(eng) Michelle Sagara West - Sundered 03 by Lady of Mercy

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

Lord Erliss of Mordechai was exhausted. He looked down at the report on his desk and frowned again; the frown had etched itself into the corners of his lips. At his right, a Sword waited his command; at his left, a slave waited to serve breakfast. He wanted food; his stomach gave a low growl, which embarrassed him. But business had to come first.

“Captain, are you certain of the accuracy of this report?”

“Absolutely,” was the swift reply. “Lord Kellem was injured slightly, but managed to escape the Red Dog Inn in the warrens. He made his way home with an inefficient escort and has not stirred yet from his manse.”

“and?”

“He was purportedly searching for a man known as Rear.”

“We’d expected that,” Erliss replied, trying to be composed and in control of the situation, as his cousin always was. “I expect Lord Kellem will return warren-side this afternoon with his house corps.”

The captain nodded.

“And it looks as if we were right about the woman; from what you’ve managed to gather, the fighting was ... similar to our last encounter. God’s blood,” he added, under his breath. “We can’t afford to have her escape, and we can’t afford to have her captured by another house.” If she was, he might as well remain in this winter countryside; Malakar and its domain would no longer be safe.

The captain waited for orders in silence.

“You recruited mercenaries?”

“Sir. For three days hence.”

Erliss ground his teeth. “They’ll be wasted, then. We have no choice; we’ll have to move.” He began to rise, wondering if he would ever get a chance to eat, when a knock at the door interrupted him for the second time that morning. He nodded to the slave; the slave went.

When he returned, he returned with a Sword who had obviously made haste to arrive. The man knelt carefully at the edge of the carpet.

“There’s no need to be so fastidious; the slaves will clean. What’s so urgent?”

“The merchant caravan, sir.”

“What of it?” Erliss spoke too quickly, and realizing this, he slowly resumed his seat.

“I think it’s making preparations to leave the city, sir. There’s activity in the compounds, and it seems to be at her direction.”

It was the only good news that Erliss had received that morning. He allowed his pleasure to show for a moment before he returned to business. “Have our men ready to move as well—quickly. We have hours at best to prepare for our attack.” He paused at the look on the captain’s face. “You can be ready?”

“Lord.”

“Good. Do so.” Lord Erliss inclined his head slightly. “I will join you shortly. Have my horse readied.” As the captain turned on heel and left, he gestured frantically at the slave. He had to eat, even though he suddenly doubted he had the stomach for it. Things had happened as he’d hoped—and planned—they’d just happened too quickly. He was in control.

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