Demon’s Reign (The Bloodwood Saga Book 1) by Ben Galley & David Estes

Author:Ben Galley & David Estes [Galley, Ben & Estes, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wraithmarked Creative, LLC
Published: 2022-10-25T04:00:00+00:00

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Every inch of Shal Gara was now a-tremble. Disbelief in the matriarch’s words had been forgotten. Now agitation and a gawping streak of wonder gripped the city. Citizens either sealed themselves inside their homes and burrows, or gathered in crowds in the higher reaches to watch. Nobody living had ever seen a bloodwood move, and Shal Gara seemed almost ready to perform such a feat.

I shared their feelings: fascination and fear in an intoxicating blend. And I had more to worry about.

Atalawe led us along one of the lowest and thickest branches, where a lone leafroad thrust east into the darkness of the Swathe. The wrangler seemed driven by some need I hadn’t yet figured out. She clenched her fists over and over again. More than once I thought I heard a prayer on her quiet lips. I didn’t blame her: I was close to doing the same. The branch was beginning to quiver violently. At times, I had to spread my arms for balance.

Eztaral and Pel walked behind us. The blind beggar had found some of his urka seeds. With his blue eyes, he didn’t need Eztaral’s arm but he still tottered uneasily, zigzagging from railing to railing. Pel was still far from healed.

We were alone on the branch. On Haidak’s orders, scattered buildings and merchants’ stalls had been evacuated. All the warders and warriors had been pulled back to the trunk. A whole wall of them stood far behind us, watching. From their silent staring, it only confirmed this whole idea of going out on the branch was a terrible one, but it seemed important enough a risk to the Scions. Atalawe led us.

“Surely we don’t have long?” I yelled.

“Not long at all, by the way she’s shaking!” she called back

“And yet we’re still going forwards. Makes sense,” I said, looking around at the smaller twigs that poked from around the branch. Their scarlet leaves were waving back and forth as if bidding us farewell. I hoped they weren’t.

How exactly a tree moved was still one I had no answer to. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure if I wanted the answer. It made me feel even more insignificant than I used to.

“We’re gone far enough, Atalawe. This branch is reaching its end,” Eztaral called. “I won’t start this war tumbling from a great height into the loam.”

Atalawe acted as if she hadn’t heard the eagleborn. I on the other hand couldn’t have ignored her if I tried.

“Atalawe, he—”

The wrangler stopped with a loud stamp of her staff. Candlevines had been wrapped around one end. “He’s alive. You might not believe it, Eztaral, but I know he is. This is the leafroad he always uses. Doesn’t trust the main roads,” she whispered over the rumbling. I realised now. Redeye. Atalawe still clung to hope. “He’ll be here.”

“How do you know?”

“I just know it. I can’t explain.”

I believed her. It was sibling magic and nothing more. Tesq and I seemed to share a mind now and again. She could always guess my thoughts before I opened my mouth.

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