Twenty-Nine

Terce, Fourteenth Day Before the Kalends of June

Eastpoint, Bahim, Drum

A storm was brewing over Eastpoint. Kate sat crouched on one of the large elms that overlooked the town. Her nausea had not settled and her joints still burned. The hand that gripped the branch above her was shaking. Thirty men. That was all she had. They were all scattered at various locations around the entrance to the quarry, some up in trees like Kate, some on the roofs of tall houses, bows loaded and aimed, and still others crouched behind rocks, wheelbarrows, and bushes. Kate closed her eyes. The flurry of wind around Eastpoint grew stronger.

Town Hall, Larkins, Bahim, Drum

“No,” said Logan. “I will go to Eastpoint.”

“I could not sense an army greater than a hundred,” said Hazel. “And a larger army could not have passed by us undetected. It is likely a diversion.”

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Eastpoint, Bahim, Drum

Kate watched the army appeared over the horizon. At least three hundred. She steadied her breath.

Town Hall, Larkins, Bahim, Drum

“And how many men does Kate have?”

“That does not matter. It is Kate Rinehart.”

“She is injured.”

“Who is left that can stand against an injured Kate Rinehart? None of the Ramanis —”

“The eldest daughter of Keys,” said Logan. “The final one.”

“Keys would not leave Tarrin unprotected,” said Hazel. “And if he did, then all the more reason to strike Gulldon.”

“You said that you are sending Garth and Anselm,” said Logan. “So send them. I will return to Eastpoint.”

“Once Gulldon falls, we will abandon Eastpoint and attack Tarrin in full force,” said Hazel. “That is the only way.”

Eastpoint, Bahim, Drum

Kate cried out. The first volley of arrows were fired, but only two soldiers at the vanguard fell. A flurry, as the revolutionaries changed positions and prepared for the second volley. Kate flew from the elm to an ash nearby.

Town Hall, Larkins, Bahim, Drum

“Protect Rinehart or protect Anselm,” said Hazel.

Logan grit his teeth.

Sext, Thirteenth Day Before the Kalends of June

Main Gate, Larkins, Bahim, Drum

“What took you so long,” said Logan to Garth as he hurried up to him.

“The Anselm boy,” said Garth, panting. The scars on his face rippled as he spoke. “The Anselm boy is gone.”