So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)(106)

Brody stiffened. “No, you’re not. Seven will have my hide if I endanger you. Once we cross the border, we’ll be dragon bait.”

“I’m still going with you.”

“I’ve heard the mountains are treacherous, and snow can fall at any time, even in the summer. The forests are full of bears, wolves, and wildcats, and they’re actually tame compared with the Norveshki warriors. The valleys have bubbling cauldrons of mud and geysers that shoot hot steam. The land around them is barren and scattered with the bones of animals that ventured too far onto the hot surface.”

Brigitta took a deep breath. “No matter what you say, I am going. I can speak Norveshki. Can any of you?”

Brody winced.

“If we’re captured by the Norveshki warriors, you’ll need me.”

Brody heaved a sigh. “Fine. You make a good point. I’ll take you.”

She smiled. “Thank you.”

With a groan, he shook his head. “You-know-who is going to be pissed.”

Her grin faded. “I can deal with his anger. What I can’t handle is the possibility of him being injured or killed.”

*

The next morning, Brigitta watched as One, Two, and Seven were lined up in front of Gunther’s tent. The three men sheathed the swords they were given, then soldiers handed each of them a bow, a quiver of arrows, and a spear.

Brigitta’s heart pounded, knowing that Captain Mador and General Tarvis planned to use those weapons on Rupert.

Gunther and a local nobleman strolled in front of the three men, inspecting them.

“You will follow the path along the stream,” the nobleman explained. “It will take you into Norveshka.”

“Yes, my lord,” all three men replied. The captain and the general shot an annoyed look at Rupert that he had dared to answer with them.

“One final note,” Gunther announced as he stared at the three contestants. “Don’t think you can weasel out of this quest by simply killing one of your companions. I have requested the head of a dragon, and you will deliver. If you’re too cowardly to kill a dragon, I’ll kill you myself!”

One and Two gulped. Seven’s eyes narrowed.

“You will avenge me for what those dragons did to me!” Gunther bellowed, his eyes seething with rage. “Do you hear me? I need revenge!”

Rupert’s hands fisted, and a strong gust of wind shot down the valley, shaking the tents and snapping the pennants.

Was Rupert causing this? Brigitta’s gown whipped against her legs, and her cloak billowed in the air. The wind kept coming, growing stronger and stronger.

Servants cried out in alarm as they stumbled against one another. Campfires blew out, cooking spits tumbled over, and large pots crashed to the ground. Dark clouds moved in, casting the valley into shadow. Horses whinnied as they trotted nervously about their enclosure.

As the wind grew more powerful, the soldiers’ tents began to uproot from the ground, and the objects inside flew into the air. The soldiers who tried to save their tents were blown into one another and pummeled with flying objects.

Thunder cracked overhead, and servants screamed, running for the nearby woods for shelter. Horses crashed through the makeshift fence and charged through the camp, causing more chaos.

Brigitta grabbed Sister Fallyn, and they hunched down as a tremendous gale-force wind struck Gunther’s tent.

He screamed in rage as his tent flapped about like a rag doll. “Save my tent!”

Soldiers rushed to help as One and Two grabbed on to Gunther’s tent.

Brigitta saw Rupert easing away, unnoticed in all the chaos. He jumped on a horse and charged away, headed on the path to Norveshka.

The dark clouds opened overhead, letting loose a deluge of rain. Brigitta and Sister Fallyn dashed for their tent, which was lopsided but still in place. She ran inside to gather the small bundle she intended to take with her.

“You’re soaked through,” Sister Fallyn said. “You should change.”

“There’s no time.” She slung the strap of the bundle over her shoulder. “He’s already left.”

“Goddesses be with you.” Sister Fallyn’s eyes filled with tears.

“When they notice I’m gone, tell them I was so afraid of the storm that I ran into the woods, and I must be lost.”

Sister Fallyn nodded. “I’ll be praying for you.”

Brigitta hugged her, then exited. One of the oilcloth tarps used to cover up supply carts had blown up against her tent. She draped it over her head to keep the rain off, then made a dash for the woods.

When Brody barked, she spotted him on top of a ridge. She scrambled up the hillside and found Stefan waiting there with two horses.

“He’s already gone!” She folded up the oilcloth, for it was barely raining on the ridge. “He took the path to Norveshka.”

“Then we need to go.” Stefan led her toward one of the horses and wedged the oilcloth between the saddlebags.

She gulped. “I don’t really know how to ride.”

“Then I guess you’ll learn fast.” Stefan hefted her onto the saddle. “Just stay on. I’ll lead your horse.”

She nodded, her heart pounding. This was much higher off the ground than she’d expected. She grabbed the saddle horn.

Stefan mounted his horse, and they moved at a slow trot along the ridge. Brody ran in front of them, then shifted into an eagle and soared into the air. He soon disappeared from view as he went in search of Rupert.