the satisfaction is, I don't know how I'll actually behave if given the opportunity with Loethar."
Kilt sat up, while Jewd stole a sly glance at Leo. "Do you really regret it, Leo?" Kilt asked.
"I didn't get a chance to say this to you but I do regret that Freath is dead, yes. The problem for me, Kilt, is that I've been raised to be a man of my word. I would shame my family name to be otherwise and while I do wish Freath wasn't dead now, I don't believe anything could have stopped me killing him. I know that's not answering your question but I'm trying to be honest. He had to die - out of duty to my king, to my mother, to myself...to Piven and our sister. Freath had to die for murdering the queen."
Kilt wasn't convinced. "Do you never see situations in anything other than right or wrong, black or white, Leo?"
The young king considered the question, then gave an awkward shrug. "Corbel de Vis used to try and explain what he called shadows to Gavriel and myself. Actually it was for Gav's benefit - I was still so young - but I can remember it clearly. Corbel always viewed a problem in its entirety. He used to say to Gavriel that men should avoid judging a situation simply because of its personal effect but should rather aim to see it as a whole, and instead of laying blame, should try and find the right solution that benefits everyone."
"Then Corbel de Vis had a wise head on his shoulders at seventeen. It's taken Jewd and myself our lifetimes to understand and respect that there are two sides to most stories."
Leo nodded and Kilt could see he was listening seriously. "Corbel used to force Gavriel to try and take a bird's position. He'd say: 'Gav, hover above the issue and look at it from all sides. Soon you'll see there are different reasons for why people react in the ways they do.'"
"He sounds very different to the de Vis we met."
Leo laughed. "They're twins but you couldn't have met more distinct personalities. Gavriel was fun and popular and very smart. Corbel was quiet - people hardly knew he was there at times - and he was smart in a different way. Don't get me wrong, Corbel could hold his own in any sword fight or fisticuffs, but he'd usually outsmart his opponent with cunning, while Gavriel was just simply brilliant with weapons."
"I wonder what happened to them," Jewd mused.
"Corbel disappeared on the day of my sister's birth, I think. It's hard to remember now. But I know my father put me in Gavriel's care and that whole next day has blurred into one with the days that followed. Thinking about Corb and Gav just triggers memories now of fear, blood, brutality, death...and escape. Finding all of you."
"I don't know why we haven't considered this before," Kilt said, "but, Jewd, we should try to find this Corbel de Vis."
Jewd shrugged. "We've tried to find his brother with no luck. You'd think he would have come forward by now if he knew people were seeking Gavriel."
"Yes, you would. But who knows what has befallen him? Perhaps he can't get to us - maybe he's injured somehow."
"Then he's not much use to us, Kilt."
Leo frowned. "Well, I'd certainly like to know where he is and where he's been all this time. Frankly, I'd like to redouble our efforts to find Gavriel. Either he got away or the person the arrow belongs to has him. Why he hasn't tried to find me again is a mystery."
"They beat him very badly, Leo," Kilt admitted. "I've never really told you everything. Perhaps he can't walk, can't talk. He could be an invalid."
Leo shook his head. "No, I'm not prepared to believe that. I will see Gav again. If it takes me the rest of my life, I'm going to find him. I'm going to find them both!"
Kilt glanced at Jewd. "Don't lose sight of the real prize, my king."
"When, though, Kilt? How?" Leo asked, his exasperation showing as he punched the tree he leaned against.
"When? Soon," Kilt answered, surprising Jewd, who raised his eyebrows, regarding his friend quizzically. "As for how, I think we have to look to our neighbor, Barronel."
"Barronel?" Leo repeated, astonishment in his voice. "What ever for?"
"For your army," Kilt replied in a conspiratorial tone. "We have no resistance to speak of against Loethar's warriors. You yourself admit that the