Now or never. I strode from the tent and moved through the camp as if I belonged there. Peeking inside every tent I encountered, I discovered they all were empty except for messy blankets and scattered personal items.
I spotted a prone form in the tenth one I checked. Even in the dim light, I knew it was Kerrick. Rushing to his side, I called his name. No response. I felt for a pulse, pressing my fingers on his cold neck. After a moment, I pressed harder. A faint throb pushed back. I shook his shoulder and, not caring who heard, I yelled, “Wake up,” in his ear.
Nothing.
I put a few clues together and gasped.
Kerrick had gone dormant.
KERRICK
Some...thing...
Tugged...
Called...
Wouldn’t...stop...
Energy flooded him, buoying him back to the surface. He opened his eyes. A dark shape bent over him. A warm hand pressed against his frozen cheek. The smell of vanilla filled his nose.
Kerrick blinked. “Avry?” He struggled to sit up. His hands were still manacled behind his back.
She pushed him down. “Easy.”
“Don’t waste—”
“Hush. I’m not letting you hibernate.”
He smiled at her. “I don’t think I have a choice.”
“You won’t survive until spring.”
“But the forest...I survived before.”
“That was only for three weeks. I’m not taking any chances.”
A wave of vigor infused him. His protest died with one look at the stubborn set to her shoulders. After a few more minutes, he felt better.
“Ah, there’s some color,” Avry said, removing her hand. She searched her pockets and produced a small key with a flourish. “Good thing I found this because someone hasn’t taught me how to pick a lock yet.”
The pressure around his wrists eased as the cursed cuffs popped open. His stiff muscles ached and Kerrick groaned as blood rushed to his hands. This time Avry let him push into a sitting position.
“Where are the others?” he asked, rubbing his wrists.
Avry sat back on her heels. “I hope they’ve all escaped. I’m pretty sure Belen is long gone.”
“Not without you.”
“But he would be violating a direct order.”
Kerrick stared at her. They were talking about Belen after all.
She sighed. “Yes, well, the camp is deserted. Seems the Skeleton King is being attacked by Fydelia and her lady warriors.”
Ah, some good news. “Belen and the others most likely joined the fight.” He considered. “Didn’t Fydelia’s women go north with Ryne?”
Now it was her turn to give him a don’t-be-stupid look. Right. They must have looped around to the south, which meant Ryne had lied to Avry, the infirmary workers, and the soldiers left behind to protect them.
He surged to his feet as fury pulsed through him.
Avry hopped up and clutched his arms. “Relax.”
“Relax? That son-of-a-bitch used you for bait again. I’m going to kill him.”
“After the war, he’s all yours. But right now we should find a safe place before the soldiers return.”
Kerrick spotted a sword tucked in Avry’s belt.
“Don’t even think about it,” Avry said. “You’re in no condition to fight.”
He opened his mouth to argue, but a shrill cry tore through the air.
“That’s our cue to leave.” Avry stepped close to him, tucking her shoulder under his armpit.
He refused to lean on her for support, but after a few steps, he abandoned his pride. His weak legs threatened to collapse under him. Damn legs.
In the fading twilight, they headed north, aiming for the woods. Shouts mixed with the clangs and scrapes of metal as the battle sounds grew louder. About halfway to their destination, victory yells echoed along with a stampede of boots.
They paused. Kerrick glanced back. Hundreds of soldiers raced toward them.
Avry tugged on his arm. “Come on. Once we reach the forest—”
“I can’t do a damn thing.” He yanked the sword from Avry’s belt and spun, sliding his feet into a fighting stance.
The soldiers stopped in the middle of the camp and stabbed their bloody swords into the air as they celebrated. Almost all of them were women. Relief coursed through him.
Fydelia approached. “And what exactly do you plan to do with that?”
Kerrick lowered his weapon.
Avry embraced the woman with a whoop. “Did you—?”
“Yep, we captured the Skeleton King. Prince Ryne has him under guard.”
Ryne was here? Kerrick straightened.
Touching his arm, Avry said, “Easy.”
He shot her a look, but his murderous plans would have to wait. Another cry pierced the air and, in a blink of an eye, they were surrounded by Belen, Flea, and the monkeys all talking at once.
“...so cool, you should have seen the look on their faces.”
“...not expecting a battalion of very pissed-off women.”
“...or a death magician...”
“...and then Belen comes roaring in, I swear the guy I was fighting peed his pants when he saw him.” This from Quain.
Kerrick held up a hand, stopping the excited chatter. “Report.”
Fydelia filled him in. “We looped in behind the Skeleton King’s forces and waited for Prince Ryne to give the signal. After that, it didn’t take long to overpower them.”
“What about Tohon’s forces in the north?” he asked. “He probably sent Cellina and a bunch of troops over the Nine Mountains to use the Milligreen Pass to ambush us.”