From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [194]
Achan peeked through the gap. No sign of Cortland. His shield lay on the steps below. Pig snout. Achan picked up Ôwr. Well, he preferred a longsword, anyway. Hopefully he might find his own shield later. Behind him, Bran groaned. Shung crouched and helped him stand.
“Can you go on, Bran?” Achan asked.
“Of course,” Bran said. “Head stings a bit. I’ll be fine.”
“What is your order, Highness?” Toros asked.
“Take out as many of the enemy as you can.”
Toros grinned. “Arman be with you.”
“And you as well.” Achan started up the stairs, but Shung cut him off.
“Shung will lead. Boar will follow Cham.”
Bran’s eyebrows almost leaped off his face. “I’m a boar?”
Achan laughed and it lightened his mood. “Very well, Sir Shung. You may lead the way, but the entire source of this war awaits us on the tower roof. The task is left to us. Are we ready?”
“Shung is ready.”
“As am I, Your Highness,” Bran said.
Achan nodded to Shung. “Lead on, Sir Shung.”
They had barely climbed one rotation of the tower stairs when Sparrow spoke to him.
Your Highness? How do you fare?
Achan smiled. She seemed incapable of knowing what to call him since the problem with her memory. He wasn’t sure which he liked better, the exasperating, argumentative Sparrow or the respectful, polite Lady Averella.
I am well, though we have lost many. And you?
Alive. I wondered if I may be of service.
Achan stopped and held up a hand to Bran. Shung turned back and paused. Aren’t you with Sir Eagan?
No. Khai took control of a tanniyn, but mother and Jax fixed them both. Is your squadron missing Sir Caleb?
Yes! Did he survive? Achan rushed to the nearest arrow loop.
He is breathing but unconscious. There is nothing I can do but let him rest.
Achan looked down on the northeastern gate and sighed. I cannot see you. This arrow loop points the wrong direction.
I do not mean to stall your mission. I only wanted to check—To see whether you need anything.
I need you.
You do? There was a smile in her voice.
He needed her to live. He hated to ask anything of her, but she was too valuable an asset to ignore. If you can get down, and if it’s safe, go to the base of the watchtower. See if you can help the injured. And look for Cortland. He fell.
Yes, Your Highness. I will go right away.
Achan winced. Sparrow?
Yes, Your Highness?
From now on, call me “Achan,” please.
A long moment of silence stretched on. We shall see.
He rolled his eyes and grinned at Shung and Bran. “Both Sparrow and Sir Caleb live. Let us finish this.”
36
Averella backtracked along the sentry walk with Jax until they found an abandoned ladder. They climbed to the back of the watchtower and ran around the side. Sounds of battle slowed their steps, and they found themselves behind a wall of shields where Achan’s bowmen were shooting through arrow loops in the wood. Between two shields she could see a ground battle raging in the distance. The archers were keeping the enemy back from the tower.
Behind the shields, a standard-bearer, who seemed quite young, waved the Armonguard flag back and forth. She spotted Sir Rigil beside the young man, pacing in front of the tower entrance.
She approached him. “Sir Rigil, I have come to aid the wounded. Do you have any?”
“My lady Averella! Jax! All my joy to see you well. Was Sir Eagan successful at taking the eastern gate?”
“He has taken the gate and holds it still,” Jax said.
“The prince asked me to check on his men. A man named Cortland, specifically,” Averella said.
Sir Rigil winced. “Last I saw, Cortland had passed out from the pain. I am no healer, but I fear his legs are broken.”
“Show me.”
Sir Rigil led her just past the doorway. A young man lay on his back, his right leg twisted at an odd angle. His left knee looked to be bent naturally, but the blood coating his