Page 122 of Winter Gods & Serpents

Snowlin shook her head, displeased. “Not my answer and a very, very wrong one.”

In a flashing moment her sword was in her hand slicing the man’s arm, she spun and dug her sword through his chest. Quicker than I could call my magic, quicker than what I’d seen anyone move before.

Cracking and stretching her neck she smiled and waved at us gleefully, as two men charged forward her. She sheathed her sword back and took her two daggers in her hand, swinging them playfully.

A man lifted an axe to attack her, and my hands braced the hilt of my weapon again.

Swiftly dodging under his arm, she stabbed him behind his neck. Her other dagger flying straight to another’s forehead, a death strike, and the other already bloodied dagger towards another. She unsheathed her elegant sword once more, prompting it atop her shoulder like a bat, and jumped on top of a table. Steel clunking from all sides and men after men toppled dead in front of her. This little woman was a titan, a trained assassin, and a blood hungry vixen. Her face had drenched in the dead men’s blood, she was unscathed, untouchable, a terrifyingly beautiful sight to behold, her movements gracious like I had not seen in any Isjordian or Adriatian soldier wield. Footsteps light, like petals dropping in the spring wind. Her use of strength minimal, her manner all tactical veering, evading and precision instant death strikes.

She jumped from the table, rounding her legs towards a man's neck, twisting and toppling him to the ground before digging her sword behind his back.

The lord's eyes had turned an angry shade of wild calling to his men, and a giant came towards her. She ran in his direction and swiftly slid under between his legs, her sword angling to anchor right on his back knee.

“Good knee?” she asked, standing. Her steel met two more men before turning to the giant and beheading him. “I suppose you might have needed that to decide.”

She didn’t even flinch when the decapitated head rolled towards the lord’s feet.

Death seeped in the air. My senses clouded, bitter taste of ash in my mouth and a crippling shiver over my skin.

Mal rested a hand on my shoulder. “Shut them, Kil.”

I couldn’t, not like he was able.

“Are we ready to answer now? I am not as kind as to offer a third chance,” she called, stretching her back.

The lord stumbled to his feet half drunk, half in fear and she politely motioned him towards our table and he did as told.

Her daggers clanked on the table blood splattering all over while she perched on her seat next to the lord. The dark hair had matted and turned a shining dark ruby in blood, her face masked from it and her eyes, the amber fires shining brightly standing out like yellow diamonds. I could not even believe the thoughts that were crossing through my mind at her entrancing sight.

“If you kill me Solarya will not be happy, your father will not be happy. I have granted him endless deals, trades and secrets he will not want to lose,” the lord half threatened in an attempt to plead for his life. But I knew what brewed in the princesses head, and there was no plan to leave him alive.

She threw her head back in laughter before turning in an amused smirk to him. “Why, will they send more shipments of insides and fish heads?”

As I had thought, Solarya and Isjord were growing distant and cold, they had always been quick to dislike the spiritual kingdoms, especially Adriata, their satisfaction was evident when the Highwall was established. The kingdom of day and that of the night had always been under feud since the early days of our gods. They seem to have taken our agreement not very lightly. Solarya was an enemy I did not want, but this was Isjord’s mess to deal with.

“How did you smuggle Solaryans into Isjord, and why are they raiding north?” She asked, tapping her fingers on the table already bored of the situation.

“What?” The lord feigned confusion and she rolled her eyes, bringing her sword to his throat.

“It-It was not me, princess. I know of their arrival, but they did not go through Brogmere lands, and the attacks, that I have no information on. None, except that I knew they came through Casmere and were very persistent in entering Isjord, discreetly. A merchant, Solaryan, granted them transport,” he confessed, lifting his hands in surrender.

There were Solaryans attacking Isjord?

“He is being truthful,” I spoke after examining his shadows.

She leaned back assessing my words before asking him again, “Who is this merchant?”

“He owns a spice shop by the northern bay of Casmere.”

Nia clonked her book shut and stood towards the exit without word.

“And the mercenaries? What are they seeking?”

The lord shook his head. “No one would speak a word.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Your spy for my father’s information? Who do you have inside that he keeps scum like you as lord?”

He remained silent, refusing to give that up and Snow slightly poked his neck drawing blood.