Heart of Shadra by Susan Faw

Author:Susan Faw [Faw, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Susan Faw
Published: 2018-09-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Sky Battle

ANGER TIGHTENED CHUTZPA’S FACE as he glared into Madrid’s cool eyes. “I know who you are, emperor. Your cruelty precedes you. You are nothing but a coward, attacking women and children.” Chutzpa spat in the dirt, his angry eyes focused on the emperor. He didn’t have a clue as to what to do to get them out of this situation. He could hardly slay a dragon. He had no magic. He was not a soldier. He wasn’t even a swordsman. He was a farmer, a grower of fruit.

Madrid laughed, his mouth twisting with a cruel smile. “You are nothing, little man. You have chosen the wrong side in this war. It is a hopeless cause they serve. You cannot stand against my strength, nor the strength of Opaleye. Your only choices are whether you’d like to die by magic, or if you would prefer I kill you with my own hands. So, how would you like to die?” His black eyes glittered. “Come now, not many get the chance to choose their fate. Just think, this will be your crowning glory to be able to choose the manner of your death. Do you choose incineration?” Opaleye sprayed a curve of flame that made Fire Dancer prance. “Or do you choose a magical death, say impalement by your own sword?” The grip of the sword tugged out of Chutzpa’s hand and floated up into the air, spinning around to face him. The silver tip pressed against his chest, just below his heart.

Chutzpa’s eyes did not leave the emperor’s. “Whether I live or die is irrelevant. The provinces are rising up against you. I am but one in a long line of people who oppose you.”

“For every sniveling rebel, such as yourself, there are many more that obey my command. You are a bug to be squashed, less than the dirt under my feet.” Madrid raised his hand above his head, and energy sparked between his fingers.

Chutzpa’s heart thumped harder as he watched Madrid prepare some kind of magical horror with which to attack him. Chutzpa’s eyes slid from the madman to the woman sitting in front of the emperor. He saw the woman’s eyes widen. She shook her head then indicated the sky with a tiny flick. Her hands were bound in front of her, but she held them up and wriggled her fingers at him. She displayed ten digits to him, then dropped one…nine…

Suddenly Chutzpa understood. He needed to keep the emperor talking. “So tell me before you kill me, what are your plans for Tunise? And before you think to lie, I already know about the slavery wagons.”

Madrid smirked. “What better way to sow dissension between the provinces than to kidnap people from both and have them blame each other? All it takes is some well-planted rumours and people jump to their own conclusions. When a society is isolated, the outside world is cast with suspicion. It takes little to inflame their fears. The Tunise believe that Shadra is stealing across the border to take their people.

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