Page 123 (1/2)

“Can’t be more than a dozen” Barkus unhitched his axe from his saddle and unfastened the leather cover on the blades “A little recompense, for the prince and our brother”

“Leave it” Vaelin pulled on Spit’s reins, turning hio”

Another month passed as they waited for the stored with exhaustion, ensuring each h to at least survive the first assault when it ca resent and sterner discipline To his surprise, their led fear and respect held true and there were no desertions, even after Barkus returned from a reconnaissance to Marbellis with news that it too had fallen

“Place is near a ruin,” the big brother related, swinging down from his horse “Walls breached in six places, half the houses wrecked by fire and I lost count of the Alpirans camped outside”

“Prisoners?” Vaelin asked

His brother’s usually cheerful visage was entirely grim “There were spikes on the walls, lots of spikes, each one topped with a head If they spared anyone, I didn’t see them”

The Battle Lord… Alucius… Master Sollis…

“What fools ere to let the old bastard send us here,” Barkus was saying

“Get some rest brother,” Vaelin told him

At night Sherin would co blessed relief in intiether in the dark afterwards So sobs she tried to hide “Don’t,” he would whisper “All be over soon”

After a while her sobs would subside and she would cling to hiency She, like every other soul in the city, kneas co The Alpirans would break over the walls like a wave and he and every other Realo,” she said one night, i “There are still ships in the harbour We can just sail away”

His hand traced over her sant line of her chin It onderful to touch her face, to feel her shiver at his touch before a warm flush crept over her skin “Re a tear fro when Caenis ca the harbour “How many?”

“Near forty” His brother appeared unsurprised by the turn of events The idea that the king would leave them to wither unsupported seemed not to have occurred to him at all “We’re to be reinforced”

“There has been talk,” Caenis said as they waited on the quayside watching the first ship steer its way past the mole and into the harbour His tone was uncomfortable but detered “Well there retting his levity in the face of his brother’s discoaze, his tone heavy “According to the tenets of the Faith you aren’t my brother now”

“Excellent Feel free to depose me I’ll happily hand this city over to you…”

“Your position as Lord Marshal of the Regi, not the Order I have no power to depose you All I can do is report your… transgression to the Aspect for judgeestured at the approaching ship “We’re being reinforced The King has not failed us I think we’ll all live a while yet”

In the distance Vaelin could see the rest of the fleet bobbing sluggishly on the swell Why do they linger out there? he wondered, a realisation dawning as the ship drew nearer and he sa high it sat in the water This vessel carried no reinforcements

Sailors threw ropes to soldiers on the quay as the ship tied up to the dock, a gangplank quickly heaved over the railing He had expected some senior Realm Guard Marshal to descend and was surprised by the appearance of a figure clad in the expensive garb of Reale from ship to shore It took a moment before Vaelin pulled the man’s name from his memory, Kelden Al Telnar, one ti Al Telnar was more to Vaelin’s expectation, tall and simply dressed in a robe of blue and white with a neatly triany dark skin

“Lord Vaelin,” Al Telnar bowed as Vaelin careet them

“My Lord”