Rise of Dresca (The Draemeir Chronicle Book 1) by Tim McKay

Author:Tim McKay [McKay, Tim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-08-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Intrigue and Orders

A taut hush loomed over the group. They stood by the tent unable to move.

It was the rising din from the nearby crowds that jolted the team into action. Seth pulled up the tent’s flap and stepped inside. Sevora caught a glimpse of stiff leather boots before the flap fell shut.

When Seth came out, it was with that quiet, serious look he always had. Sevora felt her blood boil — one of his team was dead and the bland lout still couldn’t be bothered to show emotion. His face had the range of a brass spoon.

“Stabbed through the heart,” was all he said. He turned to Baed and Datha, their muskets hanging limp by their sides. Marrin joined in as the captain questioned each with cool eyes. They spoke in mutters and whispers, impossible to hear. Sevora thought they looked more like huddled conspirators than grieving friends.

After a few minutes, Seth walked over to the sisters.

“When did Dain return to the camp?” he asked Melladar.

“He didn’t!”

Sevora realized with a start just how shaken her sister was by the news.

“He left well before the dragon attack. I didn’t see him come back.”

“I saw him over by the merchant stalls,” Sevora added. “He was still talking with some Naemredd men when I started making my way back to camp. That was right before the dragons.”

“Interesting,” Seth answered. “Whoever killed Dain used a longsword. He was pinned to the dirt. You can see the hole where a straight-edged blade pierced the soil.”

“Not many Naemredda use longswords,” said Sevora. “Most officers carry those useless sabers and rapiers of theirs. And rank soldiers have musket blades… maybe hunting knives.”

“A hunting knife wouldn’t have been long enough to do this,” said Seth. “And rapiers are too narrow. But no Siivalan or Selvan carries the sort of weapon we’re looking for.”

“The way they talked, these Naemredda didn’t seem like Dain’s enemies.”

What had Dain gotten himself caught up in?

A Selvan soldier in bright silver armor approached the group, with Vald close behind. The Cereman was covered in ash and soot. For once he looked like the artillery captain he claimed to be. Sevora always thought his military suit looked too pristine for someone who’d gone through years of war and two years of wandering after. But he’d gotten along with Dain, which was enough for her to give him a fair chance.

So why was he with a Selvan? Had everyone lost their minds?

“Captain Seddram Peltan?”

The rest of the group turned, too dazed to respond.

The Selvan singled Seth out as the one in charge and stepped closer.

“I understand this Cereman is under your charge,” he said, more statement than question. The group tensed, unsure what was coming. “I’m here to offer your unit a commendation for gallantry and your next commission. Here are your papers.”

The Selvan pulled out a small, rolled parchment and handed it to Seth. Seth accepted the paper without a word, that same serious look in his eyes.

“In all my days I’ve never seen such a perfect throw.

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