Naamah's Kiss - Jacqueline Carey [250]
Not until we reached the river did I pause. It was a wide, swift river and tricky to ford. Our horses picked their way with care, the water rising belly-deep at times. I stroked my chestnut's lathered neck, whispering praise. The archers remained on the near side, gathering to make their stand. I wondered how many, if any, would survive. It was a sickening feeling.
And on the battlefield, the Divine Thunder was crashing again.
"Noble Highness!" Dai was splashing across the river, leading the princess' mount behind his own. Although his face was rigid with horror, he had kept his wits about him. "Here!"
I drew rein until he came alongside us.
"Dai." There was relief in Snow Tiger's voice. She slipped deftly from the back of my saddle into hers. "Thank you. Is everyone… no, of course not. I saw men die." She bowed her head. "How many? Who?"
"Scores of your father's men," I murmured. "And Tortoise."
"Ah, no!"
"Yes," Bao said grimly. "And if we do not make haste, their sacrifices will be in vain."
The princess turned her head in the direction of the battlefield, and although she could not see now, she had seen enough in the twilight to guess at the carnage. The Imperial army would retreat if it could, but not until we were safely away—or confirmed dead. The backs of the Imperial archers formed a living shield between us and Jiang's men. Her hands tightened on the reins. "Then we will ride as though every demon in hell were chasing us," she said in a hard, clear voice. "And put an end to this madness."
Yes, the dragon agreed fiercely. Yes!
I thought of the future I had seen unwinding on the battlefield. Even if we succeeded, I was not sure it could be averted. I understood better the terrible choices my ancestors among the Maghuin Dhonn had made in their efforts to alter the future. If it were within my means to do the same, I would be tempted to try.
But I had no choices here, only a very slender thread of hope.
The princess gave the order.
We rode.
* * *
CHAPTER EIGHTY
It was like a familiar nightmare. Riding and riding in an endless, desperate flight. A valiant horse laboring beneath me. Men left behind to guard our passage, men sure to die. Eventually, the sound of pursuit in the distance.
But these were good horses, excellent horses, the best and swiftest in the Imperial army, and though the chestnut I rode was no more gallant than my Blossom, he was fit and hardy, in the peak of condition. All of them were. They had not shied at the Divine Thunder. Now they carried us willingly at a breakneck pace over the harsh terrain.
Bit by bit, we extended our lead.
When we could no longer see or hear our pursuers, Bao consulted with the princess and called for a slower pace. Our mounts plodded steadily, heads low, breathing hard through blown nostrils.
We could still hear the Divine Thunder booming in the distance. I tried unsuccessfully not to think about the toll it was taking.
It is fire that impels it? the dragon asked. This killing man-made thunder?
"Aye," I said wearily.
Then I will end it once I am free. His voice was still fierce. I will drown their evil weapons in rain. I will call down lightning to strike them dead. Every single one of them.
"No." Snow Tiger straightened in the saddle. "No, my friend. That you must not do. It is enough to silence their thunder. Lord Jiang and Black Sleeve will pay for this atrocity, but the men they command are innocents misled. If we succeed, we must show them mercy."
Why? The dragon's tone darkened.
"Because it is the correct thing to do," she murmured. "Because they believe they are fighting to avenge the death of a man I killed with my bare hands. And they are not wrong about the reason, only the cause."
I felt him acquiesce without words, and sighed with relief. The princess' blindfolded head turned in my direction, sharing my thoughts.
All throughout the day, we walked and trotted and cantered the horses, pressing as hard as we dared without foundering them. We rounded the base of the mountain range, keeping eyes and ears alert for pursuit,