Page 141 of To Kill a King
“Find Malkov!” The thane’s order echoed throughout the room as the dwarves disbursed.
Elessan studied the prisoners. Grabbing the old one who’d spoken, he jerked the man to his feet. “You. Come with me. Where are the dungeons?” If Aliya wasn’t here, then the dungeons were his next bet.
The guard blinked and paled. “The dungeons?”
He nodded. “Make yourself useful. Show me the way.”
Zadé leaned down over the stag’s shoulder as it raced toward the black ball of destruction decimating her ranks. “Come on, come on. Just a little faster.” The animal responded to her request, and they flew across the field.
She pulled back on the reins a mere fifty feet from the shadow dragon. The death magic radiated off it, sending ripples across her skin like she was standing too close to a bonfire.
Raising the spear she’d taken from Tsara’s flag bearer, she stood in her stirrups. “Hey, you!” Zadé hurled the weapon with all her strength. The lance struck true, burying itself deep in the backward knee joint.
The monster whipped around, screaming. It tore the javelin from its flesh and flung it back at her.
Zadé ducked as the weapon flew over her shoulder and disappeared. She met the beast’s hate-filled gaze. “Come on. What’s wrong? Are yeh too afraid ta fight someone important? Is chasing down the rank ‘n file all yer good for?”
The dragon flashed its fangs at her and growled. It took a deep breath.
Time to go.
“Come ‘n get me then.” She spun her stag around and fled back toward the elven mages.
The earth pounded with each thundering step behind her. Long talons clawed up divots of turf with every lunge.
Zadé laughed out loud as they flew across the clearing. This was better than any bar fight.
Her gaze swept across the field. So few. There were so few of the right flank remaining.
She swallowed the lump in her throat. She needed to keep her eye on the prize. There would be plenty of time to grieve later.
Ahead, the magic users braced themselves as she raced toward them. The footsteps behind her inched ever closer.
“Hurry, General!” Vaeri’s faint call floated across the din.
Power as warm and smothering as a down blanket wrapped around her and the stag, lifting them several inches from the ground. Zadé gasped as the magic tightened its grip. They landed with a shudder in the middle of the mages.
Zadé spun in her saddle, panting. Punching her fist into the air, she cried, “Woop!”
The shadow dragon lunged. The grass and dirt underneath disappeared, as the monster tumbled into the pit. The beast’s chin slammed against the edge with a crack before disappearing into the darkness.
Zadé met Vaeri’s gaze. “Is it dead?”
The mage shook her head as she brought her hands together. The dirt sealed shut over the chasm. “Aenwyn,” she called.
A young elf with golden hair stepped forward and slammed her foot into the earth. The surface shifted like sand blowing in a desert wind and solidified. Aenwyn genuflected to Zadé. “It doesn’t matter now, General.”
A cap of black glass marked the area where the chasm had been moments before.
Zadé smirked as Tsara’s jaw hung slack.
At least Cress wasn’t the only strong mage in the kingdom. It was a relief to know the younger generation had a protégé or two to offer. She’d have to keep her eye on Aenwyn.
Vaeri nodded to them. “Princess. General. It’s done.”
Zadé bowed to the mages. Standing, she gestured behind her. “Bring down th’ walls, however yeh can.” Turning, she drew her sword. “Elves! To me! To th’ city!”
Chapter 29