Sacred Knight of the Veil (The Queen's Blade) by Southwell T C

Author:Southwell, T C [Southwell, T C]
Language: eng
Format: MOBI
Published: 2011-04-29T16:00:00+00:00

After the advisor left, Kerrion drained the cup and rose to refill it. His limbs were leaden with fatigue, his bones ached and his eyes stung from lack of sleep. Tendays in the sun had deepened his golden tan to bronze, and lightened his tawny hair. All the exercise, plus his lack of appetite and the worry that would not let him sleep, had melted away the excess flesh he had put on around his middle over the years.

Long forgotten muscles had re-emerged from beneath the layer of fat to ridge his belly and bulge his arms like a youth. He turned to study himself in the mirror, barely recognising the gaunt, bearded face that stared back at him with burning eyes. He wondered if his sons would recognise him, and dreaded their questions, trying to formulate answers while he had time.

The four days he and his men had spent living in the desert near Rothgan's estate had been a nightmare of blistering heat and freezing cold, snakes and scorpions. Two horses had died of some unknown disease, a man had been bitten by a burrowing sand snake, and a dog soldier's familiar had become sick, forcing him to send a small group of men home to tend it. When he had learnt of Chaymin's escape, he had wanted to burn Rothgan's estate to the ground, then execute the lord and his entire family for treason. His generals had persuaded him that the lord was more useful alive, however, since they now knew he was in league with the princes, and could be watched.

Kerrion tried not to imagine the deprivations Minna suffered. The thought of her ill treatment sent him into a rage. Already he had wrecked his tent twice in fits of fury brought on by dreams of her bound and hurt, hungry and thirsty, begging him to find her before it was too late. The nightmares filled his sleep with horror, and he tried to stay awake until he was too exhausted to dream. Since he had received the lock of hair and instructions from Chaymin, he had heard nothing of her well-being. He did not even know if she was still alive.

Kerrion turned as a manservant entered and announced that his bath was ready, dismissing the man with a nod. He longed to be back out there, searching for Minna, and only extreme fatigue forced him to eat and rest first.

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