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He rolled the ot to his feet “Five hours sleep then we move out We’ll march in the dark so their scouts won’t see us Ten round to cover in the snoe’ll have to press hard Any man who talks without permission or falls out on the march will have his throat slit No rum ration until this is done” He tossed the map to Caenis “Brother, you’ll lead the way”

Thethe men to the extreme but the promise of death for any too exhausted to continue was sufficient to keep the The Order was at the head of the colu into the dark for any sign of Cuh Black Arrow’s ht with a fire arrow launched over the stockade their visits had trailed off when Caenis and Makril had taken to hunting after sun down, collecting four bows in as ht and their oing before they ca where a small slope led up to the mound of rocks behind which the Culiully where Makril would lead the Order contingent There was little preahteen brothers off across the clearing in a loose skirned to Caenis

His brother shook his head, pulling a cord tight on his sable pelted jerkin In his captured garuise co bow and hitching a hatchet into his belt He opted to keep his sword strapped to his back, their enemies had captured many Asraelin blades from Al Hestian’s soldiers so it was unlikely to look out of place

Luck to you brother, Vaelin signed, touching his shoulder Caenis grinned briefly and was gone, covering the distance to the rocks in a dead run He’ll be fine, Vaelin reassured hiiven hiht boy who had shivered in fear at Master Grealin’s tall tales of monstrous rats was now a lithe, deadly warrior who see and killed without hesitation

There was a crunch of snow as Al Hestian crouched beside hi do you think, brother?” he whispered

Vaelin fought down a surge of guilt at the sight of the young noble’s earnest face You hope he won’t realise it was you, his ever present watcher told hi the lie that you were friends…

“An hour or so, my lord,” he whispered back “Perhaps less”

“It’ll give the men a chance to rest at least” Hereassurance and encouragement Vaelin tried not to listen and concentrated on the dim silhouette of the rocks The sky was still dark but had taken on the blue tinge heralding the onset of daylight Makril had favoured a dawn attack when the guards at theat the end of their shift

Vaelin steadied his breathing, counting the passing seconds, gauging the right ht that rip tightened on his bow When he was sure at least a half hour had passed heto whisper in his ear

“There’s sure to be guards in the rocks,” he said “My brother will have let theh of them to stop our attack their bows are likely to thin our ranks” He hefted his bow “I’ll go ahead nohen the attack starts I’ll make sure they don’t trouble us”

Al Hestian rose “I’ll corasp on his forearlance round at the tense, drawn faces of his men and nodded reluctantly “Of course”

Vaelin forced a smile “We’ll share breakfast in Black Arrow’s tent” Liar!

“Luck go with you brother”