Page 29 of Wind and Water (Reign of the Witch Queen #2)
As soon as the reunion is over, I speak with Corell. He agrees that Wren’s presence puts the herd at risk. To protect the children, he’s more than happy to allow Jadar, Wellon, and Pallon to carry us to the portal that stands half a day’s ride from here.
Corell grips my arm near the elbow in a traditional way, as friends and soldiers do when parting. “I will see you at your mother’s home in a few days.”
I dig in my bag, pull out my uniform jacket, and tear the patch from the shoulder.
It is the deep blue of my mother’s rule, with a green diamond at its center.
I was given the royal color green at my birth, and this patch will let Tús Nua know I am alive, and these centaurs are my friends.
There are no guarantees that either party will reach the new capital.
I hand him the patch. “Should you arrive first, give this to my mother and tell her of our friendship. She will see that your people are safe and cared for.”
His eyes flare with something unsaid as he turns and orders the centaurs to head north.
I get on Wellon’s back, and the six of us watch the others ride away. Some weep over the loss of Belloc and Toball. Others hug their sons who returned unharmed. Worry for my brothers does me no good, and I push it aside as best I can.
“We should put distance between us before the witch queen regains her strength.”
Jadar nods as he is the senior of the three soldiers. He turns, and we ride northwest.
I send up a prayer to the old gods that the portal will bring us to safety. I’ll not deny that the idea of sleeping in my bed tonight is motivating. The thought of lying in that bed with Wren in my arms makes me wish centaurs had wings.
Long grass gives way to rolling hills. Deeper greens and tall trees remind me more of home.
It’s harder riding, though the centaurs show no sign of tiring.
They’re remarkable creatures. I’ve come to admire their sense of honor and intelligence.
In the short time I’ve known them, I’ve seen no dissidence, no betrayal, and no improper use of magic.
They mostly use their magic to heal, preferring bow and arrow for battle.
They transfer their magic to boost mine, but I’ve seen no magic used for offense.
It’s shameful that elves have avoided knowing them all these many generations.
Wellon asks, “Do you think your people will be offended by our arrival?”
Wren and Birdie both turn and look at me, waiting for my answer. Wren cocks her head, her curious and stunning eyes fixed on mine.
Pallon and Jadar don’t turn, but I’m sure they, too, are curious. Honestly, I’m not certain what will happen, but I have faith.
“It will be something new for them, just as it was new for me the day we met. I want to believe the elves will embrace the changing world and accept both the centaurs’ differences as well as our similarities.
” I know my mother will listen, and once she does, she’ll be happy for the alliance.
Father is always slower to change, but he’ll get there in time.
“What similarities?” Pallon keeps his gaze focused on the land ahead of us.
I think about the young ones whom Birdie sacrificed and suffered to save.
She still hasn’t shared her experience, but it must have been terrible.
“We have much in common, Pallon. We love our children. We want to protect our people. We live in the embrace of light magic and despise the use of dark. I’m sure there will be more commonalities discovered as our people mingle and learn about each other.
A smile tugs at Wren’s lips. “Good people always have some common ground to unite them.”
Jadar chuckles. “The elves will think we’ve come to attack them. It will take time to build trust.” He pauses. “Still, I am curious to see the city and meet your people. I have never seen anyplace with more people than Clandunna, and that wasn’t much bigger than our village.”
Birdie says. “Once they see how handsome you are, you’ll have all the lady elves fawning over you.”
All three laugh.
Wren’s smile could keep the sun from setting. “At least you’re not arriving with the expectation of you saving the world. Imagine how I feel.”
Before I can open my mouth, Jadar says, “If anyone can defeat the witch, it is you, Wren Martin.”
I couldn’t agree with him more, yet I wish I could steal her away and keep her safe.
Adhar screeches a high-pitched warning from above.
A dark mass flies toward us.
“Is that more demons? Lord above, this bitch of a witch queen has got to be shown the door.” Birdie squints at whatever’s coming.
My gut tightens. “Crows. Venora controls them. Get down and try to find cover. They will dive when they get close enough.”
Wren and I jump to the ground as well. There’s no water for Wren to use as a weapon here on higher ground. It’s dry, short grass with some trees and shrubbery.
The centaurs pull out their bows and quivers.
Birdie takes cover behind a tree.
I wish Wren would stay with her mother, but she stands by my side and pulls the sword we found in Clandunna from her sheath.
The first crow dives for Jadar. He lets an arrow fly, and the bird crashes to the ground with the arrow’s red feathers pointing up like a declaration of war.
More dive at the centaurs who fight with short swords for close combat. Several more crows fall, but one pecks Pallon’s head.
Adhar dives like a missile and hits a crow heading for Wren. The raven kills with one strike and lands on her prey with a loud croak before flying to the tree limb above Birdie and standing guard like a sentinel.
Slicing the air, I time my strokes to take out as many birds as I can without using magic. We’ve used so much since arriving in Domhan, even with the help of the leighis berry, I feel drained from overusing my gifts.
Wren swings her sword at several attackers. The sudden onslaught forces her back.
The sky is black with crows, and hundreds dive and retreat, dive and retreat. Many litter the ground in pieces as their blood soaks the short grass. It feels like they will never stop coming, and we will run out of weapons and energy before this is over.
Jadar’s hindquarters are gashed and bleeding, and hundreds more come in a never-ending river of cawing and clawing menace.
I’m struck, but keep swinging my sword, ignoring the blood running into my eyes.
Wren screams.
A growl sounds from the bushes. Two wolves as big as cattle and sick with dark magic stalk toward her. Their teeth bared, they focus on Wren and no other.
The crows separated her, and now the wolves are pushing her back farther.
It’s a trap. “Wren, run!”
Wide-eyed, she keeps swinging her sword and looking for an escape route. Between the crows and the wolves, there’s no place for her to go.
Unable to get past the crows, I double my efforts, pushing magic into my arms and sword to move faster and cut more accurately.
A wolf howls, and the second follows.
Wren calls the wind, but the wolves only lower their massive bodies to the ground, and the wind passes over them, blowing their ratty fur.
Magic, dark and nauseating, fills the air and pulses against my flesh. The hair on the back of my neck stands up in warning.
I search for the source.
The remaining crows caw and rise into the sky.
Wren is twenty yards from the rest of us. This trap was perfectly laid. They’ve moved her away. I run toward her.
One wolf faces me and growls. It’s bared teeth drip with saliva, brown from rot. Its hair is matted and dirty, and though twice the size of a normal wolf, its ribs strain against thin skin.
The prickling of dark magic strengthens.
A portal opens in the ground beneath Wren, her eyes go wide, and she looks at me before falling away. Her scream echoes through my mind.
“No!” I use elf speed to reach the edge of the portal without the wolves tracking me.
“Get Birdie to Tús Nua,” I scream, then dive into the closing portal.
The wolf’s claws catch my calf, but it’s too late.
I follow the song of Wren’s soul and fall through darkness that rips at my flesh, and it feels as if my bones are coming apart.
This portal holds no light. There are no worlds flashing past or stars shooting by. There is nothing but pain and emptiness in this downward spiral.