From the Ashes (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #3)(126)

“We can’t stop them. You said it yourself that the Spellblades wouldn’t hold against Magebreakers, and Nerathane. We can’t fight the dragons and Rivana at the same time, Victory.” Havoc spoke in the calmest voice he could muster. It worried him to see Victory like this. Vic was the anchor that kept him from getting them both killed.

“Are you expecting me to surrender? I won’t back down. I don’t care how many dragons they have. Delvay will fight,” Kadan snapped.

“So he was right about one of us being a moron at least,” Havoc returned in a dry tone. With one simple sentence Kadan had managed to piss him off yet again. The Delvay lord was the best at setting his temper off though so it really shouldn’t be surprising.

“I’m not a damned craven. I will not hide from my enemies, but feel free to scurry off Firym,” Kadan shot back and spat on the ground in disgust.

“You are going to be responsible for the death of everyone in this army if you continue, Kadan. You have no choice but to retreat now,” Havoc said, his voice rising in pitch once more.

“For the love of the Divines,” Victory sighed and shook his head. “Fine, kill each other off,” he muttered throwing his hands up in defeat.

“It’s either kill him off or watch him sacrifice Delvay for his damned pride,” Havoc snarled. “You can’t hold against them Kadan! You were already outnumbered before the dragons joined the fight. You are going to die, you jackass,” Havoc said loudly, pronouncing each word slowly as though he were speaking with a doting elder.

“If you want to run, feel free, Havoc. We didn’t ask for your help in this fight to begin with,” Kadan hissed.

“I’m leaving, Havoc,” Victory said in a voice so soft Havoc barely heard him.

“I’ll be back at camp shortly. Once I knock some sense into this dipshit,” Havoc called, his hand already going for the hilt of his sword.

“I won’t be at the camp, Havoc. I’m leaving Delvay,” Victory added in a slightly louder voice.

“Run with your friend, Havoc. Spare me the trouble of burying your corpse later,” Kadan said in a mocking tone.

Havoc glanced over his shoulder toward Victory and then back at Kadan. Anger coursed through him, but if he wasted more time fighting with Kadan, Victory would be gone. Clenching his fist tightly he locked eyes with Kadan. “You should have cried for your sister,” he hissed as his fist connected solidly with the Delvay Lord’s nose. Bones crunched under his hand, but he didn’t stay long enough to see the damage.

Turning, he followed quickly after Victory, catching up with the Fae just as he was mounting Avalanche. “Vic, wait!” Havoc called before his partner could manage the first of the transport spell.

“What?” Victory asked in a voice that seemed too tired.

Havoc gave a light whistle and waited patiently as Razor trotted over to him. Looking up at Victory he smiled faintly. “So, where are we going?” he asked as he swung into his saddle.

“I’m going home, Havoc. That’s where I should have gone in the first place. If you were smart you would go home too. Our own people need us, and maybe they will actually listen when we try to save their lives,” Victory said sadly, his eyes flicking to the child that still didn’t seem to realize his mother was dead.

“Well, give me a lift to Faydwar at least, Vic. Don’t leave me stranded with the Delvay after I broke their lord’s nose,” Havoc said quietly. He still couldn’t believe what he had just heard. In the ten years they had been traveling together, Victory had joked about leaving him behind, but he had never been serious before. There was no laughter in his eyes now. This time he was serious.

Victory nodded slowly and began the spell silently, his gaze never leaving the child.

“Can I ask why, now, Vic? We’ve been through a lot of shit together. Why are you cutting ties now?” Havoc asked, amazed at the pang in his chest at just the thought of going separate ways. They had been friends since the Academy, only Zach had been with them back then. Then the fall of Veir, and it was just the two of them after that. Now it looked like it wouldn’t even be that much.

“Because I don’t want to watch you die, Havoc, and I think for the first time since I’ve known you that it might actually happen. You’ve always been invincible in my eyes, but you never know when to back down, Havoc. After what I’ve seen in the past few weeks…” Victory’s voice trailed off as his magic washed over them. The rest didn’t need to be spoken aloud, though. Havoc knew all too well what he meant.





Chapter 26





Seravae Isles





Cold wet drizzle washed over them in a steady fall that had lasted all day. Jala glanced toward Valor who sat alone at the prow of the ship. She couldn’t prove he was causing the weather but she had a good suspicion that he was. He had been silent since they had left Kithvaryn and hadn’t said so much as a word to her the entire ship ride. With a sigh she glanced over to where Ash stood by the rail, staring out over the ocean. He had been quiet too, but then from what she had seen of the man so far, Ash was always quiet. He would speak if you spoke first, but he rarely initiated the conversation himself.

You should have brought Sovann with you if you wanted social company, Marrow said as he moved forward to sit beside her.