Lirn’s focus moved lower. Tiny stick legs dangled beneath the pumping wings of the birdlike creatures… and clutched in each twiglike claw was a gleaming white stone.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“We’ve got to go. The Eld have found a way to send chemar into the forest.” Farel’s grim pronouncement brought Rain and Ellysetta to their feet. He explained quickly about the birdlike creatures. “They’re still twenty miles out, but closing fast. The scouts are going to try to destroy them.”

“Can we outrun them?” Rain asked.

“Nei. Even in an open field at our top speed, we’d still run slower than these creatures fly. They’ll be upon us within the bell. I’ve already asked for thirty-six volunteers to build a Wall of Steel. That should buy us at least some time.”

“Even thirty-six won’t be enough against five Mharog and scores of Mages.”

“I know, but when the first Wall falls, we build another, and another. As many as it takes until you’re clear of the Verlaine and able to Change.”

“What’s a Wall of Steel?” Ellysetta asked.

Rain supplied the answer. “It is a line of warriors who will stand and fight to the death before allowing a single enemy to pass. Once they make their Wall, the only way they’ll leave it is through victory or death.”

“What?” Ellie couldn’t believe she’d heard right. “But that’s suicide!”

“It is the only option.” Farel didn’t meet Ellysetta’s horrified gaze but instead kept his eyes fixed steadily on Rain’s. “I’ve called more dahl’reisen from the borders, but the closest are still three bells out.”

“We’ve got to go. The Eld have found a way to send chemar into the forest.” Farel’s grim pronouncement brought Rain and Ellysetta to their feet. He explained quickly about the birdlike creatures. “They’re still twenty miles out, but closing fast. The scouts are going to try to destroy them.”

“Can we outrun them?” Rain asked.

“Nei. Even in an open field at our top speed, we’d still run slower than these creatures fly. They’ll be upon us within the bell. I’ve already asked for thirty-six volunteers to build a Wall of Steel. That should buy us at least some time.”

“Even thirty-six won’t be enough against five Mharog and scores of Mages.”

“I know, but when the first Wall falls, we build another, and another. As many as it takes until you’re clear of the Verlaine and able to Change.”

“What’s a Wall of Steel?” Ellysetta asked.

Rain supplied the answer. “It is a line of warriors who will stand and fight to the death before allowing a single enemy to pass. Once they make their Wall, the only way they’ll leave it is through victory or death.”

“What?” Ellie couldn’t believe she’d heard right. “But that’s suicide!”

“It is the only option.” Farel didn’t meet Ellysetta’s horrified gaze but instead kept his eyes fixed steadily on Rain’s. “I’ve called more dahl’reisen from the borders, but the closest are still three bells out.”

“No!” Ellysetta stepped directly in front of Farel, forcing him to look at her. “I will not allow it. Do you hear me? We all go, or we all stay. But none of you will be left behind to die. I will not permit it.” Her furious voice rang out, bringing scores of dahl’reisen heads around in surprise.

Farel bowed. “Your concern is appreciated, kem’falla, but we who are the Brotherhood of Shadows no longer live within the glory of the Fading Lands nor answer to her laws. Though we serve her still, we rule ourselves.”

“Rain…”

“Nei, shei’tani. He is correct. No duty or oath binds him to your command, nor even mine. Besides, this is an honorable death.” He met Farel’s gaze. “Choose your men.”

“This is senseless!” she protested. “Let’s at least try to outrun the Mharog before condemning thirty-six men to death!”

But Farel was already walking away, calling his warriors together to ask for volunteers.

Ellysetta spun to confront her mate. “The Fey cannot afford to keep losing its warriors, Rain.”

“These men are already lost, shei’tani, but this is a chance for some of them to regain their honor.”

“Scorch honor! Rain, they can bear children—Fey children. They can bring life back to the Fading Lands.”

“Aiyah, they can bear children, and that is blessing from the gods. But it is you, shei’tani—not these dahl’reisen—who are the true hope of the Fading Lands.” When she made a face and started to turn away, he caught her shoulders in a firm grip and gave her a small shake. “Listen to me. You are the one the Eye of Truth sent me to find. You saved the tairen and brought fertility back to the Fey. Gaelen was right to tell them to protect your life even if it cost the lives of every man, woman, and child in their village. And they are right to abide by his command.”

Ellysetta scowled and pulled free to stalk away. All her life she’d read about the glorious history of the Fey, and she’d wept over histories that detailed the courageous deaths of noble Fey heroes who’d given their lives to hold back the Dark. But it didn’t feel the same when it was her they were dying for.

She knew she couldn’t stop them. When Fey warriors were honor-bound on a course of action, they let nothing stand in their way. Noble, rock-headed idiots. If she didn’t love them so much for their valor, she’d be tempted to kill them herself for their stubbornness.