Taming the Wind by S L Kassidy

Author:S L Kassidy [Kassidy, S L]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781948327503
Publisher: Desert Palm Press
Published: 2019-12-20T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

ASHNI STOOD ATOP A hill with the setting sun at her back, looking at Valen, a city that would’ve been a target regardless. The population was large, but the economy more so. It had roads cutting through the grasslands of the countryside going out to other cities, but was also by a major river, giving them bountiful farmland, and easy access to sea. She wouldn’t be able to bring the Kairon area to heel without Valen. She wouldn’t be able to finance her march without it either, but this was sooner than she wanted to take it.

She couldn’t give them a chance to rally more support from other nearby cities. The Tyrans had already showed up. While Dorian didn’t have any more daughters married to kings, he could’ve managed some allies without them. Aid could be on their way now. Worry churned in her gut. None of this was planned. Typically, she could go with the flow, but that was when she was in control of the flow.

It didn’t help that Ashni still felt her position with the gods was precarious. Yes, she had prayed, lit incenses, made small and grand sacrifices to the gods since getting Nakia back, but there was no way to know it made up for her hubris. It was possible the gods would like to see her fail this day. She’d be humiliated in front of her troops, her little sister, and her beloved.

But, maybe you’ve been redeemed. The gods hadn’t stood in her way when she went after Nakia, after all. They could’ve had Caligo take Nakia from her, turning her into one of his undead puppets. They could’ve kept Layla from seizing Phyllida. They could’ve done many things to ruin her. But, now, they have a chance to truly destroy me and through a man who thinks he’s better than me by virtue of being a man. She needed to tread carefully, even if the gods were with her. One false move and her army could end up fodder for Black Dogs.

She couldn’t see the Black Dogs, knowing the Tyrans were off on the other side of the plain setting up for the battle, but reports had come in. The hounds were larger than they expected, the size of workhorses. Teeth that could go through metal with long claws that could do the same and fire spewed from their jaws. That’s a first. Their hides were tough, almost like dragon scales, impenetrable. They were fed human flesh for good measure. The Tyrans had bred these beasts specifically for war and had done a fantastic job.

“You all right?” Nakia asked as she came up behind Ashni.

Ashni didn’t turn around. “Didn’t I tell you to stay at camp? It’s bad enough you didn’t want to stay in Phyllida. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“Nothing will happen. I want to be close to you.” Nakia tucked herself in close, wrapping her arms around Ashni’s waist, and Ashni relaxed. She leaned down to kiss Nakia’s forehead.

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