Their wizard attackers were up again, and sensing a weakness, one of them focused on the students. He harried them hard, throwing attacks out quickly. Broden knew that the instant he sent out an attack, he would be vulnerable to weaponry, but that was a very fine window to shoot in. It would be a matter of a split second, perhaps less.
“Listen, both of ye,” he said calmly, voice barely loud enough to be heard in this chaotic dog fight, “I’ll be shooting between yer heads. Do no’ move a muscle.”
“Sir, if it’s you firing, you won’t hit us by accident,” Jayla declared stoutly. “Fire at will.”
“Ye’ve got mettle, lad,” Broden praised and grinned. He knew he liked this kid for a reason. Nocking an arrow, he paused, watching the wizard closely. Several attacks hit and splattered on the shield, different colors, different elements used. Sometimes the shield let off fiery sparks as an attack hit and dissipated harmlessly, the heat of it briefly felt. Broden started to see the rhythm: one, two, three, pause for a moment, then again, one, two, three.
He needed a breath in between attacks.
Broden ducked his head a little, trying to confuse the enemy wizard into thinking he was not paying attention or was focusing elsewhere. He did not need sight to know what the other man was doing. He could hear and feel the attacks in the air as they were unleashed. One, two—
—as the third attack spell was still leaving the man’s lips, Broden lifted up and snapped the bow into position, drawing and firing all in one smooth motion. His arrow found its mark with unerring accuracy and lodged itself firmly in the man’s heart. He toppled backwards without even a sound.
Whirling in the same moment, Broden sighted the wizard battling Gerrard so ferociously. The man was in profile to him, focused on Gerrard—for good reason, the man fought like a wounded tiger—and was not paying any attention to Broden. Fortunate, that. Broden unleashed two arrows in quick succession at him, both aimed for his body, as he was not sure he could get a clean kill shot at this odd angle.
One found itself in the man’s armpit and he went down with a scream. Gerrard took prompt advantage of it and finished the man off without any mercy. He was a little wild-eyed and winded, but not shaken. He proved that as he ran for his students, yelling at Broden as he did so. “Ashlynn!”
“Aye!” Broden agreed, for once perfectly in sync with the other man. He left the students to their master and did another mad sprint for Ashlynn. The ache and strain of battle was starting to enter his legs, feeling the effects of literally running like a madman for the past thirty minutes. He ignored it as best he could, focused on his partner more than anything else.
Ashlynn was back to back with Kirsty, one of them defending while the other fired off an attack. It was the best solution possible in a situation like this, with multiple attackers, and Broden applauded their quick thinking. Fortunately for him, Kirsty’s magic was not intolerable to him, as she was the one shielding while Ashlynn attacked. He slid in behind the shield, hoping it was just for magical defense and not physical so he would not get rebuffed. When he made it through, he huffed in relief and nocked an arrow. “Lass, I fire the next with ye.”
“Sound thinking,” she approved. “On my mark, one, two, mark!”
A wizard could guard against a magical attack or a physical one, but not both at the same time. Their opponent deflected Ashlynn’s cleanly enough but he could not switch shields fast enough to do anything about Broden’s arrow. He took that one in the chest and stumbled back, going down like a marionette with its strings cut.
That left one. With three very upset wizards and an archer out for his blood, the man did not stand much of a chance. He lasted another ten seconds before he too was down. Broden stared at the bloody aftermath, throat aching from thirst, sweat pouring at his temples, heart beating out a crazy staccato in his ears. He looked to Ashlynn and found that she had that demented grin that signaled she had gone into a berserker rush.
Catching his eye, she said cheerfully, “I’m finally warm. It was freezing out here earlier while working on the wall.”
“A few wizard assassins gets the blood pumping,” Kirsty agreed, also looking a little wide around the eyes. “Ye gods, you people dealt with these thugs on a regular basis? I have more respect for Edvard’s nerves, now. They must be made of steel.”
Ashlynn laughed and didn’t deny it. “Broden, Jayla? Violet?”
“Fit as fiddles,” he assured her. “I do no’ believe anyone got hurt more than scrapes and bruises, which be a minor miracle.”
“Our shielding is just that good,” Kirsty declared proudly. “That,” she added more practically, “and they started attacking the wall first before they noticed us working. I think word of us building a barrier has leaked somehow.”
“Not necessarily,” Gerrard disagreed, coming up to both of them. His students were safely inside the walls now, and he was studying the area with a keen eye. “It’s a logical conclusion to build a barrier to repel an army, if you can. As cramped as we are inside of its borders, Estole is small enough to make a barrier feasible. Someone else in the enemy camp is clearly using their head and anticipating what we’ll do.”
Now that was not a comfortable thought at all. Broden did not like the taste of it, but conceded privately that Gerrard was likely right.
Ashlynn made a face, agreeing but not liking it either. “Well. Broden, good thing you were nearby.”
Was this a good time to mention it…? Was any time a good one to mention it, for that matter. Feeling like he knew how this conversation was going to end before he even opened his mouth, he still felt bound to ask the question Tierone wanted him to. “As to that, lass, Tierone wants to send me north for a while and talk to the pirates. To figure out those mystery trade ships coming out of Iysh, ye ken.”
“I ken,” she agreed, all smiles. “Why do I hear a ‘but you need to stay here’ in that speech?”
“The barrier be no’ finished,” he pointed out lamely.
Ashlynn gave him the same smile that a parent would to a child that is deliberately being obtuse. “Broden. If you think that you’re going anywhere alone when there’s enemy wizards out here? Then you’re sorely mistaken.”
Well, as to that, he never thought she would agree. “I think ye and Tierone can hash this out.”
“Oh, there will be hashing, alright. If he doesn’t see sense.”
Chapter Seven
Broden was not trying to argue with her, but could not help but say, “Lass, there be little need to go up with me.”
“You’re not going to Runamok alone,” his partner stated adamantly.
That was obviously the case, as they were already outside of Ganforth and on the main highway to Cloud’s Rest. “Hopefully the city still be in one piece when we get back.”
“The city will survive. I don’t trust those people with you. Especially since we apparently have wizard assassins running around lose again. You’re my priority.”
“Ah, now lass, that warms the heart right up, it does.” Broden could not help but grin at her.
She mock-scowled at him in return and encouraged her horse to a faster walk with a thump of the heels.
Secretly, Broden was glad that Ashlynn had chosen to go with him. He had not looked forward to going into pirate territory by himself. They did not have the manpower to send much more than him, and Broden admitted that he was likely enough for the job. Probably. He was the one with firm contacts in the pirate world anyway, so he was the better choice to go. Broden understood the situation quite well—despite his reluctance in going.
“How long do you think it will take to get there? Three days?”
Three days was their time limit, although Broden had hoped for four. “Likely so.”
“I want to speed this along as much as I can.” A frown pulled Ashlynn’s brows together.
Broden knew they were both thinking that even if the snows did not come in harshly this winter, neither of them wanted to be riding around in sn
ow-covered mountains, magic or not. Besides, because of the extra precautions and guards now up around the wizards as they constructed the barrier, the progress done on it would be slower than anticipated. And it left the city with a skeletal guard instead of a barely-apt one. They truly could not afford to be out here any longer than necessary.
Hendrix believed his brother would strike now, instead of waiting for spring, as a sensible man would do. Maddox was famous for a “quick, decisive victory” and he likely wanted to prove his mettle to his father sooner rather than later. With the “Estole Problem” solved, as the Iyshians no doubt thought of it, Maddox could easily take over the throne and realize all of his ambitions.
It seemed foolhardy in the extreme for Maddox to launch an offensive now, but Hendrix seemed convinced it would likely happen. Granted, that was exactly what they wanted Maddox to do, and Broden had no intention of correcting an enemy when they were making a mistake. Still, they had barely started the campaign of misinformation to lead Maddox up here. If he really did come now, that meant he had already planned to do so, belike.
Broden shook his head at the sadness and foolishness of it all.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Maddox’s madness,” Broden answered with a long sigh.
“Ah,” Ashlynn intoned with complete understanding. “I don’t expect him to really march soon. I mean, there’s still some snow on the ground.”
That there was, although trace amounts. “If he does, it means he do no’ care what the cost be, he just wants victory.”
“Even though he’s being stupid about it, he might win, if our plans don’t work out.” Ashlynn tipped her head back to stare absently at the sky, half-obscured by branches. “By the mite of manpower.” She tilted her head back to give him a sorry smile. “Ever think you made a bad bet with me, partner?”
Broden did not even need to think on that. He shook his head immediately. “Life be a struggle, lass. At least here, we be fighting for something instead of against everything.”
“And your daughter’s found a good man to love,” Ashlynn added in a knowing tone, expression challenging him to take on the statement.
Oh, he wanted to, did not he just. But he could also see the handwriting on the wall and had known for a while now that things would end up that way. So he heaved a gusty sigh instead and stared off into the woods.
Delighted by this win, Ashlynn chuckled. “Not denying it, eh?”
“Lass, I knew from the first moment Ash be taken with me daughter. Man kept staring at her so hard it be a wonder he did no’ trip over his own feet.”
Ashlynn bobbed her head in agreement. “Completely star-struck, that brother of mine. We’ve currently got bets going on when he’s finally going to confess.”
That brought up a good point that Broden had been wondering about for some time. “And why has he no’? Lad’s been given the time he needs to.”
“It’s just how Ash rolls,” she explained, not a trace of condemnation in the words, just patient amusement. “He has to think about something, from every possible angle, get used to it, and then he’ll move. He’s not the type to jump into anything. I think he was giving them both time, too, to get used to their partnership first before he tried for anything more.” Ashlynn let loose an evil chuckle. “But judging from Riana’s reactions, she’s getting tired of waiting on him. I give it any day now, before she pushes the matter.”
Aye, he had the same thought. Not that he knew what to think of his little girl seducing a man, but at least he knew it was a good man, and one that would treat her right. It was only that reassurance that kept him from sharpening a few arrows and hunting the man down in the dead of night.
“She best move fast,” Ashlynn said, more quietly, a hard look in her eyes. “Maddox’s army will be on us soon enough. If he decides to move before the snows, we’re likely to get word within three weeks or so, right?”
“No later than that, aye. Belike sooner.” Hence why they only had four days up at Runamok. Ashlynn had to get back and prepare the magical defenses along with the other wizards. It was also why Riana had to leave in under two weeks, to make sure that she was well gone before someone could spot her leaving Estole and make the obvious connection.
“I’ve wondered this before…” Ashlynn trailed off, staring hard at him as if trying to see directly to his mind. “You’re really not worried about Riana playing spy in the heart of Iysh?”
“If I said I be no’ worried at all, it would be a lie,” Broden admitted forthrightly. More forthrightly than when his own daughter had asked the same question, as he did not want his fears to prey on her mind. “Of course I be worried as she be going into the very heart of enemy territory. But lass, me daughter has lived in the heart of enemy territory most of her born days. At least this time she has more than one ally at her back.”
Ashlynn gave a grudging nod. “I hadn’t thought of it that way, but that’s a very good point.”
“Also, this spy business, it be akin to cat and mouse games, aye?”
“From what I understand of it.”
Broden gave a satisfied grunt. “Then Riana be fine. There be no one better at it than her.”
“And you’re banking on Ash yanking her out if it does get too dangerous.”
“And that,” Broden agreed equably.
“You do understand that I feel like we’re also walking into enemy territory?” There was not a trace of humor in Ashlynn’s expression or tone. “That if I feel like you are in danger up here, that I will also yank you out?”
“It warms this old man’s heart, it does, to see ye so up in arms.”
“I’m serious, Broden.”
“I know ye be, lass, I know ye be.” Broden felt like pointing out that they could ill afford to both leave Estole right now, that many of their plans hinged upon her magic, but knew it would not have any impact on her. If Broden was walking into a dangerous situation, she would have his back. She was protective of her loved ones that way. It was part of the reason why Broden absolutely adored her. Knowing this, he changed tactics instead. “I do no’ think it will come down to it, but be it no’ a better notion to just zap them if they go out of line?”
“Well, of course I’ll zap them, but men do get revenge when their enemy’s back is turned, y’know.”
Aye, did not he just. “They be cowards at heart, lass. It be why me family has been able to survive in Cloud’s Rest for generations. They did no’ like us, aye, that be truth, but they did no’ have the guts to chase us out either. Or deal with the bandits themselves, for that matter. With a wizard at me back, even pirates will no’ dare to tussle with me.”
Ashlynn looked only half sold on this logic. “Well, we’ll see.”
It was likely the stress of the situation, the uncertainty of the future, and her worry over her siblings going into danger that she could not protect them from that had set Ashlynn on edge. But she could not do much about any of that. Broden had a feeling that all of her frustration would be unleashed on the first fool that dared to cross them.
“Come to think of it, how do you have contacts with them anyway?”
“Bandits used the pirates as a middleman to offload goods,” he explained succinctly. “Sometimes the cargo be people. I be the rescuer more often than no’.”
Her face lit in understanding. Ashlynn was bright enough to put the picture together herself. “If you have contacts, then you didn’t always fight your way in and out?”
“Be suicide to even try. I always found a way to barter instead. Went over better. After a time, they would contact me and offer a ransom first, afore going elsewhere. It be a business relationship of sorts now.”
“You know the most interesting people.” Ashlynn shook her head, marveling. “I suppose if I stick around you long enough, I’ll be able to say the same. Alright, so, what are we going to bargain with this time in order to get in and strike a deal?”
“That, lass, be a very good question.”<
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“I do not understand the appeal of being either a pirate or a bandit,” Ashlynn announced, fortunately in a low enough voice that it would not carry past their table.
“As to that, lass, I never could ken either.” Broden kept a wary eye on the door, the room as a whole, and the people near them in particular. Waltzing into a pirate town all by your lonesome was a sure way to get shanghaied. But having Ashlynn with him did not make it less dangerous either, just dangerous in a different sense. “There be times, lass, like this one, that I lament ye be such a pretty gyne.”
Ashlynn smirked at him. “It’s one of those trials in life you have to bear. No worries, if they do converge on us, I’ll just throw up a shield and we can walk back out.”
True, the odds of anyone here being able to withstand her magic were slim to none. Broden dared to breathe a little easier.
Coming in had been hairy enough, and it was only Broden naming his contact that had let them in this far. But sitting inside a tavern for ten solid minutes was not doing anything but shortening Broden’s life. He really wished the captain in question would just get here.
Runamok had not improved in looks since his last visit. It was just as dank, smelling vaguely of mold and refuse, and a little on the dark side. It was cold enough to shiver a man’s very bones, especially with that crisp sea air blowing through the town. Everyone had their shutters closed, which blocked all light, so they were making do with firelight and lamps. It made for a dreary environment to sit in. Broden was semi-used to it, having been here before, but he understood why it was making Ashlynn uneasy.
“You said this captain is one that you’ve dealt with many times before.” Ashlynn’s tone had a lilting question to it.
Arrows of Revolution (Kingmakers Book 3) Page 6