aGet away from her, Terian,a Cyrus said.

The dark knight backed his horse away, a few steps at a time, and Cattrine sheathed her dagger under her cloak.

Cyrus cleared his throat. aI trust that the rumor of this will spread through the ranksa"and let them know that the Baroness,a he heard her cough, softly, aexcuse me, the former Baroness, is under my personal protection and any harm that comes to her will be revisited upon the giver a hundred-fold.a Cyrus turned his gaze on Terian, who was already glaring at him.

There was a ripple of quiet agreement, but no one said anything of distinction. Those close in attendance held the awkward silence until Cyrus broke it. aIs everyone with us?a aThe last of them are coming out of the castle now,a Longwell said, pointing to the drawbridge, where a few stragglers carried large burlap bags, and a few carried other outsized objects. Two men struggled with the Baron, dragging him over the drawbridge. Once he was over, they dropped him limply to the ground and left him there, filing away back into the neatly ordered rows of the armyas formation.

aVery well,a Cyrus said, and turned to Odellan. aLetas start heading east. Weave lost enough time in this place.a He looked around and caught the Baronessas unflinching gaze and he blinked. aI mean a uh aa She did not say anything, merely stared at him with an eyebrow raised, without emotion until he looked away first. aI donat know what I meant.a He looked back at Nyad and gave a subtle nod, which she returned. With a slight extension of her hand she pointed to the castle Green Hilla"a hellhole if ever there was onea"and Cyrus saw black smoke rise from within it, small puffs going up into the sky.

aAll right,a he said, aletas start this convoy moving.a He urged Windrider forward at a canter, following the muddy dirt path that cut through the green fields and hillocks.

He checked after a half a mile, just to be sure that the army had fallen in. It had, a long line of marchers, with a few wagons visible at the far back of the column, bringing up the rear. A few of the officers and veterans on horseback rode alongside the column rather than at the front with the other horses. Odellan and Longwell were the most obvious, their armor in shining silver and deep blue, respectively. Longwellas white surcoat had appeared as clean as ever, showing no signs of the battle yesterday. Behind them, some distance back, a pillar of black smoke rose into the heavens.

Cyrusas wandering eyes found Curatio in deep conversation with Jaanda, the two of them especially cheerful this day. The sun shone down; Cyrus could feel the warm tropical air of spring and wondered if the mild winter around Sanctuary had broken yet, if the occasional patch of white, frosted grass that could be found in the mornings had disappeared. It was like seeing the first signs of age, the little bits of silver streaking hair, leeching the color from the strands.

He thought of Reikonos, of the bitter snowfalls that encased the city in winter, the white snows that would pile up while one slept, waking to find the world changed the next morning. He thought of the uneven roofs of the city, the high and low buildings situated next to each other, the towers beside one-story dwellings. He thought of the slums, of the deep valley that saw direct sunlight only at midday and of how bitter and dark it became in the winter. He wondered if the dark elves had surrounded the city or if the humans still held them at a distance.

Cyrus thought back to a winter in Reikonos, the worst of all of them, and it was like a thread of oddly colored string in a tapestry; unfamiliar, unmatching, that looked nothing like the rest of the weaving. When was that? I was young a first year at the Society? Yes a aWhat were you thinking,a Terianas voice whipsawed Cyrus out of his memories, ahaving her come along? Are you so hard up to get laid that youave taken to embracing the wives of your enemies before theyare even dead?a aAre you a little testy because she held a knife to your throat?a Cyrus tried to keep his tone indifferent.

aThatas hardly the closest anyoneas gotten to me with a blade,a Terian said, and Cyrus heard the groan of metal in the dark knightas gauntlets as he gripped the reins of his horse tighter. aWeare in the middle of this hostile Kingdom. Her husband ordered the capture of our people and personally tortured and beat them.a aYouare not telling me anything I donat know,a Cyrus said.

Terianas face turned a deeper blue, darkening, almost purple. aThen why did you have the wife of an enemy who you personally gutted and left to die a slow, torturous death come along with us? She could be a spy, she could be harboring a desire for revengea"she could just be here to try and get close to you so that she can slip a knife in your back.a aShe had a chance to do that last night,a Cyrus said. aSheas coming with us because with her husbandas death she loses everything. I offered her a chance to come to Arkaria, to make a new life in a place where sheas not reliant on a man for everything.a Terianas flush subsided and his face loosened, settling into a kind of disbelieving wonderment. aAnd you believed her? Did she try to sleep with you?a aLately, who doesnat?a Cyrus asked warily.

aUmm, me,a Martaina said from over Cyrusas shoulder. He looked back and saw the elf raise her hand in the air.

aI was joking,a Cyrus said. aBut duly noted, and thank you.a aI donat know how to take that,a Martaina muttered under her breath. aBut youare welcome.a aShe tried to use her feminine wiles on you,a Terian said, bringing Cyrusas attention back to their conversation. aSheas getting close to you to exact revenge.a aRevenge would be easy.a Cyrus shook off the dark knightas concern. aIam not worried about that. And if she aused her feminine wiles,a as you said, itas probably because the women of Luukessia have no other weapon to use. Weare in a land where women donat carry swords and are subject to menas whims. What else are you going to use when force of arms is denied you? Sharp words?a aI find they get me where I need to go.a aBecause you can use a sword to back them up,a Cyrus said. aThe women of Luukessia have no such option; theyare not trained with weapons, and if youare going to take a blade to a skilled swordsman, you damned sure better have the element of surprise on your side, otherwise youare going to get cut into tiny fillets. So what else is she supposed to do? She tried to persuade me, it didnat work. I didnat give her what she wanted, I offered her an alternative that she decided to avail herself of.a aWhich involves following in your wake for the next few months,a Terian said, shaking his head, abeing in perfect striking distancea"I mean, she already has a knife. You should at least take that from her.a aI think not,a Cyrus said. aIf I were a woman in the middle of a foreign army, with the upbringing sheas had, married to the monster she was, Iad carry ten swords, three spears and a battleaxe just so I could feel safe. I remain unconcerned about her dagger.a Terianas hand went to his throat, fingers playing in a line across it. aSomething you might learna"and I hope you donata"thereas an old quote from my people. aA woman can slit a throat as easily as a man.aa Cyrus looked at Terian with undisguised amusement. aAre all your peopleas sayings that dark?a Terian stared at him blankly. aPerhaps youare mistaking darkness for truth. Itas a hard, bitter, and cruel world, and the people you think you can trust arenat always what they seem.a Cyrus raised an eyebrow at him. aWerenat you the guy who once told me that you canat stand people who arenat what they appear to be?a Terian blinked, bewildered. aI a what? I said that?a aWhen we were about to kill Kalam, the black dragon. You were talking about the Alliance and why you hated them.a Cyrus smiled. aIt always stuck with me because it was the first time any of you officers had bothered to explain why you detested the Alliance. And of course,a he said grimly, aabout a week later, you left Sanctuary. You know, to aroam the worlda or whatever.a Cyrus cocked his head in curiosity. aYou know, you never did tell us what you did while you were aroaming.aa Terianas eyes, dark purple, had been focused on him until the last. The dark knight seemed to lean back in his saddle, and Cyrus watched him swallow hard. aYou know what I was doing.a aNo, I donat,a Cyrus said. aWe may have this easy familiarity, but youare not exactly the easiest guy to get to know on a deeper level, Terian. The Gatekeeper suggested you were doing things that wouldnat make any of us proud, but I donat know what you were up to. You could have been dancing in an all-male revue in Saekaj, for all I know.a Terianas eyes narrowed and Cyrus shrugged, a smile on his face. aWell, that wouldnat exactly make me proud of you, but hey, we all hit rough times aa aI think I liked you better when you were moping and brooding over the loss of your blond elf-princess,a Terian said with a note of bitterness.

Cyrus felt a stab of pain within. aYeah, well a Iam sure Iall be back to my old self any day now. I doubt that I can shed the pain of her easily, like a snake shedding its skin.a aHow do you know if itas easy for a snake to shed its skin?a Terian stared ahead, looking at the road in front of them as he spoke. aJust because it happens often? It could be painful as all hell, trying to leave behind something youave lived your life in like that. It could be as tough as leaving behind family, upbringing a anything youave carried with you.a Cyrus turned to look at the dark knight. aIs that like you, then? A dark knight in the service of Sanctuary, trying to shed the wicked parts of your training?a aProbably.a Terian turned his head and the mask was there, visible for Cyrus to see, nothing underneath it, no lines on the dark elfas face. aI was raised to serve Yartraak, the Lord of All Dark. At seventeen, in my eighth year of training with the Legion of Darkness, I, along with all the other budding dark knights, was expected to seal that oath of loyalty with a soul sacrifice.a He let that hang in the air between them.

aWhatas a soul sacrifice?a Cyrus stared at Terian, who kept his eyes ahead.

aDonat ask questions you donat want to know the answers to.a Terian turned his head, and Cyrus caught a glimpse behind the maska"a cool, calculating look lay on the face of Terian, something Cyrus hadnat seen from him before. aThey might scare you, after all, shake your pretty little worldview and crush all your ideas about honor and virtue and nobility in the world.a aMaybe youave forgotten who youare talking to,a Cyrus said, feeling the irritation rise within him. aIam not Alaric.a Terian let out a low chuckle. aI suppose nota"stabbing your enemies in their guts and letting them squirm to death, taking their wives away before theyare even dead? You know, I would have had a whole new level of respect for you if youad told me you had slept with her.a Cyrus turned to look at Terian in disgust. aI know,a the dark knight said, aitad be low, Iall admit, but letas face it, sheas pretty and youare a well a I hesitate to say youare not a man in your urges, but a I mean a come on, Cyrus, itas been since before I met you, hasnat it? Do you just feel nothing down there?a He narrowed his eyes. aAre you a eunuch?a Cyrus gave him the hard glare, and Terian shrugged. aJust asking. Most men who hack and slash with a sword for all the days of their life tend to be fairly free with the other sword as well, if you take my meaning. So is it something to do with the God of War?a Terian cracked a smile. aDid Bellarum order his initiates to keep armor between them and women folk at all times, or something? Was there a command to avoid sex at all costs, even when offered to you by beautiful women of varying races and species?a aNo!a Cyrus shouted his answer then looked around, drawing the curious stares of others. He ignored Martainaas giggles behind him, and when Curatio caught his eye, the healer looked away as did Odellan. aItas not that,a Cyrus said.

aPlease tell me you werenat holding out for Vara,a Terian said. aBecause that would be a actually, that would be comically amusing.a The dark elf snickered, then straightened out his expression. aThough not for you, I suppose.a aI was.a Cyrus let the words out, scarcely believing them. aI actually was.a aOh dear gods,a Terian said. aYou donat mean youare a a I mean, you never? Not even with your wife?a aWhat?a Cyrus stared at him, uncomprehending. aNo, of course I did with Iminaa"my wife,a he said, when he caught the confused gaze from Terian. aBut she was the aa he lowered his voice. aThe first a and the last.a Terian let out a sharp laugh, like a bark, then cut it off. aSorry. The first and the last? What the hells, man? Youave been divorced since before Iave known you. And not before? What, did you marry when you were sixteen?a aI a no, I didnat even meet Imina until I was nineteen or so.a Cyrus caught his breath. aI donat know. After her, I was focused on building my guild, and there wasnat really much chance toa"a He flushed. aYouave seen where we lived when we were in the Kings of Reikonos. I didnat want a public exhibition, and frankly, itas not as though I met many women. Every now and again, Iad see my ex-wife, and wead a well, you know. But that was it.a aYeah, but again, youave been with Sanctuary for a what? Over three years now?a Terian looked at him with guarded disbelief. aYouave been an officer for most of that time, and I hate to break this to you, but the women say youare easy on the old eyeballs, so I think youad have had an offer or two. Iam saying if you really wanted toa"a aI came close once,a he said. aWith Nyad.a He looked around and didnat see the wizard in the formation with them. He caught sight of crimson robes further down the column. aWhen we were out on the recruiting mission. I mean, I had started to come out of the melancholy I was in after Narstron died, but, well, we were close to it, and shea"a he flushed again, aa"she found out about how I felt about Vara and stopped me.a aOuch.a Terian grimaced. aNyad never stops anybody.a He looked behind them. aGuess there had to be a first time, but Iam a little shocked it was you. But since then, there have been offers, right?a He looked around again. aThat ranger, Aisling? Hasnat she been on your trail for a while?a aYes,a Cyrus said. aBut Vara a I donat know. I always a held out this hope in the back of my mind that Vara and I could a you know. It seemed like we were right therea"she told me she felt the same way about me, and aa He sighed. aEverything a just completely fell apart.a aWhat did she say to you that night?a Terian looked at him, and Cyrus could see the curiosity, curiosity and something else. aThe last night in Sanctuary, before you came downstairs and offered to go with Longwell?a Cyrus felt the tension run through him, felt his muscles ache, smelled the fresh air and the outdoors. aShe said aa We will not, cannot be. Not ever a I thank you for trying to comfort me in my hour of need, but Iall have you take your leave now.

aShe said that it would never work between us.a Cyrus heard the words echo in his mind, heard the quiet around them, felt the seeping darkness of her quarters as she had said them. aThat she would outlive me by so long, that her pain would be so great that it wasnat worth it to her.a aOuch.a Terian let out a low whistle. aShe knows how to drive the dagger deep, doesnat she? I mean, youad think shead had a hundred years of experience doing it to say something like that.a aShe was just trying to aa Cyrus let the words hang there. aCut me loose with as little pain as she could.a aStill. Thatas the easiest she could come up with?a Terian shook his head. aBrutal. It was just brutal. She could have at least given you a roll in the proverbial hay for your years of pining before she booted you from beneath her sheets.a aOddly enough,a Cyrus said, aI donat think that would have helped.a There was quiet for a few minutes, unbroken by either of them until Cyrus said finally, aI havenat told anyone that yet. Thank you for listening.a aWhy wouldnat I?a Terian asked.

aYouave been a little strange lately,a Cyrus said. aOne minute you act like my friend Terian, then the next itas like youare channeling Vara.a aThatas low,a he said, wincing. aIave been your friend for a long time, Davidon.a The wince disappeared, replaced by a knowing smirk. aCan you think of anything you might have done that would change that?a Cyrus thought about it and shrugged. aI canat think of anything. But I wondered if maybe Iad done something to piss you off.a aYeah. Well aa Terian said, pensive, aa you did give me this very impressive sword.a He pulled the blade from his scabbard, holding it up. The steel held a bright red edge to it and it glimmered and shone, the mystical power beneath the forging obvious in the daylight. aThis is a blade given by the Sovereign to his truly great dark knights, the ones of such skill and virtue that they remain unchallenged in the realm of personal combat. Itas a rare honor to get one of these and they say the red in the steel is from the blade, drinking the blood of its enemies to grow stronger.a He smiled, a very slight one. aSo thatas noteworthy, isnat it?a aI suppose,a Cyrus said, inflectionless. aSuch a trivial thing, though. I wasnat ever going to use it.a aAh, yes, trivial things,a Terian said, a bitter smile on his lips. aItas funny how the things we think are so trivial really arenat. But thatas all right,a the dark knight said, his smile widening, the bitterness leaving it. aIall make good use of it.a He stared at the length of it and swung it to the side, causing his horse to shuffle footing with the change in weight. Terian laughed. aItall drink the blood of my enemies.a He looked back to Cyrus, and nodded his head in gratitude.

aEvery last one of them.a

Chapter 13.

Weeks passed as they traveled across the land. Cyrus stayed at the fore of the expedition save for once per day, when he would ride along the sides of the column and speak to the soldiers. They nodded and smiled at him, giving him hope and encouragement and taking his mind off Vara.

Aisling seemed to avoid Cyrus in the days that followed the castle siege. She nodded and smiled politely at him but made no attempt to initiate conversation. Uncertain of what to think or feel, he nodded courteously when he saw her and even doffed his helm but said nothing more than pleasantries.

While Cyrus spoke with the Baroness only occasionally to check in on hera"to little effect, she would answer politely but offer little elsea"she seemed to be getting along well with almost all his other officers. He regularly saw her riding with Jaanda and Curatio as well as Nyad and Ryin. Occasionally he would also see her speaking with Longwell or Odellan, or Martaina. Once he even saw her talking with Aisling. Both of them had been looking at him when he turned around, and they averted their eyes quickly, leaving him with a distinctly embarrassed sensation, his ears burning.

The weather changed as the weeks wore on. The sun grew warmer, and they made the turn into croplands, where corn dominated the fields, along with grains of all sorts. The days grew longer, and the breeze carried less chill. The hills gave way to long stretches of flat plains, with just the slightest roll to them; they reminded him most of the Plains of Perdamun, of Sanctuary and homea"and of an elven girl that he could not get off his mind, no matter how he tried.

aWeare less than a week from my fatheras castle,a Longwell said to Cyrus one day as they were passing a field with a fence of stone that encircled it. The skies were grey, a light drizzle of rain making its way down upon them.

aSo weall be heading to his castle, not the front line?a Cyrus looked at the dragoon. Odellan rode on the other side of Cyrus, listening to them both.

aAye,a Longwell said. aIt has been something akin to six months since my father first sent his messenger to us; it would be difficult to tell where the army is after such an interval.a Tightness creased the dragoonas face. aIf it is as bad as he said in his message, we may not have far to go to find his army.a aThat doesnat sound as if it bodes well,a Odellan said, the light rain trickling down over his armor.

aIt didnat bode well when my father contacted me.a Longwell looked glum. aHe knew it would be an exceptionally long journey to send someone after me. I didnat tell them exactly where Iad be, because I didnat know anything of Arkaria when I left.a He paused, frowning. aNor was I of a disposition to tell him at the time either, I suppose. I only told him I was going over the Endless Bridge to find a strong army to join. His messenger tracked me down based on whispers of my involvement in the defense of Termina.a aThatas a hell of a walk if you donat have have a wizard to teleport you.a Cyrus heard Windrider whinny. The rain was chill, the little splashes of water bouncing off his armor and into his face.

aI think he hoped Iad have found a strong army I could bring back with me,a Longwell said. aSyloreas has long been our enemy, back thousands of years, since the three Kingdoms began.a aPerhaps you could give us some history of the conflicts of this land,a Odellan said.

Longwell looked at the elf with dull eyes and an amused smile. aCertainly. They fought constantly; not ten years would go by without one of the three Kingdoms declaring war on another and pressing the attack. Sometimes there were defeats, occasionally a Kingdom would be conquered for ten or twenty yearsa"I think Actaluere was actually put under Syloreasas boot for almost fifty years once, but that was several thousand years ago. Every time, eventually, the people would rise up, throw off the lazy army with the help of the other Kingdom, and the cycle would start again a few years later.a aOh my,a Odellan said. aThat makes the sordid history of the elves and dark elves look quite peaceful by comparison.a Cyrus stared at Longwell with a raised eyebrow. aNo offense, but your people sound as bloodthirsty as the trolls. Thatas an awful lot of wars.a Longwell shrugged. aI didnat start them. And I was only involved in one of thema"the last war, between all three Kingdoms.a aWho started that one?a Cyrus asked.

aSyloreas,a Longwell said. aBriyce Unger began with an invasion of Actaluereas northern borders, and my father,a he said, rising tension apparent in his voice, adecided it would be an opportune moment to deprive Syloreas of some of their southern lands while they were distracted with an invasion thrust that nearly reached halfway to Caenalys, the capital of Actaluere. What my father hadnat anticipated was that Briyce Unger would turn his armies around when he heard that we had begun assaulting his border and march them directly there to hammer us.a aWhat did Actaluere do?a Odellan asked.

aNot a damned thing,a Longwell said bitterly. aThey tossed out the remaining garrison troops that Briyce Unger had left behind, then sat their army back and waited until Unger and my fatheras forces had done a good amount of damage to each other. Then King Tiernan of Actaluere launched an attack on our border, taking two cities away from us and leaving Unger unpunished.a aCan you really blame him?a The Baronessas voice came from behind them, startling Cyrus and causing him to turn. She sat on horseback, following only a few paces behind them. aHe saw an opportunity to get Unger out of his territory and take two jewels out of Galbadienas crown with minimal effort while you and Syloreas were busy bleeding each other dry in the north. King Tiernan ended the war he hadnat even started with more territory, while Galbadien and Syloreas both lost half their armies.a She shook her head and smiled. aYour father got perfidious and thought to turn our war to his advantage, but Ungeras bullheaded pride worked against him. Your father was outsmarted by Milos Tiernan. Thereas no shame in it; Tiernanas shrewd above all else.a aThat was treachery,a Longwell said, reddening. aMy father gave Milos Tiernan a perfect opportunity to get revenge on Syloreas for invading their territory; it could have been mutually beneficial for both our Kingdoms and instead Tiernan stabbed my father in the back.a The Baroness kept an infuriating smile perched upon her lips, giving her an impish look that caused Cyrus more intrigue than he cared to admit. aI thought it was an exceptionally clever way to pit two enemies against each other to maximum advantage. After all, it wasnat as though thereas ever been any sort of peace or alliance between Actaluere and Galbadiena"only a few years without war between us.a aNo formal peace, but no formal war either,a Longwell said. aIt was basest treachery.a The Baroness shrugged. aSee it however you like; Milos Tiernan walked away from the conflict with more territory and an army ready for the next war. Your fatheras Kingdom limped away just as Syloreas did, with countless young men dead, less territory than when you started, and forced to concede what youad lost. If the point of war is simply honor and not winning, youare still doing it wrong. I hear tell your fatheras soldiers are just as savage when sacking a town as Briyce Ungeras are.a Longwell did not answer, and seemed to slump slightly forward on his horse, his eyes focused ahead. Cyrus watched the dragoon for a long moment, and when it seemed unlikely he would ever speak, he did. aI cannot argue with that.a Longwell rode off a moment later, after the silence had hung in the air. He rode toward the back of the column, ignoring several soldiers who hailed him along the way.

aIf youall excuse me,a Odellan said, aperhaps I should speak with hima"and inspect the column while I am at it.a aCertainly,a Cyrus said with a nod. Odellan turned his horse and rode away. Cyrus turned to speak with the Baroness, but she was already gone, ensconced in a conversation with Nyad and Ryin, the three of them riding side by side.

The next week passed quickly, the flat lands over which they traveled speeding their journey. Longwell seemed to come alive again a few days after the conversation with the Baroness. He had been sulky and withdrawn, causing Cyrus to privately wonder if he had been that depressing to be around when they had first set out on their journey.

Only a few days later, they came around a bend in the road and something enormous became visible on the horizon. Cyrus was riding at the front of the column as he almost always did, and when the silhouette began to take shape as the sun was starting to set behind them, he wondered if perhaps it was a cloud bank.

aThat is the Castle of Vernadam,a Longwell said, riding to the fore to come alongside Cyrus. aThat is my fatheras home.a aNot yours?a Cyrus asked.

He caught a glimmer of regret from the dragoon. aOnce perhaps. Not anymore.a They bedded down for the night in a clearing, and as the campfires lit the sky, Cyrus stared into the distance, where he could still see the faintest shadow of the castle on the horizon. He heard someone move next to him where he stood at the far edge of the armyas camp, and he turned to see the Baroness, clad in her riding outfit but with a blanket wrapped around her to guard against the chill of the early evening.

aThere stands Vernadam,a she said, almost whispering, aa place I never thought I would see, not in my lifetime.a aNo?a Cyrus looked over to her, saw the wind stir her hair. aThe borders of your lands donat seem too hostile to crossing, if it were for just a person by themselves.a She looked over at him, her glazed eyes returning to focus. aWomen do not travel alone, and the Baron does not travel this far outside his holdfast.a aHow long were you married?a Cyrus watched her. She didnat answer him quickly, as though she were taking her time coming up with the right reply.

aOnly a year or so,a she said. aIt was a very quick arrangement, really.a aHm.a Cyrus nodded, looking at the fire. aLess than a year and already happy to leave him behind. He must have been a real monster.a aAs though you donat already know.a He could feel her bristle.

aI know what he did to others,a Cyrus said, reaching for a branch and stirring the embers of the fire with it. aI know how he treated strangers in his land who meant him no harm. So, yes, that gives me some idea of how he might treat his wife.a aYou have no idea,a she pronounced, and her words were stiff. aBeatings were commonplace. Whippings he saved for occasions of special displeasure, which seemed to happen whenever he was drunkest.a aYouare not making me sorry I left him to die,a Cyrus said, holding the branch steady, letting it catch fire. He watched the flames lick at the healthy bough, saw the first black scoring appear upon it.

aAs you said, Iave been married for a year and I was glad to leave him to die,a she said stiffly. aI never considered myself a cold or vicious person, but perhaps I am.a She looked away and her eyes fixated again on Vernadamas shadow in the distance. aI certainly was not much of a wife, to hear my husband tell it.a aI doubt you gave him any cause for beatings or whippings,a Cyrus said, letting the branch drift through a pile of ashes. aBecause there is no cause for such things, not between husband and wife. He did not seem the sort of man whose justification I would accept as anything other than the petty anger of a man denied something.a aDenied?a She looked at Cyrus and wore the faintest half-smile. aI denied him nothing. Not my body, at all hours, not his favors, requested day and night. He came to me often in the hours of the morning too early to be measured by any light, and I would give him that which he craved so fervently, no matter how asleep I was. Once, he came to me when I was in a deep grog. I moved too slowly for his liking, so he dragged me by the hair out to the courtyard where he bound me to a post, naked, and had his way with me in front of all of his men and the servants and everyone.a Her lip quivered, but her eyes smoldered like the fire. aSo that he could show thema"and mea"that he ruled his household with a firm and unyielding hand. When he was done, he left me there for a day, without food or water, like a common thief or drunk, and forbade the doctor to see to my injuries.a The twigs at the end of Cyrusas branch caught on fire at last, and he pulled it out of the flame, holding the length above it, the smallest reaches of it burning with a light of their own. aHow did you get saddled with him?a She looked away again. aMy brother gave me to him in marriage, in hopes of gaining his favor.a She looked back at Cyrus. aSince my father is dead, my brother was well within his rights to give me to anyone he wanted to.a aAnd now?a Cyrus watched the slow burn of the twigs spread up the branch. aNow that heas dead, wouldnat your brother want to marry you off again, to someone else?a aNo,a she said simply. aBecause now I am damaged, imperfect.a Cyrus frowned. aBecause youave been married before? By that standard, I suppose Iam damaged and imperfect, too.a He raised an eyebrow. aWhich I actually am but not because of being married before.a aNo,a she said. aBecause of the scars. Because of the whippings, the beatings a and a other things heas done to me.a She swallowed hard. aHe used to say that he had left his mark on me, that no other man would ever want me, or would ever have me, after what head done.a aI donat, uh aa Cyrus looked at her. aIam sorry, I mean, Iave seen you in a a somewhat revealing dress a I guess a.I mean, I didnat see anything.a aYou wouldnat.a She shook her head, very slightly and perched on her lips was a rueful smile. aThe men and women in the courtyard the night he dragged me out and tied me to the post, they saw. But he kept it a all well below what the rest of the world would see. Women are expected to maintain a certain standard of propriety, after all.a He saw a single tear flow from her left eye, down her cheek, to rest on her defined chin. It was a perfect droplet, just the one, and it lingered there. aThe simple loss of my virginity to my husband would not be considered enough to defile me for life, to make me untouchable to other men for marriageable purposes.a aAh,a Cyrus looked at the Baroness again, saw the smoldering anger in her eyes, and felt it touch him. My emotions are muted and best they remain that way. I already feel less remorse for leaving the Baron as I did. Men who dominate and abuse women in such a manner are scum, but I fear my anger with him would have me become a torturer were I to fully loose it upon that wretch. He looked back at her; she was undeniably beautiful, stunning even, to his eyes, which had become somewhat jaded of late, filled to the top as they were with the intoxicating beauty of a she-elf who had hurt him so.

The Baroness is different. She seems a not helpless. Far from it. But wounded. Like me. She possessed an air, a quality of genuine and natural beauty. She seemed to sense his gaze and turned to look at him. aAnd you?a she asked. aYou are not married?a aNot anymore.a He sniffed and threw the branch into the fire, smelled the smokiness of the wood filling the crisp air.

aIs she a gone on?a The Baroness looked at him carefully, probing.

aShe was still quite lively when last I saw her, which was a year or two ago,a he said. aShe left me.a aLeft you?a There was a rising curiosity in the Baronessas voice. aYou allowed this?a aAllowed it?a Cyrus suppressed a laugh. aI gave my full consent when she asked for the divorce decree. She didnat want to be married to a warrior who was always traveling, always gone, always in danger.a Cattrine frowned, as though contemplating something impossible. aIs that a does that happen often in your land? A woman leaving a man when she is unsatisfied?a She blushed. aI donat mean to suggest she was unsatisfied by you. Iam certain youare very satisfying.a She blushed deeper, a crimson shade in the firelight.

Cyrus watched her with some amusement before he shrugged. aIt happens. More among the elves than the humans, Iam told, but it happens among my people as well.a aFascinating,a the Baroness said, her skin lit by the flickering of the fire. aYour world is ever so much different than my own.a aIf you think thatas different, you should see Sanctuary,a Cyrus said.

aYour guild is called Sanctuary, yes?a The Baroness looked at him once more, her hand resting on her leg, her knees pulled up to her chest. aBut there is a place called Sanctuary as well?a aOur guildhall, yes.a aWhat is it like there?a Her voice carried a combination of awe and wistfulness.

aItas in the middle of the Plains of Perdamun, a long, wide stretch of grasslands. When you teleport into the plains, you have to run south through a field of wildflowers to Sanctuary. Theyall be in bloom now, I suppose, all the colors on display a red, blue, purple and orange. Itas like a rainbow growing from the ground, and if youare with a druid, and they cast the Falconas Essence spell, you can run right over them, watch them rock in the wind as you pass, stirring them. The main tower appears first, looming above you like a spire sticking out of the ground, then you see the other towers and the wall a itas built with a curtain wall like a castle, but itas like no castle youave ever seen.

aThe wall goes around for a mile or more a encloses gardens, stables, an archery range a and in the middle of it all is Sanctuary.a Cyrus smiled at the memory, the thought of the stone blocks that comprised the guildhall, of the stained glass window glowing in all its colors above the main doors. aItas gorgeous. One of the a warmest places Iave ever been. It was aa His smile faded. aHome.a aYou miss it.a Her voice punctuated the quiet against the crackle of the fire against the logs.

aI suppose.a aWere you always in Sanctuary?a aNo. I was born and raised in Reikonos, the capital of the Human Confederation.a aWas that where you learned to fight?a She hugged her knees closer to her chest. aWas that where you got your sword?a aI learned to fight there, but I got my sworda"this sword,a he tugged at the hilt of Praelior, alater, when I was with Sanctuary.a aDid your parents teach you how to fight?a She looked at him with genuine interest, and he felt himself warm, something unrelated to the fire.

aMy father was a great warrior, but he died when I was far too young to learn how to fight. No, I learned in the Society of Armsa"where they send all young men and women who wish to learn to master the fighting arts.a aWomen, too?a Cattrine looked vaguely impressed. aYou had women train alongside you?a aYes,a Cyrus said. aSome of the older boys would take it easy on the younger kids, knowing they could crush us without difficulty. Some of my roughest fights were against the girls. They did not yield an inch, regardless of age.a aIt did not aa She searched for a word, ahumiliate you, being defeated by a woman?a aHeh,a Cyrus said. aEvery defeat was a humiliation, and there was no more shame in being beaten by a girl than by a boy. Sometimes there was less. Some of those girls had a pain threshold that made me look pitiful by comparison.a Cyrus felt his expression change. aI havenat talked about this in years until a couple months ago. And again now. I donat talk about these things. Howad you do that?a She smiled. aI asked. Doesnat anyone else ever ask you about yourself?a A thought of Aisling flashed through his mind, settling within him, leaving an uneasy feeling. aNot particularly,a Cyrus said.

They were quiet for a minute then the Baroness spoke. aWhat is her name?a Cyrus blinked, then looked at her, at the orange light casting a warm glow on her face in the soft light. She coaxed him with a hint of a smile. aWho?a he asked.

aThe woman.a She smoothed a wrinkle on the knee of her pants. aThe one you think of all the time. The one they say you ran across the bridge to get away from.a She dropped her voice an octave, and he strained to hear her next words. aThe one who broke your heart.a aVara,a Cyrus whispered. aHer name is Vara.a aShe was not your wife, was she?a aNo,a he said. aShe was not.a There was a momentas pause, and he heard the Baroness slide across the ground toward him, heard her inch closer, felt her only a foot away. aWhat was it about her that drew you so?a aI donat know,a Cyrus said quietly. aShe wasnat kind to me, not from the beginning. But there was something about her a a draw, a pull between us that was unlike anything Iad ever felt.a aWhat was she like?a aSharp of tongue, quick to anger,a Cyrus said, aa terror with a blade, and a wielder of magics that could knock a man flat.a He paused. aA fighter. Sheas a a fighter, at least thatas how I remember her.a aIt makes sense that a man as strong as yourself would be drawn to a woman possessed of great strength,a the Baroness said. Her face spoke of other things though, and held a drawn, harried look. aI suppose that it must be a great attraction, to find a woman so much like yourself.a She seemed to draw back from him, her confidence crumbling. aMy life must seem very dull and pitiful to someone who adventures in far away lands and rides the back of a Dragonlorda"a aNo.a Cyrus turned all his attention to her, sweeping away thoughts of Vara. aNot at all. My life is a well a filled to the brimming with madness, but that doesnat mean I donat have great respect for the way others live. Besides, it sounds like youave been in more peril than I have, living with the Baron.a He paused in thought. aWho told you about the Dragonlord?a aCuratio,a she said, looking back to him. aThey all tell the most amazing tales of you, of your exploits.a aOh?a Cyrus looked away. aThey exaggerate. Most of them werenat that interesting.a aSo you and Sir Longwell and your lady elf did not hold a bridge against an army of one hundred thousand for an entire night?a She looked at him with genuineness, and he felt a prick of conscience.

aNo, we did,a Cyrus said. aBut that was not the whole story. There were others helping us on that bridge, and we had additional forces on bridges to help guard our flanks.a He shrugged. aThereas just more to it, thatas all.a aIn all of the stories they tell, you seem so brave,a she said with a voice filled with wistfulness. aSo fearless. Are you not concerned with death?a He let a ghost of a smile creep across his face. aDeath doesnat concern me.a She cocked her head at him. aNo?a aNo,a he said with a shake of the head. aI killed him two months ago.a aWhat?a She blinked. aOh, you mean your God of Death. Mordoa"a aMortus,a Cyrus said, the vision of the four-legged, eight-armed god flashing through his memory. aHis name was Mortus.a aThey say you have died before,a Cattrine said. aI have heard the tales that western priests hold the power to return life.a aSome do.a Cyrus nodded toward Curatio, who sat at the next fire, his back to them, staring into the flames. aHe does. But only for an hour after death, and only when the death was caused by battle, or injurya"he canat heal natural illnesses, like fever or sickness.a aWhat does it feel like a to die?a aDepends on how you go about it. Iave never enjoyed the sensation any of the times Iave died, from what of it I remember. Coming back might be worse but better than the alternative, I suppose. Makes you sick,a he said in answer to her unasked question. aPowerful nausea, an ill feeling that settles in your stomach, and you come back weak, like youare sitting on the edge of slipping back into death at any moment and a good sneeze will carry you back to the other side.a aIs it a does knowing you wonat die a not forever, anyway,a she halted, trying to find her words, ais that where you get your fearlessness?a aIam not fearless,a he said. aNot exactly. I just donat scare easily. They taught me in the Society of Arms how to bury the fear, how to master it. The natural instinct is to run from that which you fear. That doesnat work for a warrior, weare supposed to take the hits without flinching, to commit to battle so hard that our opponents back away knowing theyall have to stand toe to toe with our fury in order to best us. That doesnat work when youare afraid all the time.a He looked away. aSo they taught us that any time you fear something, you come at it with all your strengtha"not stupidly, mind you, but to attack ita"and almost always that thing you were afraid of turns out to not be so bad. Because fearas not tolerated in a warrior, not in the Society of Arms.a He took a deep breath. aNeither is running.a aCould you teach me?a She sat next to him, and he could scarcely hear her breathe. aCould you teach me to be as fearless as you? Because I aa She looked away, and he could feel the vulnerability within her, at the surface, and he wanted to reach out, to touch her shoulder, but refrained. aI am afraid all the time. It kept me in a place I hated, kept me prisoner to a man who hurt me, and made me aa she swallowed heavily, aa made me come to you, offer myself to you without even knowing you, just to hold on to what little I had.a She turned back to him and straightened. aI donat wish to be afraid anymore. I want to go to this new lifea"whatever it turns out to bea"because I want it, not because I want to run away from what I had.a aI donat know,a he said. aI learned most of it in an arenaa"the place where they put us from the time we were kids, where wead fight day in and day out.a As he spoke he could feel the sands around his bare feet, as though he were there. aThey started us from a young age, and you learn to revel in it.a He thought about it for a moment. aOr hate it. Some came to truly hate it. They didnat last. Either way, I donat think that you necessarily need to fight in order to banish your fear. You lived under the thumb of a man who was so far beyond cruel as to defy any explanation. Iam certain it was difficult for you, to feel a trapped, that way. I have felt a similarly before.a aOh?a She was next to him, closer now, and he could feel the warmth of the fire, mixed with his lifeas blood coursing through his veins, reminding him that he was alive, and that she was a woman who had offered herself to him in ways that he wanted, needed. aI find it hard to believe that a man such as you could have felt that way.a aItas true,a he said. aLong ago, I was on my own for many years, without anyone to turn to or to trust.a He felt his face harden as the bitter pangs came back to him. aI a Iam sorry.a Emotions, strange, similar, crippling in their own way, washed over him and he stopped talking for a beat. aI aa aWhat?a He felt her at his arm, her hand resting upon the plate of his shoulder. aWhat is it?a He swallowed heavily. aI think a I have come to the point of sleep, for the night. I suspect tomorrow will be a long day.a He felt her freeze against his side, and slowly her hand withdrew. aI see.a aIf youall excuse me aa He stood and looked down at her, saw the regret behind the eyes as her hand came to rest on her lap, slow, like a snake coiling back up, and she smiled but not sincerely.

aI should turn in as well.a Her smile faded. aIave lost my appetite for conversation anyway.a aI apologize,a Cyrus said with a deep bow. aPerhaps someday Iall continue my story, but itas something I havenat spoken of aa he thought back, tried to remember his time with Imina, and realized he had never told her either. aEver. Not ever.a He forced a smilea"a thin, tight one. aForgive me, madam.a He bowed again and went to his bedroll, still bound up by its cord. He untied it and spread it across the ground by the fire.

aI understand,a the Baroness said, getting to her feet. aWhat I told you, about what the Baron did to mea"Iave never told a soul that. Some of his acts were seen, obviously, others not. But even those that know, I never a confessed or made mention of because to do so would seem to make it a more real, I suppose. There are other things, varied and horrific, that I would not wish to speak of, not ever.a She held herself up, and Cyrus saw her wither in the light. aLittle venoms that I will keep in my soul until the day I die.a She straightened. aShould the day ever come that you wish to expunge yours, I would willingly listen. And perhaps,a she licked her lips, atrade you for a few of my own, that it might lessen the sting of them.a aPerhaps.a Cyrus stood next to his bedroll, staring at the woman before hima"so close to broken, yet so unbowed. He marveled at her and felt the crass urge to take hold of her, to kiss hera"aGood night,a he forced himself to say. aI will see you upon the morrow.a aGood night,a she said, and turned to leave him. She took a few paces and stopped, turning back. aWhy?a He had already begun to lie down, and paused, crouched on one knee. aWhy what?a aYou were married,a she said. aYou had this Vara, whom by all accounts you loved, and yet you never told anyone of these dark days in which you felt alone and desperate and had no one to trust?a She seemed unsteady, as though afraid to overstep her bounds, afraid of his reaction. aYou have friends, and people who respect and admire you. Yet in all these people, in all your closest confidants, you found no one you could speak of this to?a Cyrus felt his mouth go dry, and his head took on a slow spin. He took a sharp intake of breath and felt the sting of what she said, yet curiously he felt no anger or resentment for broaching the question. aThere are some who know, but not because I told them,a he said at last. aAnd much like yourself,a he lied, aperhaps I didnat want to speak of it as it would become a real to me. I have long said that things past are best left there. They are done, why give them new life by speaking of them?a He tried to smile but failed and knew it, so instead he lay down on his bedroll and stared straight up, into the sky and the few stars he could see beyond the light given off by the hundred fires around him. After a few moments, he heard the Baronessas steps pick up and fade as she walked away.

Imina. Narstron. Andren. Vaste. Terian. Alaric. Niamh. Vara. Some closer than others, and yet I would not tell a single one of them. Not one. He felt a strange weight in his chest, as though a great stone were upon it. Because after all this time, and all that Iave been through, in truth a he felt an odd satisfaction as the truth came to him, a Iam just as alone now as I was then.

Chapter 14.

They had nearly reached the castle by midday next, when the sun was hot overhead and the feeling of spring had subsided and been replaced by the sensation of early summer. Cyrus felt the rays of the sun heating his armor and him within it, causing him to sweat, and wondered if this were what pottery in a kiln felt like. The smell of horses was especially heavy, and the conversation from the ranks of the army behind him was louder, more boisterous, now that the months of travel had come to a close and their destination was in sight.

The last taste of the conjured bread was still with him as Cyrus felt a crumb fall out of his beard. Perhaps I should get rid of the whiskers, he thought. Or at least shave and let them grow out again. They donat seem to be doing me any favors by getting this long.

The castle Vernadam was close on the horizon, and Cyrus could tell it was bigger than any castle he could recall ever seeing. Though perhaps not as tall as the Citadel in Reikonos, it was quite large, easily larger than the sprawling monstrosity of a palace in the elven capital of Pharesia. The castle itself was built on a steep hill, using the mound it was on to boost it to exceptional heights. An array of towers sprung out of a central keep, a circular one that twisted and rose, almost like a spiral rising into the sky. The tallest towers were high above the rest of the castle, one ranging far above the other, the two of them clinging together for support, like a child leaning upon a parent to walk. The whole thing seemed like an unnatural mountain, rising alone above a flat earth.

The city that lay in the shadow of Vernadam was visible by that time; a town that had sprung up around the foot of the hill, with no tall buildings, only three-story shops and dwellings clustered around a central square and tightly packed streets. Cyrus estimated that no more than a hundred thousand might live there, perhaps more if they were not particular about the amount of space each family had.

Cyrus rode at the front of their procession, with Longwell at his side. They passed all manner of people, horses and carts, all moving aside so the army of Sanctuary could pass.

It was a mile outside of town that a rider on the back of a stallion approached them. His navy armor was almost a perfect match for Longwellas, down to the surcoat with the Lion insignia, though he was considerably wider than the dragoon in both shoulder and belly. A wide smile broke out on the manas face as he got close enough for them to see. aHail, Sir Samwen Longwell,a he said in a deep voice as he approached.

aHail, Sir Odau Genner,a Longwell said, lips curling into a smile. aWhat news from Vernadam?a Sir Odau Genner brought his horse into the formation alongside Longwellas. aWe sent Teodir to find you months ago. Wead begun to worry he was lost along the way.a aHe is with us,a Longwell said. aI came as soon as word reached me, and I have brought aa Longwell raised an arm and gestured to the army behind him, aa a few friends with me to heed my fatheras call.a aIndeed you have,a Odau said with a broad grin. aWe had heard you were coming with a force weeks ago from our spies afield, that you had crossed the border with western magicians and knights and footmen, but I scarce believed it until I saw it with my own eyes through the spyglass atop the tower only an hour ago. Your timing could not be more fortuitous.a aIt goes poorly, then, the fight against Syloreas?a Longwellas face drew up, muscles contracting.

aWe are but days from defeat, total and wretched, like the conquests of olda"though the Kingdom does not know it yet.a Odau Genner pointed north, and Cyrus looked in the direction indicated. aThe army of Syloreas is encamped a dayas ride from here. We will meet them in battle the day after tomorrow, in a final defense.a Odau looked at Longwell with undisguised relief. aOur defeat was virtually assured before your arrival. They have a knight with them, a westerner, and his power is fearsome. He and his compatriots have won every battle for Syloreas, their mere presence sends our dragoons and footmen onto edge and they retreat far more easily than they should given their numbers.a aThis is poor news,a Longwell said. aOdau, this is my general, Cyrus Davidon. It was through his offer of assistance I came to be joined by all these souls willing to traverse the divide between our lands. Cyrus, this is Odau Genner, a dear friend and knight of my fatheras.a aPleased to make your acquaintance, Odau,a Cyrus said. aHow can we help? Do you need us at the front?a aI am pleased to meet you as well,a Odau said with a nod to Cyrus. aYou are not needed at the front at this moment. It is essentially agreed between King Longwell and Briyce Unger that we will meet in battle on the day after tomorrow in the fields north of the Forest of Waigh. When we sighted you from the watchtower,a Odau said with a smile, ayour father gave immediate orders for a feast to be put on, with a banquet in the town for your men after their long journey. Your high officers are invited to break bread with the King in the castle, to discuss the battle, if you are amenable, and to be well taken care of after your long journey. He offers his full hospitality to both you and your army.a aA generous offer,a Longwell said. aMy fatheras full hospitality comes rarely, and I suspect his current predicament accounts for much of it. Lose the battle and his Kingdom is lost, so why not open the coffers and wine cellars wide in hopes that we can turn the tides of fortune back to his favor, eh?a aI think that might have been his intention,a Odau said with a grin. aHe said something about ashowing your men such a time that theyall want to fight harder for this Kingdom than our own will.aa aGoodness. Well, that should keep the doxies well paid,a Longwell said. aAre you to ride back with us or are you here only to deliver his message?a aIall only need signal him to give your assent,a Odau said, aand then I can guide you into town. Your men will be billeted in the village, each a bed of his owna"a aWe have some women in our ranks as well,a Cyrus interrupted, causing Odau to start. aI trust theyall be provided for as well.a aUh a ah aa Odau stammered. aIf theyare of your army, I trust we can find a place for them as well, though obviously that is not our custom and it perhaps will take a bit of adjustmenta"a aWeall try to make it easy on you,a Cyrus said. aBut if you could make sure they receive the same good treatment, that would be very helpful.a Cyrus could see the tension on Odauas face. aWe will a make every effort to accommodate them. Iam certain that weall find them lodgings to their satisfaction. If you gentlemen will follow me aa They rode onto the cityas main street to find cheering crowds on the corners. Curious children and adults pushed each other aside (more the adults pushing each other and the children trying to squeeze their way to the front for a better view) to get a look at the army of Sanctuary. Cyrus looked at the attire of the peasantry and found it much the same as he would have seen in Reikonos, though of different fabrics and styles.

They came to the main square of the city and halted, Odau holding up a hand to stop them. aThis is where we leave your army. Our men are already working to clear accommodations for them, and theyall be working at it for some time. However, the lodgings for your officers are ready at the castle, and we have food and drink waiting for you. If youad care to join mea"a aGive me a moment,a Cyrus said and turned Windrider around. aOdellan,a Cyrus said, and the elf made his way through the horse ranks to him. aYouall see to the army and make certain everyone gets food and lodging?a aAye, sir,a Odellan said. aYou can count on me; Iall not rest until theyare taken care of, every one.a aTell them to have fun,a Cyrus said, abut make certain they understand that theyall need to keep themselves in line. I have no problems with them enjoying whatever sort of recreation they can finda"honorably, of coursea"but I want no angry complaints from the local populace. That means keep the drinking to a manageable level, and make sure theyare all in bed at a reasonable hour. Weall likely be marching by midday tomorrow, so let them know that.a Odellan hesitated, the slightest grimace on his face. aYou donat wish to address the troops yourself, sir?a Cyrus looked around the square; the noise was already overwhelming, and the army was strung out along the narrow boulevard halfway back to the town limits. aThis isnat the best place for a speech, and I doubt theyad hear much of it anyway. Make sure they understand. Iam going to talk with the King and see if we can hammer out a strategy to beat this army thatas coming.a aAye, sir,a Odellan said. aIt will be as you say.a aI never doubted it for a minute,a Cyrus said, bringing his horse around and looking to Odau. aHow many of my officers does your King expect for this feast?a aWe could house several hundred comfortably,a Odau said with a pleasant smile. aHowever, his Grace expects you would have twenty or so officers to lead your troops.a aIam going to define officer a little more broadly then.a He turned to look at the force on horseback behind him. aRyin, Nyad, Curatio, Terian, Jaandaa"Longwell, of coursea"Iall also have the Baroness, Martaina and Aisling come with us.a He glanced through their ranks and saw Mendicant sitting on his small pony next to the massive desert man, Scuddar Inashara. aMendicant and Scuddar, too.a Mendicant, only about four feet tall, pointed a clawed finger at himself, and Cyrus saw his mouth open, sharp teeth visible within, though he only saw the goblin mouth the word, aMe?a Aisling guided her horse from behind Odellan. aWhy me?a Cyrus shrugged, but his eyes never left hers. aI have my reasons. For all of you.a He looked around. aAll here?a He tossed a glance back to Odau. aLead on.a There was a short road to the gates of the castle. The curtain wall took advantage of the steep slopes around the hill it was built upona"Cyrus estimated that a siege would be well nigh impossible by traditional means, as the only easy approach was up the winding path to the main gate. aIt seems to me,a he said to Odau, ayour King could simply close up his wall and wait for this Briyce Unger to get bored of standing at the bottom of his hill, trying to rally forces to crash his gate. Head never have to surrender if he didnat care to.a aAye,a Odau Genner said with a slow nod, aand the King might do that, yet. But his Kingdom would be lost, nonetheless, as with no one to defend the smallfolk, Briyce Unger could control every city without ever taking Vernadam.a Odau smiled, but it was a bitter one. aIf one controls all of a Kingdom but for the castle that governed it, has one not conquered that Kingdom?a They made their way up the twisted path and Cyrus noted the curves and at least one unnecessary switchback in its constructiona"undoubtedly designed to make siege more difficult. He looked up at the stone behemoth that stretched into the sky above him and marveled at the single-minded effort it must have taken to construct such a gargantuan fortress. How many slaves worked how many years to do this? Or was it simple workmen? Either way, this is nothing short of astounding; itas a wonder.

Smooth walls gave way to ramparts that jutted out over the hillside below like an uneven lip sticks out from a face. From the ramparts they can shower boiling oil or arrows onto anyone who tries to climb the hill. The stone was all grey, dull, with some blocks taller than he and wider than three men laid end to end. Where did they quarry all that stone? And how did they get it here?

aWhy did you pick me to come?a Cyrus looked over in surprise to see Aisling looking at him. He had not heard her ride up, so busy had he been staring at the castle. aIam hardly an officera"or even one of your favorite people, of late.a She frowned. aOr ever.a aI have no quarrel with you, Aisling,a he said. aYou have a unique perspective, and Iad be a fool to ignore it.a He watched her deflate slightly. aIf my point of view is what you seek from me, then I will do my best not to fail you in that regard.a aPerhaps itas not all I seek,a Cyrus said, smiling, then urged Windrider forward, abut itas all I have time for at the moment.a He looked back to see her looking at him cautiously but with slight wonderment.

The path straightened as they reached the gate, guiding their horses under the portcullis to follow Odau Genner. Once through it, Cyrus found himself in a massive courtyard, twice the size of the entire castle at Green Hill. He could smell the stables to one side, saw the activity bustling ahead in the entrance to the keep, where a procession was already making its way down the steps to greet them.

Guards stood at attention in columns down either side of the steps, arranged to face the stairway. The procession came down, and at the head stood a man with the same build as Longwella"muscular, tall, dark haired, though grey was present, frosted in a patch on the top of his head. Cyrus saw no crown, though the cloak he wore was of finest velvet. He was flanked by ten men, all in armor like Longwellas, every one of them wearing the surcoat with the black lion on the front.

Cyrus followed Odau Genner across the courtyard, and he felt the Baroness brush against his side. He glanced at her and saw her look back, a nervous smile flitting across her face. aItall be all right,a he said. aYouare here as part of my army.a She raised an eyebrow. aI have no ability with sword or shield or bow, nor any of the magical powers that many in your army possess.a She looked down at herself and then back at him. aI look nothing like the women of your army.a aAnd yet you are, nonetheless,a he said cheerfully. aSo worry not.a aWhy have you asked me to come along with you to the castle, rather than being lodged in town with the rest of your people?a Her voice betrayed the worry that her face concealed, along with something else, something more hopeful.

aYou know the people of Luukessia,a Cyrus said, whispering to her as they followed Genner toward the steps. aYou have been the enemy of Galbadien for all your years. Iad be a fool to have you along and not ask your opinion of these men.a aDonat you trust these total strangers?a she asked, almost mocking.

aAs a rule, I trust no strangers.a aBut isnat this King the father of your man Longwell?a She regarded him carefully. aYou trust him, do you not?a aI do,a Cyrus said. aSamwen Longwell is a man of honor. But he left this Kingdom for good reason, and he has yet to tell me what it is a so I keep my suspicions, and I keep watch.a aA sound plan,a she whispered back. aBut if I may be so bold as to make an observation aa she glanced at him out of the corner of her eyes, waiting for him to give her a subtle nod before she continued. aI am nearly a stranger to you. Do you trust me?a aMmmm,a Cyrus let out a deep, guttural sound that reminded him of a purr. In his head, it was a simple stalling tactic, as he tried to find a way to phrase his reply so as not to offend her. aNot entirely,a he said at last, drawing a small smile of response from her. aBut neither do I distrust you.a The smile was cool, but her green eyes danced and gave life to it. aWhen it comes to the confidences of aCyrus the Unbroken,a I suppose I shall take what I can get, when I can get it.a They arrived at the King before Cyrus could make his reply. aIf you introduce me, remember to call me Cattrine,a the Baroness said in a last whisper, drawing a smile. aBetter not to tell them from whence I come.a aYour accent is rather distinctive,a Cyrus mumbled as Odau Genner filled the air with a formal and lengthy announcement of the arrival of the Sanctuary officers.

aI can fix that,a the Baroness said, sotto voce, her words now carrying the smooth, flat cadences of a Reikonosian born.

He raised an eyebrow at her. aHow did you do that?a She kept her eyes forward, on the King. aIave been listening to you.a aMay I introduce Cyrus Davidon,a Odau Genner said, aGeneral of the army of Sanctuary.a Cyrus bowed low to the King, who, upon closer inspection, was thinner and more gaunt than Longwell. His eyes were slightly sunken and his flesh had settled oddly upon his bones, as though his build had once been powerful and was now diminished, the excess skin loose and ill at ease on his frame. The only exception was his belly, which was distended and paunchy, hanging over his belt.

aMy cherished son,a the King said, opening his arms wide to Longwell, who followed a pace behind Cyrus. The Kingas gaunt features lifted in a smile. aYou have returned to us in Galbadienas darkest hour, and at the head of your own army from the west. This is more than I could have imagined was possible when last we parted.a Cyrus looked back to Longwell, who stood stock still, a pained smile pasted on his features. aFather,a he said before making his way forward to embrace the man.

Cyrus watched, noting the dragoonas slow movement, the uncomfortable shuffle as he went to hug his father, as they fumbled to place hands, and a thought ran across the warrioras minda"Do they even know each other? After a moment, father and son parted, and as they withdrew, Cyrus noted the awkward space between them that lingered, even as the King put his hand upon his sonas shoulder and tried to draw him close. Samwen went along with it, but the dragoon remained tensed.

aGreetings to all of you,a the King said with the same, wide smile. aI welcome you as friends of my son and thank you for coming to the service of our Kingdom in this hour of need.a His arms were spread in welcome, but his right hand remained on his sonas shoulder, resting there, drawing Cyrusas attention from the Kingas words to his face. aIf my son trusts you as allies and compatriots, you must surely be of the finest quality, and I look forward to getting to know you as we break bread together.a He extended the hand that wasnat on Longwellas shoulder and gestured to the stairs and the open doors above them. aCome, my friends, and let us welcome you to the halls of Vernadam.a The King turned and began to make his way up the stairs, adjusting his hands so that he could wrap an arm around his sonas shoulder and pull him close. Cyrus watched the King whisper to Samwen, unmistakable pride and emotion on the elder manas face.

aDoes something seem a little odd there?a Cattrine asked him quietly.

aI didnat want to be the first to say it, but yes,a Cyrus said, keeping his voice to a whisper. aWe should probably wait to talk about it until later.a Cyrus followed, leading his party up the stairs. The door to the keep was an arched portal fifteen feet tall with wide, solid wooden doors, which were opened by the guards. They swung inward in a wide arc, and as Cyrus passed through them with the Baroness at his side, he caught a glimpse of others behind them, helping to pull them open. A grand hall lay ahead, with another staircase that led to a large landing that split in twain; the steps then veered left and right, to a balcony that wrapped around the entry foyer.

Cyrus paused on the marble tiles. They were checkered in black and white squares, with a craftsmanship that he hadnat seen outside of the Elven Kingdom. He looked at the Baroness but she remained cool; the palatial appearance of the keep was deeply at odds with Green Hill or any of the other keeps he had seen in all his days.

The King continued onward to a room to their left. Double doors, smaller than the entry, swung open at the hands of a servant and Cyrus found himself in a formal dining room. The checkered marble floor gave way entirely to white tiles, and a long dining table stretched the length of the room, culminating in a chair that was taller and more ornate than any of the others. aIall bet you a gold coin thatas where the King sits,a he whispered to the Baroness.

aNot only is that a poor bet, but since someone sacked my home, I find I have no coins with which to gamble.a aDid I hear a note of complaint?a Cyrus asked as his eyes roamed the room.

aAbout losing my husband? Never,a she said. aI do, however, wish I had been allowed to keep his fortune.a She sighed. aIt was hardly worth the trade, but if I could have had his money and been rid of him, I believe I might have been able to find some measure of happiness.a She frowned. aDamn this land and their thorough dislike of women with any strength at all.a aI agree,a Cyrus said. aYou should find somewhere that they can appreciate you.a Her eyes narrowed. aAre you mocking me?a aIn this case, no.a His eyes tracked around the room. aI might later, though, so be on your guard.a The balcony from the foyer extended into the dining hall, and a hearth sat behind the Kingas chair, though it was not in use. Paintings of knights, ladies, scenes from nature, and of castles dominated the decor. The walls were comprised of a faint white plaster, apparently spackled over the natural stone walls of the keep. The whole thing gave the room a more comfortable look to Cyrusas eyes, reminding him of the houses in Reikonos, wood structures, rather than the rock and stone that made some keeps feel like dim caves.

The smell of fresh-baked dough filled the room, along with other scents that he couldnat quite place. He thought he caught a hint of fish cooking, but it mingled with the smell of other meats and perhaps some vegetables as well. He heard a clatter in the next room and realized that it must be the kitchens. A door swung open and then closed again, confirming his suspicion as a line of servants walked into the room in perfect step, snaking their way around the table, each standing behind a chair. Cyrus lingered in the doorway as he watched the King make his way to the head seat and point his son to the chair to his right. The King stopped before sitting down and beckoned to Cyrus to come sit on his left. Cyrus exchanged a short look with the Baroness and came forward, placing himself in the seat that the King had indicated.

aI am very pleased to make your acquaintance, General Davidon,a the King said as Cyrus took his place and stood in front of his chair. He waited as his other officers filtered in, each guided to their place at the table by one of the members of the Kingas armored procession.

aAnd I am pleased to be here and able to help, your Grace.a He followed the Kingas example and sat after noting the other members of the Kingas procession beginning to do the same. Cyrus felt the servant standing behind his chair scoot it closer to the table as he did so and he nodded in thanks to the silent steward behind him, who did not so much as look at him. aMay I ask some questions so that we can begin to formulate a strategy for the coming battle?a The King waved his hand. aThe battle is not until the day after tomorrow, and I feel confident that with your help, we can easily vanquish Briyce Ungeras army and his mercenaries.a The Kingas gaunt face tightened as he plucked a grape from his plate and put it into his mouth. He continued to speak, even as he chewed, causing the Baroness to cough lightly next to Cyrus. aOnly a handful of these western mercenaries, thatas all Unger has, but the demon one, the half-man, he carries power that is truly fearsome, to hear my generals tell of it.a aHalf-man?a Cyrus asked.

aYes,a the King said, taking a bite from a plum and letting the juice run uninterrupted down his face. aHe stands not more than half the height of a man, stout of build and bearded like a mountain man of Syloreasa"a aA dwarf,a Cyrus said, locking eyes with Longwell, who nodded. aYou say this dwarf casts spells?a aHe possesses western magic of a sort,a the King said, his mouth turning down as his eyes grew narrower still. aThe power to knock an entire legion to the ground, to send men from their feet without warning or ability to stop it. His prowess with a hammer has become the stuff of nightmares, the tales young recruits are told in the barracks to scare them at night when they learn the trade of war and battle.a aA paladin?a Cyrus asked. aThat sounds like a paladin.a aI trust that wonat present a problem for you?a The Baroness murmured in his ear as servants set a bowl of soup in front of him, a heavy one with rice and mushooms.

The smell of cream in the soup was heavy in Cyrusas nose. aFor me alone, perhaps,a Cyrus said, trying to decide which spoon to use out of the dozen implements arranged around his place setting. aFor our army, no.a aThis half-man has been a dagger in our side during the whole campaign,a The King said, his voice high in complaint. aHis mercenaries get stabbed through the chest, fall to the ground, and minutes later theyare whole again, back up and fighting.a aSounds like they have a healer, too,a Cyrus said. aWe can fix that.a The King waved his hand in frustration. aEnough of this talk. Count Ranson can tell you more about this drudgery later.a He brightened. aLet us move on to more gladsome topics.a He turned to Longwell. aHow was your journey, my son?a aLong,a the dragoon replied. aI had forgotten the distance between here and the bridge since last I trod the path.a aI see,a the King said, slurping his soup, the broth dripping down his weathered and bony chin. aDid you have problems with those bandits from Actaluere?a The Baroness was seized by a sudden fit of coughing, causing Cyrus to look at her in alarm. She stopped after a moment, hand in front of her mouth. aTerribly sorry,a she croaked as the King and the others at their end of the table stared at her.

Cyrus felt the presence of eyes upon him, like prey in the night, being watched by a beast. He looked up and found a man across the table, seated next to Longwell, staring at him. The manas hair was light, his face ruddy and his eyes dark. His armor carried the same blue sheen in the steel as Longwellas, though his surcoat was different, a tiger on a white background. His eyes met Cyrusas and there was an instant jolt of hostility between the two men. The man was middle-aged, older than Cyrus by at least fifteen years, but with only a few signs of grey in his platinum hair to show it. aI beg your pardon, sir,a Cyrus said, feeling slightly annoyed by the manas gaze, abut can I help you?a The man stiffened in his seat, as though he had been insulted. aNo,a he said, his voice low and scratchy. aYou cannot help me.a His accent lilted in the same way as Longwellas and the Kingas, the end of his statement rising in pitch.

aForgive me,a Longwell said, afor not making introductions. General Cyrus Davidon, this is Count Ewen Ranson, of the castle Ridgeland to the southeast. He is the marshal of my fatheras armies.a aAh, so itas you Iall be coordinating with,a Cyrus said, letting the icy calm within take over his outward persona, frosting over the internal desire to scorch the man for his rudeness. aI am pleased to make your acquaintance, Ewen.a aYouall call me count or marshal,a Ranson snapped, his pinched face causing him to look especially snotty.

aVery well,a Cyrus said. aMy full title is Lord Davidon of Perdamun, Warden of the Southern Plains and General of Sanctuary. You can go ahead and call me that. Every single time you address me, that isa"and donat leave out the aWardena bit as itas very important.a Ransonas ruddy complexion went blood red. aWhat foolishness is this?a aWhy, Count Ranson,a Cyrus said, his icy reserve melting quickly, aitas called custom and protocol, and itas the very thing you just threw in my face, so you should recognize it.a aWhat I recognize,a Ranson said, still flushed scarlet, ais that sitting before me is the same sort of scum thatas helping our enemies trounce us in battle after battle. The same cheeky bastards from a foreign land, come to lord it over us with your magics and fancy waysa"well, Iall have none of it. You donat fool mea"youare all the same.a Cyrus stared across the table at the count then looked to the King, who sipped another spoonful of soup with a slight smile, waiting to see what happened next. Cyrus turned his gaze back to the Count. aDo you really believe that?a aI do,a Ranson said, unmoving.