“Why not let her kill every last one of them?” Daniel had asked when first hearing the plan.
“Because of Lilah. That lioness is powerful, and wields the fires of the Abyss. If anything can destroy Valessa, it’s her. Get me inside, and surround me with men, and we’ll find victory.”
Strong words, Darius knew, even though deep down he was terrified of facing another of those lions. He’d been drunk on battle the last time, every hair on his body tingling with electricity. It’d seemed his faith in Ashhur could not have been stronger, and when Kayne leapt toward him, ready to crush him with muscle and fire, he’d heard the command to stand, and obeyed. His sword had pierced through the lion, and as it had collapsed into molten rock and burning blood, he’d emerged unscathed. It was a miracle, of that he had no doubt.
And half their plan relied on repeating a miracle.
“Darius?”
Darius startled from his thoughts. He walked at the rear of their makeshift army, enjoying the silence. A young man, newly conscripted from the people of Willshire, bowed low and spoke with a sense of urgency born of nervousness.
“Forgive me if I am intruding,” he said, “but Lieutenant Coldmine wishes to speak with you.”
“Tell Daniel I’ll be there shortly.”
The man bowed, then hurried off. Darius shifted his pack of provisions from his right shoulder to his left, then upped his pace. They walked through soft hills that seemed to roll on forever, the grass up to his thighs. Although there was a worn path between the town and Blood Tower, Daniel hadn’t wanted to use it. Instead they’d walk east until they hit the Gihon, and then follow the river south, all in hopes of avoiding any scouts placed along the road. Decked out in his platemail, the morning sun rising in the sky, Darius felt sweat soaking into his tunic as he began to jog.
Daniel rode at the front of the line, one of the few who had a horse. Along the way, Darius heard calls and cheers, people slapping him on the back or shouting his name like it was a ward against their enemies. It should have made him feel proud, but instead just made him all the more self-conscious. Their lives depended upon him, every last one of them. Well, him and Valessa, and only because he’d vouched for Valessa’s trustworthiness.
“The youngster called you Lieutenant,” Darius said as he slowed down to a walk once he finally reached Daniel’s side. “With Robert’s passing, shouldn’t you be a Sir now?”
“I’ll consider myself a proper knight once I have Blood Tower under my control,” Daniel said. “It’s a sad knight who can’t hold his own lands. But enough of that. I’m glad you could join me. You inspire courage in my men, and it doesn’t seem right for you to march in the rear.”
“Does it matter where I am, so long as I’m with you?”
“You inspire only when you’re seen, and in case you haven’t noticed, my men have eyes in the front of their heads, not the back.”
“So is that all you called me for, to let your men stare at my ass as we walk?”
Daniel chuckled.
“Somewhat crude for a paladin, aren’t you?”
“The transition to Ashhur is still in progress.”
“Give us some privacy,” Daniel told the men who marched with them. They saluted, then held back so Darius and Daniel might travel many yards ahead. The humor they’d shared dwindled, and Darius could tell something bothered the man.
“What troubles you?” Darius asked once they were alone.
“Plenty,” Daniel said. “Though I supposed I should narrow that down. You’ve vouched for that witch woman repeatedly. I guess I want you to do it again, and maybe this time it’ll settle my mind. Are you sure we don’t march right into Cyric’s hands at the tower? Without her, we are dead against the walls.”
“She’s no witch,” Darius said, harsher than he meant.
“Then pray tell, what is she?”
Darius frowned, and thought over that first night she’d come to him, explaining her situation.
“Unfinished,” he said at last. “That is what she is.”
“She’s living shadow, Darius. Your own blade hurts her, yet we are to trust her now. You say she’s sworn to kill you, and yet you vouch for her, say we should trust her. I don’t understand either of you, and given how everything tonight relies on you both, that’s not comforting.”
“She’s in torment. She’s lost, confused, and had her faith in Karak shaken. I sympathize, and if I can help her somehow, I will. But if there’s anything I know for certain about Valessa, it’s her hatred of Cyric.”