War of Mist by Helen Scheuerer

Author:Helen Scheuerer [Scheuerer, Helen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780994165596
Publisher: Talem Press
Published: 2019-07-21T22:00:00+00:00

The Heathton Castle grounds were crawling with guards. Bleak couldn’t even count how many. She clenched her fists, silently praying that the secret message she’d sent off before their departure reached the right people in time.

She took Casimir and Ermias around to the western gate of the castle as per Swinton’s instructions, but now … now she was flummoxed as to how they were meant to get in undetected. Ermias couldn’t risk moving them in case it was straight into the path of a patrol. And they certainly couldn’t fight their way in.

‘They’re not the usual guards,’ she muttered to the Oremian princes on either side of her.

‘Ines’ lackeys,’ Casimir confirmed. He pointed to a soldier wincing. ‘Branded, no doubt.’

‘Like gods-damned cattle,’ Ermias muttered as they looked out across the yard.

‘Deadly cattle,’ Bleak said, noting the uniforms they wore: black, with a single red bloom on their breast.

Ermias gave a hollow laugh before glancing at Casimir. ‘Does Ines or Arden know about the amulet?’

‘Yes. Ines was here searching for it. But I took every measure I possibly could to protect it, to hide its existence from them.’

‘Let’s hope that’s enough,’ Ermias said. ‘Tell me she’s not here anymore?’

‘She’s not. We received word that she’s back in Oremere.’ Casimir rubbed the bridge of his nose. ‘Now, how are we going to infiltrate the castle?’

Bleak was only half listening. She was watching the troupe of guards patrol the perimeter. She had to take a chance … She took a steadying breath and reached out with her magic. It wasn’t as easy to wield as it usually was, and it didn’t feel quite right, but Bleak chalked it up to the odd damper in the air. In any case, she had to try.

She felt Casimir and Ermias’ eyes on her, but she ignored them as she focused on one of the guards. His mind was murky as she slipped inside, but not shielded. She could work with this. She set about her task, forming new pathways in his thoughts, in his memories, until she’d crafted a new sense of purpose in him. And then she moved to the next guard. And the next.

‘What’s she —’

‘Shhh,’ Casimir cut Ermias off as Bleak finished work on the last soldier. ‘Well?’ he said to her.

‘Wait here,’ she told him. Ignoring his protests, Bleak stood. Hands shaking uncontrollably by her sides, she approached the western gate. The guards didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Didn’t raise the alarm. So far, so good.

‘You there!’ A guard from another part of the grounds approached. ‘It’s her! Seize her!’

Bleak remained rooted to the spot as the guard broke into a run towards her. He drew his sword and charged.

Gods, she cursed herself. I’ve made a mistake.

Suddenly, the other guards sprang into action, cutting her attacker down with swift and brutal blows. He lay dead at her feet, his blood seeping across the cobblestones.

‘How did you do that?’ an awe-filled voice said in her ear. Casimir.

She shook her head, amazed that it had worked.

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