flag of truce, but the messenger said you wanted to talk about putting an end to the hostilities. Does K’xarr wish to surrender?”
Surprise showed on the creature’s face.
The King gave an icy grin. “Yes, word was sent, he escaped from Turill. It is of little importance, he will soon be recaptured or killed.”
“I don’t speak for K’xarr or the Queen of Bandara. I am here only for myself.”
King Havalon sat forward in his chair, the Princes both looked at each other, appalled by this half-breed’s nerve. “You mean to tell me that you weren’t sent to me by K’xarr or the girl Queen? How dare you ask for an audience with me without any authority? You have no power to negotiate any Bandaran surrender.”
Kian looked at the King and both Princes. “I’m not here to talk about a Bandaran surrender. I don’t think K’xarr or the Queen will ever surrender to you. I’m here to ask you if you would simply leave Bandara in peace, I have a woman I love within the walls of this castle and a newborn child and there are several other little ones I am responsible for. I ask you to just take what you have and go in peace.”
The Abberdonians were silent a moment, then they burst out laughing. “Are you completely mad? Did you just say you want us to abandon the conquest of Bandara when our victory is all but secured and go back to Abberdon just because you asked us to?” The men continued to chuckle. “Guards, get him out of here. Two guards stepped forward, one on each side of the swordsman.
“Wait, Majesty, before you reject my request I must tell you, if you don’t leave, I will do what I must to defend this castle and the people inside.”
King Havalon stroked his beard. “Do whatever you must half-breed, now go, I should have never given you audience in the first place. Abberdon will be the only victor here.”
Kian bowed his head, true regret in his voice. “There is more important things than victory, Great King, remember that I gave you fair warning.”
“Your deformities don’t frighten me, Elven scum. Get that thing out of here, before I forget I’m a man of God and cease to honor his flag of truce.” Kian let the guards take him by the arms to be led out. Behind him he could hear the Princes laughing.
“We should have never honored the flag of truce anyway, Father, he’s not even human.” Griffyn walked up and spit on the ground near Kian’s feet. “We will have your woman monster and throw your children from the walls when we take the fortress.”
Kian looked over his shoulder at the Abberdonian King. Havalon could see the rage in its eyes. “Get that thing away from me.” The King shouted. The guards led Kian back out into the camp.
King Havalon decided then he would let his son carry out his threats when this arrogant creature was dead. He would have its devil family killed when he breached the walls of Castle Blackthorn. The Church would look kindly on the act and it would please him to do it as well. It was time to finish the Queen and her monster. Then he could turn his attention to bringing the rest of Bandara to its knees.
***
Endra watch in awe as the little girl ate the ground meat Rhys had given her. When she finished the meat, the child nuzzled Endra’s ample breast.
“She wishes to nurse,” Rhys said.
Endra looked at him, eyes wide. “I know what she wishes, but have you seen her teeth? We have to find another way.” Endra gently pushed the girl away from her breast and began to stroke the child’s lovely dark hair. “By all that’s holy, Rhys, I think I hear her purring”
The healer rubbed his chin, ignoring the woman. “Well, we could try to put some cow milk in a water bladder and let her suckle, that it might work, frankly Endra, this is all new to me. I don’t know what should be done.”
“And you think I do?” Endra tried to hold the child, but the little girl squirmed away from her, still trying to get at her mother’s breast. “By the Gods, she’s trying to devour me.”
Rhys covered his mouth knowing Endra would not find his laugher amusing. “She is beautiful, look at her features and those eyes, if not for the body hair and teeth, she would look like a sweet Half