Bridge of Souls by Fiona McIntosh

Author:Fiona McIntosh [McIntosh, Fiona]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Kings and rulers, Magic, Fantasy fiction, General, Fiction, Fantasy, Epic
ISBN: 9780060747619
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2006-12-07T00:00:00+00:00

Wyl stepped into a large chamber that was warmed by fires at either end. A few men milled around, holding goblets of wine. He recognized none of them, which meant there was no one who might object to Ylena’s mistreatment. His boots crunched on the floor and he realized he was walking over the remains of Aleda’s fine cranberry-colored glassware. Like the loyal family of the north, it was now shattered, forgotten.

And then he laid eyes on the man responsible for it all. Celimus, brimming with self-importance, sat at the head of Jeryb’s oak table, goblet in hand, making some toast, his cheeks slightly flushed from the wine and the general joviality. To his right sat Cailech; the Mountain King looked less comfortable and there was less debris about him, as though he had been more cautious in his enjoyment of the repast. Wyl knew the man well enough to recognize that the smile fixed on his face was fake. Cailech raised his glass in answer to whatever Celimus had said but did not drink; meanwhile his penetrating gaze soaked up all around him as effectively as a sponge. He was bare-armed; the muscles sculpted and tensed, as if he was ready to leap to his feet and charge, like an animal disturbed. No, Cailech was not happy here, but he was pretending well enough. Next to him sat Aremys, unsmiling and rigid, no sign of wine or food about him.

The three men noticed Ylena’s arrival at the same time. Celimus looked savagely delighted, his eyes darkening with pleasure at what he knew was coming. Cailech, however, looked taken aback. His roving gaze settled intently on Ylena and the contrived smile faded. Her beauty had taken him by surprise, Wyl realized. Poor Aremys looked like a chained dog; one that knew it was about to take a hiding. He paled, his already unhappy expression settling into a blank mask, as if he was steeling himself. He could hardly make eye contact with Wyl, such was his despair.

The room quieted as people noticed their presence, but Jessom allowed the hush to settle fully before he spoke. “Gentlemen, may I present Lady Ylena Thirsk, daughter of the late General Fergys Thirsk and sister to the much loved General Wyl Thirsk, may Shar bless their souls.”

Some repeated the last few words and Wyl took bitter delight in seeing the Morgravian King’s mouth tighten. The smile turned acid and Wyl knew he would pay for that loyalty to his family with blood.

“Ylena Thirsk, how enchanting to have you back among your fellow Morgravians,” Celimus said, flashing a bright smile toward his honored guest. “Come, Cailech, you must meet the woman who escaped my punishment through the aid of a mercenary who goes by the name of Koreldy.”

Cailech turned a cold green gaze onto his fellow king. “Koreldy?”

“You know him?”

“I will flay the skin from his bones when I find him again.”

Celimus, fired by the excellent wine from Jeryb’s cellars and feeling very pleased at

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