“The kids know what the stakes are.”
I know she’s worried about her son’s safety. I also know that I have to keep us from falling into infighting and pointing fingers, or we’ll be crushed.
“The only ones responsible for this war—every piece of it—are the Skía and their pirates,” I say firmly. “Given what they’re bringing ashore, I would say there isn’t time to evacuate the encampment. We have a little time to set a trap of our own and find help.”
“Help? From who?”
“I’ll handle that.” Tovian’s getting a surprise visit. I’m scared of traveling alone, but I know what I need to do. Orisa can’t come with me. “Luza and Orisa, get as many of our current residents resettled with the others living in the caves on the western shore. I need both of you to marshall the weapons and bikes we’ve stolen, as quickly as possible. Anyone who knows how to shoot or ride, no matter how badly—bring them to the camp as quickly and quietly as you can. Do not let the pirates see you.”
What we’ve accomplished this summer is a good start. We’ve stemmed the bleeding, held our own against a formidable opponent and even managed to knock them back on their heels.
I’m not going to let all our hard work fall apart now.
Part of me is still furious with King Rohan and Cata, the Auralian leaders who spent two years planning for this attack and still managed to be caught flat-footed.
Although I suppose that means I have to be mad at myself.
Technically, I was only in charge of medical provisions and leading my own tribe. Yet I can hardly claim we’re well-provisioned with basics like antibiotics, pain medication, sutures—all those modern necessities I was supposed to be stockpiling. We have some, but they’re inconveniently located at River Bend and woefully inadequate to the scale of damage.
I never imagined the invasion would be this brutal and bloody.
“The camp likely being watched, so don’t make it obvious that we’re leaving, Ephram,” I continued. “Keep someone stationed here on the wall. When they start moving the ATVs onto land, that’s when you get our fighters into place.” I get up, dusting my pants and shouldering my day pack.
“Where are we going?” Orisa asks, following.
“I am going in search of help.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“No. You’ll slow me down.” Hurt blossoms in my guard’s expression. “Orisa. You’ve already sacrificed so much to help us. Don’t feel as though you need to do more.”
“I promised to guard you with my life.”
“I know.” I take her hands. “I know. It’s all right. I’ll be fine. You are in much more danger than I am, by staying. Promise me you won’t get hurt or captured again.”
She squeezes my hands and doesn’t meet my eyes. We all know that’s a vow none of us can keep.
“I don’t like you going off unescorted, Princess.” Ephram says. “I don’t fancy having my head served to me by the Mysec king.”
“He won’t.” I step backwards. I have to go now, before I lose my courage. My father will absolutely pitch a fit if I die out here. He loves me, even if he doesn’t approve of what I’m doing. “Keep our people safe! I’ll be back with reinforcements!”
I run along the rock ledge where, two months ago, Tovian led me to Oceanside. The path along the top of the wall rises higher and higher, stealing my breath as I try to stay low and out of sight of the boats. A stiff, cold breeze come off the ocean to my right. To my left is the moonlit canopy and haunting sounds of The Boscage.
I only hope Tovian finds me before the dragons do.
Chapter 11
Sometime after midnight, judging by the angle of the moon, the wall reaches its maximum height and levels off. I trudge along, sometimes talking to myself, other times silent, listening for danger as I run and walk in alternating bursts.
The summer of constant physical activity and relative hardship had honed my muscles and endurance, but I set off without much in the way of supplies. I sip water sparingly, hoping to pass a stream or waterfall where I can refill it.
I don’t.
I scan the rocks for any recognizable rock formation, and find none. I have no sense of whether I’ve gone too far, or not far enough. Tovian never told me his tribe’s location, only its general direction. I know I wouldn’t make it through the jungle itself without running into Big Ada.
I’m never going to remember her real name is Big Eater. If the dragon even is a she. Could be male, for all I know.
“Tovian!” I shout. I imagine huge lizards bursting out of that impenetrable darkness to devour me, despite knowing, intellectually, that they glide from high places. They’re not capable of flying straight up. “TOVIAN!”
