Even Gods Must Fall - Christian Warren Freed Page 0,86
sending two of his closest friends and companions to their deaths. It was no easy task and one Aurec didn’t take lightly. There was a time when he’d have gone himself, despite the urgings of Venten. Back when he was an irresponsible prince with more testosterone than wisdom and he cared nothing for duties. Aurec was often scolded for being reckless. Now he was asking others to do what he would have done and been chastised for.
Raste blurted out, “Those ruins are haunted!”
“Quiet, lad. He’s king now,” Mahn replied. “Sorry, sire. It won’t happen again. He’s nervous is all.”
“I am not. I just don’t want to go sticking my head out for no reason,” Raste defended.
Aurec listened to them carry on for a while. Their camaraderie lightened his spirits, reminding him of why he wore the crown. Men like Mahn and Raste were the heart of his kingdom. So long as people like that were willing to follow, Aurec was committed to lead.
“If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like you two to leave immediately,” he said.
Mahn blushed while the younger, more impetuous Raste could only frown. “My apologies, sire, but you know how he gets from time to time.”
“I do not. You’re the stubborn one!” Raste countered.
Aurec held up his hands. “Gentlemen, please. Time is running out and I need to know what we’re heading into. How soon can you get back?”
Mahn interlaced his fingers and thought. His knowledge of Delranan was more extensive than Aurec’s but he was still a foreigner. “Less than half a day I suppose but I’d like one or two of Rolnir’s scouts to come along just in case.”
“Get them. Mahn, this is important. I can’t commit our forces without intelligence,” Aurec insisted.
“You’ll get it, sire. We’ll be back before you know it.”
Aurec nodded his thanks. “Meet us on this road. The army will leave shortly after you. Don’t stop for anything and return as fast as you can.”
He watched the scouts depart. His mind raced ahead to the infinite number of possibilities waiting just out of view. The world had changed in the short span of the war. Kingdoms, once proud and glorious, were laid low by famine, strife, and rebellion. How many thousands lay dead were beyond his knowledge, but the king of Rogscroft feared it was beyond count. He knew, but would never admit, that neither kingdom would be the same again. That fear propelled him to move quicker than he liked.
“I bring good news!” Rolnir called excitedly as he walked up.
Aurec closed his eyes and exhaled deeply. It had been a long time since last someone delivered news that could be construed as good.
“Four hundred and fifty-one of the prisoners have agreed to fight with us.”
Aurec broke into a wide smile. “That lessens our burden considerably. What of the others? Is there a chance they can be turned?”
Rolnir shook his head. “I’m afraid not. We’ve already separated them from the main body. They’ll be under guard the rest of the way. I have to be honest and tell you I fully expect them to attempt to either escape or cause havoc among the ranks. Badron and Harnin were cunning. There’s no telling what lies these people still believe.”
“Malcontents are more trouble than they’re worth, but they can’t be that much of an issue,” Aurec said. “Do you think it wise to keep the others together?”
“No. I’ve already got company commanders breaking down the numbers. Each battalion will take fifty or so but won’t arm them unless we get into a serious fight,” Rolnir explained. “Either way that’s a sizeable addition to our main body that we hadn’t counted on. I could use a mug of ale right now.”
“We all could. I’ll make you a deal, Rolnir. When all of this is said and done I’ll treat the entire army to a round.”
“Done. That’s one thing you’ll never need to convince us on,” Rolnir said and smiled. His red hair almost matched his wind-burned cheeks. His eyes sparkled brightly, knowing that their ordeal was at long last coming to a close. The war was almost over.
But it wasn’t won yet. More would die before the end, and great many of the faces he’d looked at for years. Those were the losses that hurt the most. The empty seat at the table where a longtime friend once sat. Ghosts of old friends lingered in the haze of memory, prompting Rolnir to wonder just how many more were about to join the established