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Vaelin knelt down next to his friend, checking the pulse in his neck “I’ his sword and gathering hi his inert forer than Nortah but still his brother’s weight was a substantial burden as he moved towards the cordon of stunned spectators Not one of theestured for the the silence like glass, the crowd’s shock giving way to sudden babble of incomprehension and amazement
“Beat five Blackhawks, just the two of them…”
“Never seen the like…”
“It’s treason to strike a soldier King’s edict said so…”
“HOLD!” the voice again, cutting through the noise Looking round Vaelin saw a h the crush, occasionally laying about hiress “Make way!” he co fro he drew his mount up and Vaelin saw hihbred of Renfaelin stock He wore a ceremonial uniform with a black feather in his tunic and the short-plumed helmet of an officer on his head, beneath the visor the rider’s lean, clean-shaven face was hard with fury The single four pointed star on his breast-plate depicted his rank: Lord Marshal of the Realm Guard Behind the ed and fanned out, swords drawn, pushing the crowd back with the aid of a few kicks and punches Solances at Vaelin as they did so Theopenly in pain
Seeing no avenue of escape, Vaelin gently laid Nortah on the earth and stepped away, careful to keep himself between his friend and the man on the horse
“What is this?” the marshal demanded
“I answer to the Order,” Vaelin replied
“You’ll answer toyou frouts”
Vaelin resisted the impulse to draw his sword as soht the a fehich was unlikely to help Nortah
“Might I know your na for ti his voice didn’t tremble
“I’ll know your name first, whelp”
“Vaelin Al Sorna Brother of the Sixth Order, awaiting confirh the crowd like a wave “Sorna…”
“Battle lord’s boy…”
“Should’ve known, spitting ie…”
The rider’s eyes narrowed at the name but his furious expression remained firmly in place “Lakrhil Al Hestian,” he said “Lord Marshal of the Twenty-Seventh Regied hisdown at Nortah’s inert form “And him?”
“Brother Nortah,” Vaelin said
“I’m told he tried to rescue the traitor Why would a brother of the Order do such a thing, I wonder?”
He knows, Vaelin realised He knoho Nortah is “I couldn’t say, Lord Marshal,” he replied “I saw my brother about to be murdered and prevented it”
“Murdered er “He was resisting lawful arrest”
“He is of the Order,” Vaelin spoke to Al Hestian “Like ressed you must take the ’s Law, boy,” Al Hestian replied evenly “Brothers, soldiers and Battle Lords” He stared hard into Vaelin’s eyes “And you and your brother will answer to it” He motioned his men forward “Keep you hands clear of your weapons, boy, or you’ll be answering to the Departed”
Vaelin reached back to grasp his sword hilt as the Blackhawks advanced Perhaps if he wounded a few he could create enough confusion to escape into the croith Nortah There could be no return to the Order after this, no welcoht the Realm Guard Life as an outlaw, Vaelin pondered Can’t be that bad
“Easy now, lad,” one of the Blackhaarned, a veteran sergeant with a weather beaten face He advanced slowly, his sword held low, a dagger in his left hand Seeing the way his feet ed hierous of his opponents “Leave the shere it is,” the sergeant continued “No need for any et sorted out, nice and civilised”