A Promise of Iron by Brandon McCoy (the reading list .txt) 📕

Lira nodded, then returned to the spyglass once more. “What are they doing out there?”

“Nothing really,” Penir chimed in. “Hiding, hoping we might go out there and give ‘em a fight.”

“Are you going to?”

Penir shook his head. “No need, they don’t pose any real threat to us.”

“What about the fire?”

Penir pointed to the grass gap between the walls and the forest beyond. “We have it cleared a few hundred yards all around the estate.” He looked up at the sky, where clouds mixed with black smoke. “Any luck and some rain will come through and put that little blaze out.”

Lira nodded. “Faerin said they usually go after smaller targets. What do you think they want here?”

“Just acting tough,” Penir said nonchalantly.

Crylwin spoke up. “Some tribes coat their arrows in snake venom. It won’t kill you, but it works like stone in your veins. After a few minutes, you can’t move. They are probably hoping we send some folks out to deal with the fire so they can ambush them.”

“For what?”

Crylwin shrugged. “Sport? Maybe a chance that one is carrying iron? Who knows what the little devils really want.”

“Don’t they know we can see them? Did they not hear the horns blasting?”

Crylwin tapped on the side of his head. “They aren’t very bright.”

“Still, it seems a little dangerous to just leave them out there, don’t you think?” Lira continued.

“Rick led the outriders to protect the carriages on their way back to Forhd,” Crylwin explained. “I’ll have them look for tracks at first light. They should be able to catch them before they get a chance to do any harm.”

Lira stepped closer to the edge of the wall and leaned out with the glass. “Wow, that one looks pretty big.”

“The pale one?” Penir asked.

Lira nodded.

“Yeah, looks to be their prime. Biggest Golmere I’ve seen in years.”

“Prime?” Lira asked.

“Their alpha, their warlord,” Crylwin explained. “Usually, the one that convinced them to leave their caves in the first place. You bring that one down, and his friends will scatter like leaves.”

“Is he missing an ear?”

“Yup,” Penir chuckled. “Looks like a right tough bastard that one.”

Crylwin cleared his throat.

“Oh, my apologies, miss. Pardon this old sailor’s tongue,” Penir said.

Lira patted him on the shoulder. “Come on, Penir. I’m just one of the boys up here.” She worked her mouth like she was chewing tobac, then spit out over the wall. “Quick, someone get me a sword!”

“Faerin, have you seen Father around?” Crylwin asked.

“No, we lost those three a little after you left,” I said. “I’m sure he heard the horns, though.”

Crylwin nodded. “Let’s get prepared just in case they decide to do something stupid. Penir, put two on the north bastion and spread the rest along the wall. Space them out so they can cover more area. Faerin, how would you feel about taking a few spears?”

“What’s that?” Lira asked, pointing to a clump of trees midway between the Golmere and the wall.

“What’s what?” Penir asked.

“There, in the trees. I saw movement. But it doesn’t look like a Golmere to me.”

“Let me see,” Crylwin commanded, taking the glass from her hand. He looked out. “It’s something alright, but it’s too far from the fire to see clearly.”

“Want me to call for Quill?” Penir asked. “He had those bottles we lit when that bear was prowling last cycle. Maybe he still has some lying around?”

“No, let him sleep,” Crylwin said. “It’s moving again anyway; if it clears those trees, I should be able to see what I’m looking…”

He grew quiet.

“What is it?” Lira asked.

“It a boy,” he said. “What is a boy doing out there on a fell?”

His voice trailed off as I ran down the steps. Shouting echoed behind, but all I could hear was the sound of my heart thumping in my ears.

“Open the gate,” I said to the lone spearman standing guard. He wore a puzzled look but didn’t move.

“OPEN THE GATE!” I yelled. This time he jumped.

“Faerin?” a voice called from behind. “What is this? Why is your sword drawn?”

I turned to see Monroe staring at me. Funny, I didn’t recall drawing my sword.

“I-I need to…”

“Father!” Crylwin called from above. “There’s someone out there.”

“Under a fell moon? Are they mad? Have them stay out there. Let it be a lesson for those who disobey my—”

“I told…” I whispered.

Crylwin joined us at the gate, a pair of spearmen with him. “Spit it out, Fae.”

“I… I told… it’s my fault he’s out there. Jaeron, he’s…I have to… I have to go….”

“Go where?” Monroe asked. “There’s a band of wild Golmere out there; you would never reach him in time.”

“Not alone,” Crylwin added, handing me a wooden buckler. “Penir, toss down your longbow.” Crylwin caught the bow and slung the quiver over his shoulders. He picked up another buckler and attached it to his forearm. “I’m going with him.”

“You will not,” Monroe declared. “I forbid it.”

“You think you can stop him?” Crylwin asked, pointing to me with his sword, Adamant.

Monroe stood silently.

“Yeah, me either,” Crylwin said. He turned to the two spearmen next to him. “Bryson, Tenny, you’re with us.”

“This is madness, Crylwin,” Monroe said. “One boy’s life is not worth…”

“Easy now, Father,” Crylwin whispered. “You’re starting to sound like them.” He turned to me and winked.

Monroe glared. “At least take some more men with you.”

Crylwin shook his head. “They’re needed here, Father. We are enough; I’m not planning on rushing them head-on, we just need to buy the boy a little time.”

Monroe opened his mouth as if to object, then closed it.

“Penir,” Crylwin called out, “We need to distract them long enough for Jaeron to reach the arrow line. Have your men ready to cover him.”

“And you should you need it,” said Penir. “If it gets tight, don’t do anything stupid. Just fall back to the wall, my boys will cover you.”

Crylwin brought his blade to his lips and kissed.

“They are on the move, Crylwin,” Penir called down. “I think they spotted him.”

“We need to go,” Crylwin said. “Let’s