Six guards had ridden out on horseback to take care of the Craven before they reached the Rise.
Three returned.
It was rare for those who fell outside the Rise to be brought back for burial rites. Sometimes, there was simply nothing left of the body for their loved ones to mourn. Usually, it was all due to the Ascended not wanting
the people to know exactly how many were lost while fighting the Craven.
In other words, they didnโt want the people to know how little control they had of the situation.
I tensed as I watched one of the guards dismount just inside the Rise.
The man was unsteady on his feet. I inhaled deeply, catching the stale-sweet scent ofโฆrot. Shit. Not liking the look of what Iโd seen or smelled, I walked to the edge and waited for the guard to turn.
โHawke Flynn.โ The high-pitched, nasally voice of Lieutenant Dolen Smyth cut through the low chatter of those on the Rise. โYou werenโt at roll call this afternoon.โ
Pence bowed as was required for one of Smythโs position. I didnโt. Instead, I tracked the dark-haired guardโs movements as he spoke with several other guards on the ground. โI was there.โ
โI just said I didnโt see you,โ Lieutenant Smyth snapped, which was utter bullshit. Heโd seen me. I knew he had because heโd been eyeballing me like he wanted to see my head on a spike. โSo, exactly how were you there, Flynn?โ
โIโm not sure how to answer that question.โ The guard I was tracking had started walking, leading his nervous horse to the stables. He turned briefly, his profile blanched in the firelight. I recognized him. Jole Crain. He was young. Fuck, he was younger than Pence. โI think it would be a question better asked of a Healer.โ
โAnd why the hell would you think that?โ Lieutenant Smyth demanded. โBecause if you didnโt see meโฆโ I began, catching sight of Pence out of
the corner of my eye. He looked as if he were attempting to disappear into one of the curved parapets. โThen there appears to be something wrong
with your vision.โ I turned to the Lieutenant then, smiling tightly. The white mantle of the Royal Guard flapped from his slender shoulders in the wind
like a flag of surrender. While Smyth lorded his authority over others like far too many in his position, heโd earned that coveted spot among the Royal Guard. Only the strong and the skilled stayed alive long enough to make it off the Rise. โAnd I would suggest you have that checked out immediately.โ
โThere is nothing wrong with my vision.โ The blond Lieutenant sputtered, and his normally ruddy cheeks flushed even more in anger.
I reminded myself that throwing his ass off the Rise would not do me any favors. โThen you did see me. Perhaps there is an issue with your memory, then.โ
His nostrils flared as he took a step toward me, but then he stopped himself. The knuckles of his right hand turned white from how tightly he clenched the hilt of his broadsword. He didnโt draw it. It was clear he wanted to, though. Whatever instinct the man possessed had prevented him from making an entirely foolish choice. Or perhaps it was smarts. Smyth
was as intelligent as he was a bastard.
And I was beginning to think he was perhaps too wise. Too observant.
Because heโd been on my ass from day one, watching my every move and asking too many questions.
โYour disrespect will be reported,โ he said finally, his tone pitching even higher than usual. โAnd weโll see what Commander Jansen has to say.โ
My smile kicked up a notch. โI suppose we will.โ
โJust so you know,โ he bit out, lifting his pointed chin, โIโve got my eye on you, Flynn.โ
โMost do,โ I replied, then winked.
Lieutenant Smythโs shoulders stiffened. It appeared as if he wanted to say more, but disappointingly, he stalked forward, bumping my shoulder as he continued on the patrol path.
Chuckling, I looked to where Pence had nearly blended into the shadows of the parapet.
โExactly how big are your balls?โ the guard asked. I snorted. โNormal size, the last I checked.โ
โI donโt know about that.โ Pence crossed the battlement, dragging a hand through his windblown hair. โSmyth is a prick.โ
โI know that.โ
โThen you have to know heโs going to do exactly what he said. Heโll go to the Commander.โ
โIโm sure he will,โ I said, straightening the strap of my baldric as I glanced at where Iโd last seen the guard. โJole Crain has a chamber in the dorms, right?โ
โYeah. Heโs on the third floor.โ Penceโs brow knitted. โWhy do you ask?โ
I shrugged.
Pence eyed me for a moment. โYou arenโt worried at all about the Lieutenant, are you?โ
โNot at all.โ And I wasnโt.
Lieutenant Smyth didnโt even register on the list of things I was concerned about.
I lifted my gaze to the Citadelโs stone towers, then looked farther out past the edges of the Lower Ward and Wisherโs Grove, beyond the wider, nicer streets and lush manors. My stare fixed on the sprawling, arched walls of Castle Teerman, where the Maiden likely slept peacefully, safe in her
stone and glass cage, out of reach.
But not for long.