Page 13 of A Simple Truth (the Freckled Fate #2)

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GIDEON

T he loud clicks of iron horseshoes against the cobbled street echoed through the foggy, provincial town as layers of winter clouds obstructed the twilight sky. My lungs filled with the familiar, moldy air, courtesy of the ever-running Rusty Canal, which surrounded the town. I glanced over at the few small shops and stores as my fully armored soldiers slowly marched ahead. Each mossy stone stood exactly as it had twenty years ago. Innocent memories were tucked in between those narrow alleys and hidden alcoves, in between those misshapen stone and wooden buildings. However, nothing brought as many memories as the large fortress, which was perched on its own island amidst the murky waters.

The Blackstone Castle gleamed in its full glory against the evening haze. Heavy clouds lingered on its tall, rounded towers as sky bridges connected a labyrinth of pillars, reaching far into the sky. The entire castle was an all-encompassing black, swallowing the light around it like a void. A Destroyer’s citadel, yet there was nothing resembling looks and luxury; just sheer, brute force and power built into never-ending walls, all charcoaled by Justice Fire.

I looked over at my battalion, following closely behind; lines of soldiers dressed in silver armor, trailed in unity like silent predators. The vibrating rock was the only sign of the Destroyer army approaching.

“Ready?” Orest asked as we got closer to the big, iron gates, making our way down the large drawbridge and over the dark waters of the canal. I nodded, putting on my hefty helm. The pervasive discontentment was settling down deep in my bones, and I had only made it to the gates.

My lip curled down as we passed through the fortress’s thick walls at last, entering the clean and spacious courtyard. I deliberately reeled in whatever irritation lingered under my skin, replacing it with the casual, almost bored look of the Destroyer General.

The few soldiers still lingering in the enclosure straightened up, their eyes warily watched us file in, some of them hastily scattering away from my battalion.

The corner of my mouth tugged upward in a satisfied smirk as I smelled fear thickly laced within the foggy air, fear caused by my arrival.

I guess some things truly didn’t change here.

I let the silver flames flicker in my eyes amidst the dusky evening, for all to see, for all to know.

The Lord of Death had come home.