Winter of the Wolf (The Desolate Empire Book 4) by Ochs Christina

Author:Ochs, Christina [Ochs, Christina]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Lujin Press
Published: 2016-11-18T05:00:00+00:00

Teodora

Teodora was comfortable in her carriage, and Sibyla rode with her, so she had someone to talk to. It was cold but clear, so she kept the windows open. It had been a while since she’d crossed the pass here, and she’d seldom done it this late in the year.

Between Rykter’s mercenaries and the militias she’d assembled, they were seven thousand strong, marching up the road sloping gently into the Galwend foothills.

Teodora had left a skeleton garrison behind to guard Atlona. That, along with the city watch ought to be sufficient until spring, since Lennart wasn’t coming over these mountains now, and neither was Mattila.

Dark clouds hung low over the mountain peaks and it began snowing as they ascended. It was still mid-afternoon when Rykter called a halt, climbing into Teodora’s carriage after giving the order.

“It’s getting dark too early,” he said, “and this is the best place to make camp before we reach the pass itself.”

“What if it doesn’t stop snowing?” Teodora would hate to make it this far only to be turned back.

“Doesn’t matter. If we leave out by mid-morning tomorrow, we’ll have plenty of time to get over in daylight, snow or not. With any luck, our baggage train will arrive from Moralta by then and meet us on the other side.”

They’d decided it would be safest to carry few supplies for this crossing and have the bulk of them come around the mountains on the Moraltan plain. That convoy had set off a week earlier, so should be near their rendezvous point.

She smiled at Rykter. “You seem to know what you’re doing.”

“I do.” He winked at her before taking his leave.

“Well, that young man acted very familiar,” Sibyla said with a disapproving frown. Since they’d been girls, she’d always tried—and usually failed—to steer Teodora away from inappropriate men.

“He’s not young. And his manner is a little rough, true. You know how these soldiers are.”

“Hmph,” Sibyla said.

“Oh come. I won’t do anything. I’ve learned my lesson.”

“Have you?” Sibyla looked at her hard, then climbed out of the carriage to direct the setup of Teodora’s tent.

“I have,” Teodora whispered. It was nice to be back on campaign, but it brought back so many memories. The last time she’d led her armies was the last time she’d been happy.

Teodora slept well and deeply in the crisp, thin mountain air and was ready to go early the next morning. The snow had stopped, though the clouds still looked threatening.

The carriage traversed the pass without too much trouble, since a few thousand feet and hoofs had gone ahead, packing the snow and melting it in places. Even so, it was late afternoon before the carriage rolled down the northern side of the pass.

When Teodora made camp that night, she could see far into Tirilis, spreading into the distance in the dimming light. If all went well, she’d get this land back first.

Teodora also planned to spend time in Arcius, the kingdom next door. Princess Alarys Zelenka had had it far too easy lately, presiding over one of the few Kronland kingdoms untouched by war.

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