Chapter 89

• Roberto and I made it back to Ferville alive. We were both battered and in need of a healer’s touch, but we’d heal within hours. Despite surviving together, Roberto had barely spoken to me since I’d opened the hatch and led him through the passage. I saw the relief in his eyes when he confirmed I wasn’t severely hurt, but he still sulked over not being allowed to fight by my side, to protect me.
• Returning to Ferville, we found the city transformed into a war camp. Armed warriors hustled across the grounds, securing every possible inch. Emiliano was the first to spot us as we exited the passage, and after filling him in on what happened, he wasted no time spreading word of General Alvise’s death among the ranks. The news moved swiftly, aimed to sap the morale of Alvise’s troops, many of whom hadn’t yet learned of their leader’s death. Knowing this news would soon seep through the battlefield, I could already see the impact it would have on our enemies’ will to fight.
• “I still don’t know if the blood spell worked,” I confessed to Emiliano, giving him a wry smile.