However, Ellery remained with her family. One of the chained amsirah stumbled and nearly went down, but the ones tethered to him jerked up on the chain and helped keep the man on his feet.
When the last guard rode past the manor, he looked at Ellery and the others. He called out to them, “This is what happens when you don’t pay your taxes.”
No one spoke as the contingent rode over the crest of another hill and vanished. Even the woods were strangely hushed as the clop of the horses’ hooves and jingle of chains faded. All that remained was the settling cloud of dust.
I leaned against a tree and crossed my arms as I watched Ellery and waited to ensure no one else was coming. While I waited, I pondered Ivan’s actions.
He’d turned those men and women into a spectacle for all the realm to see so he could make a point. The soldiers had most likely been gathering and marching all those who couldn’t pay since yesterday.
Because the prisoners were on foot, it had taken longer to traverse the realm and the roads than it had for the caravan full of money. When it came to that line of doomed souls, Ivan wouldn’t allow any shortcuts through the woods.
They would march throughout the entire realm. They’d traverse all the main roads and towns to ensure everyone saw them and knew he wasn’t fucking around.
I wondered if they’d sit in a dungeon or be put to work; I suspected it would be the latter. That work would be relentless and possibly deadly, but what did Ivan care? If he broke these toys, he could always get new ones.
FUCK!
I ran a hand through my hair and tugged angrily at its ends. Yes, we’d made a small, successful move against Ivan, but it was all moving so slowly. By the time we could cause any real damage, there might not be anyone left to fight the assholes running this realm.
Patience. If you move too fast, it will all fail.
That was true, but if we waited too long, more would suffer, and shit could get worse. I didn’t know how it could get worse, but I was sure the nobles and Ivan did.
Across the way, Ellery looked so despondent I had to restrain myself from going to her as the hoofbeats of more horses and the jingle of bridles approached again. A carriage broke over the crest, hauling a load of hay.
Behind it, several single riders made their way down the road. So many riders approaching made it impossible to go to her, and if the rising dust cloud was any indicator, more were coming.
The road was exceptionally busy today. I studied the manor while trying to formulate a plan. I could open a portal into the stables, but if someone other than Ellery and her family saw me there, it would cause too many problems.
I was concerned about her impulsive decisions; I couldn’t make one now because I wanted to see her again.
I wanted to get things straightened out between us now, but I couldn’t put her in danger. It would have to wait until tonight.
Ellery’s mother said something to her, and they turned away. I loathed the dejected set of her shoulders as they walked behind the manor and out of view.
I stood in the shadows for another hour as more riders passed. Some stopped at the manor for water for themselves and their mounts or to exchange news—there was plenty of that in Tempest this morning.
The more riders who came, the more they solidified my decision to stay away. I watched over the manor to ensure everything stayed relatively quiet, but I couldn’t stay there all day. The road was busy, and someone might spot me.
Reluctantly, I retreated to open a portal to my father’s castle. I might as well make an appearance; my father might have some news about the robbery.
CHAPTERNINETY-FIVE
Ellery
Most of theday passed in a blur of work, but it was occasionally interrupted by a passing traveler. More of them had stopped today than they had all year, but word of the robbery had spread, and many were excited to discuss it.
They also whispered of Ivan’s wrath. They said he was tearing apart the towns in search of those who’d robbed him. Most of those who stopped speculated on the identity of the thieves as they were eager to share it wasn’t the Hooded Robber this time… or at least it wasn’tonlythe Hooded Robber.
They speculated if he’d recruited more to help him or if a gang of thieves had copycatted him and were running through the Revenant Woods. They pondered if some of the money would find its way into the hands of those who needed it or if the thieves would keep it for themselves.
Would they be foolish enough to spend it? Would they hide it? What could they possibly do with it if they couldn’t leave Tempest?
They fired those questions at us as rumors ran rampant. I’d never seen the road outside our house so busy as amsirah traveled to learn and spread more gossip.
One thing they all had in common was excitement. They werethrilledthe king was robbed, excited about this small sign of disobedience in a realm battered into submission. I doubted the air at the earl’s party would be as celebratory tomorrow night.
Their joy and the buzz of possibilities it created was the one bright spot in my otherwise miserable day. Not only did Ryker haunt me, but that line of prisoners also did.
