[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
himself having to extricate various furry woodland creatures from their bedroom.
With so much preparation, they were often too preoccupied or exhausted to consider
intimacy. Gone were the days when Dane and Vanlyn could leisurely enjoy each other s
passion and bodies. They missed those times with a tangible ache.
Lookouts patrolled the coast, the militia was at the ready, and the citizens, duly
alerted, were aware of evacuation procedures. Dane expected some to flee the island and
nearly wept when no one did, although some sent their children to stay with relatives on
the mainland. Marcelyn succinctly told him, This is our home. You know many of us are
related by blood or have found refuge. We will not give that up easily.
Other fiends joined them on the island, aware of the advance of Aelden s army and
provided valuable information. Some volunteered to carry Lahn s message if he still
wasn t able.
At night, Dane stayed awake, watching Vanlyn at slumber, knowing what they
would both soon face, and during the day, he joined his people in watching and waiting.
The waiting soon ended.
* * * *
They re coming. The young fiend, one of Baro s former allies, made the grim
announcement.
Dane looked up at him. How many ships? The council was with him, as well as
Lahn and Rhys. They made a ragged base of operations in the Rare Blessing, empty now,
since the innkeeper had closed down after sending his children away. They used Dane s
private room where, across the table, they had laid a map of the two countries and
Penryn, showing the evacuation routes and the placement of their troops.
Vanlyn was by his side of course, and every so often, his young lover would give
him a smile of reassurance. Dane was grateful for his presence. Two ferrets were on his
shoulders and there were mice tangled in his hair. The scene could be either amusing or
peculiar, depending on how one looked at it.
I counted five, the fiend said. We saw them from afar, and I flew closer to
investigate.
Dane had ordered boats to patrol Walk s River, watching for High Lord Sarn s ships.
Have our militia take their positions. Begin the evacuation of the businesses and homes
nearest to the harbor. Have the rest prepare in case& Dane could barely speak the
words. Instead, he straightened, firmed his resolve and said, I will fly out to meet them.
That brought on the inevitable protests, the most vehement from Vanlyn, which
Dane silenced. We need to know if Sarn is willing to talk. I want to know this before he
reaches our shores. Hopefully, he ll have enough honor not to shoot down a lone fiend in
the sky.
And what of Argent? Vanlyn said. Even if my father displays some honor, which
we both know is an impossibility, he ll turn a blind eye to Argent s doings.
Lahn spoke up. I think we would all rather have someone watching your back. I ll
come with you.
No.
And why not? Lahn asked.
You re not strong enough yet, for one.
Lahn slammed his fist on the tabletop, and the wood cracked and splintered. You
were saying?
Dane grunted. To be honest, he did want Lahn with him. Very well.
The group walked outside. The sky was overcast, a dull gray. It made things once
colorful and vibrant looked devoid of life.
If Sarn s ships come into sight, and we haven t returned, assume we failed and
continue with our plans, Dane told Hale. He tried not to look at Vanlyn, whose distress
was a tangible presence. He wanted to tell Hale to get Vanlyn as far away as possible, but
he knew Vanlyn would never comply.
He turned to Vanlyn then. They had agreed that he would acquiesce to Hale in
Dane s absence despite Vanlyn s rank.
Please take care, Vanlyn said. I don t
Dane fisted his hand in Vanlyn s hair and pulled him forward. The kiss was
possessive, Dane taking control and letting Vanlyn know as his tongue invaded that he
belonged to him. It took every bit of strength he could rally to cease.
Lahn had respectfully turned away when Dane kissed Vanlyn. There was a look of
sadness in his eyes. If they made it back, Dane decided he would sit down with his friend
and have a talk with him.
They took to the sky. They flew at an easy pace, not wanting to sap all their strength.
Still the buildings rushed past them below. Even then, Dane felt the thrill of flying,
coupled with the anxiety of what lay ahead.
The harbor and the blue-green expanse of Walk s River came into view. Dane
dropped slightly, to make certain the patrol boats saw them. Lahn followed suit.
It wasn t long before they saw the ships, or so it seemed to Dane. They didn t
approach immediately, choosing to circle until they were certain no attack was
forthcoming. There was activity on all the decks, but a group gathered at the bow of what
Dane knew to be the lead ship as it flew Sarn s banner.
Stay behind me, he called to Lahn as he descended.
When Dane alighted on the forecastle, no one approached immediately, although
there were several of Sarn s armed bodyguards, and archers had taken positions where
any one of them had a chance at Dane. The Minister of Penryn ignored them all. His eyes
scanned the group gathered. The High Lord Sarn and Argent stood at the forefront of
course. How else to prove their courage? Dane let his gaze linger on Argent until the man
visibly squirmed. High Lord Maxus was there, as well as Lady Dacien. With a movement
in the group, Dane also caught a glimpse of Ramsay s nephew. At first glance, the man s
eyes burned with fury, then guilt before he stepped behind one of the guards.
Dane started forward. All eyes followed his progress. Dane glanced at Lady Dacien,
careful not to linger on her too long lest Aelden or Argent suspect something was amiss.
Dane was mildly surprised when her lips upturned slightly, and she gave him a barely
visible nod.
Dane halted to stand before Sarn. Lahn was a few steps behind him. Dane did not
bow or extend a greeting. Sarn waited until it became clear that Dane was not going to
give him the courtesy he was due. Sarn s face heated, and his eyes narrowed dangerously.
Filthy beast, Sarn said. Where is my son?
Dane ignored the insult. On Penryn, waiting for you. He wishes to speak with you
to begin negotiations
Bah, Sarn cut off Dane s words with a dismissive wave. We do not negotiate with
mindless animals.
Mindless animals? Dane said. Yet, I stand before you in exchange? My people
have taken much of your land. Your own son wants to parlay with us.
I m certain he does. Argent spoke for the first time. So tell me, did you enjoy
fucking my brother?
Dane had already steeled himself for any insults from Argent and let nothing show in
his face. Completely ignoring Sarn s eldest son, Dane continued. Will you speak with
your son as a prince of the realm and help him bring an end to this conflict?
I came here to bring my son home and to punish you for treason. Sarn said. I
know of your plans to seduce him to destroy me. I will burn that island of yours down to
the last hovel. Nothing will stand. I will subjugate your people, and any resistance will
result in execution.
So it is genocide you plan, Dane said, his voice cold as the beast stirred in his
anger. You say this before the others lords and ladies. Do you condone this course of
action? Dane let his eyes travel over the others.
I do not, Lady Dacien said. Dane was very aware of how she spoke for only [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl szamanka888.keep.pl
himself having to extricate various furry woodland creatures from their bedroom.
With so much preparation, they were often too preoccupied or exhausted to consider
intimacy. Gone were the days when Dane and Vanlyn could leisurely enjoy each other s
passion and bodies. They missed those times with a tangible ache.
Lookouts patrolled the coast, the militia was at the ready, and the citizens, duly
alerted, were aware of evacuation procedures. Dane expected some to flee the island and
nearly wept when no one did, although some sent their children to stay with relatives on
the mainland. Marcelyn succinctly told him, This is our home. You know many of us are
related by blood or have found refuge. We will not give that up easily.
Other fiends joined them on the island, aware of the advance of Aelden s army and
provided valuable information. Some volunteered to carry Lahn s message if he still
wasn t able.
At night, Dane stayed awake, watching Vanlyn at slumber, knowing what they
would both soon face, and during the day, he joined his people in watching and waiting.
The waiting soon ended.
* * * *
They re coming. The young fiend, one of Baro s former allies, made the grim
announcement.
Dane looked up at him. How many ships? The council was with him, as well as
Lahn and Rhys. They made a ragged base of operations in the Rare Blessing, empty now,
since the innkeeper had closed down after sending his children away. They used Dane s
private room where, across the table, they had laid a map of the two countries and
Penryn, showing the evacuation routes and the placement of their troops.
Vanlyn was by his side of course, and every so often, his young lover would give
him a smile of reassurance. Dane was grateful for his presence. Two ferrets were on his
shoulders and there were mice tangled in his hair. The scene could be either amusing or
peculiar, depending on how one looked at it.
I counted five, the fiend said. We saw them from afar, and I flew closer to
investigate.
Dane had ordered boats to patrol Walk s River, watching for High Lord Sarn s ships.
Have our militia take their positions. Begin the evacuation of the businesses and homes
nearest to the harbor. Have the rest prepare in case& Dane could barely speak the
words. Instead, he straightened, firmed his resolve and said, I will fly out to meet them.
That brought on the inevitable protests, the most vehement from Vanlyn, which
Dane silenced. We need to know if Sarn is willing to talk. I want to know this before he
reaches our shores. Hopefully, he ll have enough honor not to shoot down a lone fiend in
the sky.
And what of Argent? Vanlyn said. Even if my father displays some honor, which
we both know is an impossibility, he ll turn a blind eye to Argent s doings.
Lahn spoke up. I think we would all rather have someone watching your back. I ll
come with you.
No.
And why not? Lahn asked.
You re not strong enough yet, for one.
Lahn slammed his fist on the tabletop, and the wood cracked and splintered. You
were saying?
Dane grunted. To be honest, he did want Lahn with him. Very well.
The group walked outside. The sky was overcast, a dull gray. It made things once
colorful and vibrant looked devoid of life.
If Sarn s ships come into sight, and we haven t returned, assume we failed and
continue with our plans, Dane told Hale. He tried not to look at Vanlyn, whose distress
was a tangible presence. He wanted to tell Hale to get Vanlyn as far away as possible, but
he knew Vanlyn would never comply.
He turned to Vanlyn then. They had agreed that he would acquiesce to Hale in
Dane s absence despite Vanlyn s rank.
Please take care, Vanlyn said. I don t
Dane fisted his hand in Vanlyn s hair and pulled him forward. The kiss was
possessive, Dane taking control and letting Vanlyn know as his tongue invaded that he
belonged to him. It took every bit of strength he could rally to cease.
Lahn had respectfully turned away when Dane kissed Vanlyn. There was a look of
sadness in his eyes. If they made it back, Dane decided he would sit down with his friend
and have a talk with him.
They took to the sky. They flew at an easy pace, not wanting to sap all their strength.
Still the buildings rushed past them below. Even then, Dane felt the thrill of flying,
coupled with the anxiety of what lay ahead.
The harbor and the blue-green expanse of Walk s River came into view. Dane
dropped slightly, to make certain the patrol boats saw them. Lahn followed suit.
It wasn t long before they saw the ships, or so it seemed to Dane. They didn t
approach immediately, choosing to circle until they were certain no attack was
forthcoming. There was activity on all the decks, but a group gathered at the bow of what
Dane knew to be the lead ship as it flew Sarn s banner.
Stay behind me, he called to Lahn as he descended.
When Dane alighted on the forecastle, no one approached immediately, although
there were several of Sarn s armed bodyguards, and archers had taken positions where
any one of them had a chance at Dane. The Minister of Penryn ignored them all. His eyes
scanned the group gathered. The High Lord Sarn and Argent stood at the forefront of
course. How else to prove their courage? Dane let his gaze linger on Argent until the man
visibly squirmed. High Lord Maxus was there, as well as Lady Dacien. With a movement
in the group, Dane also caught a glimpse of Ramsay s nephew. At first glance, the man s
eyes burned with fury, then guilt before he stepped behind one of the guards.
Dane started forward. All eyes followed his progress. Dane glanced at Lady Dacien,
careful not to linger on her too long lest Aelden or Argent suspect something was amiss.
Dane was mildly surprised when her lips upturned slightly, and she gave him a barely
visible nod.
Dane halted to stand before Sarn. Lahn was a few steps behind him. Dane did not
bow or extend a greeting. Sarn waited until it became clear that Dane was not going to
give him the courtesy he was due. Sarn s face heated, and his eyes narrowed dangerously.
Filthy beast, Sarn said. Where is my son?
Dane ignored the insult. On Penryn, waiting for you. He wishes to speak with you
to begin negotiations
Bah, Sarn cut off Dane s words with a dismissive wave. We do not negotiate with
mindless animals.
Mindless animals? Dane said. Yet, I stand before you in exchange? My people
have taken much of your land. Your own son wants to parlay with us.
I m certain he does. Argent spoke for the first time. So tell me, did you enjoy
fucking my brother?
Dane had already steeled himself for any insults from Argent and let nothing show in
his face. Completely ignoring Sarn s eldest son, Dane continued. Will you speak with
your son as a prince of the realm and help him bring an end to this conflict?
I came here to bring my son home and to punish you for treason. Sarn said. I
know of your plans to seduce him to destroy me. I will burn that island of yours down to
the last hovel. Nothing will stand. I will subjugate your people, and any resistance will
result in execution.
So it is genocide you plan, Dane said, his voice cold as the beast stirred in his
anger. You say this before the others lords and ladies. Do you condone this course of
action? Dane let his eyes travel over the others.
I do not, Lady Dacien said. Dane was very aware of how she spoke for only [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]