Shock of Fate Anchoress Series Book One: A Young Adult Fantasy Adventure by D. L. Armillei

Author:D. L. Armillei [Armillei, D. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Diamond Cove Publishing, LLC
Published: 2017-04-11T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 30

Day 7: 4:17 p.m., Living World

As the team endured another all-day trek over rocky, uphill terrain, the sky mocked them with its bright, cheery blueness, while the air grew blisteringly cold.

Van’s aching feet howled in reluctance with each step. Wiglaf had left during the night. Van reconciled herself to the bunfy’s departure by looking at it from his point of view. She figured he had done his job by boosting her resolve to keep on with the mission and was, therefore, no longer needed. Still, she missed the funny little thing.

By the time the Kezef-Fomalhaut border appeared on the horizon, it was late afternoon. Van’s legs and lower back throbbed.

“Araquiel is just beyond here,” Elmot said.

As they got closer to the checkpoint, they saw a crowd of people making their way across the border. Balish border guards had amassed in force.

Van’s knees jittered. “There’s so many guards.”

“We could go back to Dricreek,” Paley said.

Obviously, she suggested this with the boy she’d met at the Grotto in mind.

“Will they search us?” Van asked, unable to keep the apprehension out of her voice.

Brux moved protectively closer.

Van glared at him and stomped toward the checkpoint. Anger over his rejection burned away any fear of being searched.

“What difference does it make if they search us?” Trey asked. “Our covers are sound.”

“He’s right,” Jorie whispered as they approached the checkpoint. “We’ll be fine. Just stay calm. Stick to the cover story.”

Brux glanced from the adjacent line as Van handed the guard her papers.

She flipped her hair and flashed her best smile at the guard. “So, you been doing this long?” Van didn’t listen to his answer. Her only motive was for Brux to see the guard thriving on her attention.

The guard’s commander urged, “Move the line!”

They had all crossed the checkpoint without incident, except Paley. With her, there was some kind of holdup.

“She’s mouthing off to the guard.” Jorie’s shoulders tensed. “It’ll trigger a search.”

More guards rushed over and blocked Paley from view.

Van’s gut clenched when one guard raised his hand high, grasping Paley’s Twin Gemstone.

“What the—?” Jorie seethed as border guards surrounded them.

“Search them,” the commander growled.

Two border guards each grabbed one of Van’s arms.

Another patted her down. “Hah ha!” The guard excitedly grasped Van’s Twin Gemstone. He continued searching her pockets and found the translation manual, then her mother’s earrings.

“Gimme those!” Van wriggled to break loose from the guards.

The guard who’d confiscated her items turned his attention to her. He smashed Van’s face with the back of his hand.

The two guards holding Van relaxed their grip, and the force of the blow sent her crashing to the ground. Startled and in pain, Van wondered if the guard had broken her jaw.

Brux struggled free and rushed to Van.

Nearby guards whipped out their batons. The closest one to Brux whacked his legs.

Brux wailed and crumpled to the ground near Van.

The guards hammered him with their batons.

Van screamed, along with Elmot and Paley.

Jorie and Trey struggled against their guards, but not enough to get beaten, too.

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