By the Sword - By Sara Flower Page 0,8
rested on General Edandir.
“I will not decide on anything tonight, of course. Prepare the army in case of an attack. I will allow you, General, and six other knights to leave for Malinor tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Several servants walked into the room then. They placed steaming plates of food on the tables.
For the first time all evening, the queen smiled. It was far too rare when she smiled.
“Eat well, valiant knights of Sanctus. For we know not what the next week will bring.”
Chapter Three
Talya awoke to searing pain and a cluttered mind. Tanel had broken the earth-shattering news to her just before he had left to go to the banquet last night. She could hardly believe that their king had been so cowardly. He had turned his back on God and on all of those that had fought for him. That was the only way that the Malinorians would keep him alive.
She wondered if the king would change his mind once Sanctus won Cardamon back from Malinor. At least General Landine and his commanders wouldn’t have died in vain if he did.
Talya closed her eyes again as the pain in her stomach returned. All of her mentors were dead. Hanten was dead.
Talya arose from her hammock and rushed to the women’s washing room. She quickly washed up and then shrugged into her favorite tunic – a faded olive green garment with a mended rip at the side. The tear had come from one of the first times she and Hanten had practiced the sword together.
Talya closed her eyes and, for a moment, escaped back to that time.
Ittonifer and his men are going to pay dearly for killing Hanten.
Although Talya’s shoulder hurt, she felt well enough to train. A knight only needed one arm to wield a sword. She slipped on her black leather belt and boots and then quietly made her way to Tanel’s hammock. He was still sleeping.
Talya shook him.
“Wake up, lazy bones!” she hissed.
He shot straight up, eyes wide.
“Are you crazy? It’s at least an hour before sunup!”
“Hush. There’re people still sleeping around you. Now get up so you can tell me all about last night.”
“I was sleeping, too.”
“Shut up!” snarled a lad in the next hammock.
Tanel turned over and pulled the blanket over his head.
Talya shook him again.
“There’s no arguing with you, is there?”
Tanel sat up with a huff, stretched, and jumped out of his bed.
“Just let me wash up first.”
“Of course.”
When he returned, Talya grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him outside.
“You didn’t have to drag me. We have lots of time before training.”
“I just want you to tell me all about last night on the way to breakfast.”
Tanel scowled at her.
“It wasn’t anything worth shaking me out of my sleep for! Nothing was decided, but the queen has agreed to allow General Edandir and six knights to see what the Malinorians are up to.”
“Well, that’s a good start. Did he decide who he was taking with him?”
Tanel didn’t say anything.
“Did you hear me?” asked Talya.
“I can’t believe I let you drag me out of bed.”
“Oh, stop. It isn’t that early. Please, tell me what my father decided.”
“Nothing yet.”
“He had better ask me,” said Talya.
She glanced at Tanel, who wiped his eyes with a long yawn. She suddenly felt a little guilty for interrupting his slumber.
“Are you hoping to go?” Talya asked him.
“Of course I want to go, but General Edandir will make the right choice.”
“He’d better.”
Talya and Tanel entered the meal cabin where several other knights were already polishing off their plates.
“Oh, look. There are people crazier than you, Talya,” Tanel muttered.
“There’s nothing wrong with being an early riser.”
“No comment.”
They both grabbed healthy helpings of eggs, fresh bread, and smoked pork, and then sat down at a nearby table.
Two other young knights joined them. Both of them looked to be around eighteen. One was a girl with black hair and intense indigo eyes, and the other was a strapping, light-haired lad.
“You two from Cardamon?” asked the boy as he forked in a mouthful of eggs.
Talya was too hungry to bother with answering him. She hadn’t bothered to eat dinner the previous night.
“Yes,” answered Tanel. “I’m Tanel and this is my friend Talya.”
“I’m Atalsa,” said the girl. “I’m very sorry to hear about Cardamon.”
“So are we,” said Talya, “but we’ll get it back. I’m sure of it.”
“I’m going to slaughter those demons,” said the lad.
“His name is Tasar by the way,” smiled Atalsa. “I must say that I am anxious to get into battle