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Chapter 18

Roksana

For three days, we’d been in the saddle. My rear treated every bounce, misstep, and change in pace like a personal insult, and I was starting to agree. Everything ached. It could have been worse. The huge geldings Rey gave us were worth their weight in gold—swift, gentle-paced, lethal when threatened, and obedient. Only Tova hated their guts, complaining about being tossed between mine and Irsha’s mounts.

‘We’ll cross into Lumivitae soon,’ Irsha said as he slowed from a canter. ‘Shouldn’t you change?’

He squinted at the low sun heading towards the horizon. Shadows in the forest lengthened, and Irsha tensed, as if expecting something to jump from the undergrowth and attack.

‘There’s a garrison just before the border. We’ll stay the night there. Then I’ll change in the morning.’ I looked at Blade and sighed. ‘We’ll have to trade one of the horses for something smaller that Tova can ride.’

‘So now I get my own horse. Do you want Irsha to run beside us? I’d pay to see that.’ Tova grinned, adjusting his position behind me. Irsha only rolled his eyes and made an obscene gesture.

‘I’ll ride with Irsha. We can tell the Lumivitae patrols my carriage broke an axle on those awful human roads.’

That ended the discussion, and for another hour we travelled in silence. Irsha was too focused on ensuring the road was safe, Tova too annoyed to speak, and I too busy mulling over the best way of getting into Niersen’s castle.

Only there was no good option, and even if we got inside, leaving with a fae corpse was another matter.

‘Halt! Who goes there?’ the gate guard shouted, and his companions aimed their spears in our direction.

‘Travellers,’ I answered, reaching for my hood. I kept my mask on, just like Irsha. The Brotherhood’s infamy ensured no one asked too many questions, and no one would dare bother a dwarf escorted by two assassins.

The garrison guards didn’t delay us long. The moment Deadly Nightshade’s mask was exposed, the wooden doors opened for us.

‘Lead me to the captain,’ I commanded, then followed when the soldier nodded and hurried away. He was so stiff, I was surprised he didn’t break into a run.

The captain’s office was a dark room at the back of the garrison, and judging by the unmade bed, it also served as his private quarters.

‘My lady, how may I be of service?’ The man stood up as I entered, sparing Irsha and Tova a glance.

‘We need food and a place to rest. Also, a horse suitable for my stature,’ Tova answered before I could speak. Tired, I struggled to suppress my annoyance when the captain looked at him as if noticing his presence for the first time.

I waited for the captain to make his assumptions before adding, ‘We also require a report on Lumivitae movement near the border. Or more precisely, how to avoid them.’ I looked for somewhere to sit.

‘You can go through the forest, I suppose. There are fewer guard posts there, and until recently troop movement had been at the bare minimum to control bandits. Trade remained at its usual level. However, in the last week, border guards have been inspecting every single wagon that travels through their land.’ He shook his head and swiped a pile of dirty clothes from the chair before offering it to me.

‘Where are their posts located?’ Irsha asked, as he unfolded the map. ‘And is this road still a viable route?’

The captain gave a low whistle as his gaze drifted to the small trail through the fae forest. I recognised the Observers’ impeccable work.

‘Here and here.’ He pointed to the small clearing beside the main road. ‘They sometimes patrol closer, but your safest bet is this road. Before you ask, each post is manned by ten to fifteen fae.’

The forest route was risky, and normally I would avoid it, but Irsha and Tova could fight off any dangerous animals, and I could pose as a damsel in distress if we encountered the locals.

Tova’s yawn reminded me why we were here.

‘Thank you, captain. Now, where can we rest?’ I asked.

He shouted for his adjutant, then turned to me with a deep sigh.

‘He’ll take you to our guest room. Your men can sleep in the soldiers’ barracks, my lady. We only have one room for visitors,’ the captain said, but I shook my head.

‘One room is fine for all of us. I’m afraid I can’t part with my escort.’ It sounded more regal than I intended. Tova’s eyebrows shot up, but thankfully he didn’t comment.

A moment later, the adjutant led us through dim corridors to the back of the main garrison building. It was barely large enough for a bed and a nightstand. Irsha took one look at it and turned on his heel.

‘I’ll sleep with the soldiers. There’s not enough space on the floor unless Tova sleeps on top of me, and neither of us wants that.’ His expression sobered when he looked at the dwarf. ‘Guard her with your life.’