Page 45 of Where Darkness Falls

I square my shoulders, setting my jaw.

It’s time to be the High General.

“Enough,” I command. “The two of you can bicker over this after we’ve apprehended our target.”

All three members of my cadre sit up a little taller.

“Yes, High General,” they reply in unison.

“Who’s our target?” asks Riordan. All humor is gone from his tone. My light-hearted friend has morphed into his role as my Third Commander—at least for now.

“One week ago, the king received a fire phoenix report from a captain in one of Malvoria’s southern villages, called Aurelius. The captain reported that he stumbled across a young woman bearing the Dragon’s Flame pendant,” I say, the words feeling like acid on my tongue.

“Holy Celestae,” says Riordan.

“I thought that was just a myth?” replies Laisren.

“It’s very much real,” I reply stoically. “We’re to examine the pendant and bring the woman back to the palace unharmed.”

Riordan chortles. “This sounds too easy. Why did we need to bring these blokes with us?” he asks, swinging his head in the direction of the gaggle behind us.

“I agree,” Virgil says. “What harm could a singular woman possess that requires such force?”

Laisren nods. “I side with Virgil on this one, Emyr,” he says. “What aren’t you telling us?”

I sigh, exasperated. “I was getting to that part, but you three are as bad as Galrosan children,” I snarl.

“Well, don’t take thirty years telling us the details, mate. Perhaps we won’t have to ask a barrage of questions,” Riordan jests.

“Remind me again why you are my Third Commander?” I grimace.

“My apologies, High General,” Riordan chuckles. “Do proceed.”

“As I was saying,” I continue, “the captain claims the woman wields a rare ability called starlight. The last time it was seen was over ten years ago, before the fall of Malvoria. Tiernan would like to examine her ability and see if the report is true.” I pause, taking a deep breath. “As for your question regarding the extra soldiers, Aurelius is unoccupied, except for the captain, so he requested reinforcements.”

“What happened to those stationed there? Did they run and hide like the cowards they are?” Riordan asks lightheartedly.

“Not exactly,” I reply.

“So, are they trapped in Aurelius by this woman?” Laisren asks.

“No. I find the report outlandish,” I say through clenched teeth.

The report sounds so mystical.

Ridiculous even.

What the captain claims doesn’t make sense because the woman is described as a commoner without proper training. If what he says is true, she’s keeping more than one secret.

“How so?” Laisren asks.

I push my hand through my short, cropped hair.

“According to the final report, she killed them all.”

We arrivein Aurelius by mid-afternoon. The streets are bustling with villagers as they scurry through the mist. The cobblestone roads are very uneven and loose in several places. The architecture is the same here as I’ve seen in several other villages and towns on our journey—tall, thatched roofs, large windows, and dark oak or mahogany doors. The mist shrouds the village like a widow’s mourning veil, hiding the sad truths within.

Every establishment appears to be a carbon copy of the last, except for one. I halt my steed to glance at the vines and flowers creeping their way up the trellises and walls. Hanging baskets of different arrangements cover every inch outside of this unique building. It’s chaotic and beautiful. In the last ten years, I’ve not seen such finery, even in the palace. My gaze shifts to the sign above the door—The Violet Lily Shop.