Chapter 9 · Ash Ledger - Chapter 9: The Red Marks Open

"Get the bridge up!" I yelled it twice before anyone moved.

The yard was full of men who'd just watched the vault wake up under their feet. Half of them stood frozen, staring at the red glow climbing the walls like veins under skin. The other half were already backing toward the inner keep.

"Now," I said, and pointed at the two nearest. "You and you. Chains. Move."

One of them shook his head. "That thing down there—"

"Is already awake," I said. "So unless you want whatever's outside to walk in and join it, get the damn bridge up."

They went. Slow, but they went.

Mara stood beside me, knife still in her hand. Blood on her sleeve from the vault fight. "They're not going to hold," she said quietly.

"They will if I make them."

"You can't make scared men fight."

"Watch me."

I turned and raised my voice. "Listen up. The outer gate's compromised. The bridge goes up, the inner gate stays shut, and we hold this yard until dawn. Anyone who runs gets marked deserter, and I'll hunt you myself."

Someone laughed. Short and bitter. "You? You're a clerk."

"Was," I said.