Bound by Iron (The Chaos War Series) by Edward Bolme

Author:Edward Bolme [Bolme, Edward]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9780786963102
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast Publishing
Published: 2012-04-17T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty-two years earlier:

“I don’t understand,” said Kraavel. “How could the regent do this to us?”

“Easily,” answered Cimozjen, staring at the embers of the campfire. “All it takes is a wave of her hand. Her word is law.”

“But why would she?” persisted Kraavel, his voice filled with righteous indignation mixed with just enough of a whine that his tone fell short of outright treason.

“Regent Moranna is not required to explain herself to us,” said Cimozjen. “In fact, for her to do so would imply that she needs our approval, and that runs counter to her divine mandate. Moranna speaks with the authority of King Kaius III until he comes of age, and if she no longer desires the service of the Iron Band, she is not required to have it.”

The mood in the camp was grim, for the Karrnathi army was in full retreat, the Aundairians hot on their heels. The order had come from on high that the Iron Band, among other units, was to be disbanded, and its members were to report immediately to the High Command at Korth for debriefing and reassignment. With three units suddenly swept from his command, General Kraal had been forced to abort his campaign to take Daskaran and turn back to the east. The Iron Band had retreated through the Silver Wood toward Scions Sound, where a temporary bridge had been erected to span the channel between Karrnath and Aundair. The supporting invasion fleet and their troops had been recalled to Karrlakton. The Aundairians, seeing the threat of invasion suddenly evaporate, had sallied forth against the smaller overland force and harried the Karrnathi army in their flight.

The Karrns were camped near the cliffs at the edge of Scions Sound, near the Aundairian edge of the ruins of the White Arch Bridge. An architectural wonder, the White Arch Bridge had reached across the treacherous waters of the channel until its midsection had been destroyed some years earlier. To support the overland forces of the invasion, the Karrnathi military had erected a rope bridge to span the gap, a swaying lifeline several miles long and just wide enough to pass a laden horse, held secure by enchantments emplaced and sustained by the magewrights at either end. When pitching camp for the night, the general had deployed the Iron Band nearest the span to ensure that he abided by the regent’s edict to return them to Korth. This way, they could cross the bridge first and be sent on to the capital at first light.

Cimozjen turned away to see his best friend pacing back and forth in the darkness, barely visible in the light of the embers of the campfire. “Speak your mind, Torval,” he said.

Torval executed a sharp about-face and kept on stomping his path.

“Torval!”

The bullish man rounded on Cimozjen. “What do you think is on my mind, Mozji?” he yelled. “This is inexcusable!”

“Watch your tongue, Torval,” warned Kraavel. “ ’Tis treason to—”

“To what?” bellowed Torval. “To proclaim my loyalty to my king and country?

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