The Nameless Throne (The Inkweaver Archive Book 1) by Lisa Cassidy

Author:Lisa Cassidy [Cassidy, Lisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tate House
Published: 2023-09-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

When the door opened later that afternoon to admit Rorin and Taze, the sight of them was a welcome relief after so much time alone dwelling on what had happened. Her head throbbed dully.

“How are you feeling, Captain?” Taze asked.

“Better.” She waved off the question. “How did the rest of the summit go?”

“I’m not entirely sure.” Rorin signed. “I couldn’t hear all of it, but the Nightstalker made some demands, and it caused a lot of consternation between the warlords. General Desomer looked even grumpier than usual.”

“The Nightstalker left right after,” Taze added. “I got a look at his wyvern—she’s magnificent. And terrifying.”

Arya straightened her uniform. “I’d best go find the general.”

“You should stay here.” Rorin’s look was pointed. “And rest until your stomach settles properly.”

“I’ll be fine, Rorin.” She gave him a reassuring smile as she shrugged on her cloak and left.

The Raider on guard outside the warlord’s quarters let Arya through without question, or even a glare, which she didn’t fail to notice. Inside, though, any pleasure she might have felt at that vanished abruptly. Desomer was just settling into a chair near the hearth, as was Magen. Matte Eaglesoar sat between them, and Thiara Ravenstrike paced in front of the fire. The mood was so grim it was palpable.

“What happened?” Arya asked without thinking, before wincing and saluting sharply when all eyes turned to her.

Thiara’s gaze raked her. “Rorin said you were sick.”

“Bad stomach,” Arya managed. “I still feel a little queasy, but it seems to have settled.”

“You vomit in front of me and we’re done, Nameless,” Desomer barked from his chair.

“Understood, sir,” she said.

“All right, gentlemen.” Thiara addressed the room. “Thoughts?”

Relief cascaded through Arya. The warlord was going to let her stay. She told herself to remain quiet and not do or say anything that might get her dismissed.

Desomer started. “Warlord, that wasn’t a summit. That was the Nightstalker taking the opportunity to waltz in here, threaten us to our faces, and demand we do as he wants or else.”

“I’m not an idiot, General,” Thiara snapped. “I do realise that.”

“Had to be said,” he grumbled.

“It may not be as bad as all that,” Magen counselled. “After all, General, you have increased our watch on the pass and the underground road and put an effective warning system in place. If the Nightstalker does move again, we’ll know about it faster and be better prepared.”

“You heard the High Warlord after the Nightstalker left. He’s going to withdraw the Aggressors and Lances he sent here to bolster our Raiders—and he expects me to take full responsibility for securing the border.” Thiara’s mouth thinned. “I fear he does not fully appreciate what happened here today.”

Arya swore inwardly. It sounded like she’d missed a meeting of the warlords after the summit.

“No doubt he was distracted by all the little power battles between you and Crowtalon,” Desomer said, mostly under his breath.

When Thiara rounded on him, fury on her face, Desomer sank further into his chair, but Magen cleared his throat and waded in.

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