Grog III (The Ebon Blades Book 3) by RW Krpoun

Grog III (The Ebon Blades Book 3) by RW Krpoun

Author:RW Krpoun [Krpoun, RW]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-09-19T00:00:00+00:00


Chapter Eleven

“So, what do your captains expect of us?” Provine Sael asked as we headed towards our cabin.

“Hmmm?” Milaka had been looking over our muddy, bloody crew. “Ah. We need every set of wits available in order to sort out what has beset this enterprise. Three murders and a man missing has left everyone uncertain of who is actually to be trusted.”

“Three murders?”

The overseer thumped his temple with the heel of his hand. “I am an idiot. We found the corpse of another guard, murdered. Stabbed like Ermann, while on the privy, of all things.”

“Which guard?”

“I believe his name was Ronai, an inside guard. I was not familiar with him, as I only work with outside guards.” He adjusted his sword with a flourish. “But have no fears, my lady, for you are under the protection of the finest swordsman in a hundred miles.”

“That is a great comfort,” Provine Sael nodded as Hatcher turned to walk backwards as she mimed stabbing herself to death.

“He’s more right than he realizes,” Burk muttered.

“Well, he could be the fourth best bladesman in a hundred miles,” I grinned back, keeping my voice low. “I didn’t get a good look at Torl’s work, but he’s certainly better than some.”

Torl showed us how to hang the wolves from the cabin’s eaves, and cut on them so they would drain better. We followed him into the cabin, the last to enter, not that that should have mattered.

But it did: our people were lined against the near wall, to my left, their hands up. Several guards stood by the opposite wall, loaded and cocked crossbows ready and pointed.

I went for Fallsblade, my lips curling from my teeth in a wordless snarl, but Hatcher leapt in and grabbed my left leg like she was hugging a tree. “Grog, NO! No! Not this time! Look at Molleen, Grog, look at Rose! Please!”

The Nisker in question was standing in front of the fireplace holding Rose, and a half-breed guard had a crossbow laid neatly against the baby’s head. I took half a step, dragging Hatcher, and hesitated, Burk on my heels, and then Provine Sael said “Stand down.”

“The Ebon Blades do not lose escorts,” I said through clenched teeth, my head rolling with the effort to think through the problem while my instincts howled to close and kill.

“This time the Ebon Blades obey their mistress.” Her voice was bleak. “For now, we all stand down.”

“Rush?” Burk whispered, and for a long moment I was ready for it. Give me a half-second of hesitation on the guard’s part and he would be dead and Rose safe, and to the blazes with their crossbows.

“No,” I sighed, lifting my right hand with Fallsblade undrawn. I didn’t have the guard’s hesitation I wanted so badly, and losing Rose was in effect losing the escort.

“Kindly take your places against the wall,” Milaka was all business, his sword in hand.

I saw the sisters, hugging each other and crying, at the far end of the line, next to Yanna, who was holding a bloody kerchief to her nose; the herbalist was remarkably calm.



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