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always told him that he got handsomer with each passing year, and he loved her
for it, even if he didn't believe her. He sat on a sofa, watching the youths
flirting outrageously with Duke Klaus daughters and other ladies of his
court.
Prince Tibalt, a slender youth whose chest had not yet grown into the broad
promise of his shoulders, turned, and winked at Reynhard before trailing after
a pretty young lady.
Reynhard nodded at him. This was not the kind of duty he would have
preferred, but questioning his Kyser over trivial matters was not in
Reynhard's nature. He saved his coins of influence for matters of importance.
However, if Gerhardt did not decide soon about increasing the southern
garrisons, he intended to make his arguments more forcefully when he returned
the prince to Saynkyorbirg.
A servant came up to him and whispered in his ear, Duke Klaus wishes to talk
to you immediately. The city is invested."
Reynhard straightened, frowning deeply. What do you mean?"
"An army has encircled the city."
"The hell Reynhard got to his feet and followed the servant to Duke Klaus
council chambers in the southwest wing of the ducal palace.
The Duke had his officers and general with him, discussing the situation in
agitated tones. They all rose to their feet when Reynhard entered.
"I'm glad you came so quickly, Reynhard, said Klaus.
Reynhard frowned with concern; he could see the nervousness and worry in all
their faces. These were military myn and something about their attackers
clearly had them shaken. How big is this army? Why didn't you see it coming?"
Klaus ran his hands through his hair wearily. I don't know. It just suddenly
appeared on the plain and charged up around us. No matter where on the walls
you look out from, there are huge numbers of troops and they've brought
monsters and demons."
"It's that bloody demon-queen of Minnoras, cursed one of Klaus officers.
"I've sent birds and messengers to the Kyser, asking for help, said Klaus.
I can only hope they get through."
Reynhard's gaze swept the table. According to my sources none of the
southern city-states held out for more than a few days. My first
responsibility is to the prince. I must get him to safety."
"There's no way to get him out of the city, said the Nubyrlon general,
Serle. Come to the walls with me and see for yourself."
"Let's go."
General Reynhard Dreslin and General Serle went down to the stable, mounted
horses that were already waiting for them, and rode to the gates of the city.
There they tossed the reins to a guardsmyn and climbed the stairs to the top
Page 67
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of the battlements. The walls were thick with soldiers and archers running
back and forth, getting into position to deal with the attackers who were
approaching steadily. The Nubyrlon officers moved smartly. Reynhard could not
fault the alacrity with which they went about their tasks.
Minnorian banners waved above the invaders. Reynhard instinctively started
calculating their numbers as they came into clear view. The force was
tremendous, and way beyond anything Reynhard had dreamed that Minnoras could
field, unless they had somehow increased their ranks at each city-state they
took. But what sent a chill over him were the two figures riding at their
head: demons. The rumors had been correct.
One was a female, crimson skinned with huge membranous wings, and the other a
horned male with orange skin and black hair billowing around him in the winds
that seemed to have arisen out of no where. Monsters of many kinds, some he
recognized from old legends, like the brukulaco, and others that he had no
conception of, rode or walked in the van.
When they came within bowshot, a Nubyrlon captain raised his arm to signal
the archers to fire.
"Take out those two at the front, Reynhard ordered, forgetting about General
Serle at his side and stepping into command out of habit.
The captain immediately passed the order down the line.
Before a single arrow could be released from its string, a lovely female
voice rose along the harmonic scale, dipping and twisting in haunting,
seductive strains. The nekaryiane's song rose and fell, weaving a summons in
the eerie notes of a minor key. The sound spoke of promise, of hunger and
need, laden with a seiryn's compelling eroticism.
"Give up your will to me, she sang and chaos answered along the battlements.
The archers lowered their weapons with a dazed expression. Soldiers drew
their weapons and turned on their companions with madness blazing in their
eyes. Myn were dying on the walls and they had not yet engaged their true
enemies.
The erotic, commanding song rang through Reynhard's ears, demanding that he
drop his weapons or turn on his companions. He seized an archer, and shouted,
Shoot her!"
The archer glared at him, froth foaming around his mouth, pulled his knife,
and lunged at Reynhard.
General Dreslin sprang aside, drew his sword, and spitted the archer. He
freed his blade and spun about. Below him gears clanged. He looked down to see
the portcullis rising. His arms felt heavy and difficult to move. Reynhard
sheathed his sword, covered his ears with his hands, the tendons in his neck
rigid as he fought the unholy song. He focused his will on his prince.
Reynhard had to reach Tibalt and try to get him out of the city.
Monsters and monstrous myn flooded through the gates. People were screaming.
The song died down as Reynhard forced his way into the crush of terrified
people. He could hear weapons clashing. The bitch had somehow sung the gates
open.
A blow caught him from behind and he went down, his head striking the
pavement hard. Then he knew nothing more.
Page 68
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always told him that he got handsomer with each passing year, and he loved her
for it, even if he didn't believe her. He sat on a sofa, watching the youths
flirting outrageously with Duke Klaus daughters and other ladies of his
court.
Prince Tibalt, a slender youth whose chest had not yet grown into the broad
promise of his shoulders, turned, and winked at Reynhard before trailing after
a pretty young lady.
Reynhard nodded at him. This was not the kind of duty he would have
preferred, but questioning his Kyser over trivial matters was not in
Reynhard's nature. He saved his coins of influence for matters of importance.
However, if Gerhardt did not decide soon about increasing the southern
garrisons, he intended to make his arguments more forcefully when he returned
the prince to Saynkyorbirg.
A servant came up to him and whispered in his ear, Duke Klaus wishes to talk
to you immediately. The city is invested."
Reynhard straightened, frowning deeply. What do you mean?"
"An army has encircled the city."
"The hell Reynhard got to his feet and followed the servant to Duke Klaus
council chambers in the southwest wing of the ducal palace.
The Duke had his officers and general with him, discussing the situation in
agitated tones. They all rose to their feet when Reynhard entered.
"I'm glad you came so quickly, Reynhard, said Klaus.
Reynhard frowned with concern; he could see the nervousness and worry in all
their faces. These were military myn and something about their attackers
clearly had them shaken. How big is this army? Why didn't you see it coming?"
Klaus ran his hands through his hair wearily. I don't know. It just suddenly
appeared on the plain and charged up around us. No matter where on the walls
you look out from, there are huge numbers of troops and they've brought
monsters and demons."
"It's that bloody demon-queen of Minnoras, cursed one of Klaus officers.
"I've sent birds and messengers to the Kyser, asking for help, said Klaus.
I can only hope they get through."
Reynhard's gaze swept the table. According to my sources none of the
southern city-states held out for more than a few days. My first
responsibility is to the prince. I must get him to safety."
"There's no way to get him out of the city, said the Nubyrlon general,
Serle. Come to the walls with me and see for yourself."
"Let's go."
General Reynhard Dreslin and General Serle went down to the stable, mounted
horses that were already waiting for them, and rode to the gates of the city.
There they tossed the reins to a guardsmyn and climbed the stairs to the top
Page 67
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
of the battlements. The walls were thick with soldiers and archers running
back and forth, getting into position to deal with the attackers who were
approaching steadily. The Nubyrlon officers moved smartly. Reynhard could not
fault the alacrity with which they went about their tasks.
Minnorian banners waved above the invaders. Reynhard instinctively started
calculating their numbers as they came into clear view. The force was
tremendous, and way beyond anything Reynhard had dreamed that Minnoras could
field, unless they had somehow increased their ranks at each city-state they
took. But what sent a chill over him were the two figures riding at their
head: demons. The rumors had been correct.
One was a female, crimson skinned with huge membranous wings, and the other a
horned male with orange skin and black hair billowing around him in the winds
that seemed to have arisen out of no where. Monsters of many kinds, some he
recognized from old legends, like the brukulaco, and others that he had no
conception of, rode or walked in the van.
When they came within bowshot, a Nubyrlon captain raised his arm to signal
the archers to fire.
"Take out those two at the front, Reynhard ordered, forgetting about General
Serle at his side and stepping into command out of habit.
The captain immediately passed the order down the line.
Before a single arrow could be released from its string, a lovely female
voice rose along the harmonic scale, dipping and twisting in haunting,
seductive strains. The nekaryiane's song rose and fell, weaving a summons in
the eerie notes of a minor key. The sound spoke of promise, of hunger and
need, laden with a seiryn's compelling eroticism.
"Give up your will to me, she sang and chaos answered along the battlements.
The archers lowered their weapons with a dazed expression. Soldiers drew
their weapons and turned on their companions with madness blazing in their
eyes. Myn were dying on the walls and they had not yet engaged their true
enemies.
The erotic, commanding song rang through Reynhard's ears, demanding that he
drop his weapons or turn on his companions. He seized an archer, and shouted,
Shoot her!"
The archer glared at him, froth foaming around his mouth, pulled his knife,
and lunged at Reynhard.
General Dreslin sprang aside, drew his sword, and spitted the archer. He
freed his blade and spun about. Below him gears clanged. He looked down to see
the portcullis rising. His arms felt heavy and difficult to move. Reynhard
sheathed his sword, covered his ears with his hands, the tendons in his neck
rigid as he fought the unholy song. He focused his will on his prince.
Reynhard had to reach Tibalt and try to get him out of the city.
Monsters and monstrous myn flooded through the gates. People were screaming.
The song died down as Reynhard forced his way into the crush of terrified
people. He could hear weapons clashing. The bitch had somehow sung the gates
open.
A blow caught him from behind and he went down, his head striking the
pavement hard. Then he knew nothing more.
Page 68
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
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