Spark City (Spark City Cycle, #1)

by Robert J. Power

proud proclamation that he would fight for Keri had swayed people’s discord. If the wretched healer was ready to die, who were they to show derision? It felt wrong to deny him the opportunity though. Preparing for war was far easier than preparing the convoy. A few dozen carts were rolled into the town centre where hasty inspections were carried out. Those that passed scrutiny were lined up and prepared for hauling. The rest were broken down at Erroh’s request. There were no valuables allowed to be stored upon the carts with every man, child and woman only allowed to carry one pack upon their back and nothing more. Trinkets and treasures would be waiting for them when they returned. The miller worked tirelessly with his apprentices to fill bag after bag of grain and though each cart began to fill up with small sacks, there simply wouldn’t be enough for so many for very long. “What a miserable fate, to escape this attack and still die out in the wastes from starvation,” Erroh said, as the last sack was loaded. “Ah, it’s a small matter. If they don’t find enough to hunt, they will just arrive in Samara that little bit thinner,” Lea said. “Worry of better things.” It was no longer Keri. It was an ever-moving machine of preparation. They were heartbroken, tear eyed and desolate but they never stopped. The years of over-confidence were stripped away and all