Kate Elliott - Crown Of Stars 07 by Crown Of Stars

Author:Crown Of Stars [Stars, Crown Of]
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 2010-01-07T07:25:56+00:00

1

THEY used an old ruse, but it worked. With rope loosely bound around her hands, Liath walked with

the young Ashioi woman called Sharp Edge in front and the four guards—Dog, Spotted Leopard,

Buzzard, and Falcon—behind.

Secha wove the gate; she and Eldest Uncle would remain behind. The other seven crossed through

sparks and the bright blue light of the aetherical gateway to another place. As her feet found earth again

and the blue aether surrounding them faded to air, Liath glanced immediately toward the sky, but a dawn

haze hid the heavens.

"What's this?" A dozen mask warriors approached. The perimeter was held by double ranks of bold

soldiers.

"Two prisoners for Feather Cloak," said Sharp Edge tartly. She sauntered past with a sly smile. Every

male there watched her go, amazed by the sway of her hips and the ripple of braid falling in a line down

her half-naked back to brush the low-slung band of her skirt. She had a shocking amount of skin

exposed, but the Ashioi were not, on the whole, a modest people.

Liath followed, head bowed but eyes lifted, and Anna walked behind her, frightened enough that Liath

heard her panting. When they came safely past the outer line of the guard and started down the path that

led to the base of the hill, Liath raised her head to survey the landscape. A town, ringed with a stone wall,

nestled where the higher foothills broke into a rolling plain. All seemed quiet, but the gates were closed

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and there was no traffic in and out. A wide road, no doubt paved in the time of the Dariyan Empire, cut

northward into the hills toward distant peaks, most shrouded in cloud. North beyond the reaches of

Karrone and Wayland lay Wendar and Varre, closer now. She breathed in, wondering if she could

discern any least change in the air, some hint of northern spice. They had in one "stride" crossed a vast

region of land, all of Dalmiaka and much of eastern Aosta. Except for highland trees, the landscape was

brown and gold, little different than the sere countryside of Ashioi country. It smelled of dust more than

anything.

The Ashioi walked in Aosta, a land their half-breed descendants had once ruled. The Ashioi army led by

Feather Cloak had laid in a siege around Novomo. They did not have quite enough soldiers to encircle

the town, and no doubt the paths leading northward remained poorly guarded. But they were here, and

Blessing was with them.

The small company tramped down to the main road and turned toward the town. A sparse woodland

covered the slopes of nearby hills. Vineyards and olive trees ringed the town, among them small hamlets

and long fields striped by sprouting grain. No one moved in field or village.

Anna moaned. "They've burned all those houses." She wept with fear. "Do you think they've killed

everyone? They hate us."

"Maybe so," said Liath, "but 'they' do not all think alike, Anna. Some will help us. Some will wish to kill

us. Do not despair. Consider Blessing, who will need your help."

"She won't come with us, my lady.

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