Free The Lost Realm by J. D. Rinehart Page B

along the line of the injured, stabbing each man where he lay. Blood spread rapidly from one stretcher to the next, turning the white canvas to red. “Butchers!” she screamed. She pushed against Ghast’s arm and felt it give way.
    â€œQueen Elodie! No!” cried Ghast as she fought her way to freedom.
    â€œI’m not a queen yet!” she shouted over her shoulder. “If I were, I’d be protecting my people!”
    The metallic stench of blood filled her nostrils. All around, Trident soldiers lay dead or dying.
    They’ll all be killed , she thought. Unless I give the Vicerins what they want . . .
    She raced to a nearby wagon and clambered up to the driving board. Standing tall, she took a deep breath and yelled, “I AM HERE!”
    Around her the chaotic fighting continued unabated. But as she scanned the clearing, she saw two faces turn up toward her: Fessan and Stown.
    â€œElodie!” Fessan roared. “No!”
    He ran toward her. Almost immediately a sea of blue cloaks swallowed him up. Elodie strained forward, her heart in her mouth. An instant later Fessan broke free, blood spraying from the tip of his sword. Behind him three Vicerin soldiers dropped to the ground.
    â€œStop him, you idiots!” yelled Stown. Yet more blue cloaks appeared, making a wall in front of Fessan, and this time he was swallowed entirely.
    Stown strode toward the wagon, gathering even more Vicerin troops in his wake. Elodie watched in terror as they surrounded her.
    â€œStop fighting!” she yelled. “I’m here!”
    Her cry was heeded. Across the battlefield the sounds of clashing steel died slowly away. The forces of Trident and Vicerin alike lowered their weapons and gazed at her.
    Elodie had opened her mouth to speak again when the wall of blue cloaks parted and Fessan was thrust toward the wagon. His face was bloodied and his hands had been bound behind his back. He was shoved down the line of Vicerins, all of whom were jeering. When he reached the end, two of the enemy seized him, while a third held a knife to his throat.
    Meanwhile, Stown had reached the wagon. He grinned up at Elodie, revealing a jagged row of decaying brown teeth.
    â€œSo, you’ve decided to surrender after all?” he said.
    â€œElodie!” shouted Fessan. “Don’t do it!”
    Beads of blood trailed from the knife and ran down his neck.
    Stop struggling , she willed him. Stop struggling, or they’ll kill you!
    But she knew Fessan would never stop. There was only one way to save him, to make him give up the fight for her.
    I’m so sorry , she thought. Please forgive me.
    Then she squared her shoulders and summoned all her old haughtiness.
    â€œI will do what suits me,” she told Fessan. “I am glad someone has finally come to save me from you and the rest of these cutthroats!”
    Fessan stopped struggling and blinked in surprise.
    â€œElodie!” he cried. “What are you doing?”
    â€œWhat I had always planned to do.” Elodie’s heart broke a little as she heard the coldness in her own voice, still more when she saw Fessan flinch before her words.
    â€œI don’t believe it! I don’t believe you !” She felt sick to her stomach. But for her plan to work, Fessan had to be convinced. An idea came to her.
    â€œWhy do you think I buried that standard? To leave Trident undefended.”
    When he heard this, Fessan’s face finally crumpled. His chin sank to his chest.
    â€œYou called them ‘cutthroats,’ ” said Stown slowly.
    â€œOf course.” Elodie turned to face him. “Do you think I like being here? Ever since they kidnapped me, I’ve been dreaming of rescue.”
    â€œReally? I always thought . . .”
    â€œOh, I’ve played along. What choice did I have? I thought they’d kill me otherwise. But I knew my father would send someone eventually. It’s just a shame