A Sacrifice of Names

Chapter 17

Nightmare

Nightmare

Nightmare.

Earie dug her nails into the palms of her hands, leaving little red crescents on her skin as they walked back towards camp- or more what was left of it. Two carriages had survived the attack, the others were torn apart, planks now functioning as makeshift beds for the wounded and to accommodate the dead.

Seven deaths, seven lifeless bodies. Six of them belonged to those who had left their houses and families in the Court of Light behind, one to a guard who had bravely tried to make sure they would have a chance to cross the Shadow Court's border safely.

Twenty had left the Court of Light, including herself, but now only fourteen remained, leaving out the emissary sent by the regent and the few Shadow Court guards who accompanied them. Almost half of the survivors were left wounded, tended to by those whose faces were still haunted by shock and terror.

Not even Keely or Innogen, walking behind her and Muriel, dared to say a word, their fingers entwined, but their faces painted with sorrow.

Whatever happened here, whomever had attacked them, this could only be classified as a tragedy- one absolutely no one could have foreseen.

"Brenhin-"

His eyes found Earie's, but remained devoid from any form of enthusiasm, more so when his gaze slid to the quiet forms of Keely and Innogen behind her. He was wounded, his uniform torn at the arms. Tearing his eyes away from the small group he offered her a curt nod in acknowledgement before pressing a bloodied cloth back against his right upper arm.

"They didn't have anything to do with it, Bren," Muriel said. Earie had been the only one who could lie to her, twist their story in a way that would compel the woman to believe her words. After all, the fae could not utter lies. Albeit cliche, Earie had claimed them to be very close friends, devastated by the regent's choice and unable to part. Perhaps it was to their advantage that not many of the Shadow Court guards seemed to stomach the regent judging by Muriel's approving nods whenever Earie voiced her disappointment about the man's poor decisions. Not all of her words had been untruths, and even Keely chimed in explaining she had been the one one to put a glamour on her and Innogen that would allow them to follow unseen.

Muriel bought it and that was all they needed. Yet, Brenhin did not look too convinced by her words and lifted his left shoulder in a half shrug.

"Of course they didn't," they heard the regent's emissary scoff from behind them. The man, dressed in fine white clothing which made Earie doubt he had even participated in the protection of his own people, sat on an old tree log with his still pristine sword resting in his lap, no doubt as a warning. "Shadows. These were all shadows, and as the name already suggests I personally have no doubts who is behind all this."

Muriel's gaze remained cold as she let it fall in the man's direction and Brenhin turned himself around with a scowl on his face. They were joined by Cathal, the pale blonde warrior that had been with them back at Keely's place, and another of the Prince's guard, both with their hands resting on the hilt of the swords dangling from their belt.

The emissary did not look impressed. Instead, he pushed himself up, slowly turning the sword in his hands before continuing. "We have lost six precious lives today, and I ask you why? Why was this worth it for you?"

"Worth it?" Muriel sneered, and Earie could feel herself taking a few steps back. She was not the only one, most survivors looked up with concern crawling across their features. "Worth what? The downfall of our own court? Do you truly think Prince Firas is behind this attack?"