Page 19

A va’s wagon arrived at the main camp, the pounding of iron and murmur of soldiers sounding in the air. The smell of smoke, sweat and dirt snaked its way into the prison cart from the small window.

She had no idea how long they had traveled.

There was no way to discern time in her dismal box and though she had tried to mark the days based off the sunlight, her fear and exhaustion had her losing count by day four.

She had only been let out for brief moments to relieve herself and then shoved back into the wagon with measly scraps of food and hardly enough water to parch her dry throat.

She hadn’t heard from Luna yet and hoped she was safe and still looking for help. Maybe she could try to run when they moved her to the next location. It was worth a shot.

The cart rattled to a stop and Ava waited for the guard.

The door opened and bright light almost blinded her, forcing her to shade her face with her bound hands. After days of the dark wagon, she hadn’t accounted for how painful the sun would be. The guard reached in and dragged her out, setting her on her feet in the mud .

They were in an open field surrounded by hundreds of tents.

Smoke from scattered fires emerged in different directions.

To fight the mud, there were paths covered in straw, allowing the soldiers to walk around without sinking into the muck.

She looked around subtly, learning the layout and searching for a place to run if she got the opportunity.

Scorch marks and tree stumps lined the camp, evidence of the devastation of the land, and Ava felt an ache of sadness for the flora and fauna that once was. A sense of violence and savagery floated through the air as the grunts and shouts of daemon soldiers sounded.

A sharp yank of her arm had her stumbling as they walked through camp.

“Come on,” the guard said, pulling her along.

She couldn’t see much beyond the massive camp but caught a glimpse of towering mountains far in the distance behind more rolling fields and clusters of trees.

The moment she saw those mountains, something washed over her.

Like a sense of peace remained out of reach and urged her to go there, to find something beyond those green peaks.

She had to reach those mountains, though she didn’t know why.

Soldiers bustled about in their daily activities, some of them sparring while others laughed around a fire.

Some wore the same armor as the group surrounding her while the rest of them were in tunics and pants of browns and blacks.

They passed by a blacksmith, hammering away at a giant weapon with spikes and blades, the clang ringing in Ava’s ears.

The smells of sweat, roasted meat, refuse and mud stung her nostrils as she trembled while the guard led her down the center of their stronghold. Her hands were clammy as she pleaded with her tears to stay away.

As they passed through camp, the soldiers noticed their party and immediately bowed. Voices young and old sounded, revering their queen .

“You’ve returned, my queen.”

“We’ve waited for you.”

“It’s an honor to be in your presence again.”

Deidamia barely acknowledged them other than a curt nod and Andras looked at them with apathy as they led Ava and her guards to a tent in the center of camp. It was larger than the others; built for royalty. Crimson pennants embellished with their horned insignia flapped in the wind atop the tent.

Creatures occupied the space near the large tents.

Terrifying demon-like animals in cages, snarling and lunging as they passed by.

Giant wolves with red glowing eyes, black fur and huge paws, drool dripping from their canines as they growled.

Winged creatures, bigger than men with claws and teeth, flew overhead, grinning greedily.

There were giant insects, black as night with pincers buzzing about the camp and great silver serpents were chained near Deidamia’s tent, hissing and snapping as they walked by, foot long fangs dripping with venom.

If she tried to flee, would they send these beasts after her?

She should have jumped out of the wagon and taken off the moment the door was opened but it was too late. Even if she was able to free herself from her guard’s grip, she would barely make it a few feet before either soldiers or animals were upon her.

Or Andras’ shadows.

Trembling and terrified, knowing any one of these creatures or soldiers could cut her down in one swipe and not think twice about it, she decided against running for now. She would have to wait for a more sensible opportunity.

They stopped before the large tent and Andras turned to Ava and her guards. “Put her with the other prisoners,” he ordered, and they led her toward a smaller tent guarded by two soldiers.

“What do we have here?” one of them crooned as she walked forward and grasped Ava’s chin, inspecting her. She tried to jerk away but the soldier was too strong and laughed in her face as she released Ava and opened the flap of the tent to allow the party to enter.

It was dark inside, the only light from several braziers with their crackling embers providing a subtle glow.

The tent was larger than it had appeared and contained several metal cages, two of them holding other captives.

On the side opposite the cages, three metal poles stood, rings welded onto them where one might attach chains or manacles.

The tent reeked, a mix between rot, body odor and feces and the prisoners appeared to be asleep as they entered.

They brought her to one of the poles and produced a long chain.

Panicking, she tried to break free and slammed her bound hands against the face of one of the soldiers who wasn’t wearing a helmet.

He snarled as two others shoved her into a seated position on the ground.

She kicked and screamed, trying to break free, as they held her down, back against the metal pole.

The soldier she had hit walked up to her and backhanded her across the cheek.

Ears ringing, the world spun as they attached her wrists to the metal ring above her.

Binding her ankles, they chained them to another ring at the bottom of the pole.

Barely enough room to stretch her legs, but not enough to kick or attempt to escape.

They left without saying a word. Why hadn’t they killed her? Why keep her here? Her cheek throbbed and head pounded as she worried about their plans for her.

Laying her head back against the pole, Ava let the tears fall once again.