The Spear of Malice (War of the Archons 3) by R.S. Ford

Author:R.S. Ford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Titan

17

DISGUISED as commoners, they made their way through the night-dark streets of Kantor. Adaali carried a short stabbing blade concealed beneath a cloak. She would have preferred a spear, but that was the weapon of a soldier or hunter – there was certainly no need for an ordinary citizen to be carrying one in the dead of night, unless they had trouble in mind. But a sword was better than nothing. Adaali kept hoping she wouldn’t have to use it before they reached their destination, but as they turned into the northern quarter, that hope died.

Militia lined the thoroughfare, standing by in an undisciplined gaggle and blocking the only route to the palace.

As Adaali’s group moved closer, she resisted the temptation to place a hand to her blade. She had to keep her head, had to trust her companions to do their job. Ctenka and his fellows had pledged themselves to her – she just had to believe their words had been genuine.

‘Ho, Pellas,’ Ctenka greeted one of the guards.

‘Ctenka. Out late, aren’t we?’ the militiaman replied.

The group slowed, and Adaali tried her best to remain at the back, out of sight.

‘You have to use your time off wisely,’ Ctenka slurred.

‘That you do,’ Pellas replied. ‘On your way to lose your wages in some gambling hole?’

Ctenka shrugged. ‘Maybe tonight I’ll surprise you.’

Pellas laughed. ‘Not likely, Sunatra. Not likely.’

Ctenka laughed, clapping Pellas on the shoulder before bidding him goodnight. The men seemed in high spirits as they moved off, and Adaali wondered what contribution Pellas had made to the coup at the palace. Had he been complicit or merely a bystander? How she would have relished the chance to make him tell her.

Before she could think further on it, Dantar blocked her line of sight, ushering her onwards.

‘Remember we have a task to do,’ he whispered.

She knew he was right. If she was to have her vengeance and any chance of reclaiming the crown that was rightfully hers, she had to find Egil Sun and send him through the Bone Gate. Killing a few disloyal militiamen would never sate her thirst for revenge.

It didn’t take long to reach the palace, and as soon as she saw it memories of happier times rushed back to her. Adaali regarded the place with a sudden longing, but she knew those days were dead and gone.

‘The main gate’s heavily guarded,’ said one of Ctenka’s men, gesturing to Dantar and Adaali. ‘We won’t get through with these two in tow.’

‘We won’t have to,’ Ctenka replied. ‘We’ll use the eastern entrance.’

‘But we can’t get in that way. It’s always barred from the inside.’

‘We’ll just have to open it from the inside then,’ Ctenka said, his frustration getting the better of him. Adaali wondered just what kind of men she had chosen to help her in this task. Then again, she didn’t have many options.

‘We’ll wait at the eastern gate,’ she said, knowing well the entrance he was speaking of. ‘All you need do is open it from the inside.

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