Page 19 of A Kingdom of Lies
How far had the Hand’s poison spread. Most importantly, how quickly?
All around me the humans reacted with both shock and anger, encouraged more by each other. Even the small voices of children cried out.
I gritted my teeth, glowering through the shadow of the cloak’s hood as I studied the faces to see if there was anyone or anything I recognised. Besides the black-beamed and white-panelled buildings, the town around me looked no different to any other settlement that peppered Durmain’s expansive lands. And from the carts and stalls that the people stood amongst it was clear the town relied heavily on street trade rather than the traditional experience of shops in the bigger cities.
I was close to Grove. Home. But how close still remained a secret.
The stag huffed in discomfort as the crowd grew in confidence and stepped closer to me.
“Keep your distance.” My warning was wasted, drowned out by the cries of the crowd gathering around me. I yanked my arm towards me as a man with dirtied hands and a mouth full of missing teeth reached for me. “I said stay back.”
“Lost, are you?”
“Looks like it. Took a wrong turn.”
“Fucking fey scum.”
“Someone call for the Hunters!”
Yes, I thought.Let them know I am back.
Something wet crashed into the side of my face. I whipped my head around, my fingers reaching up only to come back wet with a thick, white liquid that made my stomach heave.
I blinked once and saw red.
“Enough!” My cry tore through the crowds, sounding no different to a torrent of screaming winter winds. All around me the crowd tumbled backwards, forced by the hands of my storm. A chorus of their frightened shouts froze, immortalised in a cloud of breath that fogged beyond their mouths.
No one else spoke, not as they looked up at me with intense fear.
I didn’t blame them for their reaction. Power radiated from my very skin. It spread across the cobbled street, lacing up the closest building’s outer walls until everything was devoured in a glittering layer of ice.
My stag bucked, causing the humans closest to me to get out of the way. I would’ve kept spilling out the powerful magic to instil fear, but my eyes caught the terror-stricken face of a child, no more than five, gripping onto his mother’s skirt where he hid. His wide, tear-filled eyes reminded me that this fury could be controlled. I reined in my power, calling it back within.
“I asked a question.” I drew out my words, struggling to force some decorum. “And would very much appreciate an answer. Where am I?”
My heartbeat drummed in my ears as I waited for a response.
“You have no dealings here.” A woman spoke, the very same who had her child tucked behind her in protection. “There’s nothing for you.”
“Answer the question and then I shall leave,” I called out, allowing everyone to hear. “It’s rather simple actually.”
Her lip curled in disgust, then parted as the answer came out. “Ashbury.”
The moment the woman confirmed our location my brain raced with pinpointing it upon the blurry map in my mind. Perhaps it was my sense of urgency to leave that made the destination familiar. Ashbury was half a day’s ride to Grove, a trading town that sat in the heart of a collection of villages; many could get food and items they required without travelling miles to Lockinge. I hadn’t been here for many years which was why I’d not recognised it.
Now I had my answer, there was no need to hesitate to leave. I was already clapping my heels into the stag’s side and urging him forward with a click of my tongue when the shouting began again. Keeping my head down and body tight to the stag, I allowed the loud clatter of its hooves to signal the crowd ahead to move out of the way.
As I rode against the wind, cheeks stinging with cold, I wondered how long it would take for the Hunters to catch word of my appearance. I hoped my short stop in Ashbury had piqued the interest of those whom I wished to know I was here. Just not yet. There were some rather pressing matters I wanted to take care of before the Hunters caught up to me. Then they were welcome to find me.
Let them come.My dark thought encouraged a grin.I have use for them.
CHAPTER 7
The King’s Head tavern was as busy as I last remembered it. Even as I trudged through the main street of Grove, I heard the noise of drunkards singing and ale-thick laughter spilling beyond the aged door and iron-framed windows.
I’d waited for night to fall before entering Grove. Unlike with Ashbury, it was best I didn’t make a scene. I left my stag at the village’s outer limits and as far from human eyes as possible. Then I slipped into town during the darkening of early evening; no one paid attention to another cloaked figure fighting their way through the cold breeze that ripped through the narrow street in search of a drink to warm themselves up.
The welcoming stench of stale ale enveloped me as I entered the tavern, bringing a sense of comfort. I’d almost forgotten how strong the scent was, stubborn enough to cling to clothes for days no matter how many times they were washed through with warm water. And the taste of ale… I longed for it.
