Chapter 94

CHAPTER NINETY-FOUR

Ryker

After a few minutes, a contingent of guards broke over the hill and descended toward the manor. I tensed as the sun glinted off the chain mail adorning the guards.

Behind them came a procession of about thirty amsirah men and women with chains binding their wrists and more chains running between each of them to connect them together. I eyed those chains; they were most likely magicked to keep an amsirah's powers subdued, which meant these immortals were defenseless against their oppressors.

More guards rode beside the prisoners while five more brought up the rear. My tension mounted until I could feel the blood pulsing in my temples as the procession approached the manor.

This was a show for all in Tempest to see, but did the show plan to stop and add to its number? They'd taken Ellery's mother once; would they take her again… or someone else?

If they went for Ellery, I'd kill them. I didn't care if it destroyed everything we were working for, I'd never let them put her in chains and take her from here.

When Ellery, her mother, Scarlet, and Scarlet's family emerged from behind the home, I prepared to intervene as lightning flicked across my fingers. Their eyes were wary as they stopped to watch the procession.

The first guards were nearly to the manor. They rode with their chins high and their gazes straight ahead; they seemed to have no intention of stopping, but who knew what these assholes had been commanded to do.

I held my breath as Ellery looked on in revulsion. I half expected her to do something stupid and try to intervene. Apparently, I wasn't alone as Scarlet stepped a little in front of Ellery, and her mother gripped her arm.

Fire shone in Ellery's eyes, but she didn't move. Finally , she seemed to be thinking through the consequences of her actions; I wasn't sure if that would last long enough for the guards to move on without her.

I braced myself for the contingent to stop, but the guards rode on without a glance in their direction. As they shuffled past, some of the amsirah held out their wrists and pleaded for help from Ellery and the others. The rest were so exhausted they never looked up.

I edged closer; I didn't know if Ellery's restraint would last. While I sympathized with the plight of these poor souls, I wished they'd stop talking. If they kept speaking, her self-control might snap, and shit would get ugly.

However, Ellery remained with her family. One of the chained amsirah stumbled and nearly went down, but the ones tethered to him jerked up on the chain and helped keep the man on his feet.

When the last guard rode past the manor, he looked at Ellery and the others. He called out to them, "This is what happens when you don't pay your taxes."

No one spoke as the contingent rode over the crest of another hill and vanished. Even the woods were strangely hushed as the clop of the horses' hooves and jingle of chains faded. All that remained was the settling cloud of dust.

I leaned against a tree and crossed my arms as I watched Ellery and waited to ensure no one else was coming. While I waited, I pondered Ivan's actions.

He'd turned those men and women into a spectacle for all the realm to see so he could make a point. The soldiers had most likely been gathering and marching all those who couldn't pay since yesterday.

Because the prisoners were on foot, it had taken longer to traverse the realm and the roads than it had for the caravan full of money. When it came to that line of doomed souls, Ivan wouldn't allow any shortcuts through the woods.

They would march throughout the entire realm. They'd traverse all the main roads and towns to ensure everyone saw them and knew he wasn't fucking around.

I wondered if they'd sit in a dungeon or be put to work; I suspected it would be the latter. That work would be relentless and possibly deadly, but what did Ivan care? If he broke these toys, he could always get new ones.

FUCK!

I ran a hand through my hair and tugged angrily at its ends. Yes, we'd made a small, successful move against Ivan, but it was all moving so slowly. By the time we could cause any real damage, there might not be anyone left to fight the assholes running this realm.

Patience. If you move too fast, it will all fail.

That was true, but if we waited too long, more would suffer, and shit could get worse. I didn't know how it could get worse, but I was sure the nobles and Ivan did.

Across the way, Ellery looked so despondent I had to restrain myself from going to her as the hoofbeats of more horses and the jingle of bridles approached again. A carriage broke over the crest, hauling a load of hay.

Behind it, several single riders made their way down the road. So many riders approaching made it impossible to go to her, and if the rising dust cloud was any indicator, more were coming.

The road was exceptionally busy today. I studied the manor while trying to formulate a plan. I could open a portal into the stables, but if someone other than Ellery and her family saw me there, it would cause too many problems.

I was concerned about her impulsive decisions; I couldn't make one now because I wanted to see her again.

I wanted to get things straightened out between us now, but I couldn't put her in danger. It would have to wait until tonight.

Ellery's mother said something to her, and they turned away. I loathed the dejected set of her shoulders as they walked behind the manor and out of view.

I stood in the shadows for another hour as more riders passed. Some stopped at the manor for water for themselves and their mounts or to exchange news—there was plenty of that in Tempest this morning.

The more riders who came, the more they solidified my decision to stay away. I watched over the manor to ensure everything stayed relatively quiet, but I couldn't stay there all day. The road was busy, and someone might spot me.

Reluctantly, I retreated to open a portal to my father's castle. I might as well make an appearance; my father might have some news about the robbery.