Crown of One Hundred Kings (Nine Kingdoms Trilogy #1) - Rachel Higginson Page 0,52

just gemstone.

The Shadows stood in front of a wagon filled with perfume and oil, whose scents we could smell in the wind. A family cowered in front of the wares, clutching each other in panic.

“The rebel army,” a Shadow sneered.

Arrick urged Thief forward. “This is not your ground,” he said to them.

The six of them shared a look. Their mouths were hidden behind black scarves, but their eyes flashed with hostile amusement. “Is it not?” one of them taunted. “How foolish of us.”

“You know that we punish trespassers,” Arrick allowed, barely masking the tone of hope. Not hope of a positive outcome, but hope of battle. He wanted to fight these mercenaries. He wanted to punish them for the villages we had seen living in fear, the village we had rescued from flame, and all the other torture these Shadows had inflicted on the realm.

“Aye,” the Shadow said. “And you know that our threats go far beyond mere punishing. Engage us, Arrick Westnovian, and we’ll end you.”

It was Arrick’s turn to sneer, “I welcome the challenge.”

Blades lifted on either side. My hand fell to my hip where I found my own short sword hidden beneath my cloak.

“We have no fight with you, Rebel King,” the same Shadow declared. “Our fight is the same as yours—against the powers that be.”

Arrick did not seem to enjoy the comparison. His words came out with barely restrained fury. “It’s interesting then, how you attack the innocent and powerless.”

Oliver coaxed his horse in front of mine.

“Be on your way, Shadows,” Arrick ordered. “Out of the forest. Out of Tenovia. Out of this realm.”

“We heard the rebels were on the move,” a Shadow’s glare fell to me. “But we had no idea you were carrying such beautiful cargo.”

A different Shadow spoke up next, “Has the Rebel King finally found a wench to occupy his nights? Or is she of greater importance than keeping the king of thieves’ bed warm?”

“I told you to be on your way,” Arrick snarled. He revealed his blade, pulling it halfway from its sheath.

A part of me wondered why we hadn’t started doing just that already. I was beyond ready to make these men pay for their sins.

A raven cawed nearby and every Shadow lifted his head to follow the sound. The great black bird, a bird I was realizing was very common in the Tellekane Forest, took flight. Its silky, feathered wings flapped with long thrusts as it soared upwards.

The Ring of Shadows shifted as their horses moved restlessly beneath them.

Behind the six Shadows that surrounded the merchant family, horses and riders flooded from the forest, funneling onto the highway. I counted ten, then twenty, then lost track.

The six in front of us appeared restless to move as well. They tilted their heads at Arrick, imparting a respectful goodbye, and raced off to join their comrades.

Confusion over their familiarity with Arrick pulsed with fear as I watched the black clad Shadow riders disappear around a bend in the road. Had they truly meant to fight Arrick? Or was there an allegiance that I had missed?

Gunter was Arrick’s friend and enemy. Could the same be true about the Ring of Shadows?

More reasons not to trust the Rebel King.

More reasons to fear the Ring of Shadows.

I had heard of their stealth before, but I hadn’t even noticed the army cloaked by the trees. I had been too focused on the six men I could see.

The rebels and Cavolian riders talked in low voices and Arrick and Gunter leaned in again, snarling a conversation that I could not overhear. It was clear that none of these men had expected to run into the Ring of Shadows.

“We ride on,” Arrick declared at last. “We shall make camp near Crestif.”

The low, conversational hum died down as men kicked their horses in motion. Oliver and I usually stayed in the middle of the pack, but that had upset both of us enough to dampen our motivation to move.

“That was the Ring of Shadows?” Oliver exclaimed. “We ran into the Ring of Shadows? We very nearly ran into them! Can you believe we’re still alive after all that?”

“I am as baffled as you.”

His voice dropped to a whisper and his wide chocolate eyes stared at me with wild panic. “Tessana, what if they had attacked? Or captured you?” His voice dropped even lower. “Worse, what if they had searched you?”

“Shush, Oliver the Silent,” I hissed. “We can’t ask those questions. The important thing is that they didn’t. I’m