of our
greatest Warlords from their family line became Overlords. They have led Kaban
to riches. And less you forget our brethren, Dakar, was of the bloodline.”
“And look at the
mess he and Thenl have left us,” Sellic snapped, spittle gathering at the
corners of his mouth.
Mallor added his
own bitterness. “It is clear that Saran will serve in Vaan’s stead and sit in
Kaban while the Overlord will forget about us to live among the disgusting
Raasa.”
“We must do
something.” Riohan began to pace, robes swaying. “The Desani King has refused
to discuss renewing talks of an alliance.”
In this, Raiden
could speak. “Can you blame him? Thenl sent warriors to attack the Queen’s
party as she returned home. They killed her.”
Sellic ran a shaking
hand through his thick hair. “We can not be blamed for that. It was over two
years ago.”
“Three years ago,
Thenl and Dakar attempted to kill the Overlord. Two years ago, Thenl killed the
Desani Queen. Is it a wonder Vaan Galip questions our motive?”
They each stared
at one another in silence. Raiden pressed fingers to his temple. Arguing never
resolved anything for them and he for one was glad the Overlord did not give in
to the Council’s desires easily. His one regret was that he had not taken a
more solid stand when Thenl voiced his treachery against Vaan and his top Warlords.
The Blessed One would make him pay for that some day. “We will present our
other choice when the Overlord has had a chance to calm.”
***
“This is why I
choose not to return, brother.” Standing in the central hall, Vaan glared at
the door they’d just exited.
“And you would
leave me to them.” Saran shook his head.
“You have more
patience for their machinations than I.” And Vaan already exceeded his limit
for the day.
Saran’s snort was
overly loud. “It has been years since we have been together brother. What do
you base this on?”
Vaan slid Saran a
chiding glance. “You are my own brother but I have asked and spoken to many
warriors about you.”
Saran’s brows
dipped.
“Your honor has
never been in doubt,” Vaan assured. “Everyone spoke of the kindness behind your
actions in difficult decisions. During your time with our mother, it is said
that you could listen to the oldest woman prattle all day and still walk away
smiling.”
Vaan didn’t expect
Saran’s loud burst of laughter and a grin tugged at his own lips. It was good
to see the brother he’d missed for years in high spirits. Theirs was a
relationship that had lapsed but grew closer by leaps and bounds.
Shouts flared in
the outer hall interrupting them. Saran turned when two warriors burst through
the double doors of the main entrance. “Warlord Saran, Overlord, riders
approach swiftly and they carry the flag of the Desani King.”
The commotion
pulled the Councilors from the meeting room to see what was going on. All four
crowded in the doorway listening.
Vaan stiffened,
his gaze going from the Councilors to his men. Eatan, Ramar and Merik awaited
his command. Vaan remained where he stood as one of the out of breath warriors strode
toward them. He must have traveled some distance because sweat dripped from his
chest and dust covered his black leathers.
“Anman, how far
away are the King’s men?” Saran questioned calmly.
Pride filled Vaan
as he allowed his brother to take lead. If he intended Saran to direct Kaban in
his absence, he must show his faith in front of his warriors.
Anman glanced
between Vaan and Saran before bowing to both and answering. “They will be here before
the sun shifts in the sky at the pace they travel.”
Saran nodded. “Ready
the hapfes. I will take forty warriors with me. If King Tarik wants a fight, I
will give him one.”
Anman fled the
room to carry out the orders. Vaan faced his brother. “Has this happened often?”
Since Mikayla awakened him and his Warlords from their poison induced slumber, Vaan
hadn’t thought of the failed treaty
greatest Warlords from their family line became Overlords. They have led Kaban
to riches. And less you forget our brethren, Dakar, was of the bloodline.”
“And look at the
mess he and Thenl have left us,” Sellic snapped, spittle gathering at the
corners of his mouth.
Mallor added his
own bitterness. “It is clear that Saran will serve in Vaan’s stead and sit in
Kaban while the Overlord will forget about us to live among the disgusting
Raasa.”
“We must do
something.” Riohan began to pace, robes swaying. “The Desani King has refused
to discuss renewing talks of an alliance.”
In this, Raiden
could speak. “Can you blame him? Thenl sent warriors to attack the Queen’s
party as she returned home. They killed her.”
Sellic ran a shaking
hand through his thick hair. “We can not be blamed for that. It was over two
years ago.”
“Three years ago,
Thenl and Dakar attempted to kill the Overlord. Two years ago, Thenl killed the
Desani Queen. Is it a wonder Vaan Galip questions our motive?”
They each stared
at one another in silence. Raiden pressed fingers to his temple. Arguing never
resolved anything for them and he for one was glad the Overlord did not give in
to the Council’s desires easily. His one regret was that he had not taken a
more solid stand when Thenl voiced his treachery against Vaan and his top Warlords.
The Blessed One would make him pay for that some day. “We will present our
other choice when the Overlord has had a chance to calm.”
***
“This is why I
choose not to return, brother.” Standing in the central hall, Vaan glared at
the door they’d just exited.
“And you would
leave me to them.” Saran shook his head.
“You have more
patience for their machinations than I.” And Vaan already exceeded his limit
for the day.
Saran’s snort was
overly loud. “It has been years since we have been together brother. What do
you base this on?”
Vaan slid Saran a
chiding glance. “You are my own brother but I have asked and spoken to many
warriors about you.”
Saran’s brows
dipped.
“Your honor has
never been in doubt,” Vaan assured. “Everyone spoke of the kindness behind your
actions in difficult decisions. During your time with our mother, it is said
that you could listen to the oldest woman prattle all day and still walk away
smiling.”
Vaan didn’t expect
Saran’s loud burst of laughter and a grin tugged at his own lips. It was good
to see the brother he’d missed for years in high spirits. Theirs was a
relationship that had lapsed but grew closer by leaps and bounds.
Shouts flared in
the outer hall interrupting them. Saran turned when two warriors burst through
the double doors of the main entrance. “Warlord Saran, Overlord, riders
approach swiftly and they carry the flag of the Desani King.”
The commotion
pulled the Councilors from the meeting room to see what was going on. All four
crowded in the doorway listening.
Vaan stiffened,
his gaze going from the Councilors to his men. Eatan, Ramar and Merik awaited
his command. Vaan remained where he stood as one of the out of breath warriors strode
toward them. He must have traveled some distance because sweat dripped from his
chest and dust covered his black leathers.
“Anman, how far
away are the King’s men?” Saran questioned calmly.
Pride filled Vaan
as he allowed his brother to take lead. If he intended Saran to direct Kaban in
his absence, he must show his faith in front of his warriors.
Anman glanced
between Vaan and Saran before bowing to both and answering. “They will be here before
the sun shifts in the sky at the pace they travel.”
Saran nodded. “Ready
the hapfes. I will take forty warriors with me. If King Tarik wants a fight, I
will give him one.”
Anman fled the
room to carry out the orders. Vaan faced his brother. “Has this happened often?”
Since Mikayla awakened him and his Warlords from their poison induced slumber, Vaan
hadn’t thought of the failed treaty
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