Page 137 of Scorched Earth (Dark Shores #4)

TERIANA

“I wish there was time to say good-bye,” Teriana said to her aunt as she climbed to the quarterdeck of the Quincense . Night was heavy upon Serlania, but the city itself glowed like a beacon. Which she supposed it was. The last holdout of the living in Mudamora.

“Not worth the risk,” Yedda replied. “And we can’t spare the time.

The legions are quick. We must be quicker.

The other ships have already headed out to deeper waters, and we do not want them making plans without us.

Especially Kalin and Vane—those two both seek blood and vengeance. But this strategy is yours, Teriana.”

A sharp whistle cut the air. “A boat approaches.”

Teriana’s heart skipped, certain it was Lydia, but as she peered over the rail into the shadows of the sea below, it was to see Agrippa looking up at her. “Drop a ladder.”

Her curiosity grew as she noted the giant in the boat with him. “Let’s see what he wants.”

The ex-legionnaire scampered up the ladder with ease, landing with a soft thud on steady feet despite the rocking deck. She was struck by how, even with years separating him from the Thirty-Seventh, he still looked like one of them. Something about the way he moved.

“Finn told me about your speech, and it was a good one,” Agrippa said. “And it’s a good plan. But it’s not going to work.”

Teriana parted her lips to argue, but he didn’t give her a chance.

“You need more allies. Allies who understand the enemy better than the Gamdeshians or Arinoquians ever will. Allies who already understand what it means to lose to the Empire but who fight back all the same.”

“Who do you suggest?”

Agrippa drew in a deep breath. “You need Bardeen.”

Frustration filled Teriana, because she didn’t have time for this. “I’d do a great deal to form an alliance with the rebels. But not only do I not have time to forge new alliances, I have no connection to them. All I know about their leader is that she fights with a Thirty-Seventh gladius.”

A smile rose on Agrippa’s lips. “I knew she’d rise to the top. She was destined for it.”

“You know her?”

“I’d bet every coin to my name that the Bardenese rebel leader’s name is Silvara, and that gladius she carries is mine.

Find her, Teriana, and you’ll have a fighting chance of making this work, because however much the West hates the Empire, Bardeen’s wrath is tenfold as fierce.

And they know everything there is to know about fighting the legions. ”

This hadn’t been part of Teriana’s plans, her ambition limited to uniting the Southern Continent and the Maarin doing the rest. But if she could rally the provinces that already resisted the Senate in the East… “You think she’ll speak to me?”

“Silvara’s vendetta against Marcus is personal.” Agrippa’s smile was grim. “But to reach her in time, you’re going to need full sails. Which is convenient, because I have a friend who needs to escape.” He motioned to the giant standing behind him. “So how about you both help each other out.”