By the Sword - By Sara Flower Page 0,6

to them. They would have to build new homes as well as rebuild their lives in a new land. They would be taken in as citizens, but it would never make up for what they had lost.

Edandir spotted Tanel’s parents in the crowd and thought of the young archer. Tanel had been Talya’s best friend since childhood. He hoped that the boy had made it out of Cardamon in one piece.

Several parents, siblings, friends, and lovers looked frantically among the wounded for their knights. Cries of despair pierced the air and a thick blanket of sadness covered the area, making Edandir feel guilty that he was still alive. So many brave, young men and women had given their lives for their God and country that day.

There would be much weeping in Sanctus for weeks to come.

A feisty young female voice escaped from one of the white tents. Edandir poked his head through the entrance and sighed in relief. Talya’s gaping shoulder wound was being stitched up by one of the surgeons, but she barely paid it any mind. Instead, she glared at Tanel, who stood in front of her with his arms crossed. They both appeared beyond exhausted.

“How dare you suggest that I miss out on tonight’s gathering?” she protested.

“You heard the surgeon, Talya. You’ve lost a great deal of blood, and you need to rest. You’re not invincible.”

“Don’t forget that when you got here, you were passed out,” said the surgeon.

Talya scoffed, but she was not wearing her usual stubborn scowl. There was pain in her eyes.

Edandir knew that look all too well. She had lost someone close to her.

“I’m worried about you,” said Tanel.

Talya sighed and closed her eyes.

“We can’t even bury him,” she said.

“I know. But we will remember him always. The way he was before they came here. He would want that.”

“I still can’t believe he’s gone.”

Tanel placed a hand on Talya’s knee. She placed her hand over his, and they both hung their heads.

“He didn’t even want to join the army. Remember?” Talya said. “It’s all my fault. I convinced him to come with us. Oh, Tanel.”

“Talya, Hanten had never been happier than the day King Seraphim knighted him along with us. The army gave him purpose.”

“Several hours of rest are in order, Talya,” said the surgeon.

He wrapped her arm with a thick bandage.

General Edandir stepped into the tent.

“I second you staying in bed for the evening, young lady,” he said.

Talya’s wide brown eyes narrowed when she saw him. She quickly looked away.

Tanel shook his head.

“You are so stubborn. You could have died back there. Just listen to the surgeon… and the general.”

Talya exhaled loudly.

She had not lost any of her spunk, but anyone with eyes could see that she could use an entire day’s sleep.

“Rest will help your wound heal, among other things,” said the surgeon.

“Fine. I will return to the barracks then,” she said.

“I will inform you first thing in the morning of what we determine in our meeting tonight,” said Edandir.

“Sure you will.”

“Talya.”

“Yes?”

“I am sorry about your friend.”

She stared at her feet, crossing her arms.

“Me, too.”

Talya pushed her way past him.

Tanel walked over to the general and nodded.

“I am glad to see that you are well, Tanel. I saw your parents. They are looking for you.”

Tanel’s eyes widened.

“Thank God they made it out,” he said.

“You should go to them, son.”

“Before I leave, is there any news about my general or the king?”

General Edandir hesitated. Then, he decided that Tanel had a right to know. Besides, he was Talya’s friend.

“My scouts have informed me that the king has surrendered,” said Edandir.

Tanel’s grey eyes flickered.

“How could he betray our Lord like that?”

“I can’t answer that,” said Edandir.

“General Landine and all of us fought to defend that man! Many lost their lives.”

“I know. Fear does strange things to people. King Seraphim was terrified of what Malinor would do to him.”

Tanel shook his head.

“Your general and commanders are dead.”

Tanel took a step back with wide eyes.

“I’m sorry. War is always ugly, even when it is the only option.”

“Are you sure that General Landine is dead, Sir?”

Edandir nodded.

“I hope that you can take solace in the fact that Sanctus accepts you and your family as one of our own now.”

“Thank you, General. I have to tell Talya. She predicted the worst about them… and she was right.”

“They were all friends of mine, especially King Seraphim. I don’t know how long they will keep him alive.”

“Do you think there is a chance that he will have a change