Deathcaster by Chima Cinda Williams

Author:Chima, Cinda Williams [Chima, Cinda Williams]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Adventure
Amazon: B07BK2HT7S
Goodreads: 40415360
Publisher: HarperTeen
Published: 2019-03-05T08:00:00+00:00

38

DARK DAYS IN DELPHI

Destin rode into Delphi with a company of mages the day after the city surrendered to Bellamy’s army. He was surprised to find that the city had improved since his last visit. The air was cleaner, for one thing, and the river that ran through the city was no longer an open sewer. The water still wasn’t safe to drink, but even now, in late spring, the stench no longer soured his stomach.

There were schools now, for the children who had once worked in the mines. Some of the worst slums had been torn down, and that housing relocated up the mountain and closer to the mines, so that travel to and from was easier.

True, parts of the city had been reduced to rubble in the battle for the city. It was still a cluster of mines and factories, with a town attached like a boil on an ironworker’s ass.

The citizens were no more willing to take the yoke of Arden than they had when Destin was last there. In fact, having been given their first taste of freedom in a long time, they’d fought like demons, block by block, street by street, and house by house. Every inch of land was gained with blood and sweat.

Though the townspeople fought tooth and nail, the regular Highlander army seemed to be absent.

They made a choice, Destin thought. They’re fighting Celestine in the east. If they lose there, they know that what happens in Delphi is meaningless.

There being no royal palace in Delphi, the king and his courtiers took over the opulent mayor’s palace. The mayor had died under mysterious circumstances not long after Arden lost control of the city. During his time in Delphi, Destin had worked with Willett Peters, and whatever had happened to him, he deserved it.

Destin and Bellamy met with the king in the palace’s great hall to brief him on the status of the city. Jarat was absolutely giddy about the “easy victory” they’d achieved in Delphi. “All I hear about is how great a commander young Matelon is,” he crowed. “Well, he lost this city, and we won it back. It was prescient on our part to send an overwhelming force north to assure a quick and convincing victory.”

Destin suspected that in this case the king was using the “royal” plural.

“I think we should be careful not to be overconfident, Your Majesty,” Bellamy said. “We were fighting local militias and citizens with clubs, and we still suffered heavy losses. The outcome might have been different had we been facing the copperheads and the regular army.”

“Well, then clearly we outfoxed them,” King Jarat said. “We caught them with their breeches down. I think we must give some credit to Colonel Karn and the intelligence service.” King Jarat was willing to raise a cup to just about anyone in his present mood. It was difficult to push praise away with both hands, but Destin knew how quickly that could change.

“My eyes and ears are telling

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