Rydan by D. Lambert

Author:D. Lambert
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: 4 Horsemen Publications, Inc.
Published: 2021-07-29T03:08:06+00:00

Trying to make the servants feel less useless, Tohmas sat at the enormous table that had been painstakingly set up in his tent. Every time the army stopped, servants rushed around setting up the tent, then took a halfcandle erecting the antique table and chairs at the center of the shelter. They seemed to be ready to host a conference every night, not caring if the camp had been set in the wilderness where only the wildlife could be guests.

“How do they always find me?” Tohmas asked, holding both vellum letters up to compare them. One was from Prince Deiton, which had thankfully come too late to catch Tohmas before he crossed out of Forsinth. The second was from Prince Emacen of Polthian. After deciphering the long sentences and flowery words, Tohmas concluded they were saying the exact same thing. Like Deiton, Emacen wanted to meet with him, preferably in the Manor of Pranter in Clauboro, which was nowhere near Tohmas’ planned march. He should show his “host” some respect but could not see it being convenient.

“Ya be big target,” Carsh replied idly.

Putting the letters aside, Tohmas selected another fine piece of vellum and started penning his reply to Emacen. Clauboro was too far from their route for a meeting. If Prince Emacen would be so kind to visit them instead...

“Not likely he’s going to leave his feathered mattress,” Tohmas muttered to himself.

As he penned, a protector cautiously called from the tent flap.

“Yah?” Tohmas answered..

Protector Linco stuck his head in. “We’re... ah, having a debate. Do you care if a warden gets murdered in Fixer City?”

The quill stilled. A warden rank meant the man had devoted his life to the prince’s military, but it did not make him Tohmas’ Follower in the Rydan sense. Still, as a patron to the man, Tohmas felt a certain degree of responsibility. More importantly, any murder while the Rydan survivors haunted their footsteps was of interest.

It was easier to feign interest in a stranger than explain why the murder concerned him.

“One of my sworn soldiers?” Tohmas added tension to his voice and straightening in his seat. “Of course, I care! Who and when?”

Linco smiled broadly, and Tohmas had the feeling he had just won the debate and possibly a wager. “Warden Troyca of Traiton’s fyrd, killed in Fixer City just now. A strike to the heart.”

“D’aems,” Tohmas grumbled. He had not expected the ill-advised ambush three nights back would be repeated. The Rydans might have been responsible for the missing people during the march through Clandac and Forsinth, but there were too few of them left to be making such a bold attack.

The protector’s smile vanished, and his voice became heavy. “He was castrated before death.”

Carsh, who had risen like a watching snake, paused and tilted his head to Tohmas.

That didn’t make sense. There were many ways of insulting a Rydan, but Esparans were too weak to be worth insulting, and castration was not something Tohmas had ever seen in the Outlands. They should have broken his hands.

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