Chapter 22

Flint clenched his jaw and broke into a run. He had told himself that attacks two nights in a row were unlikely. However, if his hypothesis was correct and he had captured a powerful high fae, her allies would come looking for him.

An entire rest day might’ve been too much.

Bjorn and Adam were on their feet when he reached the camp. The snowdog stayed by the prisoner while Adam was strapping the dead pucks’ light leathers onto himself. They didn’t provide a lot of protection but was still better than nothing. When Flint didn’t slow, Adam broke into a run, holding his hammer tightly with both hands.

Maya howled again, encouraging Flint to increase his speed. They passed the pulsing Heartstone and were panting by the wall’s stairs came into view. Flint took them two at a time as he raced to the top.

“What is it, Maya?” Flint asked, falling into his knees next to her.

At first, he saw nothing while scanning the horizon. Then as the clouds shifted, bathing the Verdant plains in moonlight, a dark silhouette came into view. It had long, branching antlers, but unlike most deer, its face didn’t feature a snout. Despite the moon’s light and [Keen Eye], Flint failed to determine a face. However, he saw long brown and green fur hanging all over the creature’s body. A glint of green around its face gave away a set of four glowing eyes. They were focused on the fort.

Adam joined Flint breathing heavily, and scanned the horizon. However, he didn’t pause on the alien creature. Then it stood on two legs, making Adam gasp. The Iron Army had forbidden the creation of chimaera long ago. Even though the creature looked like a monstrous furry man with antlers and many eyes, Flint knew from the body shape that it was anything but.

It was most likely one of the ancient monsters that roamed the disk’s wildernesses or along its edges. The Iron Army often sent contingencies of a hundred or more men to face them for the prize of several skill stones. They only succeeded half the time. There was a chance it was one of the creatures living in the tunnels or bridges between disks too, but Flint had his doubts. He had heard reality warped around them, and the creature appeared to be one with the wilderness.

As the hairy beast descended a hill, it lifted a monstrous spiked club off the ground and held it over its shoulder. Flint got a reasonable estimate of the creature’s height as it walked. It would likely stand at eye-level with the wall. He hoped the monster didn’t have the strength to shatter it, but climbing over the current defences would probably not be a challenge given the height.

When the creature disappeared into the grassy hills and disappeared, Flint’s shoulders relaxed. “We wouldn’t have a chance if that thing attacked us,” he said.

Adam grunted in response. The bigger man’s body trembled as they descended the stairs. Flint felt his hand shaking too. On the other hand, Maya followed them with her ears, floppy, and tail wagging. She smiled at him, and her reassurance through their empathic link helped Flint relax. Maya let him know they were safe. She nudged his hand with her head. Flint gave in to her demands and scratched the top of her head as they walked uphill.

Maya had grown once again. He no longer had to bend his knees or slump his shoulders to reach her chin. Flint scratched her behind the ear and the side of his head. Maya leaned into his hand, and he understood the jumble of emotions and colours coming through. Maya was telling him that he’d keep her safe.

The [Totem of Nurture] stood out like a beacon as they approached the camp. Flint had ignored it on the way down. It shone gold, unlike the [Totem of Healing]. Instead of vines and leaves, it featured puppies and dogs frolicking under the sun. Flint wasn’t sure what it could do, but the name suggested it would help the dogs grow. Adam hoped to give it a couple of days, and then he’d check for changes using [Guide Growth].

The prisoner shot them a knowing glance and had an almost taunting smirk on her face. Flint was too tired to deal with her, so he shared a snack of apples and pears with Bjorn and the dogs before retiring for the night.

“My name is Winona,” the mirror mage said while Flint stood with his back to her.

As a courtesy, he had allowed her to wash up in some privacy. Adam had gone up to Lea’s Slumber to fetch supplies, and Twylip had joined him. Bjorn watched the woman, ensuring she didn’t try anything.

“The name’s Flint.”

“I gathered as much.” Water sprayed against the back of Flint’s neck as she splashed around.

Flint sat on the ground shaping stones for a private booth by the pool. Now that there was a woman in the area, he wanted privacy too. He heard her finish and get clothed. Then she walked around Flint and sat down in front of him. Twylip had arranged clothes for her, and she looked a lot less intimidating in a blouse and work pants. Flint removed her manacles and replaced the bandages one by one. The burns had healed, and he didn’t want new ones to form.

“You screwed up last night,” she said as he fastened the iron bands around her ankles. Instead of bandages, she wore socks as a protective layer. It was still uncomfortable.

“What do you mean?” Flint asked, making sure the iron bands were secure. He focused on keeping his tone neutral. He didn’t want to confirm or deny whatever suspicions she had.

“Every aether beast and magic-user in the Gator Teeth mountains felt you and the artifact last night. I bet the psychic pulse spread across this corner of the Verdant Plains too. There’s no point in hiding it anymore.”

“So, you were looking for something.”

Winona smiled. “It might not be the artifact the fae lords and looking for, but if any of our scouts felt the disturbance, they’ll come here to investigate,” she said. “So, you have two options. Set me free, and I’ll buy you time so you and the pathetic people in Lea’s Slumber may flee. Or, kill me and await a slow, painful death. Things won’t be good for you if you let me live either. Once the Wyld’s armies come—believe me, they will—and set me free, I’ll take pleasure in skewering personally.”

Flint sighed. “Do you hear yourself?” He asked. “These threats of yours they’re just not convincing. I spent twelve years in the army. I can tell the difference between people that want violence and bloodshed and those who do not.” Flint paused, wondering whether to share his personal secret or not. After some thought, he decided there was no point in hiding it anymore. “Whatever you felt last night. I felt it too—”

“I knew it! You’re a Wyldblood.” Winona’s eyes widened as she glanced at Bjorn. “I knew I felt something strange between you and the hounds. What are you?”

Flint shrugged. “They call us Woodson in the Iron Lands. My parents died when the war started. Apparently, puck merchants dropped me off at the orphanage before returning to the fae lands.” He sighed. “It doesn’t matter. What I’m saying is, I can feel your intentions, Winona. You’re not the person you claim to be.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Flint.” She growled. “It’s for the best if you stay out of my head.”

“I know not just because I can feel your emotions when you’re stressed, but also because you and I are the same,” he said, shooting her a soft smile. “I can feel it. You’re more comfortable here in chains than when you first arrived. We both hate war. I bet it’s taken as much from you as it has from me. So, how about we drop this charade, and you tell me what you’re looking for?”

“I don’t know,” she answered after a moment’s silence. “The scouting leader told us to look for powerful sources of arcana that carry signs of fae magecraft. Whatever you found up, there might be one such item. The fae lords are scared of them falling into human lands. We’re to either retrieve them or report our findings, so more elite teams come to investigate.” Winona paused, glancing at Bjorn as he repositioned himself next to Flint. “Someone will have sensed that pulse, Flint. So, I’m giving you the opportunity to tell me what you found in the fort and leave.”

“That’s not going to happen, Winona.” Flint pulled her onto her feet, bound her to the pillar and gave her bread and cheese for breakfast. “The Iron Army tried scaring the villagers, but they refused to budge. I doubt I, as one man, will change their minds. I wouldn’t even if I could. This is my home now.”

Winona glared at Flint as he got ready for the day. Adam and Twylip were heading downhill. After putting the supplies away, Twylip intended on gathering herbs around camp, while he and Adam finished the wall. Even though Flint maintained a brave face, the past evening had left him terrified. He wanted the wall complete as soon as possible.

“The Wyld doesn’t care you’re Wyldblood, you know. Fae or not, you’re either with them or against them. They’ll tear through you without hesitation.”

“Thank you for your honesty, Winona.” Flint shot her a smile before greeting his friends.

“How did everything go last night?” Twylip asked.

“I might have.” Flint didn’t see a point in lying. However, giving the pair too much information would only make them panic. “I’m not sure what’s down there, but there’s something for sure. The sooner we finish the walls, the better.”