for them.
His posture straightened as he turned back to the group. âMy suggestion is to start your training by creating a looped path along the edge of the forest line and get the horses used to running it.
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