The Sword of Kings by Westmoreland Michael
Author:Westmoreland, Michael
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-03-07T00:00:00+00:00
Chapter 13
Hat Trick
Day 19 in the Month of Snow
W ith two solid victories under his belt, the Black Prince stood firm in his position on the plains. The morning birthed a red dawn to the east, glimmering upon the Hostellian fields like a curious observer. Zededia accompanied his captains of war near a large bonfire on the edge of camp where his fallen soldiers ascended into the next life through a crematory procession. Burning the dead never afflicted the prince; he knew that death followed war like a trained dog. The scent of smoke and burning flesh clogged his nose.
âThank you for aiding in the body retrieval,â Zededia said to Captain Ursa. âBe sure to collect the names of our fallen to pass onto their kin if possible.â
âOf course, sire,â Ursa replied. âTheir armor has been returned to the smithies for repair and redistribution.â
The prince nodded and stood with crossed arms as he lost himself in the flames. His hood shielded his ears from the chilly air.
âYour food is ready, my prince,â Captain Ammon informed him with a deep, watery voice. âAnd your apprentice awaits.â
âThank you, my friend. Join us, if you will,â Zededia insisted. âWe have plans to discuss.â
He then dismissed his largest soldier, wiped the pooling sweat from his palms, and turned away from the incinerating pile of bodies. Several of his knights saluted the prince as he walked to a nearby campfire. Young Nyalis lingered near his destination, waiting for the commander to lift the temporary disengagement he placed on their relationship to keep the boy from danger.
âYou must tell of yesterdayâs battles, Commander Zededia!â Nyalis said impatiently.
The prince chuckled as he sat on one of the flat boulders his army used for chairs outside the tents.
âOh, I must, eh?â Zededia smiled. âThe views from camp werenât good enough?â
Staring into the ground, the prince locked his fingers.
âThose are not to be discussed lightly, Nyalis,â he said. âBut you will have stories of your own soon enough.â
A squire approached the two with their meals, and the prince grasped the hearty portion of pork and gnawed.
âOur soldiers granted us two victories,â Zededia explained through a mouthful. âThat is all you need to know for now.â
On the princeâs left, opposite Nyalis, Captain Ammon took a seat as well. He looked up from his plate and noticed that his apprentice sent a cock-eyed gaze toward the behemoth soldier. The prince shifted his eyes to Ammon without moving his head and then returned to Nyalis. After a moment, Zededia realized how little time the boy had spent around his uniquely pigmented warrior.
âNever seen a Darkskin, havâya boy?â Captain Ammon joked.
âIt is not courteous to have lingering eyes, Nyalis.â
The boy dropped his gaze to the ground, and Zededia laughed.
âAlthough, I empathize with your wonder,â the prince related.
A moment passed as Zededia shared a look with his defender captain. He picked at his greens before scanning the boyâs hushed expression.
âIf you wish to inquire upon your curiosity, you may do so,â the prince said.
Captain
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