“And may my ancestors not shun me for dying while aiding dirty Baellileans, I add.

The remainder of the Aeradian guards charge, howling at the top of their lungs. Over their cries, I hear rapidly advancing hooves and creaking wood.

Lannex’s carriage careens down the trail towards the soldiers, heading straight for us. Torrent and I gawk at each other. He swoops me up, and we hit the dirt with such force I cough in agony. He carries me a safe distance away and sets me down gingerly.

I stumble, push my hair away from my face, and view the carnage. The carriage has run over all but one of the guards.

“The crazy bastard has killed his own!” Torrent roars in approval. “Now, to take out the few that are left!”

“Torrent!” I grab his arm. It takes both my hands to cup his wrist, and he stares at them for a moment before he looks at my face. I stutter as worry rises in me and then get out my warning. “If the carriage is here, the Prince and Lorna were unsuccessful.”

He slowly shakes his head. His eyes grow wide as my words hit him.

“And if Lin hasn’t helped us yet…That means…” I continue.

He jerks his arm away, and I stumble back.

The carriage halts. The remaining guard runs and opens the door. A giant iron ball clubs him directly in his forehead.

I gasp as the mace is pulled back with malevolent force. A short, plump woman jumps down from the carriage as the guard drops. She rolls her neck and swings the gory weapon in a circle. My eyes stick to the green-hooded coachman, who leaps from his post to join the woman.

“Where is Prince Braizen?” Torrent demands as he stalks towards them. He points his sword straight at the woman.

She rests her hands on her stout hips and scrunches her nose.

“You mean the thief with the dreamy eyes?”

Torrent grunts and slowly moves in.

“Well, well. You aren’t too bad on the eyes, either! You look like you’re made from fine stone. Say, how tall are you anyhow?” She asks, her eyelashes fluttering.

Torrent jerks back, then spins his blade upright in his hand.

“Temptress,” he hisses. “I won’t be bought by your seductive body or entrancing eyes! Tell me what you have done with the Prince and the girl or meet your death!”

I inch back, wanting to create as much distance as possible if that mace swings against Torrent’s sword.

“Settle yourself, Stoneman. I’ve seen what happens next. Don’t tempt me to change its course.”

“What in the hells does that mean?”

“Ah, stop blubbering, you big brute,” the coachman interjects and throws back his hood.

“Braze!” Torrent lifts his friend into the air and spins. “How can this be? What happened back there?”

Braizen laughs and slaps his friend on the back as he’s lowered. “It’s a strange story. However, the good news is we have transport. And a great deal of alcohol.”