Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 110079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
Tyche continued to thank the soldier profusely even as Shey physically moved Tyche along past the barrier and along the main street. There were soldiers and heavy vehicles everywhere in the narrow street, which was a mix of worn cobblestones and gravel pounded into dirt. Haru gazed at the buildings. Few were over three stories. The majority were only two. They were all simple in their construction, without elaborate ornamentation.
On what appeared to be Main Street, all the shop windows were dark or boarded up against the oncoming attack. There were a few people who were still gathering their things and loading up their vehicles. Every child they saw was pale and wide-eyed, tears glistening in the murky afternoon light. They didn’t understand what was happening. Just that their parents were terrified.
Everything he saw made him want to shift right that second, fly outside of the city, and bathe all the Order forces in fire. Why did their lives have to be destroyed because some greedy assholes wanted to rule the world?
Tyche wiped his tears as they jogged from the principal thoroughfare of Green Hollow and headed to some more residential streets. It didn’t take them long to reach empty neighborhoods. Lights were out. Not a vehicle or person in sight. Not even a dog barked as they passed.
“They’ve got most people evacuated,” Adrian murmured as they slowed their pace to a brisk walk.
“True, but it would be best if we got off the street while we made our plans. We don’t want to be mistaken for Order spies,” Shey advised.
Haru grunted in agreement. They couldn’t be caught in Green Hollow for more than a couple of days. They were scheduled to meet some allies in a remote town in southern Uris-Oladul called Three Hills. These people were supposed to help them reach Damardor and get them in contact with revolutionary forces working in Bellcairn.
In the distance, thunder rumbled low and angry. Everyone looked over at Shey, who winced. He lifted a hand in defense. “That wasn’t me.” He paused and seemed to reconsider. “Well, I don’t think it was me.”
“Here. This house.” Adrian darted ahead of them, following a longer driveway off the street they were on. The house was two stories and partially hidden behind some large pine trees.
“Why this one?” Tyche asked, picking up his pace to catch up to Adrian.
“It’s empty, for starters.” He pointed at the garage door that had been left open to reveal no vehicle inside. “And second, it’s hidden from direct view on the street. It’ll be more easily overlooked if we’re still here after nightfall.”
The house was a muted gray with white shutters and dark windows. Adrian picked the lock on the front door, and they entered the silent house. They conducted a quick search of all the rooms to confirm that the house was, in fact, empty. All they found were hastily emptied closets and a nearly empty pantry. Toys were left scattered in several rooms, and half-finished homework rested on the dining room table.
“We knew this was a possibility,” Adrian muttered.
“But we were hoping we’d get lucky,” Shey finished for him. He glanced at Tyche, who threw his hands up in the air.
“I can’t be responsible for all the bad luck. Sometimes it just happens.”
Haru crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned against the counter near the sink. After they worked through the house, they seemed to stop naturally in the kitchen. “Do you think we’ll still be able to sneak out of Green Hollow to Eltos Pass?”
Shey nodded. “After years of skirmishes, New Rosanthe knows how many troops we keep here and how long it takes us to move them from Wolfpine and Lewes. There’s no point in trying to be creative in their attack. They’ll be coming from the south and in big numbers. Eltos Pass is to the southwest of the city. Once we sneak past the city patrols, we should have no problem reaching the pass. We’ll just need to wait until nightfall.”
Tyche stepped out of the pantry, holding an open box of crackers. “Do you think New Rosanthe will wait till nightfall before attacking?”
Shey shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t know. I have no idea if the New Rosanthe soldiers are in formation outside the city limits or if they’re still arriving.”
Haru shoved his hand into the box and pulled out a brown cracker and popped it into his mouth. It had a nice flavor of black pepper and rosemary, but it was dry as hell. This needed cheese. Maybe a fresh tomato. But now wasn’t the time.
“Do you think the train has enough room to carry all the passengers? They will take them without tickets, right?” Haru inquired.
Shey nodded. “As we were leaving the train, I asked the conductor, and he said they were taking everyone as far as Wolfpine.”