The Mad Raven's Tale (The Accarian Chronicles Book 1) by Andrew Walbrown (little red riding hood read aloud txt) 📕

did not like the idea of lying to her, feeling like she did not deserve such deception. She had never done anything to warrant it, at least to the best of Amantius’ knowledge. She had always treated him with respect and honesty, and even shared a bed with him. A little flare of guilt sparked inside of him as he thought about lying to her, but he quickly banished the feeling from his heart. It’s for the best that she doesn’t know the truth. How could I possibly explain that I was going to Silverwater without her permission?

Amantius followed Jaga into the Great Hall, sneaking in quietly as a few men argued over something. Their voices died away the moment they saw Amantius, both wearing the same unsure expression on their faces. Amantius noticed everyone was sitting around the hearth, Morganna at the head. She sat with her back straight, hands folded over her lap, a serious expression on her face.

“Thank you for joining us.” Morganna’s voice was cordial, neutral. Amantius could not tell whether or not she was pleased to see him. At the very least, she’s not angry with me. He turned his attention to the other faces in the crowd, receiving a mixture of responses. Some faces were friendly, some not. Then there was Movan, lingering in the shadows behind Morganna, his cold dead eyes fixed on Amantius. By the Gods he makes my skin crawl.

“It’s my pleasure.” Amantius felt a quick jab to the ribs from Jaga. “My lady.”

Morganna bowed her head and then immediately turned her attention to the assembly.

“Friends, it is time,” Morganna started, provoking murmuring. “Our wait here is over. Soon we will assault Silverwater.”

The murmurs grew into open conversations, some elated by the news, others not. Amantius had mixed feelings about Morganna’s statement. In some ways he wanted to leave tomorrow, to go with her and overthrow Aldamar and be reunited with Ulam in the process. But in other ways he was scared, petrified that convincing Ulam to switch camps would prove impossible, that they would be on opposite sides of the battle. He wanted a little more time, just enough to go to Silverwater, find Ulam, and persuade him to fight for Morganna as well.

“When will we leave?” One of the men said over the commotion.

“If the past few years are any indication, Aldamar will begin hiring mercenaries as soon as the New Year arrives,” Morganna said as the individual conversations faded away. “My brother is a creature of habit, and I fully expect him to do the same thing this year as well. I propose we strike now before men and women from all over the continent come seeking fortune. If I am to be honest, I am not sure if we can hold out much longer here. Each successive warband seems to penetrate the Silverwood a little further. It is only a matter of time until they find us.”

Morganna looked at every single person in the room, saving Amantius for last. When her dark eyes made contact with his ocean blues, he felt his heart leap to his throat. He had to use all his remaining energy not to smile or wink, instead focusing entirely on holding her gaze. She eventually looked away, her complete lack of emotion irking Amantius a little. Even though he knew it was absurd to think she would show him any affection at a time like this, he still felt slighted by the lack of recognition.

Morganna held up a hand, nonverbally demanding the assembly’s attention once more. “Over the next few days we will discuss the logistics, but as of right now I suggest you all return to your homes and get some rest. If the weather permits, we will leave in five days. You are all dismissed.”

One by one the members of the assembly exited the Great Hall, until only a few people remained. As Morganna continued issuing orders on the other side of the room, Amantius turned his attention to Jaga and noticed a small frown creasing his lips. From a distance, it would have been imperceptible, but at close range, Amantius could see the displeasure written on the man’s face.

“You don’t like the plan, do you?” He asked the old warchief in a voice barely above a whisper.

Jaga shrugged. “The plan is fine enough. I don’t like the timing. We barely have enough people for an ambush, let alone a coup. But, she is right, we’re running out of time. In a month Aldamar will begin buying a new warband, and within two we’ll have an enemy at our doorstep. And with the flow of recruits coming to a trickle, we won’t have the numbers to repel them.” Jaga turned away, heading for the exit. He stopped as he put his hand on the door, opening it just enough for a chilly breeze to filter into the Great Hall. “She also probably wants to go while you’re still with us.”

Amantius’ face turned as red as a rose; he could feel the blood rushing to his cheeks. “W-w-what do you mean?”

Jaga shook his head slowly. “I might be old, lad, but I’m not stupid. You weren’t chasing a damn rabbit.”

Jaga stepped outside, leaving Amantius alone in the Great Hall.

Chapter 30

Ulam

“I found it. I found the Mad Raven’s lair.”

Ulam had spent an entire day scouting the enemy’s base, being careful to stay far enough away that a sentry could not spot him. He took heart in the state of the defenses, believing in the event of a siege the fortifications would be easy to overrun since sections of the palisade wall had fallen into disrepair. He spent two more nights in the abandoned wagon, hoping with each following day Amantius would come close enough to rescue. But as time went on Ulam ran out of provisions, and after two long days of waiting, he began the trek back to Silverwater, even spending a night in the same inn at the edge of the Silverwood. Upon returning