The Warrior's Curse (The Traitor's Game 3)

“The Dominion. We’ve got to get her back.” Gabe’s wide-eyed expression was full of panic. “Kestra and Joth were there too, on their way to the palace.”

I turned to Amala. “I’m afraid that I must ask you to cede leadership for now.” She nodded, and I said to Reese. “Commander, prepare your riders and horses to leave within the hour. I will notify the others gathered here that the time has come. Tonight will mark the end of Lord Endrick and the Dominion.” Then I glanced up at Gabe. “And we will get Harlyn back. Go wake Tenger.”

Less than an hour later, I sat astride my horse at the front of a long line of Alliance soldiers. To my right were one hundred soldiers of the Halderian cavalry. At my left were about twice the number of Coracks, with Tenger at my side. Directly behind me were five hundred Reddengrad soldiers, some on horseback and some on foot. Behind them all were a thousand Brillian soldiers, determined to have their revenge against Lord Endrick. They had been working day and night in hopes of finding a defense against Joth’s powers. I hoped they were ready.

And not one of us would be of any use if Kestra failed tonight. I hoped she knew what she was doing.

Lord Endrick’s palace was the highest on the hills of Highwyn, situated so that it had an easy view of the city and of the surrounding land of Antora. Woodcourt was only a little lower, and as Joth and I came closer, we saw signs of activity from below. The Alliance was on the move.

“They expect to join us in the battle,” I said to him.

“They’re of no use to us.” Joth was still staring at our road ahead. “We must stay with our plan.”

“Our plan involved Darrow.” I glanced back once more, as I had done already a thousand other times. “Where is he? Do you suppose—”

“He will come if he is able to.” Joth’s tone was cooler than usual, which hardly made me feel better. “We’re better off without him anyway. Are you ready?”

I put my hand on the Olden Blade. “Ready.”

As we had seen from our upper-floor lookout deeper within the city, Endrick’s palace was surrounded by what I assumed was his entire Ironheart army. If Simon’s sister was still alive, then she would be in there, somewhere. Thousands of soldiers stood at attention, heavily armed, and fully aware that to fail here would mean an instant death sentence. Endrick had control of the hearts of every single person here.

He’d once controlled mine. I knew how they must have felt, compelled to obey, terrified that a single wrong move might prompt a squeeze on the heart, or worse.

“Promise me that the half-lives will not kill them all,” I said.

“Only those who get in your way.” Joth offered me his hand, and I took it. His flesh was warmer than before. He squeezed on my fingers, then asked, “Do you feel the magic in me?”

“I do.”

“As I feel yours. I will do my part from out here, but once you are inside, if there is anything you need, I will sacrifice my safety for yours, and if necessary to protect you, I will sacrifice everyone out here. You are the priority now.”

I nodded, hearing an echo of Simon’s voice from ages ago, that he would die for me. Joth had just forced the same obligation upon every living thing between me and Endrick. I hoped they were all smart enough to move out of my way.

Joth kissed my fingers, then released my hand as we heard rumbling noises coming from farther down the hill, from Woodcourt. Teams of horses and foot soldiers raced toward us.

“They are coming,” I said.

Joth cursed. “They’ll ruin everything! You’d better go now!”

I withdrew the Olden Blade and kicked my horse into action. The instant I came into view of the palace, I heard shouts of my name and orders for the Ironhearts to stand their ground. I only sped up, fully aware of the weapons being drawn, the pikes aimed toward my heart, and the disk bows being loaded with every intention of killing me.

I rode faster, passing through the palace gates into a wide courtyard surrounded by tall rock walls. As soon as I crossed the gates, the first disk flew. Immediately, I felt a rush of wind around me, headed toward the Ironhearts. It wasn’t cold like the night air, nor clear like wind should be. Instead, it was the color of wispy summertime clouds, but with a soft glow that lingered after it had passed. And it stopped the disk.

No, they stopped the disk. These were the half-lives, going before me in battle. I saw only the faint glimmers of light they left behind, though I doubted the Ironhearts could see even that much. Everything happened so fast, they probably saw nothing at all. The half-lives’ attack was like a broom sweeping across Endrick’s lands, flattening everything in their path.

Tears creased my eyes. This was not what I had agreed to, but I could not stop now.

I rode across the courtyard as fast as I could, keeping myself close to their wave, ignoring everything around me but the doors to the palace itself.

A long series of wide stairs rose to the entrance. I charged my horse up the steps and whispered out orders to the half-lives to open the doors. They did more than that; somehow the two large doors at the center of the landing were ripped from their frames and flung out on either side of me, landing far down on the ground below. I rode inside, then dismounted, my Olden Blade in hand.

Where would Endrick be?

The palace was square shaped with a large reception area inside the doors. From what I recalled on my few visits here, the east wing was for official state business. My adopted father, Sir Henry, often met with Endrick in the rooms there. The west wing held Endrick’s private rooms, and straight ahead were the servants’ quarters. At the top of the grand staircase directly ahead of me was Endrick’s throne room.

It would take hours to thoroughly search the palace. Endrick could be anywhere here.

Of greater interest was that the palace appeared to be empty. I could not understand that. Lord Endrick kept a full staff of servants, and there was always a bustle of activity from members of the Dominion clamoring for his mercy, or attention, or reprisal on some uprising or another.