The Path of Flames (Chronicles of the Black Gate Book 1) Read Free Page B

“Asho!”
    “Here,” he called back unnecessarily.
    Back at Kyferin Castle, Ulein would rather have swum in the moat than talk to him. Now the other squire hurried to his side, expression a combination of relief and fear. Asho slipped his arm around Ulein’s waist as the other youth sagged, and then they both turned as they heard the high, pure clarion call of the trumpets from the far hill. Asho felt his heart sink. “They’ve sounded the second charge.”
    Together they stood and watched as the second half of the Empire’s army began to move forward, riding down the gradual slope of the far hill. The line was orderly, and this time the knights did not break out into a gallop but continued up the enemy slope at a trot instead.
    “But why?” Ulein’s voice was a hoarse whisper. “Didn’t they see…?”
    Asho watched as close to a thousand knights rode up toward them. They looked glorious, but their gallant bravery seemed nothing but cruel foolishness. The slope was strewn with the dead and dying. No orderly charge would be possible.
    Ulein winced. “Maybe if they stay close together, maintain order..?”
    Asho didn’t have the heart to answer. He surveyed the enemy line just above them, which had come to a halt at the sound of the trumpets. “We have to do something.”
    Ulein hissed and shifted his weight. “But what?”
    “Those bolts of fire. They’ll destroy the second wave. We have to kill their Sin Casters.”
    “They can’t be Sin Casters,” said Ulein. “That’s not possible.”
    As if they had been summoned, twelve robed men and women stepped forth from the massed ranks of the Agerastian army. They were spaced out equally across the line, clad in the same flowing purple and yellow robes, and the regular soldiers seemed to accord them all the same mixture of fear and respect.
    “Whatever they are,” said Asho, “we have to stop them.” He paused. “Somehow.”
    Below, the knights had spurred their steeds from a trot to a steady canter. The great hooves caused the very ground to shiver. Their lances were still pointed at the sky, but Asho knew that soon they would lower their points, and that would be the signal to charge.
    “Find me a sword,” said Ulein with some of his former arrogance. “Hurry!”
    Asho stepped over to the fallen Ser Eckel and took the knight’s beautiful sword from his dead hand, then hurried back and gave it to Ulein. The other squire barely had the strength to lift it.
    “There,” said Asho, pointing. “The one closest to us. He’s the one who killed Lord Kyferin.” While I stood aside and watched.
    Ulein took a deep breath. “I’ll charge him from the front. You come ’round the side. Wait till he’s focused on me, then take him down.”
    Asho stared at Ulein’s profile as the young man’s jaw clenched and unclenched. For the first time, he felt admiration for the squire.. It was almost possible to forget the years of insults and disdain. There was no hope of success. Each Sin Caster stood in clear sight of their army. For Asho to reach the mage’s side without being noticed was impossible. But what choice did they have?
    “I’ll see you in the next life,” said Asho.
    The dull rumble became furious thunder. The charge had been signaled.
    “Don’t kid yourself,” said Ulein, voice thickening with contempt. “I’m bound for Nous. You’ll be lucky to be reborn an Agerastian. Now go!” With that he started to limp straight toward the Sin Caster.
    Asho’s admiration curdled. He glanced at the charging army below. Already its ranks were breaking up as the soldiers rode around fallen knights.
    “My soul to the White Gate,” Asho whispered fiercely, and he took off at a run, crouching low as he circled around to come in on the Sin Caster’s flank. He darted from fallen horse to fallen horse, pausing to check Ulein’s progress. The other squire was dragging the sword, his face pale and drawn, but Asho saw ragged determination on his