The Overlord's Heir by Howard Michelle

Author:Howard, Michelle [Howard, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Michelle Howard
Published: 2014-07-25T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Mounted warriors lined the inner courtyard of Vaan’s home. The show of strength in numbers warmed Vaan’s heart. He turned to Saran who leaped onto the saddled hapfe being held for him. A broad grin stretched Vaan’s lips. “We will fight together, brother, yes?”

Saran chuckled. “Ever have I wanted to watch the Overlord in battle. I am told it is a sight in truth to witness.”

Vaan’s mouth twitched. The last time his brother saw Vaan in battle he had been in the grips of the battle rage named for their grandfather Fenal and the odds of winning were against him. “It is good you jest or I would be in need of teaching you the proper awe a Warlord should have for his Overlord.”

They shared another moment of laughter which filled the air. Though prepared to meet the enemy, the other warriors in the courtyard grinned to see such powerful men and brothers able to revel in their pride and love for one another.

Hapani was led out by the stable master. The feisty animal tossed its long neck, causing the thick, black mane to flow over its brown body as it pranced on strong hind legs. Her short forearms waved in the air, the low grunts a sign of her pleasure at seeing Vaan. Sliding his feet into the boot hooks, he swung his legs over her back and reached for the leads. She settled immediately with another grunt.

“Brother, we ride on your command,” Vaan said.

Saran’s brow hiked in surprise but he quickly masked his expression when he raised his fist in the air. “Warriors, today is a good day. Kaban’s Overlord returns.”

Shouts and cheers emerged. Vaan ignored the adulation. He fought for Kaban because he believed in the people. Believed in a time when peace could be attained.

“We ride!” Saran’s shout invigorated the men.

Thunderous hooves pounded as the large contingent took off with Vaan and Saran in the lead. They met the Desani not far from the land of Vaan’s home. They were in Kaban territory, an act of war without the Overlord’s permission.

At least twenty soldiers sat on hapfe that tossed their long necks and pranced on hind legs built for speed. Each man wore the black and gold colors of the Royal house of Desani. The King’s men. By the look of their glares, they came prepared for battle, armed with swords and shields.

Vaan reached for Primary, his symbiotic coccar beetle that produced the blue-green armor that covered him from chest to waist. ‘Primary?’

Vaan waited, unsure if he would receive a response. The coccar had been silent for months since Vaan woke from a drugged sleep with his men in a cavern on Raasa land. If not for Mikayla, he would still be in that living grave.

‘I am come, Overlord.’

The whispered words in his mind were familiar. Vaan turned to his left and realized by the half smile on Eatan, Merik and Ramar’s face that their coccars spoke with them as well.

‘It has been a long time, friend.

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