The carriage rocked and wheels ground on the rough gravel as the horses pulled the six initiates towards their destiny. Salamin sat on the hard bench, three across, looking out the dusty window. Parmouth was decorated with red and yellow flags celebrating the five-year choosing of the new Order members.

  Lane sat beside him, deep bags under her eyes, her head occasionally jerking, and eye snapping open trying to stay awake.

  “Why fasting?” Parric said, looking out at the town as they passed. “I don’t see the need.” He sat in the middle between Staya and Elian. No one answered him.

  The rhythmic sound of horse hooves lulled Salamin as sleep pulled at him. He let out a deep sigh as the carriage passed the main gates of Parmouth, and headed out onto Blood Road.

  Inside the little compartment, everyone was silent, looking out the windows at the surrounding low hills, made up of the reddish rocks that gave the road its name.

  The unknown rested above them all, Salamin knew. He saw it in their tight faces. The Catacombs and the First Gate were enigmas even to him. The rules had all changed, and the addition of sacrifice was unacceptable.

  He looked over at Lane, who had finally succumbed to sleep, her breathing slow and even. He glimpsed silver under her cloak and smiled. She’d smuggled Virtas with her.

  Caden broke the silence. “There has to be another way to make it through the First Gate.” He cast a hopeful glance Salamin’s way.

  “We don’t need to obey.” Salamin said with a nod. “We would need to work together, and an oath protect each other.” Parric and Elian did not give him eye contact and gazed intently out the window. Salamin followed their gaze. Outside, the low cliffs turned to rock walls on either side. Brilliant red rock shone in the morning sun, the striations rising up on either side. They’d reached the narrow canyons of Cartess Pass.

  Elian shook his head, forehead creased. “No need for an oath, Sedwick. We follow the instructions of the Order.”

  Caden’s eyes darted to Salamin.

  Elian had said that he believed Caden to be the weakest link. Did he still think that?

  “I agree,” Staya piped up. “We do this the right way. The mages know what they are talking about. Don’t you think Parric?”

  Parric bobbed his head up and down, his face pale.

  “If you choose me as the leader,” Elian continued. “I will do things fairly and according to the Order. That is a promise.”

  Salamin caught Lane scowling at him. She’d awoken with a start, and her eyes narrowed at Elian.

  “None of us has to be sacrificed,” Salamin said. “And if you agree, you’ll choose me as the leader.”

  Elian shook his head with a sad smile on his lips. “You’re too young. Someday when you’ve learned the ways of the world this will make sense to you. For now, you will follow instructions.”

  Caden glanced at Salamin, then looked away.

  “Elian will be the team leader,” Staya said. “That is the fact of the matter. He has the highest standing of all our families and he has the skills.”

  Metal striking metal lurched the carriage to a halt. Salamin was jerked back, and steadied himself in the seat, looking out the window. Yells and shouts carried from outside, and a horse whinnied.

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  “What’s happening?” Staya looked out the window. A masked man streaked by the window, sword in hand.

  “We’re under attack,” Elian said. “They didn’t give us weapons.”

  “Stay calm.” Akar’s voice floated to them from the outside. “Stay in the carriage.”

  “Is it the Core? What could they want?” Caden asked. “We don’t have anything of value.”

  Lane looked down at her sword. “Let me out,” she said, squeezing between Salamin and Caden. “I’m going out there.”

  Elian held his arm up, blocking the door. “You heard the mages, stay put.”

  Glancing back at Salamin, Lane shoved his arm out of the way and opened the door. Salamin hopped down and followed as Lane unsheathed her sword. “Follow me,” she said.

  They hid behind the carriage wheels and horses, watching the mages form a line. Defensive energy pulsed and crackled from their chanted spells.

  Arrows whizzed by, one hitting the carriage; the horses whinnied and stomped. Paxton raised his hands, and a shield formed over the carriage.

  Five figures dressed in black approached the mages cautiously, swords raised. And within those swords, Salamin saw a pale glow of energy. “The Core has spelled swords?” he said aloud.

  Lane nodded. “We’re outnumbered. I’m seeing more up in the rocks.”

  The mages, led by Paxton, formed a line, and energy surged and crackled in the air. Salamin counted five men dressed in black and carrying swords. Above the hills, arrows rained down.

  “They have spelled swords,” Lane said. “They could penetrate the shields.”

  Several mages retreated to grab their swords, but the Core was outnumbering them and had surrounded their flanks.

  “They’re gaining ground.” Salamin said.

  Elian cracked open the carriage door and called to the others to follow. Salamin watched as they filed into a dark crevice in the rocks.

  “I need to speak to them,” Lane said. “Promise me you won’t interfere.”

  “What?” Salamin jerked his head in surprise, but before he could restrain her, Lane had run out into the field of battle. She was climbing into a crevice within the rocks. Salamin looked both ways and followed her.

  Wedged between the tight rocks, Salamin wedged his feet and arms, making his way through the narrow crevice. Loose gravel rolled under his feet. Ahead, he heard Lane speaking in shadowtongue.

  “Aves, Savala,” she called, and her words echoed in the small canyon.

  Silence filled the canyon. Then, a call back. “Aves, Talas Reval?”

  Salamin peered around the corner and saw Lane speaking to a tall figure in black. He held still.

  “Stand down,” Lane said with urgency. “He’s with me.”

  Hands grasped Salamin and brought him roughly down. They released their hold, and he fell to the rocky ground.

  Lane knelt and held a hand up in the air. “His name is Sal, I'll take an oath on my life. Aleda gave her life for him. Don’t touch him.” She blocked another masked man’s hand from reaching down to him. “On my life,” she repeated, gazing up at the man.

  “Leave them be,” a female voice said. She removed her mask, and long brown hair flowed down. Her face was weather worn and scarred, and pale blue eyes took in Salamin, nodding. “Your word is good, Talan.”

  “My name is Savala, leader of the North Lands,” she said, taking a step closer to Salamin. “Are you are?”

  “Sedwick,” he said, holding her gaze.

  “Your last name?” she raised her brows, waiting.

  “Draken.”

  Her eyes grew distant, and she looked at the overhead clouds, nodding. “The house of Draken has fallen. They are under Haldar’s control.”

  Salamin felt a strange sensation deep inside his gut. He saw an image in his mind’s eye of a young boy clasping his father’s hand.

  Savala turned away from him and placed her hand on Lane’s shoulder. “What are you doing with the pugnits.” She inclined her head out to the road where the clang of swords rang out in the distance.

  “They took my brother I just need to get through the catacombs, and I’ll get inside their Order.” Lane glanced back at Salamin and nodded.

  “Your people are in hiding, and many dead.” She gave Lane a sideways glance. “I applaud your bravery, young one, but there are other ways. I fear you’re walking into a trap.” She motioned to a masked figure behind her. “Come with us.”

  Lane shook her head, fingering the chain around her neck. “By then it could be too late.”

  “We’ll find a way. For your brother, Talan Reval, and your people, we will do it. They have been great allies to us.”

  “Let us pass,” Lane said. “For my brother.”

  Savala looked down at Lane, nodding thoughtfully. She motioned to a man dressed in black and whispered in his ear. He whistled, and the high pitch echoed through the canyon.

  “Thank you, Savala.” Lane exhaled and held her hand out. Savala took it in a tight grip.

  “I need to speak to you alone,” Savala gave a pointed look to Salamin.

  Taking the hint, Salamin moved away, watching the two. The woman's face was stern, as she spoke in Lane's ear.

  Figures dressed in black descended over the rocks, and through the crevice in retreat. Savala nodded to Lane and took off, disappearing through the rocky crevice.

  Lane walked back slowly, arms wrapped around herself. “I fear she's right,” she said quietly. "We're walking into a trap."

  Facade: The Girl who will Destroy the System

  Facade: The Girl Who Will Destroy the System

  The world is governed by a hidden System.

  Llyne is not chosen. She gains no powers.

  She is simply aware—and the System was not built for that.

  Comedy first. Psychological collapse later.

  Read before the System notices her. ????