(eng) Michael J. Sullivan - Legends of The first Empire 03 by Age of War

Author:Age of War [War, Age of]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

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“That should wake them up.” The fane sat on the ornate chair, which had been placed in the dusty field. A dozen Fhrey had stomped down the yellow grass around him so that blowing tassels wouldn’t bother the ruler of the Fhrey. He wore a smug smile as he stretched out his feet and folded his arms. “It’ll make it hard for them to sleep tonight, too. In the morning, we’ll finish the task.”

The Spiders continued to hum and chant, and Kasimer wove his fingers at the tower across the chasm.

“No sign of her?” the fane asked.

“Arion is not foolish,” was all Kasimer replied.

“She turned against her fane in favor of a bunch of barbarians,” Mawyndulë said. “She prevented me from rendering justice on Gryndal’s murderer. How exactly would you classify that? Wise?”

A smile tugged at the corner of Lothian’s mouth, and in his father’s eyes, Mawyndulë thought he saw, for just a brief moment, a glimmer of…something. Pride?

Well said, Jerydd spoke in his head, and Mawyndulë nearly jumped. Always in the past, Mawyndulë had initiated their conversations. He opened the link. As a result, Mawyndulë had come to believe that only he could establish their connection. Mawyndulë found it disconcerting to discover the kel could be listening to all his conversations. Kasimer means well. What he should have said is that Arion is not to be underestimated. That she’s dangerous and cunning—which she most certainly is. You made points with your father, but it is better to have Kasimer on your side than against you. Let him off the hook and build a bridge.

Mawyndulë considered this for a moment, then said, “I think you meant to say she’s not to be underestimated, which I agree is very good counsel.”

This brought a new look from the fane, one of surprise and accompanied by a smile.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I meant,” Kasimer said. Then he, too, looked at Mawyndulë and nodded at him. Mawyndulë had never seen the gesture before. A solemn look had accompanied the bowed head, and the prince realized it was an expression of respect, perhaps even a thank-you, like the little bow that fencers made at the end of a session.

See, that wasn’t so hard, was it? As fane, you’ll need people like Kasimer.

Mawyndulë fought the urge to nod.

Now you really should get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a big day, and it’ll start early.

Normally, Mawyndulë would chafe at being told to go to bed, but it was different when a voice inside his head said so. He knew it was Jerydd, who was sitting in his study in Avempartha, probably sipping wine with his feet up much the same as his father. But coming from his head, it felt like his own thoughts. Jerydd was also a secret, and what good was a secret if he didn’t take advantage of it?

Get some sleep, and tomorrow we’ll kill Arion.

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