Iron Breakers: The Floodgates (Iron Breakers Book 3)

by Zaya Feli

  “We'll stop here,” Evalyne said over her shoulder. Kana turned her horse around and passed the order down the lines. To Ren and Anik, Evalyne said, “Sunset is in two hours. We'll send Rafya and his men ahead to Iskaal tonight so they can use the darkness for cover. Hopefully, they can bring back those they've recruited before dawn. If not, we'll have to wait another day.”

  Ren looked from her to Anik. Anik nodded in understanding, dismounted, and took the reins of Ren's horse.

  “Anik and I will be joining them,” Ren said, stepping onto the hard-packed dirt of the riverbed.

  Evalyne raised an eyebrow, swinging her supply bag over her shoulder. “That's an awful idea.”

  Ren looked over his shoulder to where Anik was tending the horses. He hobbled Ren's gelding but left his own stallion untied.

  “Anik thinks he can recruit the Lowlanders from the city,” Ren said, turning his attention back to the princess. “A couple hundred of them. It's a good idea, we'll need all the help we can get.”

  Evalyne looked him up and down, pursing her lips. She dropped her bag under an outcropping of rock and sank down, stretching out her legs as she sat. “It is a good idea,” she agreed. “But why are you going with him?”

  “He saved my life,” Ren reminded her, sitting beside her. She offered him a drink from her water skin and he took with it with quiet thanks.

  “Doesn't mean you have to endanger yourself in return. Seems a bit contradictory.”

  “I owe him my help,” Ren insisted. He spun the cork of the water skin slowly between his fingers. He didn't say anything about the haunted look in Anik's eyes, about how wary Anik was to return to the city, or how Ren couldn't let him face that fear alone.

  “There's not a single guard or soldier in Iskaal who wouldn't give their right arm to be able to cut off your head and serve it up to Halvard on a platter,” Evalyne said, voice lowered so none of the soldiers nearby would hear. “It really is an awful idea, Ren.”

  Putting down the water skin, Ren turned to face her. “Anik spent the worst two years of his life in that city and he's going back. After everything he's done for me, I need to do this.”

  Evalyne watched him for a moment. “There's really no changing your mind, is there?”

  “No.”

  “I think you underestimate how important you are to this cause.”

  “I can't let him go in there by himself. I can't sit here and do nothing and let my thoughts... I can't.”

  Evalyne sighed, but said nothing more. Ren considered that a victory.

  “Anik says the keys to the barracks holding the Lowlanders working near the castle are kept inside. Any idea where?”

  “Nathair's office,” Evalyne said. “He keeps it locked, but Rafya can get you in. He knows his way around.”

  “Thank you.” Ren was about to rise when Evalyne gripped his hand.

  “Don't get killed. I mean it, Ren. We can't do any of this without you.”

  Ren nodded. He wasn't sure she was right, but it was a comforting thought. Feeling important was something he'd probably never get used to. Hellic was important. Thais was important. Ren was just a bastard. Except, he wasn't. Not really. Not anymore.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Sneaking across an open landscape was nerve-wracking.

  Ren drew the black cloak closer around his shoulders, holding onto the hood to keep it from shifting and revealing his pale hair. They were only six: himself, Anik, Rafya, two of Rafya's men, and Valkon.

  A mile in the darkness felt like three times that when Ren's heart was constantly in his throat. They had ridden the first mile on horseback, but dismounted as soon as the broad towers of Iskaal began to grow in the distance. Rafya knew the rotations of the outriding scouts, but wasn't sure if they'd changed since Halvard had left the city. They stuck close to the rock outcroppings, remnants of years-old mineral mining operations.

  Ren struggled to remember what Evalyne and Rafya had told them about the layout of the city. They'd enter through a narrow passage north of the castle, designed to let residents escape the city in case of a breach. The castle lay in the city's north-west corner with steep rocks at its back. Rafya would send his men into the streets to recruit Evalyne's supporters and then lead Ren, Anik, and Valkon to the castle. There, they'd get the key, free the Lowlanders, and meet Rafya's men by the passage to leave the way they had come.

  It was a risky plan. They'd be moving through a city likely crawling with guards. With their king and the majority of the Skarlan forces out of the country, no doubt the defenders of Iskaal were aware of their vulnerability. Ren and Anik's little group would simply have to trust that Rafya and his men knew what they were doing. They didn't have any reason not to, Ren reminded himself. Rafya had gotten them out of Nyleer in the middle of the day, after all. Doing the same thing at night should be easy. Probably.

  Iskaal's massive walls stretched towards the sky, built of the same coarse stone as Fenn. Despite everything, Ren had to admire the construction. Each boulder was as tall and wide as a grown man. How the builders had hoisted them thirty feet into the air was a mystery.

  Ren moved forward, abandoning the relative safety of the cropped terrain in favour of the wall's side, where he crouched. His thighs burned from the awkward position as he pressed himself against the stone. Rafya held up a hand for them to stop. He watched the top of the wall. Ren didn't know how he could see a thing in the dark. Ren strained to hear who might be patrolling at the top, but everything was silent. Rafya waved them forward, movements tense, and Ren followed closely, clutching the edge of his hood.

  Moving into the shadows was a relief. They were exposed against the wall, but guards were more likely to look outwards instead of straight down. Ren braced a hand against the cool, uneven stone, allowing himself to straighten his aching legs a little. None of them said a word. All Ren could hear was the soft sound of boots against dirt and Anik's huffs of breath behind him. He reached under the cloak and ghosted his fingers along the handle of the sword at his hip. It was Lowlander steel, sleek and almost new, hilt bound in smooth leather. The feeling of it slowed the pace of his heart a fraction.

  Rafya spun in a blur and his hand against Ren's chest made Ren bite back a yelp. His back hit the stone hard. Rafya stared at him with wide eyes, holding up a gloved hand with a finger in front of his lips. His other hand gripped the front of Ren's cloak. Then Ren heard it. Hooves, the sound dull against the packed dirt – at least one animal. No one but scouts would be riding along the wall at this hour. If the riders came this way, they'd be caught like fish in a barrel. Next to Ren, the others must have heard it, too, since they pressed their backs against the wall to follow his example.

  A shimmer of metal made Ren look down. Rafya pushed his cloak back to reach for a row of small knives in his belt. His fingers lingered on one of them. How fast could he throw? Faster than the second scout could blow his alarm horn or cry for help?

  Ren's heart beat so fast he was sure the approaching scouts would be able to hear it. Anik wrapped a hand around his shoulder and tugged. Ren went down, crouching near the wall. He pressed himself so hard against the stone surface that he could imagine slipping right into it, yet the wall remained solid and his body remained visible and vulnerable.

  Ren saw a horse's head, followed by a second as two riders appeared around the corner. Their conversation was quiet, but Ren heard one of them laugh. They were so close, he could see the strands of hair in the horses' tails despite the darkness.

  Ren clenched his hand around the hilt of his sword, preparing to draw.

  The riders reined their mounts away from the wall and into the open. Ren's eyes darted back and forth. How could it be? They were right there, barely ten feet away, yet neither rider turned his head in their direction.

  The first tug on Ren's sleeve didn't register, but a more insistent tug from Rafya brought him to his feet. He held his breath, hairs at the back of his neck standing on end as they slipped along the wall around the c
orner where the riders had appeared. Ren waited for a shout, for the sound of galloping horses closing in, but nothing happened.

  The entrance to the city was a small wooden door squeezed between the cliffs at the north-west corner. Rafya fished a key from his pocket and unlocked it as easily as stepping into his own home. Ren waited, despite how uneasy having his back to the open darkness made him. Finally, Rafya appeared in the doorway and gestured for them to follow.

  Inside was another narrow passage, a bit of open space between the wall and a rounded building. Ren followed Rafya, canting his head back. High above, stars shone in a clear sky, but it was their luck that the moon was nothing more than a thin crescent.

  The narrow passage led into a corridor. What Ren first thought to be the interior of a building revealed itself as an outdoor walkway, covered on all sides but one. That side opened onto a view of a garden, half of which was blocked by square hedges taller than a man. Everything Ren could see was shaped into cubes made of stone or vegetation – nothing like the fluid, delicate forms of the Alerian gardens.

  Rafya led them to a narrow gap between two hedges. “Vias.”

  One of his assassins crawled onto a low stone wall and looked left and right before proclaiming that the coast was clear.

  Rafya leaned towards the young man. “You two go to the Eastern Quarter. Find Ywin of the Followers of the Fox. If you go door to door, be on the lookout. At the slightest sign of danger, leave the city.” He spoke in a whisper.

  Somewhere, an owl screeched and Ren almost jumped out of his skin. He looked over his shoulder at Anik, who scanned their surroundings with a tension that reminded Ren of a cornered deer. Ren put his hand on Anik's arm and Anik's gaze stopped flickering, but his tension didn't lessen.

  “You three, with me,” Rafya continued, waving to them. Ren followed, Anik and Valkon close behind.

  Rafya led them past the gardens, through a gate, and around a circular tower. It took Ren a moment to realise that the tower was part of the castle. It was massive and built from the same stone as the outer walls, making it difficult to tell where one section ended and another began. Which was the purpose, Ren supposed. Past the curve of the tower was a short flight of stairs leading to another small wooden door.

  Rafya took a moment to listen before turning towards the three of them, gesturing for them to get in close. “I'll go in and get the key. Wait for me here. It's faster to get to the worker barracks through the castle, but that's much too dangerous. We'll be safer taking the long route. These back gardens aren't patrolled. We can lead our flock out the same way we came in.”

  “And if you get caught?” Anik asked.

  “I won't.” Rafya turned, about to leave, then hesitated. “If I do, run.”

  Ren glanced at Anik. He had no idea whether Anik would be willing to leave with the goal so close. He also realised that he would follow Anik no matter what he decided to do.

  Rafya slipped around the tower, up the stairs, and through the door. To Ren's surprise, it appeared unlocked. Then Rafya was gone.

  “Blasted Isilghians,” Valkon hissed. “Sneaking around like snakes makes my skin crawl. I'll take a fight over this any day.”

  “Just sit tight,” Anik said.

  Ren blew out a breath and crouched down on his haunches to rest his legs. The wolfsblood tea was already increasing his strength and soothing his lungs, but exertion like this still left him light-headed. When he looked up, he noticed Anik watching him. “I'm fine,” he said softly.

  Anik didn't answer, just turned his gaze away.

  None of them said anything. Minutes ticked by, feeling like hours. How far away was Nathair's office? Was Rafya having trouble?

  Finally, the door behind the tower creaked open and Ren rose to his feet.

  And froze.

  A servant stood in the doorway with a basket of cloth under his arm. As Ren watched, the servant placed a torch in a sconce by the door and put the basket down between his feet, grabbed a cloth, and shook it out. He bent down again, reaching for another cloth.

  Ren stayed where he was, not sure if he should hide or stay. His instinct said run, but before he got a chance to move a muscle, the servant straightened and their eyes met.

  The man froze. He stared straight at Ren for several seconds, expression turning from surprise to uncertainty as his gaze shifted to Valkon and Anik.

  Ren reached up and pushed back the hood of his cloak, breaking into a smile. Maybe they could still salvage the situation. “Please don't be alarmed,” he said, holding out a hand. “We didn't mean to startle you.” From the corner of his eye, Ren saw Anik and Valkon push back the hoods of their own cloaks. To Ren's relief, they remained quiet. Ren's dialect wasn't exactly Skarlan, but to an untrained ear, it might pass. Lowlanders sneaking around behind the castle after dark, however, was cause for concern.

  The servant looked between them, not taking his eyes off their faces as he reached for the basket, fingers fumbling. He pulled it against his chest.

  “Have a good night,” Ren said, barely able to finish his sentence before the servant retreated back into the tower and yanked the door shut. Ren heard Valkon swear under his breath.

  “Do you think that worked?” Ren asked, looking to Anik.

  “He didn't look particularly convinced.” Anik replied. Ren saw his own uncertainty reflected in Anik's eyes.

  “If not, we only get one chance,” Valkon said, and ran past them both towards the door.

  “Wait!” Ren hissed, but it was too late. Valkon grabbed the torch, pulled the door open, and disappeared inside. Anik's hand closed around Ren's wrist, making him stumble forward. He followed Anik up the stairs after Valkon.

  The corridor was cramped and dark. The light from Valkon's torch lit the path ahead and Ren moved towards it, guided by Anik's grip on his wrist. His heart raced in his chest. Rafya's words echoed in his mind. Going inside was too dangerous. If this was anything like Aleria, there'd be servants and soldiers up and working through the night.

  Anik seemed to realise as much, because he hissed, “Valkon, wait.” Despite his hushed tone, the sound of his voice seemed much too loud in the silence.

  Valkon slowed and turned around, letting Ren and Anik catch up. Then they all raced forward.

  Ren nearly fell over Anik when a steep flight of stairs appeared out of the darkness. They took the steps two at a time, running side by side. They reached the top and Valkon pushed the door open without waiting. They stumbled into a corridor faintly lit by torches.

  Ren held his breath as he looked left and right. The corridor was empty. No – the servant who had spotted them had reached the end of the corridor on the left. At the sound of the three of them coming through the door, the man looked over his shoulder, dropped the basket, and ran.

  Ren heard Anik swear, racing after Valkon to give chase. Ren followed, aware of every slap of their boots against the stone floors.

  Ren's feet skidded on a rug as he turned the corner. Ahead, Valkon had closed the distance to the servant. The light bounced as he dropped the torch and threw himself against the man's back, knocking him to the floor. The smaller man yelped, the sound escaping before Valkon could clap a hand over his mouth. A sickening crack of bones replaced the sound of the struggle.

  Ren stared. The servant fell limp in Valkon's arms and the tall Lowlander let go of the body, rising to his feet.

  Ren approached, dizzy again, though not from illness. He stared at the body, the neck twisted impossibly. “He wasn't a soldier.” Ren's voice was too loud, hollow. “You didn't have to-”

  “What would you have had me do instead?” Valkon whispered. “Drag him outside, tie him up and gag him? We don't have time for that. Let's hide the body and get out.”

  Ren kept watch while Anik and Valkon grabbed the body and pushed it out a narrow window, where it landed in the bushes with a dull thump. Ren wondered what poor soul would stumble upon the body come daylight and get the fright of their life.

  �
�Are you done?” Ren asked.

  “Let's go,” Anik whispered.

  A figure standing in the corridor made Ren's heart leap into his throat. He staggered back against Anik, who stood firm against his weight. Ren went for his sword, but the stranger reached up and pushed his hood back, revealing a familiar face.

  “What are you doing in here?” Rafya hissed, hurrying towards them. He grabbed Ren by the shoulder and began tugging him back the way they'd come.

  “Minor issue. It's dealt with,” Valkon said from somewhere behind Ren.

  Even in the half-darkness, Ren could see Rafya roll his eyes. “Like telling street dogs to stay put,” he murmured, shoving the three of them down the stairs and into the cramped corridor.

  “Do you have the key?” Ren asked over his shoulder. Without the torch, the corridor was pitch black. He heard a bump and a groan as Valkon hit his head on the low ceiling.

  “I have it. Now hurry up,” Rafya whispered.

  Rafya led them outside, back towards the garden and around the castle outbuildings. Ahead, a wall barred their path. It was lower than the city wall, but still much too tall to climb, and built from smooth stone. Along its top, sharp iron spikes protruded every few inches.

  “Is that it?” Ren whispered. He looked over his shoulder at Anik, who nodded, a tendon sliding in his jaw.

  Rafya hushed them. “Quiet, now. The barracks and the working grounds are always patrolled.”

  “How many guards?” Valkon asked. Ren had to strain to understand his flowing accent spoken so softly.

  It was Anik who answered. “Four by the entrance, one in the tower.” He looked at Rafya for confirmation.

  Rafya raised an eyebrow, but nodded.

  “The entrance is no problem, but how do we get to the tower?” Valkon asked.