For two weeks, Emberly and the Krigereans rode like Helheim's Princes were after them. They stopped for nothing other than to feed the horses and to urinate. The first three days of their journey saw near-frequent stops for Emberly to kneel over and cough up more blood.
Throughout the mornings and afternoons, the Neigeson brothers took turns cooling the air around them. After a weeks' worth of traveling through the sandy dunes, small sprigs of grass started springing up through the sand.
"Let's stop here," Akaljot announced, dismounting his horse.
Emberly dismounted Starlight and started going through Frida's saddlebag for an apple. After getting what she wanted, Emberly walked back to Starlight and held out the apple to her.
Out, her magic whispered. Out.
Not yet, she said back.
Out, it howled. Out, now!
Not yet!
It thrashed, pushing against her bones. Now!
Not yet, she barked, leashing it.
"How far until the border?" asked Olek.
"Well, we're about here," said Akaljot, pointing at a spot on a map. "I'd say that we'd be there before nightfall."
Emberly looked behind her, and in the distance, she saw the Aspen forest that marked the Krigere-Eirineftes border.
"Are you okay, Emberly?" Frida asked from beside her.
"I'm fine," she said. "Just want to cross the border as soon as possible."
"I'm sure everyone here does," agreed Frida.
"What's that?" asked Igor, pointing at the sand dunes in the distance.
Emberly turned and looked at the dunes. Dark figures cascaded up and down the sand dunes, moving too fast to be on foot.
"Witch-Hunters," she said.
"Run!" shouted Volodomyr.
Emberly mounted Starlight and kicked her into a run.
"Andele, Starlight, andele!" she shouted.
—
Miles ran down the sand dunes on horseback with a vengeance. Musket in hand, he waited until he was at the top of the dune before he held it up, aimed, and fired.
The blonde in green and bronze clothing was hit.
You will be broken.
—
The sound of a musket being fired echoed and Frida screamed in agony as she was hit.
Out.
Not yet.
They had six miles until the border. Then five. Then four.
Emberly's magic pressed against her bones, her blood beginning to boil.
Out, now! it howled.
Not yet!
Three miles. Two. One.
Akaljot, Igor, and Fannars' Sons made it across the border—Frida followed close behind them.
"Come on, Emberly!" they yelled.
Emberly pushed Starlight as fast as possible.
Half a mile.
Twang.
Emberly looked behind her, arrows flying up into the sky.
She heard the twang of the bowstrings as the guards fired their arrows. She turned and threw her hand out to the falling arrows—
Emberly snapped back to reality as she crossed the border. She pulled on Starlight's reins, jumped off, and ran to the border.
"Emberly, what are you doing? Get back here!" Akaljot shouted.
Out!
Emberly watched the arrows peak against the sun. She threw her arms out wide. Now.
Emberly loosened the leash.
YOU ARE READING
Queen of Fire (A Light-Bringer Prequel)
FantasyEvery time a Pyro is born, the Gods flip a coin and hold their breath. Fifteen year old Princess Marilyn Pyro has everything she wants in life. She has her family, money, and her best friend, Miles Gomez. However, after an execution gone sideways, t...
