Carmine (Completed)

Chapter 70

The sun glared at us, for we set fire to consume its child.

The fledgling empire of Tiam would burn today.

We all walked briskly on the stone walkway in between the dainty crenellations. Looking down afforded us a sight of a large contingent of soldiers.

Knights traveled on the crux of them, yet the majority of the knights stood on the walls. They were on the northern wall, while we were on the southern wall. 

Hopefully, they never saw us least we fight high above the squabbles of the lowly.

We stopped near one of the watchtowers surrounding the bailey. A gale blew and its serenity hugged me in the nestling wind.

On the other side was an immense tarp that covered a large section of the open field in front of the orchid garden. 

“Carmine?” Para pointed.   

Across the field, at the huge hole, Adu waved at us. Arrows flew up and he ducked behind the wall.

I hoped they were holding out okay.

Xallion asked, “What is really going on here?”

I chanced a look at Five. He gave me one finger. Not long now, I turned, shivering to the warm breeze. The wine and the glass were taken out.

“Part of me would have expected them to see us from up here,” Janilla said. 

I poured myself a glass of wine. Janilla always complained, but sometimes her complaints landed well. We were on the wall path that goes into the tower. It would be hard to see us from the ground, but not impossible. 

I took a sip and motioned the bottle of wine towards her. She looked at it and shook her head. 

More for me than.

Five fidgeted as if he was trying his best not to move. “I am being suppressed. I cannot crack.”  To crack was to enter, so Empaths or any capable witch could crack, which in essence allowed them into spaces.

“Who?” I asked. 

Five shook his head. “Not sure.” Blood streamed out of his nose.

I stood up. “Five?”

Please do not interrupt me.

Janilla grabbed onto the hem of my robe and peeked at Five from my side. Pera gasped moving behind Xallion.

Almost—

“What happened?” I asked.

A massive rumble rippled through the bottom floor of the keep as rocks spurted out, sending massive projectiles flying into the bailey. 

Many soldiers screamed under the crushing mishap befalling them.

We shielded our eyes and faces as the dust traveled with the wind and bashed into us. I choked, while steadying myself against the wind.

Janilla ducked as a rocket sailed over her head, passed us, and down into the city below. 

The dust covered most of the keep’s upper wall. Shouts and cries echoed in the atmosphere. My hand quivered in fear as I switched from Five's shivering and Janilla's frightened face.

Swallowing the hesitation in my empty throat, I drew the shaken glass to my lips and sipped.

There were things on my tongue. I spat out the wine and saw dust in the glass, so the wine was disposed of and poured again. 

A horn blared. I clenched my teeth and stilled the shaking. 

“What is the meaning of this?!” Xallion cried.