Chapter 78 CHAPTER 78
FLORIAN'S POV
The border shimmered, the buzzing so loud we all had to wear earplugs, even my dragon.
On top of him, I sat with my quiver filled with magical arrows. I made them myself as no one else could replicate my type of magic enough to make it in larger quantities.
I pulled five out and attached them to my special bow, dodging everything being sent my way.
It was like every soldier on their end was desperate to shoot me down.
“Feels special doesn't it,” Zephyr chuckled, expertly dodging another flow of flaming arrows.
I unleashed mine, and I watched it take down the large male that was working on the firing machine.
“Cool, now head back before they get back up. We need to work with everyone else.”
My job here was done.
The same cycle every day. Take down the biggest threat by crossing the boundary that no one else can cross, head back and then go back to rest, awaiting the next one.
But this time, something was wrong.
I heard it before it got to me.
The Fae army had a simplified system of warfare, more mechanised than ours.
Instead of individuals firing arrows, they used machines and one person handled it while the rest divided themselves between trying to tear down the wall and fighting against our men who were trying to stop those tearing down the wall.
The entire thing was incredibly chaotic.
The Fae archer's arrow whistled past my ear, close enough that I felt the wind of its passage.
Too close.
I banked left, and Zephyr responded before I could even pull the reins—our bond carrying the thought faster than words. We dropped fifty feet in a heartbeat, my stomach lurching as another volley of arrows painted the sky where we'd just been.
They didn't usually replace their firing man and machine the same day, but now, in just a few minutes after I'd decemated the other, one more was back in its place.
“What the fuck?” I whispered under my breath as I pulled my arrows out again.
I shot directly at the machines, the speed making it hit hard before anyone could react.
The shots stopped and I flew further back to the green blockade.
“Well I'll be damned,” Zephyr grunted, "They're targeting us specifically, and they don't mind losing everyone to get it done.”
“Ouch. Everybody wants me dead. What's new anyway?” I grumbled, turning him around so we weren't backing them anymore.
Close enough to the Border that I can slip in if injured but still on their end, ready to decimate the entire army if need be.
But as I turned around, I realised I was in deep shit.
There wasn't just one machine ready to fire at me.
There were over fifteen all lined up, their arrows pointed in my direction.
"Shit. SHIT."
"We need to retreat—"
"Not yet. If I don't take them out, they'll obliterate everyone on the ground at our end.”
"If you don't retreat, they'll obliterate YOU,” Zephyr growled, preparing his wings to protect himself.
"Then I'll be fast."
I released my arrow at the nearest machine, already nocking another. The first array hit its mark, the operator went down, and the machine exploded in a burst of magical fire.
But the others were already firing.
Arrows filled the sky. Dozens of them. All tracking our movement with unnatural precision.
ENCHANTED, I realised with growing dread. They're fucking enchanted to follow me.
"Dive!" I barked.
Zephyr folded his wings and plummeted. The arrows followed, screaming through the air behind us.
I twisted in my saddle, firing back even as we fell. One machine down. Two.
But more were appearing. Hauled up from gods knew where, all focused on one target.
Me.
"This is a trap," Zephyr snarled. "They WANTED you to cross. They've been waiting for this."
My blood went cold.
“Get me out of here, I'm not dying today,” I commanded, ice leaking into my voice.
Zephyr didn't need to be told twice. He banked hard, wings beating furiously as we raced back toward the shimmer-line.
Behind us, the enchanted arrows pursued relentlessly.
"They're gaining towards us, aren't they?" Zephyr asked, a slight tremor in his voice.
Unusual
"We have something that they don't,” I growled, “don't panic."
“Hmph! Me? Panic?”
I shook my head with a grin and focused inwards, channelled my speed magic, and felt it flood through our bond into Zephyr. His wings blurred, his body becoming a silver streak across the sky as we pushed past our normal limits.
Faster and faster
We broke through the shimmer-line, back into Drakkonian airspace.
The arrows should have stopped there. The ward should have blocked them.
But they didn't stop.
They kept coming, crossing the boundary as if it didn't exist.
"IMPOSSIBLE," Zephyr roared. "Fae weapons can't cross the ward–"
"Well, these fucking can!"
I twisted in my saddle, firing back. My speed-enhanced arrows met theirs mid-air in bursts of fire and light. But there were too many.
One grazed Zephyr's wing. He shrieked, his flight faltering.
"Shut! You're hit!"
"I'm fine,” he grunted, “keep firing!”
But he wasn't fine. I could feel his pain through our bond, sharp and searing.
I fired again, desperation making my movements sloppy. My shoulder burned from the repeated draw of the bowstring.
We were going to die.
Another arrow clipped my shoulder, tearing through leather and flesh. I bit back a scream, nearly dropping my bow.
This is what I get for being cocky. For thinking I'm untouchable.
Three months of the same routine. Cross, destroy, retreat. Over and over.
Of course, they'd eventually get tired of my bullshit.
Of course, they'd plan for this.
My communication crystal flared to life.
"Master Florian!" Commander Klaus voice crackled through. "Break off! The King needs your attention!”
"Little busy here Klaus!" I snarled, firing another volley.
"You're to return to the capital immediately! Reassignment to the Academy, effective—"
An arrow exploded inches from my head. I ducked, ears ringing.
"VALTOR, I'M BEING SHOT AT. TELL THE KING TO WAIT."
I felt a hush fill the army down and around me.
They'd joined me in fighting the incoming arrows and my disrespect was going to travel back to his majesty.
It's been years now, I should have been used to it but every time I offended him, my heart beat faster and I dread when he'll call for me to receive my punishment.
But all of that is for a Florian that survives this madness so I threw my attention back to the arrows that were still hurtling towards me.
“Florian, I hate your Fae ass but you need to retreat,” Gandor yelled from the other side, “these things are specially heading your way!”
“Fuck, you're right,” I rerealised“Zephyr, fly faster than you've ever flown! Let's lose these fuckers!”
“I thought you'd never ask.”