Fallen by Ivy Cross

Fallen by Ivy Cross

Author:Ivy Cross [Cross, Ivy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2020-06-08T16:00:00+00:00


Chapter 16 – Dekkar

Outcast… that seems to be catching on.

I stride forward until I am peering down at the two lead guards. They hide their fear far better than the two striplings in the rear, but their fidgeting and sideways glances show the truth just the same.

“I said I have urgent news for our leader—”

“Our orders are to turn you away… or kill you if you do not obey that command.” Ib juts his chin out in challenge.

He is the largest of the group but still a head shorter than me. And even in my weakened state, he would not fare well against me in one on one combat—he is no Haelar. But he has three backers, and his attitude suggests he would be willing to bear the shame of enlisting their aid to defeat me.

I step closer, ignoring the tip of Ib’s spear as it dances just in front of my eyes.

Talia’s hand brushes against my arm. She does not speak, but her message is clear. You are still weak from the poison. I ignore this too, for she does not understand the ways of the Vanthae yet. To show weakness or fear in this situation would spell our doom.

“Haelar is dead,” I spit the words into Ib’s face. “Do you not think Regar would wish to hear of this?”

Ib’s expression flits through a rapid sequence from confusion to excitement.

“Haelar? Dead?” Ib glances over at Aena, unable to keep the grin from his face. “You killed him in honorable combat?” Despite the tension of the situation, it is clear Ib is pleased with the prospect of Haelar’s death. He was hated by many in the tribe, and most can point to at least one way in which their life was made worse in some way by the cruel man.

“Honorable on my part, yes,” I reply, relaxing my stance slightly. “Not so much on his.”

“What do you mean?” Aena asks. His spear dips to the ground, likely forgotten.

I angle my wounded arm toward them to inspect. “Lailae berries. He laced his weapon with poison like a coward.”

One of the striplings gasps then claps a hand over his mouth.

Ib nods his head furiously, his smile widening even more. “I knew it! The Valat fucker! All that show of strength and he was nothing more than a soft poison slinger.”

“He was,” I agree. “So, you can see why I need to enter our village. Regar needs to know what became of his brother, and the tribe will need to know as well that it was my hand that brought him down.”

Ib grunts his understanding. “Then you wish to proclaim this feat as your Proving? Bold. But even if you have a witness—”

“I do.” I gesture to Talia. “This female was attacked by Haelar. I stepped in to stop him because she is my claim.”

Talia clears her throat beside me, but she does not speak. The truth is, I do not know if she recognizes my claim or not. And now that the



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