Ashia by L.E. Thomas

Author:L.E. Thomas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shadow Max Publishing

CHAPTER 18

Shanda crashed into the ice-covered ground, an eruption of frozen particles launching as the wooden dinghy disintegrated. A sharp fragment slapped her face, sending her onto a surviving section of the small boat. Gripping the wood, she rolled onto her belly as the fragment slid through the snow at a steep incline.

She gained momentum. Bouncing, she clutched the wooden shred tighter. Placing her forehead down, she lifted her shoulder and glanced behind her.

Far in the distance, the burning Spera moved away. They had no intention of following, probably figuring she was dead. Securing her grasp on the sliding fragment, she closed her eyes and hoped she wasn’t hurling toward a canyon.

The incline finally lessened and she came to a stop, the screeching sound of wood on ice still ringing in her ears. Catching her breath, she leaned forward on the scrap and kissed it. Other than her breath, she only heard the soft whistle of the wind.

Shanda sat up and surveyed her surroundings. The colossal slide came to an end at the base of a frozen valley. The sun beamed down, providing a slight relief to the bitter cold. Her breath formed ghostly clouds as she looked around, using her hands to shield her eyes from the glistening icy reflection. She checked the sky once more to ensure Deline had not persuaded Otto to pursue.

Deline.

Shanda had been betrayed. The pain of her handmaiden’s actions still burned into her chest. She had given Deline all her trust, convinced of her loyalty. But what turned her? Had she wanted to return home so badly she didn’t care the pain she caused? Or was it something else … someone else who had persuaded her to turn.

As the adrenaline faded, she thought of the crew turning on Atillo as Tiny fought so they could escape. Deline’s deception had been complete, convincing them all Shanda worshiped the evil Mystiria. Clenching her teeth to prevent them from chattering, she swallowed the acidic taste rising in her throat.

They will pay, she thought. Somehow, I’ll make them all pay.

It didn’t matter now, however. Ignoring the stiffness in her legs, she stood on what was left of the dinghy and sheathed her sword. She wrapped the fur coat around her body, fighting off the frigid air. Cupping her hands to her mouth, she called for Atillo. Her voice echoed back.

She looked up the valley in the direction the Spera had headed, seeing nothing but an empty white landscape. No tracks to indicate animals lived here. Nothing but the path of her trek into the valley disturbed the desolate landscape, bringing her current reality into focus.

Atillo was out there somewhere, a bolt from a crossbow in his back.

She placed her hands on her mouth and inhaled the frigid air. “Atillo! Where are you? Atillo!”

Sending fog from her mouth, her voice bounced through the valley and fell silent.

She sighed through her chattering teeth and started walking.

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