Swords of Deception (The Shaman's Sword Series Book 8) by Robert Ryan

Author:Robert Ryan [Ryan, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Trotting Fox Press
Published: 2024-06-04T00:00:00+00:00

15. We Go Where You Go

There were great celebrations in Chatchek Fortress that night. But Shar could not forget all the death that lay behind her. Nor what was ahead, and which was now approaching rapidly.

The fortress was alive with laughter, and the daily rationing of ale and beer had been eliminated. The warriors drank freely and enjoyed the fact they were still alive.

Shar tried to partake in the festivity. She walked among the men, from barracks to barracks, and renewed old acquaintances with those she knew. Or made new ones. Always she gave the impression of confidence, and the warriors were so sure of victory now that they did not notice her inner mood.

They had reason to be confident. The enemy had been routed. Tomorrow they would march themselves, pushing toward Tashkar to join her other force. Once there, the army would be massive. It could drive at Nagrak City with hope of victory.

It was not lost on them that over the course of the war a great many shamans had died. There were not many left now, except for those in Nagrak City and Three Moon Mountain. It was true that the Fifty were also destroyed, but against a surge of tens of thousands of steel blades even magic must fail.

Shar did not quite share their confidence. Nor did she fear failure. There was too much that might yet happen that could change things, and she did not think it possible to be sure of any outcome yet. The shamans were cunning, without doubt. Did they have a surprise waiting for her or her armies? Where was Shulu, and what was she doing?

There was too much that she did not know. Her time was running out though, and she wished desperately to see her grandmother one last time. Yet that was not going to happen. Not where she must soon go.

Twice during the evening she saw Asana with Boldgrim. They seemed to have struck up a friendship, or perhaps they drew close because they both belonged to orders that no longer existed. There was something happening there, but it was not her place to ask or interfere. They seemed in deep conversation both times, but grief still marked the shaman’s face.

Shar felt it too. The Fifty had died for her cause. As had so many others. The sooner she went to Three Moon Mountain the sooner she had a chance to end this before two great armies contended against each other in the field. If that happened, no matter which side won, it would take a generation to repair the damage.

Shar wandered to the battlements. Radatan and Huigar were with her as guards. They would not leave her and join the celebrations despite her asking them to. Of Boldgrim, she had little need just now. The shamans were dead. There would be no sorcerous attack, but steel was always a possibility. A price of ten thousand in gold remained on her head, and Kubodin had told her of the traitors he had discovered.

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