the blade of the Voltakar over his forearm and watch as the black blood dripped onto the duke’s wretched face. “You are avenged, Isabella Levigeur. I have kept my oath.” The Toran reverently held the Voltakar up to the sky and said a prayer to the God of Vengeance.
***
The Queen heard about the crucifixion later the next day. The order was given to take the body down. She did not want the offal thing within sight of her walls. Rufio told her that it was custom in Dragita to leave the body up until it rotted away. The Queen informed him this wasn’t Dragita and would hear no more on the subject.
Cromwell volunteered to take the body down. He went alone, the Toran didn’t want K’xarr or anyone else knowing what he had done. They would have asked why and he didn’t want to tell the girl’s tale to anyone. Vengeance was a private thing in Tora. He had told Isabella, it was her right to know. The girl had seemed quite pleased when he explained how the duke had died.
He cut the body down and rode several miles from Turill and threw what was left of Blackthorn into a deep ravine. The man deserved no better. Let the animals of Bandara have him, the Toran thought. Cromwell spit on the ground, turned his horse, and rode away.
Nick Nock and the children returned to Turill, which kept Endra very busy. Kian helped her with them when he wasn’t teaching Isabella. She had asked him if he would teach her how to use a sword. Kian had agreed, he told her if she was going to carry the sword of the Phoenix Queen, she should know how to use it. The girl was surprisingly dexterous with her left hand. Endra and the Queen attended some of the lessons, both marveling at Isabella’s aptitude for swordsmanship.
As the people began to rebuild their city, the battle of the Braxton Bluff and the fight for Turill was the talk of the city. K’xarr and the others were still viewed with a bit of suspicion, but most of the people of Turill treated them as heroes, save Kian who was now feared by most of the city’s population after word of his deeds had spread.
K’xarr busied himself helping Ansellus and Sir Ivan start to rebuild the army. Some weeks later King Talorn began to assist in development of the military as well. K’xarr respectfully resigned as General of Bandara that day. Ansellus tried to coax him to stay, but the Camiran would not work with the King.
Sir Ivan sent word to Grand Master Cross, asking if he may be relieved of his duties in Ascona. He said in the letter that he wished to travel with K’xarr when he left Bandara. The Grand Master promptly answered the knight. He wished Sir Ivan good luck and told him he would always be welcome in Ascona and that he understood a man must follow where his heart leads him.
The city of Turill and its people had begun to heal from the strife that had plagued their Kingdom. Things began to return to normal as the summer wore on.
***
Two months after the Battle of Turill, the Queen summoned Rhys to her private chamber, they had not seen each other alone since the night of the battle. “I’m feeling unwell lately, Rhys can you please take a look?”
The healer smiled at her and began the examination. “I have missed you,” she whispered in his ear.
“Highness, you don’t have to say anything. I understand the situation.”
Raygan cupped his face in her hands. “Do you? I love you, Rhys Morgan. I think I have since the first day I saw you. Remember? You came to fix my nose.”
The healer blushed. “Of course, I remember.”
This is killing me. I don’t love Talorn. It’s you I love, but I just can’t cast him aside, he is Corwin’s father and the people’s King.”
Rhys looked at her sadly. “I told you I understand. It’s not your fault, it is just the way things are.”
Raygan took him by the hand. “I’ve been thinking, we could see each other from time to time when the King was performing his duties elsewhere. We could find a country home and meet there. I must find a way to have you in my life.”
Rhys gently touched her on the arm. “I’m leaving with K’xarr when he goes, Highness, and I suggest you find a way to start loving your husband,