by Jay Kristoff
“‘A hidden message for the Forever King from his daughter,’ I said.
“‘Great Redeemer…’ Chloe whispered.
“Astrid took the parchment from my hand, eyebrow rising higher. ‘Not much of a poet, is she? A few centuries to practice, you think the bitch wou—’
“‘Azzie…’ Chloe sighed.
“‘Apologies. I need a smoke.’
“‘What does it mean?’ Chloe asked.
“‘That’s the problem, Sisternovice,’ I said. ‘I’ve no idea.’
“I paced into the Library, Chloe trailing behind, Astrid standing in a puddle of dimmest moonslight and squinting at the writing. ‘I’ve been pondering it all day,’ I said. ‘And I think Greyhand was right. These bastards know their prey. They’re playing us for fools.’
“‘So it was all a ploy?’ Chloe asked. ‘Laure Voss left a trail along the Godsend wide enough to follow, just in the hopes you’d catch her?’
“‘These creatures have been hidden in the shadows for centuries. So I think Laure was trekking the Godsend at purpose. Scouting garrisons, taking the measure of the forces the Emperor could muster. The fact Fabién Voss set his beloved daughter to the task shows how important it was to him. Laure was her father’s eyes in the Nordlund.’
“‘But this riddle speaks of something deeper than the plan you found,’ Chloe said.
“‘I know. Else why hide it? But Laure said she knew we were stalking her. And she sent a dozen ravens to her father, presumably carrying a dozen copies of this message. I think she was anticipating we’d intercept at least one of them. I think she left the map for us to find, and hid the true message for her father in the blood.’
“‘Avinbourg is a ploy,’ Astrid said. ‘Isabella’s army is marching to the wrong place.’
“‘Oui.’
“‘Charinfel, then?’
“I walked out onto the great map, along the Godsend, until my silver heels were at rest atop the southern cityfort. I could picture Greyhand and my fellows marching to the garrison’s aid. If Voss attacked Charinfel, he might well take it with only a thousand extra men and a handful of initiates to bolster it. But I was still uneasy.
“‘I fear it’s not that simple. It’s lies within lies with these leeches.’
“‘In death and truth, no truth I see, through blood and fire, now dance with me.’ Astrid scowled. ‘This reads like child’s prose. I mean, honestly…’
“‘Mediocre poetry aside, the answer clearly lies within this riddle,’ Chloe said.
“‘And I’ve not the eyes to see it,’ I spat.
“‘Well, we must find the eyes. Perhaps this is why God brought us together.’
“‘Sisternovice, you’re not telling me anything I don’t already know.’
“‘Well, think!’ Chloe cried. ‘Did Laure say anything that might prove a clue? Because while we stand here, the Imperial Army charges toward a battle that will never come, and if the Forever King makes it around the Godsend, all the empire is set to fall before his accursed host!’
“Astrid and I looked to each other. And I saw the thought form in her eyes just as it spilled from my lips. ‘Host…’
“‘Chloe,’ Astrid declared. ‘You’re a genius, ma chérie.’
“‘… I beg your pardon?’
“‘The angels of the host,’ I whispered. And looking to the sisternovice, I began walking the length of the Godsend, stamping my heel upon each peak as I passed. ‘Each mountain is named for one! Sarai, Angel of Plagues. Evangeline, Angel of Temperance. And look here! Justice and Hope. Mercy and Bliss. Death and Truth. They’re pairs! Mountain passes!’ I knelt by Mont Sanael and Mont Gabriel, the Angels of Blood and Fire. ‘Laure wasn’t just scouting our forces, she was looking for the best path to cross the mountains! One of Voss’s thralls said it in Coste. The Master comes. And blood and fire shall mark his passing! ’
“‘The Forever King doesn’t intend to go around the Godsend,’ Astrid breathed.
“‘The bastard’s going over it.’ I stabbed the map with my finger. ‘Here, at the Twins.’
“Chloe frowned. ‘But it’s the dead of winter. The wind atop the Godsend would freeze your blood to ice, and the snows lie a hundred feet thick. No army could cross it.’
“‘No living army. But our enemies are the Dead.’
“Chloe stared at the map, her voice a whisper. ‘Almighty God…’
“‘We must send word to Isabella,’ Astrid said.
“‘We must,’ I nodded. ‘But Voss would’ve got his daughter’s message weeks ago. The Endless Legion is already on the move. Even if we send a rider now and the Golden Host comes about, they may not reach the Twins in time.’
“‘What do you propose?’ Chloe asked.
“‘To stop them, of course.’
“‘Alone?’
“‘The Brothers of the Hearth are still here. Argyle, Keeper Logan, and others.’
“‘Nightswatchmen and blacksmiths?’ Astrid demanded. ‘Against ten thousand wretched and Mothermaid only knows how many highbloods?’
“I turned my eyes to the window, to the Cathedral beyond and the cells beneath. ‘There’s at least two other brothers in San Michon who can yet help me.’
“‘This is madness. This is absolute bloody foolishness!’
“‘Let’s just call it reckless.’
“‘Oh, pack that schoolboy smile a lunch, Gabriel de León!’
“‘If you’ve a better notion, I’m all ears, Majesty. We’ll send a rider to the Empress, to be sure. Another to Greyhand. But until word reaches them, the only people standing between Fabién Voss and the Nordlund are the three of us in this room.’
“I stood and dusted off my hands.
“‘So if you’ll excuse me, mesdemoiselles, I have a prioress to wake.’”
XIII
BLOOD AND FIRE
“TWO HOURS LATER, we stood in the snow outside San Michon’s stables, our breath winter white in the night air. I looked among our company, saw the weight of the world on every shoulder. Keeper Logan and Keeper Micah. A dozen blackthumbs from the Armory. Archivist Adamo’s assistant, Nasir, a few kitchenhands, the two grooms, Kaspar and Kaveh. And of course, Baptiste and Aaron, newly freed from beneath the Cathedral.
“Old Charlotte hadn’t taken kindly to having her vigil interrupted by my banging on the Priory door. But once Astrid and Chloe were back in their bedchambers, that’s exactly what I’d done. Charlotte had listened intently, her scarred expression darkening as I explained my fears, Voss’s strategy, the desperate counter I’d hatched, and my declaration that I’d need every man I could get. The likelihood of my plan proving anything but suicidal was almost none. But to her credit, the prioress had handed over the keys to Aaron and Baptiste’s cells with little resistance. And along with it, she gifted me a dozen phials of sanctus, dark as chocolat, sweet as honey.
“‘May Almighty God protect you, Initiate.’
“‘May he protect us all, Prioress.’
“I stood beside young Kaveh now, pushing Laure’s crumpled map into his hand. His brother Kaspar was already ahorse. ‘Ride hard, brothers. Kaspar, seek the Golden Host. Kaveh, you chase south after Greyhand. Swift as the wind.’
“‘Almighty God be with you, Little Lion.’ Kaspar looked to his brother. ‘And us all.’
“I squeezed Kaveh’s hand, spoke soft. ‘When you return, brother, I’d have a quiet word. About you and Sister Aoife. On the odd chance I’m still alive, of course.’
“The boy looked at me, his expression dark. But he nodded, just once.
“‘Go. Ride!’
“I slapped the horses, whispered a prayer as the lads galloped into the night. Baptiste’s brother blackthumbs had loaded up our wagons, and I was checking the barrels within when the rumbling of iron chains caught my ear. Looking upward, I saw the sky platform once more descending from the Cathedral.
“I looked to Logan in question. ‘Keeper?’
“‘Nae ken, laddie,’ the t
hin man growled.
“The platform thumped to rest on the snow. Two dozen sisters from the Silver Sorority stood upon it, clad in winter greatcoats and silver-heeled boots—raided from the Armory, no doubt. They carried wheellock rifles, horns of black ignis, pouches of silvershot. Charlotte, Sister Esmeé, Chloe Sauvage among them. And strangest of all, Astrid.
“‘Prioress? What is this?’
“‘Exactly what it appears, Initiate.’
“A murmur rippled among the men as I met Charlotte’s eyes. ‘Prioress, I—’
“‘I am not here for debate, Initiate de León. In the absence of Abbot Khalid and Seraph Talon, I am senior luminary of this monastery. You once told me silversaints could not serve their purpose without the sisterhood. I wholeheartedly concur. And if your fears prove true, by the blessed Mothermaid, you shall need all the help you can find.’
“‘No disrespect, Prioress,’ Aaron said softly. ‘But what help can you be?’
“Charlotte threw him a disapproving glance, hefted her wheellock. ‘Abbot Khalid has spent a great deal of time teaching us to defend ourselves with these abominable things. But I rather think God intended we defend this empire instead. And with the Almighty’s grace, and the blessings of the Martyrs, that is precisely what we shall do.’
“I looked among the sisters and novices, there in the falling snow. I saw fear, of course. Shaking knees and wide eyes and pinched lips. But I also saw set jaws and clenched fists and faith that the Lord God would see them through. I saw belief.
“‘We’d be blessed to count you among our company, Sisters,’ I said.
“Charlotte turned to her charges. ‘Those of you who can ride, fetch a saddle. The rest of you, pick a wagon. Quickly, now.’
“The sisters and novices did as commanded, most climbing into the wagons with our stores. But a few saddled up sosyas, assisted dutifully by the brethren. I sidled up to Astrid, helping her to saddle a brave mare named River. I was aware of the folk gathered about us, keeping my voice a whisper and speaking most with my eyes.
“‘What in the Almighty’s name are you doing?’
“‘Lovely weather for a ride in the country.’
“‘This is no jest. Wasn’t it you who told me war should be left to the warriors?’
“Astrid looked to the women about her, the boys; this pitiful band riding toward the open jaws of hell. ‘That’s difficult to do when the war is at your doorstep.’
“‘What happened to the blackhearted bitch who wanted only to escape these walls?’
“‘Oh, Gabe.’ She smiled sadly. ‘If this ends the way it’s likely to, I will have.’
“My heart was sick with fear for her. She met my stare, and I could see the memory of our night in the Library on her face, a sliver of want in her eyes that made my blood sing. But with Charlotte watching, sisters and brothers around us, I dared not give away anything of what we shared. And God knew we’d no time to argue.
“With a sigh, I resigned myself to this desperate throw of the dice. I finished with Astrid’s saddle, climbed onto Justice’s back. Baptiste caught my eye, lacing his collar about his lips. ‘I pray all Seven Martyrs you’re wrong about this, Little Lion.’
“‘None pray harder than I,’ I replied, pulling on my gloves. ‘But it’s as Greyhand said, brother. In battle, the wise man prays to God. Yet he still raises his sword.’
“‘Greyhand also had words on the topic of heroes, if I recall,’ Aaron growled.
“I looked around our band; one tiny sliver of flame in a sea of darkness. The fear of it all was like ice in my insides. I knew we were almost certainly riding to our doom. But I also knew that if we let our fear rule us, we’d never ride at all. Someone needed to speak. And so, I gripped Justice’s reins hard to stop my hands from shaking, and standing in my stirrups, I raised my voice.
“‘I know not what awaits us at the end of this road. We will look upon the face of horror, that much is sure. But courage is the will to do what others will not. And in the arms of heaven’s host, we are invincible. I have looked into the eyes of the Dead and not flinched. I have faced down a Prince of Forever and lived. And I tell you now and true, I have never known such pride, as to ride with a company such as you.’
“‘Véris, Little Lion,’ Baptiste smiled. ‘Véris.’
“‘Aye, fine speech.’ Logan scratched his whiskers and tipped me a wink. ‘For a Nordish-born prettyboy sheep-fucker, like.’
“‘… Merci, good Keeper.’
“And with that, we were away.
“A host of barely fifty, facing an army of ten thousand. And still we rode as if toward heaven’s arms. Prioress Charlotte led the sisters in hymns as we stabbed westward, the road bitter cold, the snows falling thick. We rode with barely enough pause for food and sleep, so cold by the time we stopped for the night that some could barely move. Tenting by the roadside, the grim shadow of the Godsend rising before us, I found myself picturing the hungry horrors amassing beyond it. Knowing every minute we rested was a minute wasted.
“Days and days on end.
“The Twins rose up before us as we rode into broken foothills, and I prayed the angels Sanael and Gabriel would watch over us as we slept. The wind was a blade, the air so thin it hurt to breathe. Our lead wagon broke its axle, and we forged on with only one. Two sosyas froze to death in the night, and four sisters and a brother blackthumb had to turn back, too frostbitten to ride on. I thought for certain Astrid must break, pleading silently every time I caught her eye. But she remained hunched in her saddle, shivering, hard as steel. And still we climbed, up into the pass between Blood and Fire. Higher. Colder. Bleaker.
“A storm hit on the twelfth day, and if the sun rose, we could barely tell. The cold was so fierce that another half dozen of our company couldn’t get ahorse, little Chloe among them. It was decided they should remain behind to direct the Golden Host if they arrived, while the rest of us pressed to the passage on foot. The way was too perilous for the wagon, and my brothers and I had to drag the barrels we’d brought with us through the grey drifts. For once in my life, I was grateful for the dark strength my father had blessed me with.
“Night fell, and there were no hymns around the fire that eve. The thought of what might be coming over those mountains was pressing on us all now, and the snow above was so thick that none dared make a sound. My stepfather had taught me ice. He’d taught me snow. How it falls. How it kills. I knew the notion that loud noises could cause avalanches was a fiction, but who knew what was listening, out there in the dark. And so, silence.
“We struggled on the next day, only two dozen in our company now, fighting against the frost and screaming wind. Even at noon, we were only able to see by the pale glow of our lanterns and the brief flashes of lightning immolating the peaks. But at last, toward sunset, the wind slackened, and we finally reached the pass between Fire and Blood.
“Twin watchtowers stood tall against the storm, thrust up from the mountainside like black fingers raised to heaven. They were wrought during the Wars of the Faith, fashioned in the appearance of the angels these peaks were named for. The storm blew southerly, and the tower of Gabriel was almost entirely buried, only one dark hand outstretched from the snow piled about it. The snowpack rose up in a sheer cliff, a hundred feet deep, untold tons. So we sheltered in the lee of Sanael’s looming wings.
“Aaron huddled beside me, collar laced high against the gale, leaning on his barrel to catch his breath. Baptiste crouched in his frozen furs, peering down into the vast valley on the other side of the pass. Prioress Charlotte stood hunched against the screaming wind with her holy sisters, Astrid among them. That she’d made it so far spoke of a strength in Sisternovice Rennier I’d never dreamed of.
“At first, we saw nothing. Even as the lightning crashed, illuminating the expanses of grey snow on the Talhost side of the peak, there was no movement. The slope below was a vast plane of frost and swallowed trees, packed hard by the wind and piled impossibly deep, impossibly hea
vy—no army of men could cross a divide that treacherous without freezing to death or setting off an avalanche.
“My teeth were chattering so badly I could barely speak. ‘Anyone g-got a drink?’
“‘N-n-not anym-m-more,’ Logan hissed.
“‘I see nothing,’ de Coste said, his breath steaming. ‘And w-we c-cannot tarry l-long. This chill will b-be the d-death of us, Gabriel.’
“‘What n-news, Brothers?’ the prioress called.
“Baptiste drew out a silver-trimmed spyglass. I fetched my own and crouched beside him, peered into the valley below. For long minutes, I saw no sign, no peril across that frozen expanse. The thought occurred that the Endless Legion had already passed over, but that was foolishness; we’d have run across them on the way. A vain hope occurred to me then—that perhaps I’d been wrong, and even now, the Forever King’s forces were crashing like waves against Avinbourg’s walls. And then lightning struck, and as the swirling grey lit up before us, one brief heartbeat, bright as the long-lost day, my breath caught in my lungs as I saw what was coming up the mountains toward us.”
“And that was?” Jean-François asked.
“Vampires.”
Gabriel swallowed.
“Thousands upon thousands of vampires.”
XIV
THIS MOMENT
“‘SWEET REDEEMER,’ I whispered.
“‘What did you s-see?’ Charlotte demanded.
“Baptiste lowered his glass and spoke soft. ‘They are c-coming.’
“‘How many?’ Astrid asked.
“I swallowed hard, meeting her eyes. ‘Many.’
“‘And we are two dozen.’ Baptiste turned to Aaron. ‘Two dozen against thousands.’
“I looked among our company. They were afeared, all of them. And I realized they were looking to me, who’d brought them here. All knew how thin the ice we stood upon was. How like it was we were facing our deaths. I learned a lesson there on that frozen slope, sheltered beneath an angel’s wings. About leading men. About leading anyone.”