Chapter 6

After an uneasy sleep, the morning came, and I woke with a sense of resolve. I couldn't let my anger and frustration at Cyrus keep me from my task. I would have to, as Manod had said, "get to know him."

We rode out as the rising sun crested the horizon, painting the plains with bright orange-yellow streaks. Once again I sat atop Blaze, with Cyrus and Manod to my right, and Jelenna to my left.

After I mounted my horse, I stole a glance at Cyrus. He appeared far too tired for a man who had slept through the night. Maybe he'd been as restless as I had. When he saw me, he called out "good morning, sunshine" in a sleepy voice. I think he'd intended it to be sarcastic, but in his exhaustion it came out sincere.

I laughed, disarmed for a moment, and then immediately stifled my response. This man was dangerous, and I needed to stay on my guard.

"It's a two week ride to Ashfuror," Cyrus said. "Come on, wouldn't want you to be late to your own wedding."

With that it was gone. His wry tone and forced nonchalance snapped back into place like the door of a cage. I couldn't blame him. I didn't trust him either. He took off, not looking back to see if I followed.

Little by little, as we rode, signs of life began to appear. First we came across wheel tracks in the dirt. Someone had been by with a crude wagon, probably a farmer. Then pieces of wooden fencing that had clearly been repaired, if not recently, at least within the last year. Then there was the simple farmhouse and a barn that had been freshly whitewashed.

On the front porch, an elderly woman in a blue checked dress sat in a crude rocking chair. Cyrus whistled, and the company of soldiers came to a stop. He guided his mount up the path to the house, and Manod gestured for us to follow.

"How goes it, mother?" Cyrus swung down off his horse and stepped up onto the ancient boards of the porch. Wary, I dismounted but kept some distance from the Dark Lord and his subject.

"Oh, you know how it is, young man. The drought has taken the wheat and the corn. There are still a few acres of greens and rhubarb hanging on. My son is out tending to them now. Who knows how long they'll last? The livestock's all gone, other than a cranky rooster and about a dozen hens."

"What about water?" Cyrus' question seemed sincere.

"Well's been dry off and on for months. We get a shipment of beer once every few weeks."

Anger flashed across Cyrus' face. He reached into his purse, pulling out a handful of gold coins.

"Here, mother, perhaps this will get you some extra meat and beer. Need to keep you healthy."

"Bless you, and bless Lord Cyrus. We are thankful for all he does for us."

I'm not sure why that was the thing that broke me, but I couldn't hold my tongue any longer. I guided my horse closer so that I could face the old woman directly.

"Why should you give him your blessing?" I struggled to keep from yelling. "Your crops are gone. Soon you'll be starving to death! All under his watch."

I saw Cyrus' gaze snap to me, but I kept my eyes trained on the silver-haired woman. Her spine straightened in indignation.

"Lord Cyrus cannot stop the drought, child. Nor can he provide water when there is none to give. He has always sent aid when things got bad. Ashfuror has been good to us, and Cyrus is a better man than his father ever was. If anything, you should blame those isolationist devils over in Greatfalls."

A retort sprang to my tongue. I was about to reply when there was a loud cough behind me. It was Jelenna, who sent me a subtle head shake. She was right. It wouldn't do me any good to pick a fight with Cyrus or his citizens. I tamped down my righteous anger as the old woman kept going.

"If Greatfalls didn't hoard all that water, this drought would have been a minor heat wave. Instead, we suffer because of their selfishness."

I gained nothing from a confrontation here, no matter how badly I wanted to correct her. I stifled the urge to throttle the old priest. It was reprehensible that they would spread lies about us.

Cyrus rolled his eyes at me before turning back to the woman. "We'll take your leave, mother. Be well. I'll speak to Lord Cyrus about sending more supplies out this way."

"Thank you, young man." She shot me a reprimanding look. "Perhaps by the time you reach the capital, you'll have had a chance to teach this one his history. And his manners."

Cyrus barked out a laugh as he hopped back on his tall steed, guiding us back down to the road. Once we were out of earshot, I lost the battle to keep my anger under control.

"How can you lie to them?"

"What are you talking about?" Cyrus' voice was laced with irritation, but I didn't care. The people he governed should know the truth.

"Telling them that Greatfalls is hoarding water, blaming the drought on us. We only keep the water we need for our day to day life."

"What?!?" Cyrus shouted. I'd struck a nerve, which wasn't surprising, seeing as I was calling him out on his deception.

Manod reached out and put his hand on Cyrus' shoulder, who shook his head. The elderly priest leaned over from his mount and whispered in Cyrus' ear. Grumbling, Cyrus urged his horse forward, pulling away in front of us until we were alone with Manod.

We rode in silence. The only sound was that of the horses' footfalls against the dry clay underneath. Finally, the priest spoke, his voice projecting compassion but also certainty. "It is not a lie, Skye. Greatfalls has been keeping more than their share of water for a long time now."

"That's not—"

"How long has it been since they allowed any water through the dam?"

"Four years. We're in a drought. We have to be careful."

"The reservoir is deep. Your city is small. Do you really think you need all of that water?"

"Grandmother makes those decisions. It's her job to keep Greatfalls safe."

Manod shook his head in frustration. "Every spring and summer, the snow melts, running down the mountains and filling the reservoir. Safehold is deeper than you could imagine. There's enough water for the city to last for decades."

What was he saying? Grandmother wouldn't do that. She wouldn't withhold help when people needed it. I glanced at Jelenna, silently asking for help.

"We have no reason to believe you." Her voice was low and tense. "You're lying."

"You may think so, if it makes you feel better." Manod's earnest tone belied his condescending words. "But I am a priest of Stahkla. I do not traffic in untruths."

"In Greatfalls we don't put our trust in the God of Fire and Metal," Jelenna said, more forcefully this time.

"Put your trust where you like, but I know what my god has shown me. I know what my common sense tells me. And I know what Cyrus has seen."

Manod's words were confusing. "What does that mean?" I asked.

"The first Lord of Ashfuror was given the Crown of Seeing by the god himself. It grants the one who bears it the ability to observe what is happening anywhere in Fyr. Cyrus has seen the flow of water and resources. It all stops at Greatfalls."

"Bull." Jelenna's voice cut through the air, but Manod was unfazed.

"I can only tell you what I know." Manod shrugged. He urged his horse forward to catch up to Cyrus.

"You can't trust them." There was a simmering rage in Jelenna's voice. "That's why what we're doing is so important."

I scratched at the back of my neck, which was irritated from days of hot sun. She stared at me, expecting some kind of response. I nodded in agreement, but I wasn't sure. Manod had sounded like he believed the words he spoke.

Jelenna caught the doubt in my eyes. "He is in the wrong. They both are."

"Of course."

"Remember why we're here, Skye." Jelenna's eyes were fierce. "We will break their hold on Greatfalls. Whether it's a lie or self-deception, what they believe doesn't matter."

I breathed in, trying to steal some of the certainty that shone in Jelenna's eyes.

"Yes," I said. "They can't be trusted."

Jelenna opened her mouth to reply, but she was interrupted by a series of rough croaks and the sound of flapping wings. Above us, the sky filled with black birds, circling and weaving, like some demented mirror of the starlings on the slopes at Greatfalls.

I urged Blaze forward, making up the distance between the rest of the company and ourselves.

"What is this?" I called, pitching my voice loud enough to be heard over the cries of the birds.

"Hmmm? These are my ravens."

" Your ravens?!"

"They are one way I keep track of what goes on in the plains when I am home in Ashfuror. They can travel faster than a man, and they're more trustworthy."

"They're harbingers of devilry!" Jelenna's voice cracked as took in the flock of circling birds.

"Nonsense! They are my friends." At his words, an enormous raven swept down and landed on his shoulder. He reached into his pocket, fishing out some seeds, and held out his hand. The bird pecked and ate the morsels, then nuzzled its head into Cyrus' open palm.

"This is Bertio," Cyrus said. "He is the leader of this flock. We've known each other since I was a teenager."

"His name is Bertio ?" Cyrus scowled at my incredulous tone.

"He doesn't speak the language of Fyr, of course, but that's what I named him. He's always responded to it."

With that, Bertio straightened, cawing at me, his black dot eyes tinged in red.

"I don't think he likes me."

"Well he wouldn't, if you keep talking poorly about his brethren. But if he sees you are my friend, you will win him over." Cyrus blinked, taking me in for a moment. "Are you my friend?"

His question cut me to the quick. I'd been at war with myself since leaving Greatfalls. Cyrus was not the monster I had expected. Instead, he was a man. An infuriating, complex, and unfortunately handsome man.

I squashed that last thought as quickly as it came. I had to keep my wits about me. It would be no good to develop a crush on the boor, even if we were betrothed. I was riding into enemy territory.

Cyrus stared at me, his head cocked, waiting for my response.

"Yes." My mouth was dry as a desert. "We might be friends."

"Good." He gestured to me. "Come, meet Bertio."

I nudged Blaze forward until I was even with Cyrus and his steed. The huge raven stared at me with an evaluating gaze. He was a strange, alien presence. Bertio squawked at me, hopping up and down on Cyrus' shoulder. Cyrus smirked.

"Go on."

I reached out my hand slowly, ready to snatch it away if the thing attacked, but after a moment of consideration, it hopped over to my arm. It hopped its way up to my shoulder and nuzzled at my neck. I froze. Was this some kind of trick?

"God of the fires, relax!" Cyrus' words were frustrated, but I could tell he was mostly amused. That's what convinced me. I willed my tense shoulders to release, and Bertio nuzzled in farther. His feathers were soft, and he made soft little cooing sounds. It was adorable, except for the pinch of his claws digging into my skin.

"That's enough, Bertio. Scout ahead and report back on the state of the next few towns and villages. I need to know what we're walking into."

Bertio took off with a single, strong flapping of his wings. We watched him go, and I realized that Cyrus and I were alone. The other members of the party had fallen back. They were giving us time together. It made me uneasy.

"Is that what you use the ravens for? To spy on your enemies?"

"The people of Fyr aren't my enemies, Skye, they're my subjects. I want to know if they're starving, and if I can help." He raised an eyebrow at me. "But yes, less often, I spy on criminals or those plotting to overthrow my government. You'd do the same."

I shrugged. I hated that side of things. The hiding and the spying.

"How do they report back?"

Cyrus tapped his crown, winking. "This artifact allows me to see through their eyes. It's not the only way in which the Crowing of Seeing gives me insight, but it's one of the more effective ones."

"Huh." It made me uneasy, the idea of ravens spying on us, invisible in the night sky. "Your people don't mind being spied on?"

"Your family is in charge of a single city. I rule an empire. All of Fyr is mine, outside of Greatfalls. If she wants to know what's happening under her reign, your grandmother can simply take a walk around town. I don't have that luxury."

I peered out at the horizon. In front of us, leagues away but still visible, were clusters of villages. Through the dust to the left, I could barely pick out the spires of a city. To the right, there were no signs of settlements, but there was a tributary road that branched off in that direction, clearly well-traveled. There were more people that way as well.

Fyr was enormous. I hadn't understood that, growing up in the shade of the quiet forest of Greatfalls. For Cyrus to rule over all this, he would need some kind of tool, some way to find out what was happening.

"Your empire is large."

"It is, but throughout it there are people that I trust. Stewards, friends, some of whom have been working to keep order since the demise of the other Lords of Fyr during my father's reign."

I felt a pang of old grief in my chest. Did he know his father had been responsible for the deaths of my parents? Hell, did he approve? I certainly wasn't going to bring it up, but the knowledge of it stood like thick stone between us.

"Your father. Was he…responsible for the deaths of the other Lords?"

Cyrus' eyes hardened. "Yes. I wish that he hadn't been. I wish that I could have ruled over Ashfuror only, instead of all of Fyr." He sighed. "But he wanted more. He always wanted more."

I searched for any sign of falsehood in Cyrus' face, but he was sincere. He didn't notice me staring. He was lost in his own thoughts.

"There are stories."

Cyrus' eyes snapped back to mine. "I'm sure there are."

"They aren't kind to him."

"My father was a hard, ambitious man. Not cruel, but…he wouldn't allow anything to stand in his way when he wanted something. Whether that was the crowns of the other Lords of Fyr, or for his son to be a master swordsman. He'd let nothing stop him."

"I'm too young to recall his rule, but the tales are dark. Assassination, torture…"

"Exaggerations, mostly."

His words felt like a hot poker to my gut. Whether he knew it or not, he had just dismissed the murder of my parents as an exaggeration.

"Not all." My voice was like ice leaving my lips.

Cyrus rolled his eyes. I was growing to hate that. "I'm sure your grandmother didn't mind spreading the rumors. After all, she was doing her own share of espionage and assassination."

"Grandmother wouldn't do that." My throat tightened. "She is a good person and a good ruler."

Cyrus squinted with irritation. "You can't be both."

"I don't believe—"

Cyrus held up his hand to stop me. "I promise you. I hit my head against that wall every day. More often than not, I'm making a choice between two evils. It's why there will always be some segment of the population that hates the person in charge.

"The people of Greatfalls love my grandmother."

"In front of you, her beloved grandson, maybe. The truth is what they say behind your back."

"No—"

"I wouldn't be surprised if she wanted you to assassinate me ."

My face was white hot, and all of a sudden I was uncomfortable in my body, jittery and unsettled. Without saying a word, I turned and spurred Blaze forward, getting ahead of Cyrus and the rest of the party. As I pulled away, I heard Cyrus say to Manod, "He's a child."

I spun my mount around. "How dare you suggest I would be so dishonorable? Any single citizen of Greatfalls is worth a hundred of you!"

"Skye—" I didn't allow him to finish, pulling away and pushing ahead. I had to get at least some distance away from them all.

I needed a moment to think. It was ridiculous for him to suggest that I might try to murder him. The marriage bond alone would be enough to stop me. Causing that much hurt to my spouse would reverberate back onto me in a deeply painful way. Not that that even mattered. Maybe we'd only met a few days ago, but surely he could see I had more honor, more integrity than that?

But as I continued to ride, the anger was replaced by guilt. I would never try to kill him, I would never murder anyone in cold blood, but I had been instructed to weaken his power. The deception rankled me and made me feel unclean.

As did the question that lingered in my mind. What if I had been the older brother? If it was Athard that had been promised in marriage, would Grandmother have asked him to murder Cyrus in his sleep? He would have done it gladly. I was sure of it.

I hoped that she wouldn't have, but I knew Cyrus wasn't totally in the wrong. I'd watched my Grandmother rule over Greatfalls for my whole life. She was deceptive and manipulative, she was harsh and just shy of cruel when the situation required it, but she did it for the good of our people and of our city. That's why I'd agreed to complete the task she had set me.

"Skye."

I startled, Jelenna's voice pulling out of my rumination. My chest flooded with a sense of gratitude. She hadn't wanted to leave me alone.

"Did you hear?" I asked.

She nodded.

"Do you think Cyrus is right? That Grandmother might have sent assassins to take out our enemies?"

She stilled, her face thoughtful.

"I don't know. But I know this: she wouldn't do it lightly. Only if she thought it was necessary for the health and safety of her people."

I sighed. This had all been simpler when I was Commander of the Archers.

"I wish I was back home."

"Me too." Jelenna smiled, kindness shining in her eyes. "We'll get there, when this is over."

"But for now I guess we have to—"

Searing white-hot pain exploded in my side. God of the Waters, it hurt so much. I grabbed onto Blaze as I weakened in response to what had to be an attack. An arrow, maybe? I reached back, my fingers finding crude bark fletching sticking out of my right half. Yes, an arrow.

I studied the area around us, hoping to see who had shot it. My focus had been on my conversation with Jelenna, and I hadn't noticed that the terrain had changed. What had been plains had given way to rockier territory. It provided plenty of cover for a cowardly attack. There was no sign of movement.

Jelenna had her bow out and was scanning for enemies. I tried to reach for mine, but the pain from the movement made me feel like I was going to faint. I clenched my core, trying to hold on. If I lost consciousness, I'd be no good to anyone.

I heard the sound of galloping horses behind us. It must have been Cyrus rushing to catch up. Had he seen whoever it was that ambushed us?

"Manod, take care of Skye." Cyrus' voice was tense, like he was genuinely worried about losing me. Or the treaty. He didn't want to lose the treaty.

He stepped out in front of us, and ran his finger along the obsidian circlet resting on his brow. What had been a lifeless, gray-black ornament sprang to life, with orange fire forming the shape of a full crown above the black stone.

There was a tugging on my right side, and I turned. Manod was inspecting the wound, which was too far back for me to see. But from his expression, it didn't look good.

"We need to get you down from the horse. I have to get the arrow out before I can mend you."

There was something about dying from an arrow wound that felt correct.

Manod tried again. "I need to help you down."

My eyes drifted beyond Manod to where Cyrus stood. The crown on his head pulsed with the light of a thousand burning embers. When he spoke, it was with a deep authority that was almost supernatural, far from the tinny sarcasm I'd become accustomed to.

"I am Cyrus, Lord of Ashfuror. Come forth, citizens of Fyr."

There was a long moment of absolute silence. Not even the birds and rodents made a sound. Finally, people began to appear from behind the rocky protrusions surrounding the road. They were dressed in tattered clothing, and they were uniformly gaunt. They moved toward us in tentative, skittish steps.

Jelenna took in a sharp breath. The wood creaked as it stretched when she drew her bow.

"Stay." Cyrus held up his hand to her. There was a gasp, and what could only be the clacking of her bow and arrow falling to the packed ground. I knew if I turned to see what had happened, the pain would only worsen. I kept my eyes trained on my betrothed.

"Please, Skye…" The desperation sounded in Manod's voice as he tugged on my arm, trying to get me to dismount, but I had to watch. Cyrus' power and authority demanded that.

A scrawny young man stepped forward to speak. His clothes were dirty and ragged, and his face was covered in a patchy beard. He could not have been more than seventeen.

He fell to his knees in front of us. "My Lord Cyrus. We saw the bows of the two on horseback. They were of Greatfalls make. We couldn't take any chances."

The man glanced in my direction, then locked his eyes on the earth at his feet. I fought through the fog of pain, trying to understand what he meant. Yes, we came from Greatfalls. Why would that prompt them to attack?

"How long ago?" Cyrus' voice rang with authority, but I didn't understand. What was he asking?

"Three weeks, Lord. A company of raiders from Greatfalls rode through our town up ahead, killing our guards and stealing horses and provisions. Since then, we've been patrolling the road, worried they would come back."

I felt Manod grow restless at my side, pulling on me once more, but I pushed him off. The wound hurt, but this was too important.

"Who led them?" Cyrus' voice was cold.

"A tall, sneering man. Blonde, roughly thirty years of age. He wore a cape that was embroidered in gold. He killed the first guard with his rapier."

I gasped at his words, and the inhale caused a stabbing pain to shoot through my side. I was unable to hold back a whimper. Cyrus turned to me, concern written on his face. The man continued to speak as he stared at the ground.

"Lord, the man killed our mayor in cold blood. We've already lost so many of the elders to the drought. There's no one left to lead us. There's no one to tell us how to survive."

It couldn't be possible. Someone had taken Archers out in a raiding party without my knowledge? Vazzart help me, from the description I knew there was only one person it could be. My brother. Athard. And according to this man, he was a murderer.

I tried again to speak, to ask questions, to ease the dread in my heart, but still nothing would come. There was a tug and a sudden burst of pain, a thousand times worse than before, as if my whole body was on fire. I screamed as the world went white.