Page 102 of Memory of Ashes

“They’re back at the mountain. I can show you.”

“We need to start moving out,” Casyl said, coming towards them with Elthar. “This place needs to be clear in the next few minutes. We’re ready to plant the bombs.”

“She says she knows where there are more runes on the mountain,” Eleandor said to Elthar. “Perhaps they’re linked.”

“Amelia, travel with Elthar and his army,” Casyl said. “Head towards the rift and we’ll catch up when we’re done here.”

“I’m staying with you,” she said.

“No.” He wasn’t used to people disagreeing with him.

Elthar gestured towards the tunnel. “We’ll wait outside.” He led the others away, giving them some privacy.

“Amelia, I need you to go with Elthar.”

“I’m staying with you.” She wasn’t about to just leave him there, not knowing what would happen to him.

“We don’t have time to argue about this. I need you to go. If you stay, I can’t concentrate. It’s too dangerous for you here. We can’t die, remember? Please, Amelia,” he pleaded, and she relented.

They walked out of the tunnel to find Elthar waiting with his brows raised.

“She’s going with you,” Casyl confirmed. “Look after her. I’ll send Danae with you.”

“Of course. We’ll make our way towards the mountain and wait for you there, far away from the blast. Good luck.”

They clasped hands, and Elthar mounted his horse. His men were ready to leave.

Amelia turned to Casyl. “Be careful,” she said, and kissed him.

He returned her kiss fiercely. “Go.”

Danae was already mounted, waiting for her with her horse. “Are you ready?” Danae asked.

“I’m about as ready as I can be. I’m glad of your company, though.” She smiled.

Danae was the only other woman among thousands of warriors. Somewhere along the way, she’d become Amelia’s friend.

She mounted, cringing at the thought of another long ride, and turned to watch as Casyl, Ruven and Tharos started helping to load the explosives into the mine.

They disappeared into the dark tunnel, and she trotted to join Elthar at the front of his army.

Stars shone in the night sky as they travelled towards Mount Ryjul. The fae had no issue seeing where they were going, their vision superior to hers. She followed them blindly into the darkness.

Eleandor pulled his horse up beside her. “When we get to the mountain, we’ll look for the runes.”

“Will you go back through even if you can’t close it?” she asked.

“That will be up to King Elthar and Casyl. We can’t remain in your world much longer. There may be implications.”

Casyl, Ruven, and Tharos were at the mine now, planting the explosives. He had assured her that the blast could not kill him in this world, but what if they were buried alive like the creatures? What if he sustained injuries that followed him through the rift? Could those kill him once he returned home?

“You said there was a prophecy, that a descendant of both bloodlines would unite you. Do you really believe that?”

“Tiryn did, but there’s a lot in the holy lore that I don’t believe.” He smiled. “The priests also claim that in ascension, you join the sky in eternal rest at the summit, and your energy becomes part of the veil that keeps the shadows out.” He shook his head.

“What if you descend?” she asked. The idea of their religion wasn’t too dissimilar to what humans believed.

“Ah, descension, that’s what you humans call hell. Beneath the sacred mountain, abominable creatures, shadows worse than the Leshies, lurk in utter darkness. If a soul descends, it will spend eternity being chased by the creatures of the dark and their shadows until it is caught.”