Taming the Thorny Rose novel · Chapter 22 of 24

Chapter 22: The Stones

The stones stood on a bare ridge north of Hollin, nine grey pillars in a ring, each twice the height of a man.

We came up the last slope at dusk, with the sun dying red behind us.

I had spent the day at Hollin with the captains, and I had not asked anyone for permission.

Eighty hunters walked at my back in grey wool, with their silver drawn.

Beside them marched thirty of the king's loyal guard in black leather, their faces hooded against the last light.

Astrid rode at my left with a hatchet on her belt.

The shaved-head guard rode at my right.

Neither of them said a word.

The Thorn blade hung at my belt, and I kept my hand off it.

They didn't have to.

Inside the ring, torches burned on tall iron stands.

Two hundred vampires stood in rows along the stones.

At the center was a flat black altar, and on it lay a cup of dark metal.

Osric stood behind it in a coat of ceremonial grey, with a circlet on his head that hadn't been there yesterday.

Beside him, hunched and grey-faced, stood Crane.

They turned as one when we came through the gap.

The sound of two hundred voices stopping was like a door closing.

"Ah," said Osric.

"The bride.

"We were beginning to fear you had forgotten."

"Where is my husband?"

"Preparing.

"The king comes down from the barrow when the sun is gone."

He spread his hands.

"You bring a great many guests."

"They are not guests," said the old drill master, stepping out of the line.

"They are witnesses."

He crossed the grass with five captains behind him and eight hunters with spears.

They fanned out in a half circle around the altar.

Crane's eyes darted.

"Oswald Crane," said the drill master.

"By the Guild's rule, you are to answer for the ledger."

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