Everyone tried to go at once, for it seemed that none wanted to be in the Silverback’s presence longer than needed. The scouts left first, in unison. Ruairí strolled out after them, followed by Garth and some other members of the Sons of Seletoth that Farris didn’t recognise. Then went Fionn, not acknowledging anyone else as he departed.
“Poor kid,” said Nicole’s voice behind Farris. “If he thought he was alone before, imagine how he feels now.”
“Sure,” said Farris. “But it won’t be long until our home here is destroyed, too.”
“Maybe. But as sure as Sin, we’ll still fight.”
Farris turned abruptly to face her. “You believe me. About Divine Penetrance and all that, right?”
She hesitated for a second, but that was enough.
“I know you wouldn’t lie to me,” he said. “If you didn’t believe me, you wouldn’t think twice about being blunt.”
“It doesn’t matter what I think. Even if you’re right about the king’s power, what difference would it make?”
“If I’m right, then we can’t let Morrígan take his soul and claim Divine Penetrance for herself. We need to travel south, and meet the horde head-on and—”
“Listen to yourself, Farris,” said Nicole. Although their last meeting had ended with heated words, her tone now was soothing, like a mother’s. “If I told you I believed you, it would mean nothing. The dead have already reached the capital. For all we know, King Diarmuid is already dead.”
“Just tell me that you believe me, then,” said Farris. “Everyone else in this city thinks that I softened up after working with the Crown. But there’s proof, Nicole. Tell me that you see that!”
Nicole raised a hand to touch his face. “Truth be told, as crazy as it sounds, I do believe you.”
“Then you agree that the king needs to be saved, if we’re ever to have a hope in this war?”
“Well, yes,” said Nicole, returning her hand to her side. “But like I said, it wouldn’t make a difference.”
Farris let his lips slide into a smile. “What if there was a way?” he said. “What if we could save him. Would you agree to help?”
“What? No. Farris, I’m not going to agree to something I know nothing about.”
“What about Skirmisher?” asked Farris, excitement rising in his voice. “You said that it can make the journey across Alabach in a day, and I know exactly where we could find the king.”
“Farris! Are you out of your mind? We can’t just swoop down into the horde and take the king to safety.”
“But you just admitted how important this is,” said Farris. “You said that if the king dies, then we’ll have no hope fighting back the dead.”
“Well, yes, but—”
“So, we should do everything in our power to prevent that from happening. Even if it costs us our lives.”
Nicole paused again. Farris was sure she saw his reasoning but was searching for another excuse. Sure enough, it came to her.
“The Silverback would kill us if he found out. They’d hang us for treason, and—”
“Treason? We’d save the king, and they’d hang us for treason? That would be the day!”
“You know what I mean, Farris. They wouldn’t be happy with us.”
Farris smiled. “If you prefer, you can tell them I forced you to.”
Nicole threw a quick glance around the empty Hall, assuring herself that there was indeed nobody else there. Then she smiled.
“Farris Silvertongue, as sure as Sin, you’ve earned that name, but this’ll be the last time you draw blood from this stone. Grab what you need and meet me in the Steamworks in an hour.”
Chapter 23:
Return to the Grey Keep
“No, please. I don’t want to die alone… She told me that I’d die alone.”
King Diarmuid, Third of his Name, Nineteenth Incarnate, AC404.
***
“Ardh Sidh,” muttered Nicole, peering over the edge of Skirmisher as they flew over the ruined city. The northernmost side of its walls bore a massive puncture, and the buildings within were reduced to great piles of grey rubble.
“Skies above,” said Farris. “Earl Broin was a renowned general and strategist, but what use is a lifetime of experience against an enemy as unnatural as this?”
They had been flying over the desolate wastes of Alabach for four hours now, but of all the ruins they passed, none hit Farris harder than the sight of what was once Ardh Sidh.
“What would have been his final thoughts,” asked Nicole, “as he saw the horde tear down his walls and spill into his city?”
Same thoughts he’d have if your Reapers did the same.
Farris shook his head. It was an unfair thought, one that didn’t consider the regret Nicole had felt upon seeing the power of her own creation. But things were different now. Argyll’s vision of marching south seemed a foreign concept when a new, more powerful enemy threatened to march north first.
So he held his tongue, and the two sat in silence as Skirmisher’s engine whirred softly behind them.
