Page 32 of Memory of Ashes

“How did they capture him?” she asked instead, hoping to deflect the attention.

Casyl turned and began pacing around the tent. She’d never seen him like this.

He swept his raven-black hair back. “We were in battle. We’d been fighting since the early hours. Their side was taking hit after hit. We had the advantage.” He paused, collecting himself. “And then the Mind Warper arrived. I saw the fighting thicken around Tharos and his battalion. By the time I realised they were being targeted, the signal to retreat had been sounded, and Tharos’s banner fell. I did not know that they even had one on their side.”

“What is a Mind Warper?” Amelia asked.

“Dangerous,” Danae said. “They must be powerful if they could control Tharos.”

“I’ve not seen one in battle for centuries,” Casyl said.

Centuries? Just how long did these fae live?

“And you know Tharos is alive, how?” Ruven asked.

Casyl marched from the tent and through the camp in a rage. The storm clouds followed him. Amelia struggled to keep pace.

He stopped near the edge of the last tents and pointed towards the enemy camp. “They’re goading us.”

Casyl’s pain was clear. She was surprised that it bothered her.

She squinted. In the distance, a man had been tied to a pole in the middle of the enemy camp.

“How can you tell he’s alive?” Amelia asked them.

“Our vision is better than yours,” Casyl said.

“So, what’s the plan?” Ruven asked.

“Take me with you,” Amelia said.

They all turned to her.

Was she doing the right thing? She couldn’t take it back now.

“This is what you’ve been training me for, right?”

Casyl frowned, considering.

“What if they know she’s here?” Danae asked.

“I’m sure they do,” Casyl said. “That’s why Tharos is still alive. But we can’t leave him.”

“Are you sure?” Casyl turned to Amelia.

If she could help to save Tharos, that would be one less death on her conscience.

She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

“It’s getting dark. We need to prepare. Find Amelia some armour and a weapon. Oh, and Ruven, you’re staying here.”

“Like hell I am!” Ruven shouted. She’d never heard him so much as raise his voice before. “He’s like my brother. I can’t just sit here.”

“Like you said, you’re now my second. That means you’re in charge of the army whilst we’re on this mission. If anything happens to us, you need to take charge,” Casyl said, grabbing Ruven by the shoulders. “That’s an order.”

*

Casyl helped Amelia dress. His hands were gentle as he fastened the armour onto her. Neither of them spoke. The silence felt strangely intimate.