Fantasy of Freedom by Kelly St. Clare

Author:Kelly St. Clare [Clare, Kelly St.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

My first thought as I struggle to awaken is that Slay has strung up another whore outside Alzona’s barracks.

It’s the screaming.

My second disorientated thought is of Crystal cutting off Slay’s head with a sword.

That is when I understand the screams are coming from something else. I’m awake and scrambling for my possessions in the next second. Olandon is not in the tent. But he was on sentry duty.

The flap of my tent is pushed aside and I rip free my dagger, sagging as I see it is Sin.

“Fire.” It’s all he says before disappearing.

My mouth forms an endless “no.” Here, fire only means one thing.

I grab my weapons and snatch up Kedrick’s arrow, tucking it into my boot.

Abandoning the tent, I run through the anarchy of the camp in search of one person. Bruma scramble over each other in a half-stampede, furiously rolling their tents. Some are stumbling out, mostly asleep, as they check what the yelling is about. I run toward the Third Rotation. But there is a sight ahead of me that slows my feet before I reach the edge of camp.

The flames lick high into the air. Every hue from blazing orange to molten red streaks the sky. Smoke pours into the already thick smoke layer high above. The air is heavy with it. If we don’t move, this will be the thing to kill us.

I spot my brother shouting at the Bruma.

“Leave it all!” he screams at them.

And he’s right. I spur into action. Jovan stands watching the fire, too. What are they doing? Why aren’t they moving? Because they’ve never seen a wildfire.

“Jovan,” I shout. “Jovan!”

He turns my way. Smoke streaks his face.

“We have to go. Now!”

“Our supplies. We need them to lay siege.”

I nearly stamp my foot. “You need living soldiers more. Do you have any idea how quickly that fire will reach us? It might already be too late!”

He whips his head back toward the growing inferno.

With a nod, he signals his men. He might not believe the fire will do as I say, yet, but he trusts me.

“We need to leave everything. We need to retreat to the First. We can’t be caught at the river on the bridge or we won't have enough time to cross.”

Jovan’s face grows grim. He shouts to Malir and Rhone, “Give the order—only take weapons and shields!”

I watch as the message spreads. But there’s not enough urgency. They walk when they need to run as though hell was snapping at their heels.

Jovan and I sprint through the camp, dragging men up and pushing them toward the First. I scream at Bruma to run until finally, I can see the panic spread. Panic is good like that. I’d take pride in the stampede we create if the heat behind me wasn’t growing to unbearable levels already. Sweat pours from me, soaking my robes. I spot Aquin pulling the older members of the council and Adox onto the backs of dromeda. Hamish runs ahead, Soar slung across his back.

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