Trial and Glory: Book Three of the Blood and Tears Trilogy by Joshua P. Simon

Author:Joshua P. Simon
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fantasy
Published: 2013-05-02T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Yanasi smiled as the private saluted her and left. With the war over and her resignation handed in, she no longer commanded the hundreds of men she once had. Yet, they still treated her as their captain, saluting, asking for advice, and even bringing her meals as she waited at the edge of camp for Rygar scouting ahead as they returned to Lyrosene.

She took a bite of hard cheese as Rygar cut through a copse of pines, entering the wide road. He galloped toward camp with such urgency she thought something wrong until she noticed his bright smile.

Rygar jumped down as the horse came to a halt.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“I have some potentially great news that I think you’ll be interested in. Kroke, and probably Elyse too.”

“What is it?”

“Well, I’m kind of hungry. Some of that cheese might do me some good before—”

Yanasi punched him in the arm.

“Alright. It’s about Cassus.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “What is it?”

“There’s this story that came in from the coast a few weeks back that’s spreading like fire, almost as fast as news of the war.”

“What happened?”

“Well, it’s hard to get the full story since it’s already grown to legendary proportions . . .”

“Just tell me what you know.”

“Essentially, the Byzernians staged an uprising on a slave ship owned by a big-time trader named Melchizan.”

Yanasi’s eyes widened.

“Yes, that one. But don’t worry, all reports say he’s dead for sure this time. The Byzernians actually won. And from what I’ve heard, their plan is to free every slave still residing on Mytarcis.”

“What does that have to do with Cassus?”

“The Byzernians are calling the man who led the revolt the Hero of Slaves.”

Yanasi’s eyes widened more. “Jonrell called Cassus that as a joke.”

Rygar nodded. “I know. Apparently, it stuck. They speak about Cassus like he’s their savior.”

Yanasi’s head swam with a hundred questions. “Wait. Stop. Go back and start over. I need to hear the details.”

“Captain!” a voice called from behind.

Yanasi turned instinctively at the title. “Yes?”

“Her Majesty wishes to see you right away.”

Rygar held out his hand. “Then I guess you won’t mind me starting on that cheese.”

“That’s what you think.” She grabbed him by the arm. “C’mon. You can recount the tale as we walk.”

* * *

“You’re progressing well,” said Nora. “How do you feel?”

Kroke lowered his shirt gingerly, doing his best to downplay the pain he felt. “Better. But not as good as I would like.”

“Well, I told you the risks of traveling so soon after the injury. Come see me after dinner, and I’ll work on it a bit more.”

Kroke nodded. “How much longer before you think I’m at full strength?”

“A couple of weeks or so.”

“I had hoped for sooner.”

Nora shrugged. “Then when we’re not traveling, stay still. That’s all I can tell you.”

The mage gathered her things and left Kroke leaning against a tree. With Wiqua gone, Nora had become the lead medical advisor for the army. Janik, Lufflin, and others deferred to her when it came to treating most injuries.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.