Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
I sob my way out of their view until I’m safely behind some tents, where Quin takes the pouch I gave him and pulls out the antidote. I smear the oil over my hand and slip on gloves to cover the skin. It’ll take a fair few hours to fully recover, but the rest of my skin is spotless.
From the shadows, Quin and I watch as Wyrds stumble off in agitation. And perfectly on time, two healers and Florentius run towards the commander’s tent.
We follow, hiding ourselves, as more Wyrds—upon seeing the frantic approach of the healers—begin spiralling into chaos. The word poxies is being thrown from tent to tent, and with it whispers that the water is the source.
The healers bring news of deaths, and fear. “It must be quickly contained. All water collected from the river must be discarded.”
“We won’t last three days without water,” an officer barks.
“What about our homes? The river runs west.”
The commander is grim-faced as he tells his generals and officers to keep order, but there’s sufficient panic now that he has to respond with urgency. He orders half his generals to take their men and block the river. “Spread out along the border; no one with poxies enters our kingdom.”
“If this truly is an outbreak, we’ll need reinforcements.”
The commander grimaces and urges the men to action.
Quickly, the whole camp is in upheaval as the Wyrd army halves.
“Move,” I murmur, willing the commander to get far enough from his tent for Quin and me to get Akilah out. “Come on . . .”
Quin scans the area and speaks low. “I’ll lure him away. You get Akilah and reach the horses Florentius has ready for us at the river.”
In the chaos of the camp, I can do it.
He continues, “If I’m not there, don’t wait.”
Florentius will lead us towards the pass. He’ll use his magic to get up the cliffs.
Quin moves and I grab his arm, halting him. My gaze hits and holds his. Words are trapped behind the lump in my throat. He squeezes my hand and nods, then canes off.
Within a few minutes, new shouts hit my ears.
“The hound got out! The hound is loose!”
The commander rushes out of his tent. “Which way?”
Soldiers point and the commander gestures for two of his guards to help him catch his beloved dog.
Four guards and freeing Akilah to navigate without getting caught. I rummage in the pouch, pull out two glass bottles, spill some vinegar in one and mix in a pinch of crushed phosmiris. Setting it under the back of a tent far enough away, I grab the bottle of the commander’s tonic. Swiftly, I move towards my goal. One of the guards halts me.
“You were here already.”
I bow. “There’s upheaval in the healing tents. I was instructed to make sure this is delivered to the commander before it gets lost in the disarray.”
The guard hesitates. “Come back when he’s returned.”
I speak softly. “The healers need all helping hands in the healing tents. I’ve seen the poxies up close. They’re spreading quickly.” I lift the tonic. “You can take it inside, if you like?”
The Wyrd, realising he’ll have to touch me to take it, hesitates. “Drop it on his table. Quick.”
As soon as the door flaps shut behind me, I rush to Akilah’s side. She jerks her head up, eyes wide. I press a finger to my mouth and she nods. Quickly, I unknot her binds.
She whispers, gesturing to the door, the guards.
“Wait for it,” I mouth and peek out a crack.
Within seconds there are startling popping sounds and someone yells, “Fire!”
Alchemy to the rescue!
The guards rush towards the smoke, and Akilah and I use the distraction to slip out of the tent and merge into the general chaos of the camp. I’m holding her hand tightly and I can’t bear to let her go until we reach the river, where horses and plant-collection baskets wait.
Quin isn’t here.
And Florentius—
Emerges from a nearby tent and strides toward us, his gaze locked onto Akilah, his tired creased expression melting into relief. His gaze falls to our hands and he plunges his between us, pulling her from me. He whisks her behind the cover of the nearest tree and engulfs her, dirtied clothes and all, into a hug. His hands glow with a spell that sinks into her and Akilah presses her forehead against his neck and sobs.
I look away with a hard swallow, and spy two Wyrds headed our way. I grab the baskets. “Akilah, catch!”
She pulls back and grabs the basket in time, and Florentius urges her onto his horse. I leap onto a second one.
“Where are you off to?” a Wyrd demands.
“It’s a poxy outbreak. I need to collect the necessary plants.”
“Send the women.”
“The faster I start consuming, the more I’ll save.”
The Wyrds grunt. “Hurry.”
When they walk away, I let out the breath I’d been holding. Florentius doesn’t linger; he leaps behind Akilah and urges his horse towards the bridge in the distance.