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A Knight with dark auburn hair waved us beyond the palace’s main gates to a gravel-lined garden brushing against the fortress’s walls.
I ran my hand across one of the cold marble statues we passed.
Raina, the lost Goddess of the Sun, had been erected beside Arlo, God of Earth and Soil. His features were hard as if disappointed, though his face was weathered and wise, and in many ways, he reminded me of Micah. The muscled form of Lorian, God of Beasts and Prey, loomed before Silas, the Water God, with his lithe body and long limbs.
And in the center was the Moon God, his serene face a thing of haunting beauty. His true name had been lost or erased over the years, and no two books of lore referred to him the same way. Not even his famously eccentric priests and priestesses knew of his true appearance, and I’d often wondered how a whole realm could’ve forgotten. But stranger things had happened.
Of course, my idol was missing from the main gods and goddesses. Maliah, Goddess of Revenge and Redemption, was a force to be reckoned with, and certainly a hero to many warriors. But, like most of the less powerful deities, she wasn’t given the credit she was due.
Beside the statues was an impressive fountain of a horse at a gallop, its front legs rearing as water splashed around its hooves. Etched across its massive back was the fiery insignia of the Sun Goddess, a polished dagger piercing a blazing sun—an emblem the Knights themselves had adopted.
The horse had to be Thea, Raina’s legendary mare.
A hand grasped my gloved one, yanking me forward. The freckled lad who’d grinned at me earlier. I flinched, every nerve in my body electrified by the unaccustomed contact. Slowly, I pulled my hand from his grasp, but not before giving him a smile I knew didn’t reach my eyes.
“Keep silent and follow me.”
The order came from the auburn-haired Knight, the one who I guessed was second in command. Dismounting his steed, he gave a subtle nod, the rest of the men following suit. Stablehands appeared out of thin air, hastily reaching for the reins of the wearied mounts.
“Come,” Second commanded, waving a hand.
He probably had some over-the-top manly name, like Hawk or Steel. I wondered if his face would crack if he smiled.
Maybe I’d test that theory.
Second guided us through a narrow archway next to the stables, sunfires held in dusty sconces illuminating the glass walls and painting the earthen floor a deep moss. We avoided the main entrance to the palace entirely, entering through a mysterious corridor where strapping Knights marched by on occasion, only stopping to dip their chin at Second.
After many minutes passed, the tunnel sloped downward, bringing usbelowthe heart of the palace. The elected official from my home of Cila had gone to the palace just last year for the annual summit with the king. While he hadn’t ventured below, he’d spoken of the many rumors floating around the capital.
Among the gossip of torture, clandestine parties, and other such debauchery, one rumor claimed that the Knights were kept underground like the king’s grisly beasts. It appeared that the official had been right.
While I wondered what the rooms above held—the countless treasures and obscene luxury they likely boasted—I had the sneaking suspicion I wouldn’t be permitted. The wealthy and the nobility of Sciona probably didn’t wish to see the faces of the hardened warriors who protected their lives, content to live in ignorance. Still, my imagination flourished, even though I hardly cared for such excessive extravagance.
Another minute of marching, and the corridor opened into a circular room, a massive iron chandelier hanging from the center.
Hundreds of ivory-colored candles flickered from above, shining light upon the various weapons lining every inch of the daunting rotunda. The sight of so many swords and daggers and bows nearly brought a tear of joy to my eyes.
Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all. Liam always said I needed to be more positive, so I supposed he’d be proud of me now.
The commander came to a halt directly below the chandelier, a dark shadow amid the flames. I wished he’d remove that cursed helmet.
“Listen up,” Second shouted, his thunderous command sending chilling reverberations through my chest. Even the candles wavered at the sound of his voice. “You’ll all be assigned a number and a bunk. Two changes of clothes await you, so take care of them. You will not be afforded more.”
He scanned the shuffling crowd, assessing his new charges with distaste before he said, “You may address me as Lieutenant Harlow. I will lead you in your training here. Now, form a line before Brother Damian and Brother Carter. They will be giving you your number.”
Okay, Second had a name. It was fitting. Frankly, Hawk might’ve been a smidge better.
The brown-haired boy who had yet to leave my side settled into line behind me.
“I heard what you did to that prick Adam,” he whispered at my back. I didn’t turn, so he continued, “The boys from your village said you moved like a shadow beast, and that he was on his ass in a minute.”
A slight exaggeration. It had maybe taken three.
“I’m far from a shadow beast,” I said on a shiver. My skills were above average, but nothing compared to the creatures that lived to serve the darkness. Supposedly able to adopt human forms, they were composed of nightmares and ash and were so swift they devoured the souls of their prey within a heartbeat.
“My name is Patrick.” He shifted closer, even though the line hardly budged.
With a sigh, I turned around, finding that same half smile on his full lips. He looked so damn eager to make friends, I almost felt bad.
