Page 182 of Sword & Sacrifice

Archer arrived in time to thwart Varro’s men. Thank you for sparing him, as I know it must be difficult to part. I would return him to you now if he weren’t needed in Casselarn.

I can only hope that Emmaline has arrived by now. Protect her. My first letter was an order, this is simply a mother’s plea. I would give anything to see my daughter again, to know that she is safe.

May our troubles soon end,

Adelaide

“Bad news?” Echo asked, voice soft.

Emmaline looked up and smiled through her tears. “Good news,” she assured them. “Mama is safe.”

For now, at least. Her mother’s letter confirmed that Everett remained a threat. He would continue to chase Mama down, using whatever resources he had available.

But maybe this time, Emmaline could protect her mother. She had to find a way to ensure her father would never threaten her or Mama again.

Chapter Eighteen

Despite growing up in a country of warriors, Emmaline had no battlefield training. Typically, medics finished their education before they went into the field for hands-on experience. Emmaline had assisted her mother and other medics in setting bones, birthing children, treating illnesses, and caring for the dying. She knew what to do, she had just never practiced her skills outside of the calm, measured environment of the sickroom.

Emmaline’s skills versus her experience was what started the argument with Griselda.

“I can help! I know everything a field medic does—how to set bones, stitch wounds, keep someone alive until they can be moved somewhere safe.”

“We have other medics!” Griselda boomed. “I don’t need Adelaide on my ass if I get her daughter killed on the battlefield!”

Emmaline’s lip trembled but she held back her tears—they would prove to Griselda that she was too weak to assist them. “Mama isn’t here, and I won’t ever see her again if we lose this fight.”

Anger blazed in Griselda’s eyes. “Do you have that little faith in me?”

“I have as much faith in you as you have in me, apparently!”

Griselda’s nostrils flared, then she flinched and rubbed her nose like she regretted the action. “Do you know how I’ve survived as long as I have? Through battles and missions, torture and imprisonment, every gods damned thing I’ve faced? Because I understand how best to utilize people’s strengths, and how to make up for their weaknesses. You don’t put a man afraid of horses in the cavalry, and you don’t put the Witch’s Daughter on the battlefield where she’ll distract everyone. Every single one of my soldiers knows who you are and would die to defend you. It’ll cloud their judgement; they’ll make mistakes in their rush to ensure your safety.”

A lump formed in Emmaline’s throat. She wanted to argue, but she’d already seen how the soldiers treated her. All the ones she knew personally had swept her into a hug and chattered about the latest news. The ones she didn’t know still treated her with polite respect, asking after her mother, wishing them all safety. Whether they were friends or strangers, they knew who she was, who Mama was, and were grateful to the Witch and her daughter for caring for them or a loved one in the past.

“Em,” Echo murmured, gently touching her elbow. “There are other ways you can help.”

Griselda’s lip remained permanently curled around Echo because of the glamours they wore. “Listen to your little magician.”

Echo’s eyes narrowed. “That’s a derogatory term.”

“I’m aware. You’re lucky I’m allowing you anywhere near her.”

They raised their chin and demanded, “Just try to separate us.”

Griselda took a step forward and Echo flinched, then scowled at themself for responding.

“I’m on your side,” Echo muttered. “I’d also prefer Emmaline stay out of danger.”

“And that’s the only damn reason I’m not sending you back to your captain trussed up and gagged.” The longer she talked, the more her face wrinkled in distaste until she finally sneezed three times in a row. Each sneeze was louder than the last, drawing the entire courtyard’s attention. “Gods, you smell like fucking Valerian,” she muttered. “Find somewhere else to stink up before you break my nose.”

Emmaline motioned for Echo to leave. They scowled but moved to a point ten feet away.

“Better,” Griselda grumbled, blowing her nose in a handkerchief. “Still don’t like ‘em though.” Once she finished purging the mage’s scent from her nose, she refocused on Emmaline. “You can stay here in the courtyard, taking care of the previously injured—”

“But—”

“Or I can lock you in one of the palace rooms and leave you there until the battle is over.”