The Hundred: Fall of the Wents by Prescott Jennifer

Author:Prescott, Jennifer [Prescott, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Jennifer Prescott
Published: 2013-10-08T03:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen: Capture of Hindrance

Hindrance was in the darkness.

She and her comrades had been forced to endure many indignities since they had been stolen. On the day that it had happened, they received an alert to gather at the Mayhew Crossing to the effect that it was imperative that they join this gathering for the future safety of all the Wents. The message had been borne by Ells, traveling speedily throughout the city, and not a single Went had thought to refuse it. This alert system had been devised during the Small War to carry intelligence and instructions among the Trilings. Ells were the ideal espionage units due to their small size and quick flying abilities. This time, the message was for the Wents alone. It was not in their nature to deny the call.

The capture had been quick. The Wents had gathered at the center of the city, near the ocean port where many ships came to deliver goods. It was a chaotic scene, with the Wents milling and calling out to one another in sweet, high voices. Other creatures were there as well, but the crush of Wents was so thick that it was hard for any but Ells to enter the throng. These flew closely above the heads of the Wents, passing messages back and forth, just as they would have had they been passing the pollen that bred the Trilings. But all the rumors and chatter made the confusion more apparent.

Some said that a new war was about to begin, that the Trilings and Dualings were now massing, and that the Wents must be ready to stand and fight. Others said that a great wave was to wash ashore, and the Wents had been sent on a fool’s errand and would be washed out to sea. Still others suggested that an unknown, dark force was preying on the city, and all creatures, both Triling and Dualing, would be called to this place to defend it in massive numbers. There were no leaders in the group, as Wents praised their equality above all. This was to be their downfall. Wents were strong and wise creatures, but it took them time to communicate in great numbers and come to a consensus.

Hindrance was in the very center of the throng, but she had lost Kellen, Bly, and Sarami in the crush. She searched for them among the milling white and flowered faces with no success, growing more disconcerted and confused. Before setting out, they had been four strong and united Wents. Now they were merely part of the crowd.

The Shrikes, when they struck, came under cover of an unnatural darkness that swept around the ring of Wents massed at the Crossing. One moment, there was sunlight and, the next, a ring of shadow that blotted out all extraneous witnesses and passers-by. It began as a ring, then grew to a dome above them. They were all cast into darkness.

The shadow gave off a curious buzzing noise and Hindrance and her fellow Wents began to panic and move about.

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