Gods of Blood and Fire - A. J. Strickler Page 0,208

safely to Braxton Bluff.”

Rufio slowly stood. “General, I would be of more use at your side, not being shepherd to the royal court, no offence, Majesty.”

“None taken, Captain Rufio,” the Queen said.

K’xarr walked over to the Dragitan and put his hand on Rufio’s shoulder. “There are few I would rather have with me than you, Rufio, but I need you with the Queen. Havalon will come for her sooner or later. If you can hold out until Ansellus comes back, you may still have a chance.”

Rufio said nothing, but he sat back down in his seat without any further argument. K’xarr could tell he had hurt the Dragitan’s pride, but he trusted Rufio and knew the man would do as he was ordered.

“Cromwell and I will hold the city as long as we can.”

Endra stood. “I will stay as well, General.”

K’xarr raised his hand. “You have children to tend to.”

“I ask the Queen now if she will watch after them for me.”

The Queen looked at her, surprised by the request. “I would be pleased to watch your children, but what about the one you carry in your belly now.”

Endra gave the Queen a hard look. “That was a private matter, Majesty.”

“My general should have all the information he can get to make the right decision.” The Queen gave K’xarr a knowing glance.

Endra whipped around to look at K’xarr, her dark hair flipping down across her face, giving her beauty a wild look.

K’xarr knew she would never take no for an answer.

K’xarr looked the warrior woman up and down. “If you wish to stay, I will not order you away.”

The Queen shook her head in disgust. K’xarr knew Raygan had wanted Endra sent to the Bluff because she was pregnant. If she was any other woman, K’xarr would order her away. The Queen didn’t understand, Endra usually didn’t follow his or anyone else’s orders anyway. If he ordered her to leave, she would most likely not listen and then he would have to bind her and throw her over a horse to get her out of the city. He just didn’t have the time to be bothered with these women and their problems. He would think of some other way to get Endra to leave before the city fell.

“Everyone knows what to do. Rufio, I want the Queen out tomorrow before enough Abberdonians arrive to surround the city. I will talk with everyone individually later.”

The group all filed out of the room in silence, only Cromwell stayed behind.

K’xarr stopped Endra before she got out the door. “I would like a word.” They waited a moment until everyone had left the room. Cromwell walked over across the room and poured himself a cup of wine.

K’xarr looked at Endra’s belly, he couldn’t tell anything from the chainmail shirt she wore, but he knew the Queen was not lying. “I didn’t know about the baby, I wish it could be a better situation for you.”

Endra tried to smile. “I do too, but the world is what it is, I just wish Kian was here.”

“That’s what I wanted to talk with you about,” K’xarr said.

Endra eyed K’xarr curiously. “I thought you didn’t want anyone going after him? I know it’s because you think he is dead.”

K’xarr put his hands behind his back. “He might be, Cromwell thinks he lives, of course, he thinks Kian is Tor Ironclaw reborn.”

Cromwell held his cup up in a mock toast.

“So, what do you want me to do?” Endra asked, smiling at Cromwell’s light heartedness, in spite of herself.

“There is no reason to stay here now. Find him and bring him back, if he still lives you seem to have a knack for locating him.”

K’xarr knew the answer the woman would give before he had asked the question.

“I will leave tonight. Will you send my children to Braxton Bluff with the Queen?”

K’xarr clapped her on the shoulder. “Of course, the cook can see to them, and if it’s not too much trouble, Endra, see if you can find my wayward healer too.”

Endra reached up and squeezed his hand. K’xarr could tell by the look in her eyes she didn’t think she would ever see him again. “I will, General, and thank you for everything.” She waved to Cromwell and smiled. Endra stopped at the door and took one more look at the two men then walked out.

The Toran walked slowly over to where K’xarr stood looking at the door. “Why send her? You told me yourself if the Church has