By Vow and Royal Bloodshed by M.C.A. Hogarth

Author:M.C.A. Hogarth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy, epic fantasy
Publisher: M.C.A. Hogarth
Published: 2015-06-26T00:00:00+00:00

Eyre repaired to the grass beneath the eaves of the barn, his bedroll blanket tugged around him against the chill. Kelu and Almond sat on either side of him, and I wondered what he thought of their company. They seemed quite comfortable, however, so I felt no need to intervene.

Chester was assigned one of Last’s men, Sabaf. I studied Sabaf anew as they were introduced, wondering if he was one of these women-turned-men, but if he was I saw no sign of it… only the usual elven perfection, this time with pale blue hair over skin that had both the faint glitter of silver and the cool ivory of a peach in shadows. The two bowed to one another and began discussing Chester’s prior training. Last left them to it, rejoining me.

“They will suit,” he said. “Yon man seated by the wall was your mentor?”

“He was,” I said. “And I think of him so yet.”

Last’s mouth twitched. “Will he take it amiss when I throw you?”

“Was that a challenge, my captain?” I said, lifting the staff.

“It would only be a challenge if I thought there was some chance of you preventing it.” Last grinned. “Come. The field is nicely sticky. You will learn a great deal on this terrain.”

Most of what I learned involved how it felt to strike it from various angles. I’d expected mud to anchor me; certainly it had slowed the horses. I discovered instead that mud is slippery, and that the temperature of the rain and the air informs its composition. Cold mud is very uncomfortable.

Chester and Sabaf had finished their work before Last was done with me, though I didn’t know it until I slid in the mud one more time and found myself reluctant to rise. From repose, I had ample opportunity to espy Chester’s rueful expression. The guard, of course, wore an impeccable mask. I knew him from the ship to have something of a sense of humor, so I appreciated his repression of it.

“Enough for the night,” Last said and added to Sabaf, “Off with you. Tomorrow again, if your human is not whelmed by the ride.”

Sabaf inclined his head to Last, bowed to me, and jogged off. I envied his suppleness, wondering whether I would develop it or if the habits of a lifetime of sickness had forever habituated me to checking my movements. With a sigh, I dug the staff into the ground and used it to drag myself upright. “Captain,” I said. “As usual, your efforts are appreciated.”

“Lord Locke. Tomorrow, again.”

“Hopefully with less mud.”

Last’s mouth twitched. “We will pray for what will serve you best.”

Which struck me as wiser than what I’d planned, which had been to pray for what was easiest.

On the way back into the barn, Chester plucked the glasses off my nose and cleaned them with the edge of his scarf. “Took it like a man, Locke.”

“As opposed to like a ponce?” I asked, amused.

“Or a woman?” Kelu wondered, ears flicking back.

“Now,” Eyre said, “You are in trouble.

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