Page 78 of The Infernal Battalion

“Are they in uniform?” Winter said.

“I think so. White uniforms.”

“Murnskai army, then.” Winter had half expected the fortress to be held by bandits, but apparently the garrison was still in residence. “When you were fighting the heretics, did you work with them?”

Leti shook her head. Vess, crouching beside her, looked sour and said, “The priests told us we were serving in the same cause but that the southerners were too blind to see it. We stayed apart from them where we could and killed them when we had to.”

“They don’t seem to be expecting trouble,” said Alex. “There’s only a few men on the wall.”

Winter made a quick count of the buildings she could see and the number of fires, and frowned. “There could be at least a hundred of them in there, though.”

“Wait for nightfall,” Vess declared. “We can go over that wall easily in the dark, kill the guards before they can cry out.”

“Then what?” Winter said. “Slaughter them all in their beds?”

Vess nodded. “Now that the heretics are gone, there is no reason for us to consider them allies. We have often fought the white-​coats.”

“We don’t necessarily need to kill all of them,” Alex said. “Just steal their ships. If we can get over the wall, we can just go to the pier and help ourselves.”

“Getting our supplies over the wall would be difficult,” Vess said.

“Capture a gate, then,” Alex said.

“Too dangerous.” Vess set her jaw. “If they are alerted, we will be too few to fight them.”

Leti was looking at Winter. Live up to her standards, Winter thought.

“We should try to talk to them,” she said. “I don’t want to massacre anyone, if we can help it. And they need to be warned about the red-​eyes.”

“They won’t listen,” Vess said. “And once they know we’re here, they’ll be on guard. We’ll lose our chance.”

But Leti was nodding. “Even if we take them by surprise, attacking is risky. If one guard shouts, we could all be killed. I think it’s worth trying to talk.”

Vess looked from her sister to Winter. Her expression said, Of course you do.

Winter cleared her throat. “Besides, do you know how to sail a ship like that?” The two Haeta shook their heads. “I certainly don’t. If we can convince them to evacuate before the red-​eyes get here, they might be willing to help.”

“We can manage the ships,” Vess said stubbornly. “Logs float downstream. I’m sure we’ll be able to.”

“With the river running so fast, I wouldn’t bet on it,” Alex said. “Logs don’t mind being flipped over.”

“We’ll talk,” Leti said decisively. “I will go.” She looked at Winter almost shyly. “Will you accompany me?”

“Of course,” Winter said. “Bring a few more warriors. Not too many. We don’t want to scare anyone. But just in case.”

“I’ll come,” Alex said, but Winter shook her head.

“Stay with the camp,” she said. “If the red-​eyes see we’ve split up and decide now is the time for another try, you’re the best chance of stopping them.”

“I will—” Vess said, but Leti interrupted her in her own language. An argument ensued, but after a few moments Vess sighed, got to her feet, and stomped back in the direction of the camp.

“What did you tell her?” Winter asked.

“That she should stay behind,” Leti said. “If something goes wrong, she will have to lead the others.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

*