Champion of Fate by Kendare Blake

Author:Kendare Blake
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2023-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

27.

Mercenaries

Armed soldiers emerged from where they hid upon the hillsides, aiming blades and crossbows down upon Crown Prince Alsander of Cerille. Upon Sar, and Lyonene, as Reed and Hestion sat frozen on their horses. Elisabetta Rilke had led them into a trap.

“Reed,” Hestion said. “Ride out of here.”

His whole body was tensed and ready to fight. But their enemies had the high ground and outnumbered them five to one.

“You don’t even have a shield,” Reed said. “And even if you did you would never survive the charge up the hill.” She studied the landscape as Belden cantered up behind them. There were no trails and little cover. But the slope to her right was gradual enough that Silco might be able to mount it.

“If we charge that slope we may be able to take our attackers from the side, on even ground,” said Belden.

“Not we,” said Reed. “I will take it.”

In the center of the herd, Alsander faced Elisabetta and shouted, “You are making a mistake.” And though his voice was unsure, he was right. Elisabetta didn’t have them as outnumbered as she thought. Not with Reed and Lyonene there.

“Reed,” Hestion said. “Mercenary or not, you must flee.”

Reed reached into the aether. The silver armor and white cape exploded through the Veil and settled onto her body. “I am no mercenary,” she said. “Princes. Ride for the center and scatter the herd!”

Belden nodded and Hestion was through arguing. He looked at the enemy soldiers. “Get a few of them down to me if you can. So I can borrow one of their shields.”

Reed drew the sword from her back and held it low, parallel to the ground as the Aristene magic rose like smoke. On the other side of the canyon, Lyonene leaned close to Alsander’s ear. He drew his dagger and slipped from the saddle to disappear within the horses.

“Go!” Reed shouted, and the princes and her horse leaped forward, Silco driving for the slope of the hill. In the corner of her eye she saw the garb of the Aristene burst forth from Lyonene as she and Wonder charged up the canyon trail opposite. Arrows rained down, but the Areion needed only three long bounds to reach the attacking soldiers and met them with flying hooves and the force of a charging bull.

Reed wouldn’t be as fast. A crossbow bolt flew past her ear. Another aimed for Silco’s shoulder and she knocked it away with her sword. When she collided with their enemies, the first one fell to Reed’s blade so quickly, he didn’t even have a chance to cry out. She had never killed before. But there was no time to think about it. She had to kill still more.

Reed leaped from Silco’s back and cut down another in two fast strikes. She dipped low to strip his shield and placed it on her arm. Five ran at her and she breathed in deep—the shield held, and she called up every ounce of magic she had and shoved.

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