Disciple of War Disciple of War (Art of the Adept #4) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,113

clear, but not so frightening or overwhelming. Later people would recall that it hadn’t been an intense or thundering voice. The sound wasn’t centered on Will, for if it had been, he would have had to shatter the eardrums of those closest to him to be heard throughout the city.

Instead his voice came from everywhere, as though he stood in every room, every street, every place within Klendon. It was strong and firm, and no one could fail to understand him. “This is William Cartwright, Royal Marshal and commander of the Terabinian army. The fighting is to cease immediately. Any soldier, any citizen, man, woman, or child, found fighting after this point I will hold personally responsible. Cease the conflict until Captain Commander Durant and I conclude our negotiations.”

Then he finished with, “Captain Durant, this is the moment I spoke of previously. Open the gates and surrender now. I will uphold the terms I gave you before. Refuse me and I will hold you accountable for every drop of blood spilled from this hour forward.”

Will felt faint as he finished and released his hold on the trailing remnants of the turyn he had used. Silence fell over Klendon, and the world itself seemed to be holding its breath. Sub-Marshal Spry stared at him in astonishment. “How did you…?”

Swaying, Will ordered, “Send out your runners. Start rounding them up and leave the people of the city alone. No more fighting tonight. They’ll either surrender soon or we can slaughter them tomorrow. We’re in the city and they can’t dislodge us now.” He stumbled then, but a large hand caught his shoulder, keeping him steady. Will glanced to his side and saw Tiny standing there.

The quiet remained in the minutes that followed, as though everyone in the city had gone to church and was afraid to disturb the peace. Will waited while Second Division re-formed, and while he did, a loud groan came from the gates protecting the interior of the keep. They swung slowly open and Captain Commander Lionell Durant walked out, his hands empty.

“I would like to tender my surrender.”

Chapter 31

Will stared at the Darrowan commander, then nodded. “You’ll have to endure some indignity, but I’ll keep my word. For now, order your soldiers to exit the keep and surrender their arms.”

Durant looked back into the keep. “I need to confer with my men for a moment. Will you trust me?”

Will snorted, then regretted it when a blood clot broke free and spoiled the moment. Someone offered him rag, and he used it to pinch his nose shut as he replied, “You’re trusting me to preserve your place after this war is done. Next to that I’m not particularly worried about what you might do in the next few minutes.”

Lionell Durant watched him with a worried expression, then started to go back in, but he stopped for a moment. “You should rest soon. You don’t look very well.” He disappeared into the keep after that.

Durant was true to his word, however, and a few minutes later the soldiers of Klendon began emerging to surrender. Their officers joined them, and soon the conversation among Will’s senior staff turned to practical matters of occupying the fortress and safely managing the newly surrendered Darrowans.

Sub-Marshal Nerrow and Commander Lambel appeared shortly after that, and with Laina’s help they finally convinced Will to take the regeneration potion. His appearance improved dramatically after that as his arm mended and the bruises on his face vanished, but as expected, his battle-fatigue was multiplied by the exhaustion brought on by the healing magic. Unable to resist its pull, Will’s eyelids sagged, and Tiny and one of the other soldiers loaded him onto a stretcher to carry him to his tent.

***

He awoke to darkness after a deep and dreamless slumber. Will’s first instinct was to get up immediately as a brief surge of panic went through him. How long was I asleep? He worried about what might have happened while he was unconscious, but he froze when he heard voices nearby.

They were immediately recognizable as his father and Laina, as well as Scholar Sundy. From the direction, Will guessed they were seated together in the forward portion of his command tent, separated from him by a few layers of canvas and a distance of no more than twenty feet or so. Their voices were soft enough that he couldn’t immediately make out what they were saying, but his curiosity got the better of him. Adjusting his hearing, Will began