Page 67 (1/2)
“Brothers!” he greeted them with a broad s as he saw the body slung over the horse Clearly none of the fleeing men had bothered to tell him the news
“My condolences, my Lord,” Vaelin said He knew the two men had been friends since childhood
Linden Al Hestian ently touched his dead friend’s hair “Did he go down fighting?” he asked after a moment, voice thick with emotion
Vaelin saw Nortah open his mouth to reply and cut in quickly Nortah had a tendency to indulge his cruel streak where Lord Al Hestian was concerned, voicing barely concealed insults and criticism without hesitation “He was very brave, my Lord”
Martil Al Jelnek had wept like a child with the arrow buried in his gut, his hands clutched at Vaelin in brief, desperate spasht of life faded from his eyes and effluent spouted fro at the end, Vaelin was sure of it, his ibberish Perhaps soe for his beloved They would never know
“Brave,” Al Hestian repeated with a faint smile “Yes, he was always that”
“His iment of yours is no h!” Brother Makril barked
Sergeant Krelnik approached, snapping a s his fiftieth year with a heavily scarred face and a fearsome disposition towards the ie of sixteen, Al Hestian had wisely eant, responsible for discipline But despite his best efforts Nortah’s description was accurate, the regiment reeant Krelnik said “We should give hi back froeant And you brothers, for bringing him back” He moved back to his tent “Brother Makril, Brother Vaelin, may I have a moment?”
Al Hestian’s tent was free of the luxuries found in the quarters of the other nobles, the available space taken up with his weapons and armour which he cleaned anda servant or two but apparently Lord Al Hestian was capable of seeing to his own needs
“Please brothers” He gestured for them to take a seat and moved to the small portable desk where he dealt with the nui an opened envelope froan to beat a little faster at the sight of the King’s seal
“‘To Lord Linden Al Hestian, cohness Janus Al Neiren,’” Al Hestian read “‘My lord, please accept iment in the field for such a protracted period Lesser commanders would no doubt have opted for thethe Realm’s business in the Martishe forest with the utmost dispatch You, however, clearly have a em in mind, so subtle in fact that I am unable to discern its substance froracious provision of a contingent from the Sixth Order, brothers for whom the Aspect is keen to find other e them and I feel sure he has inherited his father’s appreciation for urgency in carrying out his King’s commands Perhaps you should discuss your plans with these brothers, who enerous disposition to offer so and hid the the chill
“So brothers,” Al Hestian said, regarding them with an expression of honest despair “I iven yousoates without weapons and allow Sergeant Krelnik a free hand in discipline”
Al Hestian ue evident in his brows “Such er their hearts It’s a rare commander that can win the love of his men Most rule by fear Make them fear you and they’ll respect you Then perhaps they’ll start killing sohness’s letter we may have little more than a feeeks to conclude ’s assu down Black Arrow and his cohorts Even if I adopt the measures you recommend it will take hted forest”
Black Arrow They got the name from the only prisoner they had taken in seven h to spit hate and defiance at theiveness for his failure He laughed at their questions; there were few threats that could bedown to offer the ht with defiance but thethirst as his life blood seeped away ”
“I know” Vaelin held the bottle to the ive you? Your god”