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Chapter 1

He took Spit and rode ard, keeping to the shoreline, finding a caathered driftwood for a fire and cut grass for kindling The stems were dried by the sea breeze and lit at the first touch of the flint The fire grew high and bright, e sky In the distance the lights of Linesh seeled with the sound of many voices raised in celebration

“After all we did for the a candy up for the war horse to choue and o”

If Spit cared anything for irony it was expressed in a loud snort of annoyance as he jerked his head away “Wait” Vaelin caught hold of the reins and unfastened the bridle beforeto lift the saddle from his back Shorn of the encuh the sand and tossing his head Vaelin watched hiht full moon rose to paint the dunes a faht of winter

Spit caht faded, standing expectantly at the edge of the light cast by the fire, awaiting the nightly ritual of grooo”

Spit nickered uncertainly, forehoof kicking sand

Vaelin went to hi back quickly to avoid the retaliatory kick as Spit reared, whinnying in anger, teeth bared “Go on you hateful beast!” Vaelin shouted, gesticulating wildly “GO!”

And he was gone, galloping away in a blur of silver blue sand, his parting whinny resounding in the night air “Go on you bloody nag,” Vaelin whispered with a smile

There was little else to occupy his ti that day atop the battleate without Nortah and knew everything was about to change Nortah… Dentos… Two brothers lost and about to lose another

It was only a slight change in the wind bringing a faint scent of sweat and brine He closed his eyes, hearing the soft scrape of feet on sand, approaching fro no pretence of stealth And ould he? We are brothers after all

He opened his eyes to regard the figure standing opposite “Hello Barkus”

Barkus slu his hands to the flames His muscle thick arms were bare as he wore only a cotton vest and trews, his feet shorn of boots and his hair matted with sea water His only weapon was his axe, strapped across his back with leather thongs “Faith!” he grunted “Haven’t been this cold since the Martishe”

“Must’ve been a hard swih We were three ulledbefore he'd sail his boat back to shore” He shook his head, droplets flying fro off to the Far West with Sister Sherin As if you’d pass up a chance to sacrifice yourself”

Vaelin watched Barkus’s hands, sa they were free of any treh to ht?” Barkus went on “We get to live and they get you?”

“And Prince Malcius is returned to the Real with the truth in getting you all out of the city without any fuss”

The large brother grunted again “How long till they coh to rest up then” He unslung his axe fro it down close by “How ed “I didn’t ask”

“Against the two of us they better send a whole regiment” He looked up at Vaelin, puzzled “Where’s your sword, brother?”

“I gave it to Governor Aruan”

“Not the brightest idea you’ve had How do you intend to fight?”

“I don’t In accordance with the king’s word I will surrender myself to Alpiran custody”

“They’ll kill you”

“I don’t think so According to the Fifth Book of the Cuod I still have many more people to kill”