AVOWOFGLORY

(Book#5intheSorcerer’sRing)

MorganRice

AboutMorganRice

MorganRiceisthe#1BestsellingauthorofTHEVAMPIREJOURNALS,ayoung adult series comprising eight books,which has been translated into sixlanguages.

Morgan is also author of the #1 Bestselling THE VAMPIRE LEGACY, ayoungadultseriescomprisingtwobooksandcounting.

Morganisalsoauthorofthe#1BestsellingARENAONEandARENATWO,the first two books in THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY, a post-apocalyptic actionthrillersetinthefuture.

Morgan is also author of the #1 Bestselling epic fantasy series THESORCERER’SRING,comprisingfivebooksandcounting.

Morgan loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visitwww.morganricebooks.comtostayintouch.

SelectAcclaimforMorganRice

“Rice does a great job of pulling you into the story from the beginning,utilizing a great descriptive quality that transcends the mere painting of thesetting….Nicelywrittenandanextremelyfastread.”

--BlackLagoonReviews(regardingTurned)

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“Jampackedwithaction,romance,adventure,andsuspense.Getyourhandsonthisoneandfallinlovealloveragain.”

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puttingdownatnight.Theendingwasacliffhangerthatwassospectacularthatyouwillimmediatelywanttobuythenextbook,justtoseewhathappens.”

--TheDallasExaminer{regardingLoved}

“A book to rival TWILIGHT and VAMPIRE DIARIES, and one that willhave you wanting to keep reading until the very last page! If you are intoadventure,loveandvampiresthisbookistheoneforyou!”

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storyteller….Thiswouldappealtoawiderangeofaudiences,includingyoungerfansofthevampire/fantasygenre.Itendedwithanunexpectedcliffhangerthat

leavesyoushocked.”--TheRomanceReviews{regardingLoved}

BooksbyMorganRice

THESORCERER’SRING

AQUESTOFHEROES(Book#1)AMARCHOFKINGS(Book#2)AFEASTOFDRAGONS(Book#3)ACLASHOFHONOR(Book#4)AVOWOFGLORY(Book#5)

THESURVIVALTRILOGY

ARENAONE:SLAVERSUNNERS(Book#1)ARENATWO(Book#2)

THEVAMPIREJOURNALS

TURNED(Book#1)LOVED(Book#2)

BETRAYED(Book#3)DESTINED(Book#4)DESIRED(Book#5)

BETROTHED(Book#6)VOWED(Book#7)FOUND(Book#8)

THEVAMPIRELEGACYRESURRECTED(Book#1)CRAVED(Book#2)

Copyright©2013byMorganRice

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of1976,nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,distributedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,orstored inadatabaseorretrievalsystem,withoutthepriorpermissionoftheauthor.

Thisebookislicensedforyourpersonalenjoymentonly.Thisebookmaynotbe re-soldorgivenaway tootherpeople. Ifyouwould like toshare thisbookwith another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Ifyou’rereadingthisbookanddidnotpurchaseit,oritwasnotpurchasedforyouruse only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you forrespectingthehardworkofthisauthor.

Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,businesses,organizations,places,events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or areused fictionally.Any resemblance to actual persons, livingor dead, is entirelycoincidental.

CONTENTS

CHAPTERONECHAPTERTWOCHAPTERTHREECHAPTERFOURCHAPTERFIVECHAPTERSIXCHAPTERSEVENCHAPTEREIGHTCHAPTERNINECHAPTERTENCHAPTERELEVENCHAPTERTWELVECHAPTERTHIRTEENCHAPTERFOURTEENCHAPTERFIFTEENCHAPTERSIXTEENCHAPTERSEVENTEENCHAPTEREIGHTEENCHAPTERNINETEENCHAPTERTWENTYCHAPTERTWENTYONECHAPTERTWENTYTWOCHAPTERTWENTYTHREECHAPTERTWENTYFOURCHAPTERTWENTYFIVECHAPTERTWENTYSIXCHAPTERTWENTYSEVENCHAPTERTWENTYEIGHT

“Lifeeverymanholdsdear;butthedearmanholdshonorfarmorepreciousdearthanlife.”

—WilliamShakespeareTroilusandCressida

CHAPTERONE

AndronicusrodeproudlydownthecenterofMcCloud'sroyalcity,flankedbyhundredsofhisgenerals,anddraggingbehindhimhismostprizedpossession:KingMcCloud.Strippedofhisarmor,half-naked,hishairybodyrollingwithfat,KingMcCloudwasboundbyropesandtiedtothebackofAndronicus’saddlebyalongropecirclinghiswrists.

As Andronicus rode slowly, reveling in his triumph, he draggedMcCloudthroughthestreets,overdirtandpebbles,stirringupacloudofdust.McCloud’speoplegatheredandgaped.HecouldhearMcCloudcallingout,writhinginpainasheparadedhimthroughthestreetsofhisowncity.Andronicusbeamed.ThefacesofMcCloud'speoplecrumpledinfear.Herewastheirformerking,nowthelowliestofslaves.ItwasoneofthefinestdaysAndronicuscouldremember.

AndronicuswassurprisedathoweasyithadbeentotakeMcCloud’scity.Itseemedas ifMcCloud’smenhadbeendemoralizedbefore theattackhadevenbegun. Andronicus's men had conquered them in a blaze of lightning, histhousands of soldiers swooping in, overriding the few soldiers who dared todefend,andswarming thecity in theblinkofaneye.Theymusthaverealizedtherewasnopoint inresisting.Theyhadall laiddowntheirarmsassuming, iftheysurrendered,Andronicuswouldtakethemcaptive.

ButtheydidnotknowthegreatAndronicus.Hedespisedsurrender.Hetooknocaptives,andtheirloweringtheirweaponsjustmadeitalltheeasierforhim.

The streets of McCloud's city ran with blood, as Andronicus' men swepteveryalley,everysidestreet,butcheringeverymantheycouldfind.Thewomenandchildrenhehad takenasslaves,ashealwaysdid.Thehouses they looted,oneatatime.

AsAndronicusrodenow,slowly through thestreets,surveyinghis triumph,he saw the corpses everywhere, the heaps of loot, the destroyed homes. Heturnedandnoddedtooneofhisgenerals,andimmediatelythegeneralraisedatorchhigh,motioned tohismen, andhundredsof them fanned throughout thecityandsetfiretothethatchedroofs.Flamesroseupallaroundthem,reachingforthesky,andAndronicuscouldalreadybegintofeeltheheatfromhere.

"NO!"McCloudscreamed,flailingonthegroundbehindhim.Andronicusgrinnedwiderandpickeduphispace,aiming foraparticularly

large rock; there came a satisfying thump, and he knewMcCloud’s body had

riddenoverit.Andronicus tookgreat satisfaction inwatching this city burn.As he had in

everyconqueredcity inhisEmpire,hewould first raze thecity to theground,then build it up again,with his ownmen, his own generals, his ownEmpire.Thatwashisway.Hewantednotraceoftheold.Hewasbuildinganewworld.TheworldofAndronicus.

TheRing,thesacredRingwhichhadeludedallofhisancestors,wasnowhisterritory.Hecouldhardlyconceive it.Hebreatheddeeply,wondering justhowgreathewas.Soonenough,hewouldcrosstheHighlands,andconquertheotherhalfoftheRing,too.Thentherewouldbenoplaceleftontheplanetuponwhichhisfoothadnottread.

AndronicusrodeuptothetoweringstatueofMcCloud,inthecitysquare,andstoppedbeforeit.Itstoodtherelikeashrine,risingfiftyfeet,madeofmarble.ItshowedaversionofMcCloud thatAndronicusdidnot recognize,ayoung, fit,muscular McCloud, wielding a sword proudly. It was egomaniacal. For that,Andronicusadmiredhim.Apartofhimwantedtotakeitbackhome,installitinhispalaceasatrophy.

Butanotherpartofhimwastoodisgustedbyit.Withoutthinking,hereacheddown,tookouthissling,aslingthreetimeslargerthanthatofanyhuman,largeenough to hold a rock the size of a small boulder, and he reached back andhurleditwithallthathehad.

The small boulder flew through the air and connectedwith the headof thestatue. McCloud's marble head shattered in pieces, exploding off the body.Andronicusthenletoutashout,raisedhistwo-handedflail,chargedandswungwithallhehad.

Andronicussmashed thestatue’s torsoand themarble toppled, thencrashedto the ground, shatteringwith a great noise. Andronicus turned his horse andmadesure,asherode,thatMcCloud'sbodywasscrapedupovertheshards.

"Youwillpayforthat!"anagonizedMcCloudcriedweakly.Andronicus laughed.He had encounteredmanyhumans in his lifetime, but

thisonemightjustbethemostpatheticofthemall."WillI?"Andronicusyelled.ThisMcCloudwastoothick-headed;hestilldidnotappreciatethemightof

thegreatAndronicus.Hewouldhavetobetaught,onceandforall.Andronicusscannedthecity,andhiseyesfellonwhatwassurelyMcCloud's

castle.Hekickedhishorseand tookoff at agallop,hismen falling inbehindhim,ashedraggedMcCloudacrossthedustycourtyard.

Andronicus rode up the dozens ofmarble steps,McCloud's body thumpingbehindhim,callingoutandgroaningwitheachstep,thenhecontinuedtoride,

right up through themarble entrance.Andronicus'menwere already standingguardatthedoors,attheirfeetthebloodycorpsesofMcCloud'sformerguards.Andronicusgrinnedwithsatisfactiontoseethatalready,everycornerofthecitywashis.

Andronicus continued riding, right through the vast castle doors, inside acorridor of soaring arched ceilings, all made of marble. He marveled at theexcess of thisMcCloud king. He clearly had spared no expense in indulginghimself.

Nowhisdayhadcome.Andronicuscontinuetoridewithhismendownthewide corridors, the horses’ hooves echoing off the walls, to what was clearlyMcCloud's throne room.He burst through the oak doors and rode right to thecenteroftheroom,toanobscenethrone,carvedofgold,sittinginthecenterofthechamber.

Andronicusdismounted,climbedthegoldenstepsslowly,andsatinit.Hebreatheddeeplyasheturnedandsurveyedhismen,hisdozensofgenerals

seated on horseback awaiting his command. He looked over at the bloodyMcCloud,stilltiedtohishorse,groaning.Hesurveyedthisroom,examinedthewalls, the banners, the armor, the weaponry. He looked down at theworkmanshipofthisthrone,andheadmiredit.Heconsideredmeltingitdown,orperhapsbringing it back forhimself.Maybehewouldgive it tooneofhislessergenerals.Ofcourse,thisthronewasstillnothingnexttoAndronicus’ownthrone,themostmassivethroneofallthekingdoms,onewhichhadtakentwentylaborersfortyyearstobuild.Thebuildingofithadbeguninhisfather’slifetime,andhadbeencompletedonthedayAndronicushadmurderedhisownfather.Ithadbeenperfecttiming.

Andronicus looked down at McCloud, this pathetic little human, andwonderedhowbesttomakehimsuffer.Heexaminedtheshapeandsizeofhisskull, anddecided that hewould like to shrink it andwear it onhis necklace,with the other shrunken heads around his neck. Yet Andronicus realized thatbefore he killed him, he would need some time to thin out his face, hischeekbones, so that it looked better around his neck. He did not want a fat,plumpfaceruiningtheaestheticofhisnecklace.Hewouldlethimliveawhile,andtorturehiminthemeantime.Hesmiledtohimself.Yes,itwasaverygoodplan.

"Bring him to me," Andronicus commanded one of his generals, in hisancient,deepsnarl.

He jumped downwithout amoment’s hesitation, hurried over toMcCloud,cuttherope,anddraggedthebloodybodyacrossthefloor,stainingitredashewent.HedroppeditatthebaseofAndronicus’feet.

"Youcan'tgetawaywiththis!"McCloudmumbledweakly.Andronicusshookhishead;thishumanwouldneverlearn."Here I am, seated on your throne," Andronicus said. "And there you are,

lyingatmyfeet.IshouldthinkitissafetosaythatIcangetawaywithanythingIwant.AndthatIalreadyhave.”

McCloudlaythere,moaningandwrithing."Myfirstorderofbusiness,"Andronicussaid,"willbe tohaveyoupay the

proper respect to your new king andmaster. Come to me now, and have thehonorofbeingthefirsttokneelbeforemeinmynewkingdom,thefirsttokissmyhandandcallmeKingofwhatwasoncetheMcCloudsideoftheRing.”

McCloudlookedup,gottohishandsandknees,andsneeredatAndronicus"Never!"hesaid,andturnedandspatonthefloor.Andronicusleanedbackandlaughed.Hewasheartilyenjoyingthis.Hehad

notmetahumanthiswillfulforquitesometime.Andronicus turnedandnodded,andoneofhismengrabbedMcCloudfrom

behind, while another came forward and held his head still. A third cameforwardwithalongrazor.Asheapproached,McCloudbuckledinfear.

"What are you doing?"McCloud asked in panic, his voice several octaveshigher.

The man reached down and quickly shaved off half of McCloud's beard.McCloudlookedup inbewilderment,clearlybaffled that themanhadnothurthim.

Andronicusnodded,andanothermansteppedforwardwitha longpoker,atthe end ofwhichwas carved in iron the emblem ofAndronicus’ kingdom—alionwithabirdinitsmouth.Itglowedorange,steaminghot,andastheothersheldMcClouddown,themanloweredthepokerforhisnow-barecheek.

"NO!"McCloudshrieked,realizing.Butitwastoolate.Ahorrificshriekcutthroughtheair,accompaniedbyahissingnoiseandthe

smellofburntflesh.AndronicuswatchedwithgleeasthepokerburneddeeperanddeeperintoMcCloud'scheek.Thehissinggrewlouder,thescreamsalmostintolerable.

Finally,afteragoodtenseconds,theydroppedMcCloud.McCloud slumped to the ground, unconscious, drooling, as smoke rose up

fromhalf of his face. It nowbore the emblemofAndronicus, burned intohisflesh.

Andronicus leaned forward, lookeddownat theunconsciousMcCloud, andadmiredthehandiwork.

"WelcometotheEmpire."

CHAPTERTWO

Erec stood atop the hill at the forest’s edge and watched the small armyapproach,andhisheartfilledwithfire.Hewasbornforadaylikethis.Insomebattles,thelineblurredbetweenjustandunjust—butnotonthisday.TheLordfrom Baluster had stolen his bride unashamedly, and had been boastful andunapologetic.Hehadbeenmadeawareofhiscrime,hadbeengivenachancetomakewrongsright,andhehadrefusedtorectifyhiserrors.Hehadbroughthiswoes upon himself.Hismen should have let it alone—especially now that hewasdead.

Buttheretheyrode,hundredsofthem,paidmercenariestothislesserlord—all bent on killingErec solely because they had been paid by thisman. Theychargedtowardsthemintheirshinygreenarmor,andastheynearedtheyletoutabattlecry.Asifthatmightscarehim.

Erecwasunafraid.Hehadseentoomanybattleslikethis.Ifhehadlearnedanythinginallhisyearsoftraining,itwastoneverfearwhenhefoughtonthesideofthejust.Justice,hewastaught,maynotalwaysprevail—butitgaveitsbearerthestrengthoftenmen.

ItwasnotfearErecfeltashesawthehundredsofmenapproach,andknewhewouldlikelydieonthisday.Itwasexpectation.Hehadbeengivenachancetomeethisdeathinthemosthonorableway,andthatwasagift.Hehadtakenavowofglory,andtoday,hisvowwasdemandingitsdue.

Erec drewhis sword and chargeddown the slopeon foot, sprinting for thearmyasitchargedhim.Atthismomenthewishedmorethaneverthathehadhistrusted horse, Warkfin, to ride with into battle—but he felt a sense of peaceknowingthathewasbriningAlistairbacktoSavaria,tothesafetyoftheDuke'scourt.

As he neared the soldiers, hardly fifty yards away, Erec picked up speed,sprintingfortheleadknightinthecenter.Theydidnotslow,andneitherdidhe,andhebracedhimselffortheclashtocome.

Erecknewhehadoneadvantage:threehundredmencouldnotphysicallyfitcloseenoughtoallattackonemanatthesametime;heknewfromhistrainingthat atmost sixmen on horseback could get close enough to attack aman atonce.ThewayErecsawit,thatmeanthisoddswerenotthreehundredtoone—butonlysix toone.As longashecouldkill thesixmen in frontofhimatall

times,hehadachancetowin.Itwasjustamatterofwhetherhehadthestaminatomakeitthrough.

AsErec chargeddown the hill, he drew fromhiswaist the oneweaponheknewwouldbebest:aflailwithachaintwentyyardslong,attheendofwhichsataspiked,metalball.Itwasaweaponmeantforlayingatrapontheroad—orforasituationjustlikethis.

Erecwaiteduntilthelastmoment,untilthearmydidnothavetimetoreact,thenspuntheflailhighoverheadandhurleditacrossthebattlefield.Heaimedforasmalltree,andthespikedchainspreadoutacrossthebattlefield;astheballwrapped around it, Erec tucked into a role and hit the ground, avoiding thespearsabouttobehurledathim,andheldontotheshaftwithallhismight.

Hetimeditperfectly:therewasnotimeforthearmytoreact.Theysawitatthelastsecondandtriedtopullupontheirhorses—buttheyweregoingtoofast,andtherewasn’ttime.

The entire front line ran into it, the spiked chain cutting through all thehorses’legs,sendingtheridersfallingface-firstdowntotheground,thehorseslandingontopofthem.Dozensofthemwerecrushedinthechaos.

Erechadnotimetobeproudofthedamagehehaddone:anotherflankofthearmyturnedandboredownonhim,chargingwithabattlecry,andErecrolledtohisfeettomeetthem.

As the leadknight raiseda javelin,Erec tookadvantageofwhathehad:hedidnothaveahorse,andcouldnotmeetthesemenattheirheight,butsincehewaslow,hecouldusethegroundbeneathhim.Erecsuddenlydovedowntotheground, tucked into a role, and raised his sword and sliced off the legs of theman'shorse.Thehorsebuckledandthesoldierdidafaceplantbeforehehadachancetoletgoofhisweapon.

Ereccontinuedtoroll,andmanagedtomissthestampedingfeetofthehorsesaroundhim,whohadtopartwaystoavoidrunningintothedownedhorse.Manydidnotsucceed,trippingoverthedeadanimal,anddozensmorehorsescrasheddown to theground, raisingacloudofdustandcausinga logjamamongst thearmy.

ItwasexactlywhatErechadhopedfor:therewasdustandconfusion,dozensmorefallingtotheground.

Erecjumpedtohisfeet,raisedhisswordandblockedaswordcomingdownfor his head. He spun and blocked a javelin, then a lance, then an axe. Hedefendedtheblowsthatpoureddownonhimfromallsides,butknewhecouldnot keep this up forever. He had to be on the attack if he were to stand anychance.

Erectuckedintoarole,cameoutofit,tookaknee,andhurledhisswordasif

itwereaspear.Itflewthroughtheairandintothechestofhisclosestattacker;hiseyesopenedwideandhefellsideways,dead,offhishorse.

Erec took the opportunity to jump onto theman's horse, snatching his flailfromhishandsbeforehedied.Itwasafineflail,andErechadsingledhimoutfor this reason; it had a long, studded silver shaft and a four-foot chain,withthreespikedballsattheendofit.Erecpulledbackandswungithighoverhead,andsmashedtheweaponsfromthehandsofseveralopponentsatonce;thenheswungagainandknockedthemfromtheirhorses.

Erecsurveyedthebattlefieldandsawthathehaddoneconsiderabledamage,withnearlyahundredknightsdowned.But theothers,at least twohundredofthem,wereregroupingandcharginghimnow—andtheywerealldetermined.

Erecrodeouttomeetthem,onemanchargingtwohundred,andraisedagreatbattlecryofhisown, raisinghis flaileverhigher,andpraying toGod thathisstrengthwouldonlyhold.

*AlistaircriedassheheldontoWarkfinwithallhermight,thehorsegalloping,

takingherdown the too-familiar road toSavaria.Shehadbeenscreamingandkickingat thebeast thewholeway, tryingwitheverythingshehad toget it toturn around, to ride back to Erec. But it would not listen. She had neverencountered any horse like this one before—it listened unwaveringly to itsmaster's command, and would not waver. Clearly, it was set on bringing herexactlywhereErechadcommandeditto—andshefinallyresignedherselftothefactthattherewasnothingshecoulddoaboutit.

Alistairhadmixedfeelingsassherodebackthroughthecitygates,acityinwhich shehad lived so longasan indentured servant.On theonehand, it feltfamiliar—butontheother,itbroughtbackmemoriesoftheinnkeeperwhohadoppressedher,ofeverythingthatwaswrongaboutthisplace.Shehadsolookedforwardtomovingon,tomovingoutofherewithErecandbeginninganewlifeoverwithhim.While she felt safewithin its gates, she also felt an increasingforebodingforErec,outtherealone,facingthatarmy.Thethoughtofitmadehersick.

RealizingthatWarkfinwouldnotturnaround,sheknewhernextbestbetwastogethelpforErec.Erechadaskedhertostayhere,withinthesafetyofthesegates—butthatwasthelastthingshewouldeverdo.Shewasaking'sdaughter,afterall,andshewasnotonetorunfromfearorfromconfrontation.Erechadfoundhismatchinher:shewasasnobleandasdeterminedashe.Andtherewasnowayshewouldeverlivewithherselfifanythinghappenedtohimbackthere.

Knowingthisroyalcitywell,AlistairdirectedWarkfintotheDuke'scastle—and now that theywerewithin the gates, the animal listened. She rode to the

castle entrance, dismounted, and ran past the attendantswho tried to stop her.Shebrushedofftheirarmsandraceddownthemarblecorridorsshehadlearnedsowellasaservant.

Alistair put her shoulders into the large royal doors to the chamber hall,crashedthemopen,andbargedintotheDuke’sprivatechamber.

Several councilmembers turned to lookat her, allwearing royal robes, theDuke seated in the center with several knights around him. They all woreastonishedexpressions;shehadclearlyinterruptedsomeimportantbusiness.

"Whoareyou,woman?”onecalledout.“WhodaresinterrupttheDuke’sofficialbusiness?"anotheryelled."Irecognizethewoman,"theDukesaid,standing."AsdoI,"saidBrandt,theonesherecognizedasErec'sfriend."ItisAlistair,isitnot?"heasked.“Erec'snewwife?”Sherantowardshim,intears,andclaspedhishands."Please,mylord,helpme.ItisErec!”"Whathashappened?"theDukeasked,alarmed."Heliesingravedanger.Evennowhefacesahostilearmyalone!Hewould

notletmestaybehind.Please!Heneedshelp!”Withoutaword,alltheknightsjumpedtotheirfeetandbegantorunfromthe

hall,notoneofthemhesitating;sheturnedandranwiththem."Stayhere!"Brandtexhorted."Never!"shesaid,runningbehindhim."Iwillleadyoutohim!”They all ran as one down the corridors, out the castle doors and to a large

group of waiting horses, eachmounting theirs without a moment's hesitation.Alistair jumpedonWarkfin,kicked,andledthegroup,asanxious togoas therestofthem.

AstheychargedthroughtheDuke’scourt,soldiersallaroundthembegantomounthorsesandjointhem—andbythetimetheyleftthegatesofSavaria,theywereaccompaniedbyalargeandgrowingcontingentofatleastahundredmen,Alistairridinginfront,besideBrandtandtheDuke.

"If Erec finds out that you ride with us, it will bemy head," Brandt said,ridingbesideher."Please,justtelluswhereheis,mylady.”

ButAlistairshookherheaddoggedly,pushingbacktearsassherodeharder,thegreatrumbleofallthesemenaroundher.

"IwouldrathergodowntomygravethanabandonErec!”

CHAPTERTHREE

Thorrodewarilyontheforesttrail,Reece,O'Connor,Eldenandthetwinson

horsebackbesidehim,Krohnathisheels,astheyallemergedfromtheforestonthefarsideoftheCanyon.Thor'sheartbeatfasterinanticipationastheyfinallyreached the perimeter of the thickwood.He raised a hand,motioning for theotherstobesilent,andtheyallfrozebesidehim.

Thor lookedoutandsurveyed thegreatexpanseofbeach,ofopensky,andbeyond it, thevastyellowsea thatwould take them to thedistant landsof theEmpire. TheTartuvian. Thor hadn't seen itswaters since their journey to TheHundred.Itfeltoddtobebackagain—andthistime,withamissionthatheldthefateoftheRingatstake.

After crossing theCanyon bridge, their short ride through the forest in theWildshadbeenuneventful.ThorhadbeeninstructedbyKolkandBromtolookforasmallboatmooredontheshoresoftheTartuvian,carefullyhiddenbeneaththebranchesofan immense treewhichhungover thesea.Thorfollowedtheirdirectionsexactly,andastheyreachedthewood’sperimeter,hespottedtheboat,well-hidden,readytotakethemwheretheyneededtogo.Hewasrelieved.

ButhethenspottedsixEmpiretroops,standingonthesandbeforetheboat,inspectingit.Anothertroophadclimbedupontotheboat,dockedpartlyonthebeach, rocking in thegently lappingwaves.Therewas supposed tobenoonehere.Somehow,theboathadbeendiscovered.

Itwasastrokeofbadluck.AsThorlookedfartheroutatthehorizon,hesawthedistantoutlineofwhatappearedtobetheentireEmpirefleet, thousandsofblacksships,sailingtheblackflagsoftheEmpire.LuckilytheydidnotsailforThor,butinadifferentdirection,takingthelong,circularcoursetobringthemaround the Ring, to theMcCloud side, where they had breached the Canyon.Luckily,theirfleetwaspreoccupiedwithadifferentroute.

Except for this onepatrol.These sixEmpire soldiers, probably scouts on aroutinemission,somehowmusthavestumbleduponthisLegionship.Itwasbadtiming. IfThor and theothershad just reached the ship a fewminutes earlier,theyprobablywouldhavealreadyboarded it andshovedoff.Now, theyhadaconfrontationontheirhands.Therewasnowayaroundit.

ThorlookedupanddownthebeachandsawnoothercontingentsofEmpiretroops.Atleastthatwasintheirfavor.Itwasprobablyalonepatrolgroup.

"Ithoughttheboatwassupposedtobewell-hidden,"O'Connorsaid."Apparentlynotenough,"Eldenremarked.The six of them sat on their horses, staring at the boat and the group of

soldiers."Itwon'tbelonguntiltheyalertotherEmpiretroops,"Convenobserved."Andthenwe’llhaveanall-outwaronourhands,”addedConval.Thorknewtheywereright.Andthatitwasnotachancetheycouldtake."O'Connor,”Thorsaid,“youraimisthebestofthebunch.I'veseenyouhit

fromfiftyyardsout.Seethatoneonthebow?We’vegotoneshotatthis.Canyoudoit?”

O'Connornoddedgravely,hiseyesfixedontheEmpiresoldiers.Hereacheddeliberatelyoverhisshoulder,liftedhisbow,placedanarrow,andhelditattheready.

TheyallwerelookingtoThor,andhefeltreadytolead."O'Connor, on my signal, fire. Then we’ll charge for the ones below.

Everyoneelse,useyourthrowingweaponsaswegetclose.Trytogetascloseasyoucanfirst.”

Thormotionedwithhishand,andsuddenly,O'Connorreleasedthestring.Thearrowsailedthroughtheairwithawhooshingnoise,anditwasaperfect

shot,itsmetaltippiercingtheheartoftheEmpiresoldieronthebow.Thesoldierstood there, his eyes openingwide for amoment, as if he did not understandwhat was happening, then he suddenly stretched his arms out wide and fellforward,face-first,inaswandive,landingwithasplatonthebeachatthefeetofhisfellowsoldiers,thesandstainingred.

Thor and theothers charged, awell-oiledmachine in syncwith eachother.Thesoundoftheirhorses’gallopinggavethemaway,andthesixothersoldiersturned and faced them. The soldiers mounted their horses and charged back,preparingtomeettheminthemiddle.

Thorandhismenstillhadtheadvantageofsurprise.Thorreachedbackandhurledastonewithhisslingandhitoneoftheminthetemplefromtwentyyardsawayashewasinthemidstofmountinghishorse.Hefellbackoffofit,dead,thereignsstillinhishands.

Astheyneared,Reecethrewhisaxe,Eldenhisspear,andthetwinseachtheirdaggers. The sandswere uneven and the horses slipped,making throwing theweaponsharderthanusual.Reece'saxefounditsmark,killingoneofthem,buttheothersmissed.

Thatleftfourofthem.Theleadonebrokeoutfromthegroup,chargingrightforReece,whowasweaponless;hehadcasthisaxebutnothadtimetodrawhisswordyet.Reecebracedhimself,andatthelastsecondKrohnleaptforward,bit

thesoldier’shorse in the leg,and thehorsecollapsed, its rider fallingdowntothegroundandsparingReeceatthelastmoment.

Reece drew his sword and stabbed the soldier, killing him before he couldregainhisfeet.

That left three.One of them came forEldenwith an axe, swinging for hishead;Eldenblockeditwithhisshield,andinthesamemotionswunghisswordandchoppedtheaxehandleinhalf.Eldenthenswungaroundwithhisshieldandsmashedtheattackerinthesideofthehead,knockinghimfromhishorse.

Another soldier pulled a flail from hiswaist and swung its long chain, thespikedendsuddenlycomingdownforO'Connor.Ithappenedtoofast,andtherewasnotimeforO'Connortoreact.

Thorsawitcomingandchargedforward,tohisfriend’sside,raisedhisswordandslashedthechainoftheflail,beforeithitO'Connor.Therecamethesoundofswordcuttingthroughiron,Thormarvelingathowsharphisnewswordwas.Thespikedballwentflyingdownharmlesslytotheground,lodginginthesand,saving O’Connor’s life. Conval then rode up and stabbed the soldier with aspear,killinghim.

ThefinalEmpiresoldiersawhewasbadlyoutnumbered;fearinhiseyes,hesuddenlyturnedandtookoff,racingdownshore,hishorse’sprintsleavingdeepimpressionsinthesand.

Theyallsettheirsightsontheretreatingsoldier:Thorhurledastonewithhissling, O’Connor raised his bow and fired, and Reece hurled a spear. But thesoldierrodetooerratically,thehorsedippinginthesand,andtheyallmissed.

Eldendrewhis swordandThorcouldsee thathewasabout tochargeafterhim.Thorheldoutahandandmotionedforhimtostayput.

"Don't!"Thorscreamed.Eldenturnedandlookedathim."Ifhelives,hewillsendothersafterus!"Eldenprotested.Thor turned and looked back at the boat, and knew itwould take precious

timetohunthimdown—timetheycouldnotafford."TheEmpirewillcomeafterusnomatterwhat,”Thorsaid.“Wehaven'ttime

tolose.Whatismostimportantnowisthatwegetfarfromhere.Totheship!”Theydismountedas they reached theshipandThor reached intohissaddle

andbegantoemptyitofallitsprovisionsastheothersdidthesame,loadinguponweaponsandonsacksoffoodandwater.Whoknewhowlongtheshipridewould take,how long itwouldbeuntil theysaw landagain—if theysawlandagain.ThoralsoloadeduponfoodforKrohn.

Theythrewthesacksuphighovertherailingoftheboat,landingonthedeckabovewithathump.

Thorgrabbed the thick,knotted ropehangingover theside, thecoarse ropecutting into his hands, and tested it. He draped Krohn over his shoulder, theweightofthembothtestinghismuscles,andpulleduptowardsthedeck.Krohnwhinedinhisear,hugginghischestwithhissharpclaws,clingingtohim.

SoonThorwasovertherailing,Krohnleapingoffofhimontothedeck—andthe others following close behind. Thor leaned over and looked down at thehorsesonthebeach,lookingupasifawaitingacommand.

"Andwhatofthem?"Reeceasked,comingupbesidehim.Thorturnedandsurveyedtheboat:itwasmaybetwentyfeetlongandhalfas

wide.Itwasbigenoughforthesevenofthem—butnotfortheirhorses.Iftheytried to take them, thehorsesmight trample thewood,damage theboat.Theyhadtoleavethembehind.

"Wehavenochoice,"Thorsaid,lookingdownlonginglyatthem.“We'llhavetofindnewones.”

O'Connorleanedovertherail."They'resmarthorses,"O'Connorsaid."Itrainedthemwell.Theywillreturn

homeuponmycommand.”O'Connorwhistledsharply.Asone,thehorsesturnedandbolted,racingacrossthesandanddisappearing

intotheforest,headingbacktowardstheRing.Thor turned and looked at his brothers, at the ship, at the sea before them.

Nowtheywerestranded,withnohorses,withnochoicebut tomoveforward.Realitywas sinking in.Theywere truly alone,withnothingbut thisboat, andabout topart from theshoresof theRing forgood.Now therewasno turningback.

"Andhowarewesupposedtogetthisboatintothewater?"Convalasked,astheyalllookeddown,fifteenfeetbelow,atthehulloftheboat.AsmallportionofitwasinthelappingwavesoftheTartuvian,butmostofitwaslodgedfirmlyinthesand.

"Overhere!"Convensaid.Theyhurried to the other side of the boat and therewas a thick iron chain

danglingovertheedge,atthebottomofwhichwasanimmenseironball,sittingonthesand.

Conven reacheddownandyankedon the chain.Hegroanedand struggled,butcouldnotliftit.

“It’stooheavy,”hegrunted.ConvalandThorhurriedoverandhelped,andas the threeof themgrabbed

the chain and pulled, Thorwas shocked by itsweight: evenwith the three ofthempulling,theycouldonlyliftitafewfeet.Finally,theyalldroppedit,andit

fellbackdowntothesand."Letmehelp,"Eldensaid,steppingforward.With his huge bulk, Elden towered over them, and he reached down by

himselfandyankedonthechain,andmanagedtolifttheballintotheairalone.Thorwasamazed.Theothersjumpedinandtheyallpulled,asone,yankingtheanchoruponefootatatime,andfinallyovertherailingandontothedeck.

The boat started tomove, rocking a little bit in thewaves, but it was stilllodgedinthesand.

"Thepolls!"Reecesaid.Thor turned and saw twowooden poles, nearly twenty feet long,mounted

alongthesidesoftheboat,andherealizedwhattheywerefor.HeranoverwithReeceandgrabbedone,whileConvalandConvengrabbedtheother.

“Whenweshoveoff,”Thorscreamedout,“youallraisethesails!”Theyleanedoverandjabbedthepolesintothesandandpushedwithalltheir

might;Thorgroaned from the effort.Slowly, theboat began tomove, just thetiniestbit.Atthesametime,EldenandO'Connorrantothemiddleoftheboatandpulledtheropestoraisethecanvassails,raisingthemwitheffort,onefootatatime.Luckilytherewasastrongbreeze,andasThorandtheothersshovedandshoved against the shore, struggling with all they had to get this surprisinglyheavyboatoutofthesand,thesailsraisedhigher,andbegantocatchthewind.

Finally,theboatrockedbeneaththemasitglidedoutontothewater,bobbing,weightless,Thor'sshouldersshakingfromtheeffort.EldenandO'Connorraisedthesailstofullmast,andsoontheyweredriftingouttosea.

Theyallletoutacheeroftriumph,astheyputthepollsbackinplaceandranoverandhelpedEldenandO'Connorsecurethelines.Krohnyelpedbesidethem,excitedbyitall.

The boat was drifting aimlessly and Thor hurried to the wheel, O’Connorbesidehim.

"Wanttotakethewheel?"ThoraskedO’Connor.O’Connorgrinnedwide."Wouldloveto.”They began to gain real speed, cruising out on the yellow waters of the

Tartuvian, thewindat theirbacks.Finally, theyweremoving,andThor tookadeepbreath.Theywereoff.

Thorheadedouttothebow,Reecebesidehim,andKrohncameupbetweenthem,andleanedintoThor'sleg,whileThorreacheddownandstrokedhissoftwhitefur.KrohnleanedoverandlickedThor,andThorreachedintoasmallsackandpulledoutapieceofmeatforKrohn,whosnatcheditup.

Thorlookedoutat thevastseabeforethem.Thedistanthorizonwasdotted

withblackEmpireships,surelyontheirwaytotheMcCloudsideoftheRing.Luckily,theyweredistracted,andcouldnotpossiblybeonthelookoutforaloneboatheadingintotheirterritory.Theskieswereclear,therewasastrongwindattheirbacks,andtheycontinuedtogainspeed.

Thorlookedoutandwonderedwhatlaybeforethem.HewonderedhowlongitwouldbeuntiltheyreachedEmpireland,whatmightbewaitingtogreetthem.Hewonderedhowtheywouldfindthesword,howallthiswouldend.Heknewthe odds were against them, yet still he felt exhilarated to finally be on thejourney, thrilled that they'd made it this far, and felt eager to do retrieve theSword.

"Whatifit'snotthere?"Reeceasked.Thorturnedandlookedathim."The sword," Reece added. "What if it's not there? Or if it’s lost? Or

destroyed?Orifwejustneverfindit?TheEmpireisvast,afterall.”"OrwhatiftheEmpire'sfiguredouthowtowieldit?"Eldenaskedinhisdeep

voice,comingupbesidethem."Whatifwefinditbutcan'tbringitback?"Convenasked.Thegroupofthemstoodthere,oppressedbywhatlaybeforethem,bythesea

ofunansweredquestions.Thisjourneywasmadness,Thorknew.Madness.

CHAPTERFOUR

Garethpacedthestonefloorsofhisfather'sstudy,asmallchamberonthetopfloorofthecastlethathisfatherhadcherished,andbitbybit,hetoreitapart.

Gareth went from bookcase to bookcase, yanking down precious volumes,ancient leatherbooks thathadbeen in the family forcenturies,and tearing thebindingsandshreddingthepagesinsmallbits.Ashethrewthemintheair,theyfelldownoverhishead like snowflakes, clinging tohisbodyand to thedroolrunningdownhischeeks.Hewasdeterminedtotearaparteverylastthinginthisplacethathisfatherloved,onebookatatime.

Gareth hurried over to a corner table, grabbedwhat was left of his opiumpipe,andwithshakinghandssuckedhard,needinghishitnowmorethanever.Hewasaddicted,smokingiteveryminutehecould,determinedtoblockouttheimagesofhisfatherthathauntedhiminhisdreams,andnowevenwhenhewasawake.

AsGarethputdownthepipe,hesawhisfatherstandingthere,beforehim,adecaying corpse.Each time the corpsewasmore decayed,more skeleton thanflesh;Garethturnedfromtheawfulsite.

Garethusedtotrytoattacktheimage—buthe’dlearnedthatitdidnogood.Sonowhejustturnedhishead,constantly,alwayslookingaway.Alwaysitwasthesame:hisfatherwearingarustedcrown,hismouthopen,hiseyesgazingathimwithcontempt,reachingoutasinglefinger,pointingaccusinglyathim.Inthatawfulstare,Garethfelthisowndaysnumbered,feltthatitwasonlyamatterof timeuntil he joinedhim.Hehated seeinghimmore thananything. If therewasonesavinggraceinmurderinghisfather, itwasthathewouldnotneedtoseehisfaceagain.Butnow,ironically,hesawitmorethanever.

Garethturnedandhurledtheopiumpipeat theapparition,hopingthat ifhethrewitquicklyenoughitmightactuallyhit.

But the pipe merely flew through the air and smashed against the wall,shattering.Hisfatherstillstoodthere,andglareddownathim.

"Thosedrugswon’thelpyounow,"hisfatherscolded.Gareth could stand it no longer. He charged for the apparition, hands out,

lungingtoscratchhisfather’sface;butasalways,hesailedthroughnothingbutair, and this time he went stumbling across the room and landed hard on hisfather'swoodendesk,sendingitcrashingdowntothefloorwithhim.

Gareth rolled on the ground, winded, and looked up and saw that he hadgashed his arm.Bloodwas dripping down his shirt, and he looked down andnoticedhestillworetheundershirthehadsleptinfordays;infact,hehadnotchangedforweeksnow.Heglancedoveratareflectionofhimself,andsawthathishairwaswild;helookedlikeacommonruffian.Apartofhimcouldhardlybelievehehadsanksolow.Butanotherpartofhimnolongercared.Theonlythingleftinsideofhimwasaburningdesiretodestroy—todestroyanyremnantofhisfatherthatoncewas.Hewouldliketohavethiscastlerazed,andKing’sCourtwith it. Itwouldbevengeance for the treatmentheboreasachild.Thememorieswerestuckinsidehim,likeathornhecouldnotpullout.

The door to his father’s study openedwide, and in rushed one ofGareth'sattendants,lookingdowninfear.

"Myliege,"theattendantsaid."Iheardacrash.Areyouokay?Myliege,youarebleeding!”

Garethlookedupattheboywithhatred.Garethtriedtogettohisfeet,tolashout at him, but he slipped on something, and fell back down to the ground,disorientedfromthelasthitofopium.

"Myliege,Iwillhelpyou!”The boy rushed forward and grabbed Gareth’s arm, which was too thin,

barelyfleshandbone.ButGarethstillhadareserveofstrengthandastheboytouchedhisarm,he

shovedhimoff,sendinghimacrosstheroom."TouchmeagainandIwillcutoffyourhands,”Garethseethed.Theboybackedupinfear,andashedid,anotherattendantenteredtheroom,

accompaniedbyanoldermanwhomGarethvaguelyrecognized.Somewhereinthebackofhismindheknewhim—buthecouldnotplacehim.

"Myliege,”cameanold,gravellyvoice,"wehavebeenwaitingforyouinthecouncilchamberforhalftheday.Thecouncilmemberscannotwaitmuchlonger.Theyhaveurgentnews,andmustshareitwithyoubeforethedayisup.Willyoucome?”

Gareth narrowed his eyes at the man, trying to make him out. He dimlyremembered that he had served his father. The council chamber… Themeeting…Itallswirledinhismind.

“Whoareyou?”Garethasked."My liege, I amAberthol. Your father's trusted advisor," he said, stepping

closer.It was slowly coming back. Aberthol. The council. The meeting. Gareth's

mindspun,hisheadcrushinghim.Hejustwantedtobeleftalone."Leaveme,"hesnapped."Iwillcome.”

Aberthol nodded andhurried from the roomwith the attendant, closing thedoorbehindthem.

Garethkneltthere,headinhishands,tryingtothink,toremember.Itwasallsomuch.Itstartedtocomebacktohiminbits.Theshieldwasdown;theEmpirewasattacking;halfhiscourthadleft;hissisterhadledthemaway;toSilesia…Gwendolyn…Thatwasit.Thatwaswhathehadbeentryingtoremember.

Gwendolyn.Hehatedherwithapassionhecouldnotdescribe.Now,morethanever,hewantedtokillher.Heneededtokillher.Allofhistroublesinthisworld—theywere all a result of her.Hewould find away to get back at her,evenifhehadtodietrying.Andhewouldkillhisothersiblingsnext.

Garethstartedtofeelbetteratthethought.With a supreme effort, he struggled to his feet and stumbled through the

room,knockingoveranendtableashewent.Ashenearedthedoor,hespottedanalabasterbustofhisfather,asculpturehisfatherhadloved,andhereacheddown,grabbeditbyitsheadandthrewitatthewall.

It smashed into a thousand pieces, and for the first time that day, Garethsmiled.Maybethisdaywouldnotbesobadafterall.

*Garethstruttedintothecouncilroomflankedbyseveralattendants,slamming

openthehugeoakdoorswithhispalm,makingeveryoneinthecrowdedroomjumpathispresence.Theyallquicklystoodatattention.

WhilenormallythiswouldgiveGarethsomesatisfaction,onthisday,hewasbeyondcaring.Hewasplaguedbytheghostofhisfather,andinfusedwithragethathissisterhadleft.Hisemotionsswirledwithinhim,andhehadtotakeitoutontheworld.

Gareth stumbled through the vast chamber in his opium-infused haze,walkingdownthecenterof theaisle towardshis throne,dozensofcouncilmenstanding aside as he went. His court had grown, and today the energy wasfrantic, as more and more people seemed to filter in with the news of thedepartureofhalf ofKing'sCourt, andof the shield’sbeingdown. Itwas as ifwhomever remained of King’s Court was pouring into Gareth’s court foranswers.

Andofcourse,Garethhadnone.AsGarethstrutteduptheivorystepstohisfather's throne,hesaw,standing

patiently behind it, Lord Kultin, the mercenary leader of his private fightingforce, the oneman left in the court who he could trust. Alongside him stooddozens of his fighters, standing there silently, hands on their swords, ready tofighttothedeathforGareth.ItwastheonethingleftthatgaveGarethcomfort.

Garethsatinhisthrone,andsurveyedtheroom.Thereweresomanyfaces,a

fewherecognizedandmanyhedidn't.He trustednoneof them.Everydayhepurgedmorefromhiscourt;hehadalreadysentsomanytothedungeons,andevenmore to the executioner.Not a day passedwhen he didn't kill at least ahandful ofmen.He thought it goodpolicy: it kept themenon their toes, andpreventedacoupfromforming.

The room sat silent, staring at him in a daze. They all looked terrified tospeak. Which was exactly what he wanted. Nothing thrilled him more thaninfusingfearinhissubjects.

Finally,Abertholsteppedforward,hiscaneechoingoffthestone,andclearedhisthroat.

"My liege," he began, his voice ancient, "we stand at a moment of greatdisarray in King's Court. I do not knowwhat news has yet reached you: theShield is down;Gwendolyn has left King's Court and has takenKolk, Brom,Kendrick,Atme,theSilver,theLegion,andhalfofyourarmy—alongwithhalfofKing’sCourt.Thosethatremainherelooktoyouforguidance,andtoknowwhatournextmovewillbe.Thepeoplewantanswers,myliege.”

“What's more," said another Council member whom Gareth dimlyrecognized,"wordhasspreadthattheCanyonhasalreadybeenbreached.RumorhasitthatAndronicushasinvadedtheMcCloudsideoftheRingwithhismillionmanarmy.”

An outraged gasp spread throughout the room; dozens of brave warriorswhispered to each other, flooded with fear, and a state of panic spread likewildfire.

"Itcan'tbetrue!"exclaimedoneofthesoldiers."Itis!"insistedthecouncilmember."Then all hope is lost!" yelled out another soldier. "If the McClouds are

overrun, theEmpirewill come forKing’sCourt next. There's nowaywe cankeepthemback.”

"Wemustdiscusstermsofsurrender,myliege,"AbertholsaidtoGareth."Surrender!?"anothermanyelled."Weshallneversurrender!”"Ifwedon't,”yelledanothersoldier,“wewillbecrushed.Howcanwestand

uptoonemillionmen?”The room broke out into an outragedmurmur, the soldiers and counselors

arguingwitheachother,allincompletedisarray.TheCouncilleaderslammedhisironrodintothestonefloorandscreamed:"ORDER!”Gradually,theroomquieted,allthementurnedandlookedathim."Thesearealldecisionsforaking,notforus,”oneofthecouncilmensaid.

“Gareth is lawfulKing, and it is not for us to discuss terms of surrender—or

whethertosurrenderatall."TheyallturnedtoGareth."Myliege,"Abertholsaid,exhaustioninhisvoice,"howdoyouproposewe

dealwiththeEmpire’sarmy?”Theroomgrewdeathlysilent.Garethsat there,staringdownat themen,andhewanted to respond.But it

wasgettingharderandharderforhimtokeephisthoughtsclear.Hekepthearinghis father's voice in his head, yelling at him, as when hewas a child. It wasdrivinghimcrazy,andthevoicewouldnotgoaway.

Gareth reachedout and scratched thewooden armof the throne, again andagain,andthesoundofhisfingernailsclawingweretheonlysoundintheroom.

Thecouncilmembersexchangedaworriedglance."My liege," another councilmanprompted, "if you choose not to surrender,

thenwemustfortifyKing'sCourtatonce.Wemustsecurealltheentrances,allthe roads, all thegates.Wemustcallupall the soldiers,preparedefenses.Wemustprepareforasiege, rationfood,protectourcitizens.There ismuchtobedone.Please,myLiege.Giveusacommand.Telluswhattodo.”

Onceagaintheroomfellsilent,asalleyesfixedonGareth.Finally,Garethliftedhischinandstaredout."WewillnotfighttheEmpire,"hedeclared."Norwillwesurrender.”Everyoneintheroomlookedateachother,confused."Thenwhatshallwedo,myliege?”Abertholasked.Garethclearedhisthroat."WeshallkillGwendolyn!”hedeclared.“Thatisallthatmattersnow.”Therefollowedashockedsilence."Gwendolyn?"acouncilmancalledoutinsurprise,astheroombrokeoutinto

anothersurprisedmurmur."Wewillsendallofourforcesafterher,toslaughterherandthosewithher

beforetheyreachSilesia,”Garethannounced."But, my Liege, how shall this help us?” a councilman called out. “If we

ventureouttoattackher,thatwillonlyleaveourforcesexposed.TheywouldallbesurroundedandslaughteredbytheEmpire.”

“ItwouldalsoleaveKing'sCourtopenforattack!”calledoutanother.“Ifwearenotgoingtosurrender,wemustfortifyKing'sCourtatonce!”

Agroupofmenshoutedinagreement.Garethturnedandlookedatthecouncilman,hiseyescold."Wewilluseeverymanwehavetokillmysister!”hesaiddarkly.“Wewill

notspareevenone!”Theroomfellsilentasacouncilmanpushedbackhischair,scrapingagainst

thestone,andstood."IwillnotseeKing'sCourtruinedforyourpersonalobsession.I,forone,am

notwithyou!”"NorI!"echoedhalfthemenintheroom.Garethfelthimselffumingwithrage,andwasabouttostandwhensuddenly

the doors to the chamber burst open and in rushed the commander of whatremainedof thearmy.Alleyeswereonhim.Hedraggedamaninhisarms,aruffianwithgreasyhair,unshaven,boundbyhiswrists.Hedraggedthemanallthewaytothecenteroftheroom,andstoppedbeforetheking.

"Myliege,"thecommandersaidcoldly."OfthesixthievesexecutedforthetheftoftheDestinySword,thismanwastheseventh,theonewhoescaped.Hetellsthemostfantasticaltaleofwhathappened.

“Speak!"thecommanderprodded,shakingtheruffian.Theruffianlookednervouslyineverydirection,hisgreasyhairclingingtohis

cheeks,lookingunsure.Finally,heyelledout:"Wewereorderedtostealthesword!”Theroombrokeoutintoanoutragedmurmur."Therewerenineteenofus!”theruffiancontinued.“Adozenweretotakeit

away, in the cover of darkness, across theCanyon bridge, and into thewilds.Theyhiditinawagonandescorteditacrossthebridge,sothesoldiersstandingguardwould have no ideawhatwas inside.The others, the seven of us,wereorderedtostaybehindafterthetheft.Weweretoldwewouldbeimprisoned,asashow,andthenletfree.Butinstead,myfriendswereallexecuted.Iwouldhavebeento,hadInotescaped.”

Theroombrokeoutintoalong,agitatedmurmur."Andwhereweretheytakingthesword?"thecommanderpressed."Idonotknow.SomewheredeepinsidetheEmpire.”"Andwhoorderedsuchathing?""He!" the ruffian said, suddenly turning and pointing a bony finger up at

Gareth."OurKing!Hecommandedustodoit!”The room broke out into a horrifiedmurmur, shouts arising, until finally a

councilmanslammedhisironstaffseveraltimesandscreamedforsilence.Theroomquieted,butbarely.Gareth,alreadyshakingwithfearandrage,stoodslowlyfromhisthrone,and

theroomquieted,asalleyesfellonhim.Onestepata time,Garethdescendedthe ivorysteps,his footstepsechoing,

thesilencesothickonecouldcutitwithaknife.Hecrossedthechamber,untilfinallyhereachedtheruffian.Hestaredbackat

him coldly, a foot away, theman squirming in the commander’s arm, looking

everywhichwaybutathim."Thievesandliarsaredealtwithonlyonewayinmykingdom,”Garethsaid

softly.Garethsuddenlypulledadaggerfromhiswaistandplungeditintheruffian's

heart.Themanscreamedoutinpain,hiseyesbulging,thensuddenlyslumpeddown

totheground,dead.ThecommanderlookedoveratGareth,scowlingdownathim.“Youhavejustmurderedawitnessagainstyou,"thecommandersaid."Don't

yourealizethatthatonlyservestofurtherinsinuateyourguilt?”"Whatwitness?"Garethasked,smiling.“Deadmendon'tspeak.”Thecommanderreddened."Lestyouforget,IamcommanderofthehalfoftheKing’sarmy.Iwillnotbe

playedforafool.Fromyouractions,Icanonlysurmisethatyouareguiltyofthecrimeheaccusedyouof.Assuch,Iandmyarmyshallserveyounolonger.Infact,Iwilltakeyouintocustody,onthegroundsoftreasontotheRing!”

Thecommandernoddedtohismen,andasone,severaldozensoldiersdrewtheirswordsandsteppedforwardtoarrestGareth.

LordKultincameforwardwith twiceasmanyofhisownmen,alldrawingtheirswordsandwalkingupbehindGareth.

They stood there, facing off with the commander’s soldiers, Gareth in themiddle.

Gareth smiled triumphantly back at the commander. His men wereoutnumberedbyGareth’sfightingforce,andheknewit.

"Iwillgointonoone’scustody,”Garethsneered.“Andcertainlynotbyyourhand. Take yourmen and leavemy court—ormeet thewrath ofmy personalfightingforce."

Afterseveraltenseseconds,thecommanderfinallyturnedandgesturedtohismen, and as one, they all retreated,walkingwarily backwards, swords drawn,fromtheroom.

"Fromthisdayforward,” thecommanderboomed,“let itbeknownthatwenolongerserveyou!YouwillfacetheEmpire'sarmyonyourown.Ihopetheytreatyouwell.Betterthanyoutreatedyourfather!”

Thesoldiersallstormedfromtheroom,inagreatclangofarmor.The dozens of councilmen and attendants and noblemenwho remained all

stoodinthesilence,whispering."Leaveme!”Garethscreamed.“ALLOFYOU!”All thepeople left in thechamberquicklyfiledout, includingGareth’sown

fightingforceleft.

Onlyonepersonremained,lingeringbehindtheothers.LordKultin.Just he and Gareth were alone in the room, and he walked up to Gareth,

stoppingafewfeetaway,andexaminedhim,asifsumminghimup.Asusual,hisfacewasexpressionless.Itwasthetruefaceofamercenary.

"Idon'tcarewhatyoudidorwhy,”hebegan,hisvoicegravellyanddark.“Idon’tcareaboutpolitics. I'ma fighter. I careonly for themoneyyoupayme,andmymen.”

Hepaused.“Yet Iwould like to know, formyownpersonal satisfaction: did you truly

orderthosementotaketheswordaway?"Gareth stared back at the man. There was something in his eyes that he

recognizedinhimself:theywerecold,remorseless,opportunistic.“AndifIdid?”Garethaskedback.LordKultinstaredbackforalongtime.“Butwhy?”heasked.Garethstaredback,silent.Kultin’seyeswidenedinrecognition.“Youcouldn’twieldit,sonoonecould?”askedKultin.“Isthatit?”“Yet even so,”Kultin added, “surelyyouknew that sending it awaywould

lowertheshield,makeusvulnerabletoattack.”Kultin’seyesopenedwider.“Youwantedustobeattacked,didn’tyou?SomethinginyouwantedKing’s

Courtdestroyed,”hesaid,suddenlyrealizing.Garethsmiledback.“Notallplaces,”Garethsaidslowly,“aremeanttolastforever.”

CHAPTERFIVE

Gwendolyn marched with the huge entourage of soldiers, advisors,attendants,councilors,Silver,Legion,andhalfofKing’sCourt,astheyallmadetheir way—one huge, walking city—away from King's Court. Gwen wasoverwhelmedwithemotion.Ontheonehand,shewasthrilledtofinallybefreefromherbrotherGareth,tobefarfromhisreach,surroundedbytrustedwarriorswho could protect her, with no fear of his treachery, of being married off toanyone.Finally, shewould not have towatch her back everywakingmomentfromfearofoneofhisassassins.

Gwenalsofelt inspiredandhumbled tobechosen to rule, to lead thishugecontingentofpeople.Thehugeentouragefollowedherasifsheweresomesortof prophet, allmarching on the endless road to Silesia. They sawher as theirruler—she could see it in their every glance—looked to herwith expectation.Shefeltguilty,wantingoneofherbrotherstohavethehonor—anyonebuther.Yetshesawhowmuchhopeitgavethepeopletohaveafairandjustleader,andthatmadeherhappy. If shecould fulfill that role for them,especially in thesedarktimes,shewould.

GwenthoughtofThor,oftheirtearygoodbyeattheCanyon,anditbrokeherheart; she saw him disappearing, walking across the Canyon bridge, into themist,onhiswayforajourneythatwouldalmostsurelyleadtohisdeath.Itwasavaliantandnoblequest—oneshecouldnotdenyhim—onesheknewthathadtobetaken,forthesakeofthekingdom,forthesakeoftheRing.Yetshealsokeptaskingherselfwhyithadtobehim.Shewisheditcouldbeanyoneelse.Now,more than ever, shewanted him by her side. In this time of turmoil, of hugetransition, as shewas left all alone to rule, to carry his child, shewantedhimhere. More than anything, she worried for him. She could not imagine lifewithouthim;thethoughtofitmadeherwanttocry.

ButGwenbreatheddeepandstayedstrong,knowingthatalleyeswereonheras they marched, an endless caravan on this dusty road, heading ever fartherNorth,towardsthedistantSilesia.

Gwenwasalsostill inshock,tornapartforherhomeland.Shecouldhardlyfathom that the ancientShieldwasdown, that theCanyonhadbeenbreached.Rumors had been circulating from distant spies that Andronicus had alreadylandedonMcCloud’sshores.Shecouldnotbecertainwhattobelieve.Shehada

hard time fathoming that it could have happened so quickly—after all,Andronicus would still have to send his entire fleet across the ocean. UnlesssomehowMcCloudhadbeenbehindthetheftofthesword,andhadorchestratedthedowningof theShield.Buthow?Howhadhemanaged to steal it?Wherewashetakingit?

Gwencouldfeelhowdejectedeveryonewasaroundher,andshecouldhardlyblamethem.Therewasanairofdespondencyamongthiscrowd,andforgoodreason;withouttheshield,theywerealldefenseless.Itwasonlyamatteroftime—ifnottoday,thentomorroworthedayafter—thatAndronicuswouldinvade.Andwhenhedid, therewas noway they couldhold backhismen.Soon thisplace, everything shehadgrown to loveandcherish,wouldbeconqueredandeveryoneshelovedwouldbekilled.

Astheymarched,itwasasiftheyweremarchingtotheirdeaths.Andronicuswas not here yet, but it was as if they had all already been captured in theirhearts.Sherecalledsomethingherfatheroncesaid:conqueranarmy’sheart,andthebattleisalreadywon.

Gwenknewitwasuptohertoinspirethemall,tomakethemfeelasenseofsafety,ofsecurity—somehow,even,ofoptimism.Shewasdeterminedtodoso.Shecouldnotletherpersonalfearsorasenseofpessimismovercomeheratatimelikethis.Andsherefusedtoallowherselftowallowinself-pity.Thiswasno longer just about her. Itwas about these people, their lives, their families.Theyneededher.Theywerealllookingtoherforhelp.

Gwen thought of her father, andwonderedwhat hewould do. Itmade hersmile to thinkofhim.Hewouldhaveputonabraveface,nomatterwhat.Hehadalways toldher tohidefearwithbluster,andasshe thoughtbackon ithehadneverseemedafraid.Notonce.Perhapsitwasjustshow;butitwasagoodshow.Asleader,hehadknownhewasondisplayatalltimes,hadknownthatitwastheshowthatpeopleneeded,perhapsevenmorethantheleadership.Hewastooselflesstoindulgeinhisfears.Shewouldlearnfromhisexample.Shewouldnoteither.

GwenlookedaroundandsawGodfreymarchingbesideher,andbesidehimIllepra,thehealer;thesetwowereengagedinconversation,andthetwoofthem,she had noticed, seemed to take an ever-increasing liking to each other, eversince Illeprahadsavedhis life.Gwen longedforherothersiblings tobehere,too.ButReecewasgonewithThor,Garethofcoursewasgonefromherforever,and Kendrick was still in his outpost, somewhere in the east, still helping torebuild that remote town. She had sent amessenger for him—it had been thefirstthingshehaddone—andsheprayedhewouldreachhimintimetoretrievehim,bringhimtoSilesiatobewithherandhelpdefendit.Atleast,then,twoof

hersiblings—KendrickandGodfrey—wouldtakerefugeinSilesiawithher;thataccountedforallofthem.Except,ofcourse,forheroldestsister,Luanda.

Forthefirsttimeinalongtime,Gwen'sthoughtsturnedtoLuanda.Shehadalwayshadabitterrivalrywithheroldersister;ithadnotsurprisedGwenintheleast thatLuandahadtakenthefirstchanceshecouldtofleeKing'sCourtandmarrythatMcCloud.Luandahadalwaysbeenambitiousandhadalwayswantedtobe first.Gwendolynhad lovedher,andhad lookedup toherwhenshewasyounger; butLuanda, ever competitive, hadnot returned the love.Andafter awhile,Gwenhadstoppedtrying.

YetnowGwenfeltbadforher;shewonderedwhathadbecomeofher,withtheMcCloudsinvadedbyAndronicus.Wouldshebekilled?Gwenshudderedatthe thought.Theywererivals,butat theendof theday, theywerestill sisters,andshedidnotwanttoseeherdeadbeforehertime.

Gwenthoughtofhermother,theonlyotheroneleftinherfamilyoutthere,stranded atKing'sCourt,withGareth, still in her state.The thoughtmadehercold.Despitealltheangershestillhadforhermother,Gwendidnotwanthertoendup likeshedid.Whatwouldhappen ifKing'sCourtwereoverrun?Wouldhermotherbeslaughtered?

Gwencouldnothelpbutfeelas ifhercarefullybuilt-uplifewascollapsingaround her. It seemed like only yesterday that it was the height of summer,Luanda’swedding,agloriousfeast,King’sCourtoverflowingwithabundance,sheandher familyall together, celebrating—and theRing impregnable. Ithadseemedasifitwouldlastforever.

Noweverythinghadsplinteredapart.Nothingwasasitoncehadbeen.A cold autumn breeze picked up, and Gwen pulled her blue wool sweater

tightoverhershoulders.Fallhadbeentooshortthisyear,andwinterwasalreadycoming. She could feel the icy breezes, getting heavierwithmoisture as theyheaderfartherNorthalongtheCanyon.Theskywasgrowingdarkersooner,andthe airwas filledwith a new sound--the cry of theWinterBirds, the red andblack vultures that circled low when the temperature dropped. They cawedincessantly,andthesoundsometimesgratedonGwen.Itwaslikethesoundofdeathcoming.

Since saying goodbye to Thor they had all headed alongside the Canyon,following it North, knowing it would take them to western-most city in thewesternpartoftheRing—Silesia.Astheywent,theCanyon’seeriemistrolledoffitinwaves,clingingtoGwen’sankles.

“Wearenotfarnow,mylady,"camethevoice.Gwen looked over to see Srog standing on her other side, dressed in the

distinctiveredarmorofSilesiaandflankedbyseveralofhiswarriors,alldressed

intheirredchainmailandboots.GwenhadbeentouchedbySrog’skindnesstoher, by his loyalty to the memory of her father, by his offering Silesia as arefuge.She did not knowwhat she, and all of these people,would have doneotherwise.Theywouldstill,evennow,bestuckinKing'sCourt,atthemercyofGareth’streachery.

Srogwasoneofthemosthonorablelordsshehadevermet.Withthousandsofsoldiersathisdisposal,withhiscontrolofthefamedstrongholdoftheWest,Silesia,Sroghadnotneededtopayhomagetoanyone.Buthepaidhomagetoher father. It had always been a delicate power balance. In the times of herfather’s father, Silesia had neededKing’sCourt; in her father’s times, less so;andinhertime,notatall.Infact,withtheloweringoftheShieldandthechaosatKing’sCourt, theywere theoneswhoneededSilesia.Of course, theSilverandLegionwerethefinestwarriorstherewere—aswerethethousandsoftroopsaccompanyingGwen,thatcomprisedhalfoftheKing'sarmy.YetSrog,likemostotherlords,couldhavesimplyloweredhisgatesandlookedafterhisown.

Instead,hehadsoughtGwenout,hadpaidallegiancetoher,andhadinsistedonhostingallof them.IthadbeenakindnesswhichGwenwasdetermined tosomehow,oneday,repay.Thatis,iftheyallsurvived.

"Youneednotworry," she replied softly, layingagentlehandonhiswrist."We would march to the ends of the earth to enter your city. We are mostfortunateforyourkindnessinthisdifficulttime.”

Srogsmiled.Amiddle-agedwarriorwithtoomanylinesetchedintohisfacefrombattle,red-brownishhair,astrongjawlineandnobeard,Srogwasaman'sman,notonlyaLord,butatruewarrior.

"Foryourfather,Iwouldwalkthroughfire,"heresponded."Thanksarenotinorder. It is a great honor to be able to repaymydebt to him in service of hisdaughter.After all, itwas hiswish that you should rule. Sowhen I answer toyou,Ianswertohim.”

NearGwenalsomarchedKolkandBrom,andbehindthemallwastheever-present clatter of thousands of spurs, of swords jingling in their scabbards, ofshields brushing up against armor. Itwas a huge cacophonyof noise, headingfartherandfarthernorthalongtheCanyon'sedge.

"Mylady,"Kolksaid,"Iamburdenedbyguilt.Weshouldn’thaveletThor,Reece and theothersheadout alone into theEmpire.Moreofus shouldhavevolunteeredtogowiththem.Itwillbeonmyheadifanythingshouldhappentothem."

“It was the quest they chose," Gwen responded. "It was a quest of honor.Whoeverwasmeanttogo,hasgone.Guiltdoesnooneanygood.”

"Andwhatshouldhappeniftheydon'treturnintimewiththeSword?”Srog

asked.“Itwon’tbelonguntilAndronicus’armyappearsatourgates.”"Then we shall make a stand," Gwen said confidently, raising as much

courageinhervoiceasshecould,hopingtoputothersatease.Shenoticedtheothergeneralsturnandlookather.

"Wewilldefenduntilthelastblow,”sheadded.“Therewillbenoretreat,nosurrender.”

She sensed the generals were impressed. She was impressed by her ownvoice,thestrengthrisingupwithinher,surprisingevenher.Itwasthestrengthofherfather,ofsevengenerationsofMacGilkings.

Astheycontinuedtomarch,theroadcurvedsharplytotheleft,andasGwenturnedthecornershestoppedinhertracks,breathlessatthesite.

Silesia.Gwenrememberedherfathertakingherontripshere,whenshewasayoung

girl. Itwas a place that lingred in her dreams ever since, a place that had feltmagicmagicaltoherthen.Now,layinghereyesonitasagrownwoman,itstillfeltmagical.Ittookherbreathaway.

SilesiawasthemostunusualcityGwenhadeverseen.Allof thebuildings,all of the fortifications, all of the stone—everything was built of an ancient,shiningred.TheupperhalfSilesia,tall,vertical,repletewithparapetsandspires,wasbuiltonthemainland,whilethelowerhalfwasbuiltdownbelow,intotheside of the Canyon. The swirling mists of the Canyon blew in and out,envelopingit,makingtheredshineandsparkleinthelight—andmakingitseemasifitwerebuiltintheclouds.

Itsfortificationsroseahundredfeet,crownedinparapetsandbackedbyanendless row of walls. The place was a fortress. Even if an army somehowbreached itswalls, it stillwouldhave todescend to the lowerhalf of the city,straightdownthecliffs,andfightontheedgeoftheCanyon.Itwasclearlyawarthatnoinvadingarmywouldwanttowage.Whichwaswhythiscityhadstoodforathousandyears.

Hermenstoppedandgaped,andGwencouldfeelthattheywereallinawe,too.

Forthefirsttimeinawhile,Gwenfeltasenseofoptimism.Thiswasaplacetheycould stay, away fromGareth's reach, aplace theycoulddefend.Aplacewhereshecouldrule.Andmaybe—justmaybe—theMacGilkingdomcouldriseagain.

Srogstoodthere,handsonhiships,takingitall inasifseeinghisowncityforthefirsttime,hiseyesshiningwithpride.

"WelcometoSilesia."

CHAPTERSIX

Thoropenedhiseyesatthecrackofdawntoseethegentlyrollingwavesoftheocean,risingandfallinginhugecrests,blanketedbythesoftlightofthefirstsun.ThelightyellowwateroftheTartuviansparkledinthemorningmist.Theshippedbobbedsilently in thewater, theonly sound thatof the lappingof thewavesagainstitshull.

Thor sat up and looked around. His eyes were heavy with exhaustion—infact,hehadneverfeltthistiredinhislife.Theyhadbeensailingfordays,andeverything here, on this side of theworld, felt different. The airwas so thickwith humidity, the temperature so much warmer, it was like breathing in aconstantstreamofwater.Itmadehimfeelsluggish,madehislimbsfeelheavy.HefeltasifhehadarrivedatSummer.

Thorlookedaroundandsawthatallofhisfriends,normallyupbeforedawn,wereallslumpedonthedeck,sleeping.EvenKrohn,alwaysawake,wasasleepbesidehim.Thethicktropicalweatherhadaffectedthemall.Noneofthemevenbothered toman thewheel anymore—they had given that up days ago.Therewasnopoint:theirsailswerealwaysatfullmastwithadrivingwesterlywind,andthemagicaltidesofthisoceanconstantlypulledtheirshipinonedirection.Itwasas if theywerebeingpulled toone location, and theyhad tried severaltimes to steer or change course—but it was useless. They had all becomeresignedtolettheTartuviantakethemwhereitwould.

It'snot like theyknewwhere in theEmpire togoanyway,Thormused.Aslongasthetidestookthemtodryland,hefigured,thatwouldbegoodenough.

Krohnroused,whining,andleanedupandlickedThor’sface.Thorreachedintohissack,nearlyempty,andgaveThorthelastofhisdriedmeatsticks.ToThor’ssurprise,Krohndidnotsnatchitfromhishand,asheusuallydid;instead,Krohn looked at it, looked at the empty sack, then looked back at Thormeaningfully.Hehesitatedtotakethefood,andThorrealizedthatKrohndidn’twanttotakethelastpiecefromhim.

Thorwas touchedby thegesture,buthe insisted,pushing themeat intohisfriend’smouth.Thorknewtheywouldbeoutoffoodsoon,andprayedthattheyreachedland.Hehadnoideahowmuchlongerthejourneycouldtake;whatifittookmonths?Howwouldtheyeat?

Thesunrosequicklyhere,growingbrightandstrong tooquickly,andThor

stoodasthemistbegantoburnoffofthewaterandhewenttothebow.Thor stood there and lookedout, thedeck rockinggentlybeneathhim, and

watchedasthemistrose.Heblinked,wonderingifhewereseeingthings,astheoutline of a distant land appearedon the horizon.His pulse quickened. Itwasland.Realland!

The land appeared in a most unusual shape: two long, narrow peninsulasstuckoutintothesea,liketwoendsofapitchfork,andasthemistlifted,Thorlooked tohis leftandrightandwasamazed tosee twostripsof landoneithersideofthem,eachaboutfiftyyardsoff.Theywerebeingsuckedrightdownthemiddleofalonginlet.

Thorwhistled, and his Legion brothers arose. They scrambled to their feetandhurriedoverbesidehim,standingatthebow,lookingout.

Theyallstoodthere,breathlessatthesite:theshoreswerethemostexotichehad ever seen, densely packed with jungle, soaring trees clinging to theshoreline,sothickthatitwasimpossibletoseebeyondthem.Thorspottedhugeferns, thirtyfeet tall, leaningoverthewater;helookedupandsawyellowandpurple trees that seemed to reach into thesky;andeverywhere, therewere theforeignandpersistentnoisesofbeasts,birds,insectsandhedidnotknowwhatelse,snarlingandcryingandsinging.

Thorswallowedhard.Hefeltasiftheywereenteringanimpenetrableanimalkingdom. Everything felt different here; the air smelled different, foreign.NothinghereremotelyremindedhimoftheRing.TheotherLegionmembersallturnedandlookedateachother,andThorcouldseethehesitationintheireyes.Theyallwonderedwhatcreatureslayinwaitfortheminsidethatjungle.

Itwas not as if they had a choice.The current brought themoneway, andclearlythiswaswheretheyneededtodisembarktoentertheEmpire’slands.

"Overhere!"O'Connoryelled.TheyrushedtoO’Connor’ssideoftherailing,asheleanedoverandpointed

down at thewater. There, swimming alongside the ship,was a huge insect, aluminescentpurple, tenfeet long,withhundredsof legs.Itglowedbeneaththewaves, thenscurriedalongthewater’ssurface;asitdid, its thousandsofsmallwings startedbuzzing, and it lifted just above thewater.Then itwentback toglidingalongthesurface,thenitplungedbelow.Thenitrepeatedtheprocessalloveragain.

Astheywatched,itsuddenlyroseup,higherintheair,toeyelevelwiththeboys,hovering,staringatthemwithitsfourlargegreeneyes.Ithissed,andtheyalljumpedbackinvoluntarily,reachingfortheirswords.

Eldensteppedforwardandswungatit.Butbythetimehisswordreachedtheair,itwasalreadybackinthewater.

Thorandtheotherswentflying,crashingonthedeck,astheirboatcametoasuddenstop,lodgingitselfonshorewithajolt.

Thor's heart beat faster as he looked over the edge: beneath them was anarrowbeachmadeupofthousandsofsmalljaggedrocks,brightpurpleincolor.

Land.Theyhadmadeit.Eldenleadthewaytotheanchor,andtheyallhoisteditanddroppeditover

the edge. They each climbed down the chain, jumping off it and landing onshore,ThorhandingKrohntoEldenashewent.

Thorsighedashisfeettouchedtheground.Itfeltsogoodtohaveland—dry,steady land—beneath his feet.Hewouldbe fine if he never set sail on a shipagain.

They all grabbed the ropes and dragged the boat as far onto shore as theycould.

"Doyou think the tideswill take it away?"Reece asked, lookingup at theboat.

Thorlookedatit;itseemedsecureinthesand.“Notwiththatanchor,”Eldensaid."The tidewon’t take it,"O’Connorsaid."Thequestion iswhethersomeone

elsewill.”Thor took one long last look at the ship, and realized his friendwas right.

Eveniftheyfoundthesword,theymightverywellreturntoanemptyshore."Andthenhowwillwegetback?"Convalasked.Thorcouldnothelpbutfeelas if,everystepof theway, theywereburning

theirbridges."Weshallfindaway,"Thorsaid.“Afterall,theremustbeothershipsinthe

Empire,right?"Thortriedtosoundauthoritative, toreassurehisfriends.Butdeepdown,he

wasnotsosurehimself.Thisentirejourneywasfeelingincreasinglyominoustohim.

Asone,theyturnedandfacedthejungle,staringatit.Itwasawalloffoliage,blacknessbehindit.Theanimalnoisesroseupinacacophonyallaroundthem,soloudthatThorcouldhardlyhearhimselfthink.ItfeltasifeverybeastoftheEmpirewasscreamingouttogreetthem.

Ortowarnthem.*

Thor and the others hiked side-by-side, warily, each of them on guard,throughthethick,tropicaljungle.ItwashardforThortohearhimselfthink,sopersistent were the screams and cries of the orchestra of insects and animalsaroundhim.Yetwhenhelookedintotheblacknessofthefoliage,hecouldnot

spotthem.Krohnwalkedathisheels,snarling,thehairstandingonhisback.Thorhad

neverseenhimsoalert.Helookedoverathisbrothers-in-arms,andsaweach,likehe,withahandrestingonthehiltofhissword,allofthemon-edge,too.

Theyhadbeenhikingforhoursnow,deeperanddeeper into the jungle, theair becoming hotter and thicker, more humid, heavier to breathe. They hadfollowedthe tracesofwhatappearedtooncebea trail,afewbrokenbrancheshintingatthepaththegroupofmenwhohadarrivedheremayhavetaken.Thoronlyhopedthatitwasthetrailofthegroupwhohadstolenthesword.

Thor looked up, in awe of the nature: everything was overgrown to epicproportion,everyleafasbigasThor.Hefeltlikeaninsectinalandofgiants.Hesaw something rustling behind some of the leaves, but couldn’t actually seeanything.Hehadtheominousfeelingthattheywerebeingwatched.

The trail before them suddenly ended in a solid wall of foliage. They allstoppedandlookedateachother,puzzled.

"Butthetrailcan'tjustdisappear!"O'Connorsaid,hopeless."Itdidn't,"Reecesaid,examiningtheleaves."Thejungle justgrewbackon

itself.”"Sowhichwaynow?"Convalasked.Thor turned and looked all around, wondering the same thing. In every

directionwasjustmoreofthedensefoliage,andthereseemedtobenowayout.Thorwasbeginningtohaveasinkingfeeling,andfeltincreasinglylost.

Thenhehadanidea.“Krohn,"hesaid,kneelingdownandwhisperinginKrohn'sear."Climbthat

tree.Lookforus.Telluswhichwaytogo.”Krohnlookedupathimwithhissoulfuleyes,andThorfeltheunderstood.Krohn sprinted for an enormous tree, the trunk as wide as ten men, and

withouthesitatingpouncedonitandclawedhiswayup.Krohnsprintedstraightupthenleaptoutontooneofthehighestbranches.Hewalkedouttoitstipandlooked out, his ears standing straight. Thor had always sensed that Krohnunderstoodhim,andnowheknewforcertainthathedid.

Krohnleanedbackandmadeastrangepurringnoiseinthebackofhisthroat,then scurried back down the trunk and took off in one direction. The boysexchangedacuriouslook,thenallturnedandfollowedKrohn,headingoffintothatpartofthejungle,pushingbackthethickleavessotheycouldwalk.

Afterafewminutesoffollowinghim,Thorwasrelievedtoseethetrailpickupagain, the telltalesignsofbrokenbranchesandfoliageshowingwhichwaythe group hadwent. Thor leaned down and pattedKrohn, kissing him on thehead.

"Idon’tknowwhatwewouldhavedonewithouthim,"Reecesaid.“NordoI,"Thorresponded.Krohnpurred,satisfied,proud.Astheycontinueddeeperintothejungle,twistingandturning,theycametoa

stretchofnewfoliage,withflowersallaroundthem,enormous,thesizeofThor,bursting with every color. Other trees had fruits the size of boulders hangingfromthebranches.

They all stopped in wonder as Conval walked over to one of the fruits,glowingred,andreacheduptotouchit.

Suddenly,therecameadeep,growlingnoise.Convalbackedawayandgrabbedhissword,andtheothersalllookedateach

otheranxiously."Whatwasthat?"Convalasked."Itcamefromoverthere,”Reecesaid,gesturingtoanotherpartofthejungle.They all turned and looked.But Thor could see nothing but leaves.Krohn

snarledbackatit.The noise grew louder, more persistent, and finally, the branches began to

rustle. Thor and the others took a step back, drawing their swords, and theywaited,expectingtheworst.

What stepped forward from the jungle exceeded even Thor's worstexpectations. Standing there before them was an enormous insect, five timesThor’ssize,resemblingaprayingmantis,withtworear legs, twosmallerfrontlegs thatdangled in theair,and longclawsat theendof them. Itsbodywasafluorescentgreen,covered inscales,and ithadsmallwingswhichbuzzedandvibrated.Ithadtwoeyesatthetopofitshead,andathirdeyeonthetipofitsnose.ItreachedaroundandrevealedmoreclawswhichThorhadn'tseen,hiddenunderitsthroat,whichvibratedandsnapped.

It stood there, towering over them, and another claw came out from itsstomach,alongskinnyarm,protruding;suddenly,fasterthananyofthemcouldreact, it reached out and snatched O'Connor, its three claws expanding andwrappingaroundhiswaist.Itliftedhimhighintheair,asifhewerealeaf.

O'Connor swung his sword, but he was nowhere near quick enough. Thebeast shookhimseveral times, then suddenlyopened itsmouth, revealing rowafter row of sharp teeth, turned O'Connor sideways, and began to lower himtowardsit.

O'Connorshrieked,asaninstantandpainfuldeathloomed.Thorreacted.Withoutthinking,heplacedastoneinhissling, tookaimand

hurleditatthebeast’sthirdeye,atthetipofitsnose.Itwasadirectstrike.Thebeastshrieked,anawfulnoise,loudenoughtosplit

a tree, then droppedO'Connor, who fell end over end and landed on the softjunglefloorwithathump.

Thebeast,enraged,thenturneditssightsonThor.Thorknewthatmakingastandandfightingthiscreaturewouldbefutile.At

leastoneofhisbrotherswouldgetkilled, and likelyKrohn, too, and itwoulddrainwhateverpreciousenergytheyhad.Hefelt thatmaybetheyhadintrudedonitsterritory,andthatiftheycouldgetoutoftherequickenough,itmightjustleavethembe.

"RUN!"Thorscreamed.Theyturnedandran—andthebeastbegantochaseafterthem.Thor could hear the sound of the beast’s nails cutting through the dense

foliagerightbehindthem,slicingthroughtheairandmissinghisheadbyafewfeet.Shreddedleavesflewupintotheairandraineddownaroundhim.Theyallranasone,andThorfeltthatiftheycouldjustgainenoughdistance,theycouldfindawaytotakeshelter.Ifnot,thentheywouldhavetomakeastand.

ButReecesuddenlyslippedbesidehim,fallingoverabranch,face-firstintothe foliage, and Thor knew he wouldn’t get up in time. Thor stopped besidethem,drewhissword,andstoodbetweenhimandthebeast.

“KEEPRUNNING!"Thoryelledoverhisshouldertotheothers,ashestoodthere,readytodefendReece.

Thebeastlungedforhim,shrieking,andswungitsclawforThor'sface.Thorduckedand swunghis swordat the same time, and thebeast letout ahorrificshriekasThorchoppedoffoneofitsclaws.AgreenfluidsprayedalloverThor,and he looked up andwatched in horror as the beast re-grew its claw just asquicklyasithadlostit.ItwasasifThorhadneverinjuredit.

Thorswallowed.Thiswouldbeanimpossiblebeasttokill.Andnowhehadangeredit.

Thebeast swipeddownwithyet another arm, comingout fromsomewhereelse on its body, and swiped Thor hard in the ribs, sending him flying andlandinginaclumpoftrees.ThebeastthenloweredanotherclawforThor,andThorknewhewasintrouble.

Elden,O'Connorandthetwinsrushedforward,andasthebeastcamedownwithanotherclawforThor,O'Connorfiredanarrowintoitsmouth,lodginginthe back of its throat, making it shriek. Elden took his two-handed ax andbrought it down on the beast’s back, while Conven and Conval each threw aspear,lodgingoneachsideofitsthroat.Reeceregainedhisfeetandplungedhissword into the beast’s belly. Thor regained his feet and swung his sword atanotherofthebeast’sarms,choppingitoff.AndKrohnjoinedthem,leapingintotheairandsinkinghisfangsintoitsthroat.

Thebeast letoutshriekaftershriek,as theyalldidmoredamagethanThorthought possible. Itwas incredible toThor that itwas still standing, itswingsstillvibrating.Thisbeastjustwouldnotdie.

Theyallwatchedinhorroras,oneatatime,thebeastreachedoverandpulledoutthespearsandswordsandtheaxelodgedinit—andasitdid,itsinjuriesallhealedbeforetheireyes.

Thisbeastwasundefeatable.Thebeast leanedbackandroared,andallofThor’sLegionbrothers looked

upinshock.Theyhadallgiveniteverythingtheyhad,anditwouldn’tevendentit.

The beast prepared to lunge at them again, with its razor sharp jaws andclaws, andThor realized therewas nothing else they could do. Theywere allgoingtodie.

“OUTOFTHEWAY!"cameasuddenscream.The voice came from behindThor, and it sounded like the voice of a boy.

Thor turned to see a small boy, perhaps eleven, run up behind them, carryingwhatappearedtobeajugofwater.Thorduckedandtheboythrewupthewater,splashingitalloverthebeast'sface.

Thebeastleanedbackandscreeched,steamrisingfromitsface,reachingupwith itsclawsand tearingat itscheek, itseyes, itshead. It shriekedagainandagain,thenoisesoloudthatThorhadtoholdhishandsoverhisears.

Finally,thebeastturnedanddartedaway,backintothejungle,gettinglostinthefoliage.

They all turned and looked at the boy with a new sense of wonder andappreciation. Dressed in rags, with longish brown hair and bright-green,intelligenteyes, theboywascovered indirt,andhe looked, fromhisbarefeetanddirtyhands,asifhelivedouthere.

Thorhadneverbeenmoregratefultoanyone."Weaponswon’thurtaGathorbeast," theboysaid, rollinghiseyes. "Lucky

foryouIheardtheshrieksandwasclose.Ifnot,you’dbedeadbynow.Don’tyouknowthatyouneverconfrontaGathorbeast?”

Thorlookedathisfriends,allatalossforwords.“Wedidn’tconfrontit,”Eldensaid.“Itconfrontedus.”“Theydon’tconfrontyou,”theboysaid,“unlessyouintrudeonitsterritory.”"Whatwerewesupposedtodo?"Reeceasked."Well,never look it in theeye forone," theboysaid."And if itattacks, lie

facedownuntilitleavesyoube.Andmostofall,don’tevertrytorun.”Thorsteppedforwardandlaidahandontheboy'sshoulder."Yousavedourlives,"hesaid.“Weoweyouagreatdebt.”

Theboyshrugged."Youdon'tlooklikeEmpiretroops,”hesaid.“Youlooklikeyoucamefrom

somewhereelseintheworld.Sowhywouldn’tIhelpyou?Youseemtohavethemarkingsofthatgroupthatcamefromtheshipsomedaysago."

Thorandtheothersexchangedaknowingglance,andturnedtotheboy."Doyouknowwherethisgroupwent?"Thorasked.Theboyshrugged."Itwasalargegroup,andtheywerecarryingaweapon.Itseemedheavy:it

tookall of them to carry it. I tracked them fordays.Theywere easy to track.They were slow-moving. They were also sloppy, and careless. I know wheretheywent,thoughIdidn'ttrackthemmuchbeyondthevillage.Icanbringyouthereandpointyouintherightdirection,ifyoulike.Butnottoday.”

Theothersexchangedapuzzledlook."Whynot?"Thorasked."Nightfallsinbutafewhours.Youcan’tbeoutsideafterdark.”"Butwhy?”Reeceasked.Theboylookedathimasifhewerecrazy.“TheEthabugs,”hesaid.Thorsteppedforwardandlookedat theboy.Helikedthisboyimmediately.

Hewasintelligent,earnest,fearless,andhadalotofheart."Doyouknowaplacewherewecantakeshelterforthenight?”The boy looked back at Thor, then shrugged, looking uncertain. He stood

there,wavering."Idon’tthinkIshould,"hesaid."Grandpawillgetmad.”Krohn suddenlyemerged frombehindThor, andwalked towards theboy—

andtheboy'seyeslitupindelight."Wow!"theboyexclaimed.Krohnlickedtheboy’sface,againandagain,andtheboygiggledindelight

andreachedupandstrokedKrohn’shead.Thentheboykneltdown,loweredhisspear, and hugged Krohn. Krohn seemed to hugged him back, and the boylaughedhysterically.

“What’shisname?”theboyasked.“Whatishe?”“His name is Krohn,” Thor said, smiling. “He is a rare white leopard. He

comesfromtheothersideoftheocean.FromtheRing.Wherewearefrom.Helikesyou.”

The boy kissed Krohn several times, and finally stood and looked back atThor.

"Well,” the boy said, wavering, “I guess I can bring you to our village.Hopefullygrandpawon'tgettoomad.Ifhedoes,you'reoutofluck.Followme.

Wehavetohurry.Itwillbenightsoon.”Theboyturnedandquicklyweavedhiswaythroughthejungle,andThorand

the others followed. Thor was amazed at the boy’s dexterity, at how well heknewthejungle.Itwashardtokeepup.

"Peoplecomethroughherefromtimetotime,”theboysaid.“Theocean,thetides,itleadsthemrightintotheharbor.Somepeoplecomefromtheseaandcutthroughhere,on theirwaysomewhereelse.Mostof themdon'tmake it.Theygeteatenbysomethingorotherinthejungle.Youguyswerelucky.TherealotworsethingsherethanthatGatherbeast.”

Thorswallowed."Worsethanthat?Likewhat?”Theboyshookhishead,continuingtohike."Youdon’twanttoknow.I'veseensomeprettyawfulthingshere.”“Howlonghaveyoubeenhere?”Thorasked,curious."Mywholelife,"theboysaid."MygrandpamoveduswhenIwaslittle.”“Butwhyhere,inthisplace?Surelytheremustbemorehospitableplaces.”“You don’t know the Empire, do you?” the boy asked. “The troops are

everywhere.It’snotsoeasytostayoutoftheirsite.Iftheyevercatchus,theycaptureusasslaves.Theyrarelycomeouthere—notthisdeepinthejungle.”

Astheycutthroughathickpatchoffoliage,Thorreacheduptobrushaleafoutofhisway,buttheboyturnedandshovedThor’shand,screaming:

“DON’TTOUCHTHAT!”Theyallstopped,andThorlookedoverattheleafhe’dalmosttouched.Itwas

largeandyellow,andseemedinnocentenough.Theboyreachedoutwithhisstickandgentlytouchedthetipofit;ashedid,

theleafsuddenlywrappeditselfaroundthestick, incrediblyfast,andahissingnoisefollowed,asthetipofthestickevaporated.

Thorwasshocked."ARankleleaf,"theboysaid."Poison.Ifyoutouchedit,you’dbemissinga

handrightnow.”Thorlookedaroundatallthefoliagewithanewrespect.Hemarveledathow

luckytheyhadbeentoencounterthisboy.Theycontinuedontheirhike,Thorkeepinghishandsclosetohisbody,asdid

theothers,andtryingtobemorecarefulabouteverywheretheystepped."Stay close to each other and follow my footsteps exactly," the boy said.

"Don'ttouchanything.Don'ttrytoeatthosefruits.Anddon'tsmellthoseflowerseither—unlessyouwanttopassout.”

“Hey, what's that?" O'Connor asked, turning and looking at a huge fruitdanglingfromabranch,longandnarrow,aglisteningyellow.O'Connortooka

steptowardsit,reachingout."NO!"theboyscreamed.Butitwastoolate.Ashetouchedit,thegroundgivewaybeneathallofthem,

andThor felthimself sliding, racingdownahill runningwithmudandwater.Theywerestuckonamudslideandtheycouldnotstop.

Theyallscreamedastheyslidinthemud,hundredsoffeet,straightdowntotheblackdepthsofthejungle.

CHAPTERSEVEN

Erec sat on his horse, breathing hard, preparing himself to attack the twohundredsoldiersfacinghim.Hehadfoughtvaliantlyandhadmanagedto takedownthefirsthundred—butnowhisshoulderswereweak,hishandstrembling.Hismindwas ready to fight forever—yethedidnotknowhow longhisbodywouldfollow.Still,hewouldfightwithallhehad,ashehaddonehiswholelife,andletthefatesmakethedecisionforhim.

Erecscreamedandkickedtheunfamiliarhorsewhichhehadstolenfromoneofhisopponents,andchargedforthesoldiers.

They charged back, matching his lone battle cry with theirs, fierce. Muchblood had already been spilled on this field, and clearly no one was leavingwithouttheothersidedead.

Ashecharged,Erecremoveda throwingknife fromhisbelt, tookaim,andthrew it at the lead soldier before him. It was a perfect throw, lodging in histhroat,andthesoldierclutchedhis throat,droppingthereins,andfell fromhishorse.AsErec had hoped, he fell before the feet of the other horses, causingseveraltotripoverhimandsendingthemcrashingtotheground.

Erec raised a javelin with one hand, a shield in the other, lowered hisfaceplate, andchargedwithallhehad.Hewouldcharge this armyas fast andhardashecould,takewhateverblowshewould,andcutalinerightthroughit.

Erec screamed as he charged into the group. All his years of jousting hadservedhimwell, andheused the long javelin expertly to takeout one soldierafterthenext,knockingthemdownlikearowofdominoes.Hetuckedhimselfintoaballandwithhisotherhandcoveredhimselfwiththeshield;hefeltarainofblowsdescendonhim,onhisshield,onhisarmor,fromalldirections.Hewasslammedbyswordsandaxesandmaces,astormofmetal,andEreconlyprayedthathisarmorwouldhold.Heclungtohisjavelin,takingoutasmanysoldiersashecouldashecharged,cuttingapaththroughthehugegroup.

Erecdidn’tslow,andafteraboutaminuteofriding,hefinallybrokeouttheotherend,intotheopen,havingcutastraightpathofdevastationrightdownthemiddle.Hehadtakenoutatleastadozensoldiers—buthehadsufferedforit.Hebreathedhard,hisbodyaching,theclangofmetalstillringinginhisears.Hefeltasifhehadbeenputthroughagrinder.Helookeddownandsawhewascoveredinblood; luckily,hedidnot feelanymajorwounds.Theyseemed tobeminor

scratchesandcuts.Erec rode in awide circle, loopingback, preparing to face the army again.

They, too, had turned around, preparing to charge him once more. Erec wasproud of his victories thus far, but it was getting harder for him to catch hisbreath,andheknewthatonemorepassthroughthisgroupmightfinishhimoff.Nonetheless, he readied himself to charge again, never willing to back awayfromafight.

Anunusualcrysuddenlyarosefromtherearofthearmy,andErecwasatfirstconfused to see a contingent of soldiers attacking the rear. But then herecognized the armor, and his heart soared: it was his close friend from theSilver,Brandt,alongwiththeDukeanddozensofhismen.Amongthem,Erec'sheartfelltosee,wasAlistair.Hehadaskedhertostayinthesafetyofthecastle,andshehadnotlistened.Forthat,helovedhermorethanhecouldsay.

The Duke's men attacked the army from behind with a fierce battle cry,causing chaos.Half of the army turned to face them, and theymet in a greatclangofmetal,Brandtleadingthewaywithhistwo-handedax.Heswungatthelead soldier, chopping off his head, and swung his axe around in the samemotionandlodgeditanotherman'schest.

Erec,inspired,gotasecondwind:hetookadvantageofthechaosandchargedtheotherhalfofthearmy.Ashegalloped,heleanedoverandsnatchedaspearprotruding from theearth, leanedbackand threw itwith the forceof tenmen.The spear lodged throughone soldier’s throat andcontinuedgoing, lodging inthechestofanother.

Erec then raisedhis swordhighandbrought itdownon the first soldierhereached, chopping the shaft of his mace in half, then swinging around andchoppingofftheman'shead.

Ereccontinuedfighting, throwinghimself into thegroupofmenwithallofhis remaining energy, thrusting, blocking, parrying, attacking all the soldierswhoswarmedhimfromallsides.Healternatelyraisedhisshield,blockingblowafter blow, and attacked; within moments, the soldiers were all convergingaroundhim,dozensofthem,attackinghimfromeverydirection.

Hekilledmore thanhe could count, but therewere just toomanyof them,evenwith theDuke’smenpreoccupying the rear flank.Oneof themslippedablow of hismace past Erec, into his back, between his shoulder blades; Ereccriedout inpainas thespikedmetalball landedonhisspine.Hefell fromhishorse,downtotheground,theimpactwindinghim.

But he did not give up.His instincts kicked in and he had the presence ofmind to roll immediately, raisehis shieldandblockablowdescending forhishead.Thenheparriedwithhissword,severingtheman'sarm.

AsoldieraimedtotrampleErec’shead,andErecspunoutoftheway,swungaround and chopped off the horse’s legs, sending its rider to the ground;Erecthenrolledoverandstabbedthemaninthechest.

More and more men converged on Erec, and he rolled to his knees andblocked blow after blow, countering when he could as he was swarmed. Hisshoulderswereweakening.Aparticularlylargeknightwithastraight,longbeardstepped forward and raised an axehigh.Erec raisedhis shield toblock it, butanothersoldierkickeditfromhishand,andbeforehecouldreact,athirdsoldiersteppedonhischest,pinninghimdown.Therewerejusttoomanyofthem,andErecwastooweary.Therewasnothinglefthecoulddobutwatchasthehugeknightbegantoswingdownhisaxe.

Suddenly there cameagreat commotion, andErec lookedup to seeBrandtarrive,raisinghisswordhighwithafiercecry,swingingwithallhehad,andinasingleblowchoppingtheshaftoftheaxeinhalf,andalsochoppingoffthehugeknight'shead.

TherefollowedtheDukeandseveralothers,attackingallthesoldiersaroundErec, clearing a path to him. Erec spun, grabbed the soldier’s leg who wassteppingonhischest,andyankedhimdowntotheground;hethenrolledoverandsnappedtheman’sneckwithhisbarehands.

Erecgrabbedadaggerfromthedeadman’swaist,spunaround,andstabbedanotherattackerinthesideofthethroatwhohadbeenswingingforhim.Hethengainedhisfeet,grabbedhisswordfromthebloodybattlefield,andgothisthirdwind.

Erecswungineverydirection, invigoratedtofightwithhisfriendBrandtathissideagain,as theywerereinforcedbymoreof theDuke'smen.Theysoonclearedapath,together,killingthedozenmenconvergingonthem.

Erec found a horse and remounted, and was soon up there along with theothers.Hetookstockofthesituation:hehadbeenjoinedbyseveraldozenoftheDuke’smen,andtogether,theyfacedwhatremainedofthelord’sarmy,aboutahundredmen.HeimmediatelysearchedforAlistair,andfoundhermountedonherWarkfinon the edgeof thebattlefield,watchingover everything.Shewassafefromthebattle,andErecwasrelieved.

Erecbreathedhard,Brandtbesidehimbreathingjustashard,alsocoveredinblood.

"IknewIwouldfightbyyoursideagain,"Brandtsaid."Ijustdidn'tthinkitwouldbesosoon.”

Erecsmiled."ItseemsIoweyoumylifeonceagain,”hesaid."Noyoudon't,”Brandtsaid."RememberArtania,tenyearsago?Nowwe’re

even.”Astheyallpreparedtochargeagainstthehundredremainingmen,suddenly,

anothercryarosefromtherearofthegroup,andErecturnedinconfusion,tryingto processwhatwas happening.He narrowed his eyes and in the distance, hethought he saw a battle occurring at the rear of the lines. He could notunderstandwhatwashappening.Werethelord’smenfightingeachother?

"Moreofyourmen?"ErecaskedtheDuke.ButtheDukeshookhishead,puzzled,too."Mymenareallwithme.Idonotknowwhoattacksthem.”Erecwas baffled as the army facing thembroke out into chaos, and as the

menbegantoturnandfleefromthebattlefield.Astheturmoilneared,Erecfinallysawwhatitwas.Hewasbreathlessatthe

site.The lord’s army was being attacked from the rear by a huge group of

creatures. They were twice as tall as any man, twice as broad, their skin aglowingyellow,eachwithtwoheads,andarmseightfeetlong.Erecrecognizedthem at once. Covenies. They were fabled creatures, known to bear asuperhumanstrengththatcouldtearamaninhalfwithasinglehand.Theydidn'tcarryanyweapons—theydidn'tneedto.

Despitehimself,Erec’sheartfloodedwithfear."It's not possible," Brandt said. "Covenies only live on the far side of the

Canyon.Whataretheydoinghere?”"Theonlywaytheycouldbehereis if theyfoundabreachintheCanyon,"

theDukesaid."OriftheShieldisdown,"Erecsaidgravely.As Erec uttered the words he suddenly felt them to be true, and his heart

floodedwithtruefear.Theshielddown.TheRingopenforattack.Itwasmorethanhecouldprocess.Hedidnotworryforhimself,butforthefateoftheRing.If the shieldwas down here, it could be down all over the entire Ring. Theycouldbeoverrun.Andworse,theEmpirecouldinvade.

The army before Erec disbanded, fleeing for their lives asmore andmoreCoveniesappeared,attackingthemfrombehind,pickingthemupwithasinglehandandbitingofftheirheads.

"RetreattoSilesia!"theDukecommanded."Wemustsealthegatesatonce!”As one they all turned and charged from the battlefield; Erec stopped only

longenoughtorideupbesideAlistair,mountWarkfinbehindher,andtakeoffwithher.Hefelthersofthandsclutchinghim tightly frombehind,and feelingher hands on him, knowing that they were together, that she was safe, madeeverythingrightintheworld.

"Ioweyoumylife,"Erecsaidtoher,astheyrodewiththeothers."AndIoweyoumine,"sheanswered.

CHAPTEREIGHT

Kendrick stood before the rebuilt town wall, admiring his handiwork. He,along with a small group of Silver, had been fortifying this wall for days,campedoutinthislargetownontheEasternborderlandsoftheRing,whichhadbeenbadlydamagedbytheMcCloudraid.AstheLegionhadbeendispatchedtorepairthesmallervillagestothesouth,KendrickthoughtitfittingthattheSilverfortifythebiggercities totheeast, inthemoredangerousterritoryclosetotheMcClouds.Itwastherightthingtodo,toleadbyexample.

Theirrebuildingeffortshadbeenasuccessandtheirtimeherewasalmostup.He hadn’t been home inweeks, hadn’t had any news from theworld, and hesorelymissedKing'sCourt,missedhis sister, his close friendAtme, all ofhisbrothersintheSilver—heevenmissedhissquire,Thor.HewantedtogetbacktoKing'sCourtassoonaspossible,tomakesurehissisterwassafe,andtohelpheroustGareth.Havingbeenimprisonedbyhim,Kendrick,morethanmost,hadfeltthetouchofhiswrath,andheburnedtomakewrongsrightandtoputhissisteronthethrone—forthesakeofhisdeadfather,forthesakeofKing'sCourt,andforthesakeoftheRing.

Thesecondsunsatlongintheskyanditwasnearingtheendofanotherback-breakingdayoflabor,Kendricksupervisingahundredtownsfolkastheycarriedoversizedstonesandplastered theancientwall.Kendrickandhismenadvisedthemonthebestplacetofortifyanddefend,wheretobuildparapetsandhowtobuild stone towers that served as lookout points. Before he’d arrived, theopenings to this town’s fortificationshadallbeen toowide, therehadbeennoslitsinthestoneforfiringarrows,andthewallsweremerelyafewinchesthick.Now, thestonewallsstoodseveral feet thick, therewasbutoneentrance inoroutofthecity,anditwasshapedandbuiltinsuchawaythatitcouldbewell-guardedfromtheinside,heldwithjustafewmen.Newparapetshadbeenbuiltfromwhichthetownsfolkcoulddefendwithafewcauldronsoftarandahostofbows.

Kendrickwassatisfied.Inthisnewplace,butafewhundredwell-trainedmencouldfendoffafewthousand.Thesepeoplehaddesperatelyneededtheeyeandlaborofprofessionalsoldiersanditwasnowvastlymoresecure.

AsKendrick stood there, he felt satisfaction from a hard day’swork, fromhelping his fellow citizens—yet therewas something in the back of hismind

which troubledhim.Hewasn'tquite surewhat itwas.Earlier thismorninghecouldhaveswornhespottedEstopheles,circlinguphigh, screeching inawaythatdisturbedhim.Itfeltlikeawarning.Worse,thenightbeforehehadbeenuphours with troubled dreams of this town burning, of all his handiwork beingtoppledtotheground.Hehaddreamtthisdreamnotonce,but threetimes, thethirdtimewakinghimforgood,toovividtoallowhimtoreturntosleep.

Hedidnotunderstandwhatitallmeant.Hehadn'thadbaddreamssincehewasachild,sincethenightbeforehisgrandfatherdied.Hehopeditwasnotapremonitionofsomethingevil.

"Mylord!"cameanurgentvoice.Kendrickturnedtoseeamessengercomerunninguptohim.Itwastheboy

whom he had appointed to the new position of lookout on the newly-builtwatchtower.

"Comequick!Ispotsomethingonthehorizon.Idonotunderstandit.”Kendrickturnedandranoffwiththemessenger,severalofhismenfollowing.

TheycutthroughthewindingstreetsofthistownwhichKendrickhadcometoknow by heart, and he ran down the narrow path that twisted up a smallelevationatthefarendofthecity,takinghimtothetopofahilluponwhichtheyhadbuiltthenewstonetower.Itwasthehighestgroundinthecity,andtheplaceatwhichKendrick had instructed they should keep a twenty four hourwatch.Thiswasthefirsttimethelookouthadspottedanything,andKendrickguessedthatitwasjustafalsewarningfromaskittishboy.

Kendrickreachedthetopandstoodonthenarrow,circularplatformwiththeothers, and followed the scout's finger as he pointed at the horizon. It was aclear,blueandyellowday,nocloudsas far as theeyecould see,withperfectvisibility. Kendrick could see for miles, and he looked east, towards theHighlands,towardstheMcCloudborder.Asfarawayastheywere,onthisday,Kendrick could see the faint outline of the Highlands, the mountain rangesspottingthehorizon,shroudedinmist.

Ashelookedcloser,Kendrick,tohissurprise,spottedsomething,too."There,mylord,"thescoutsaid,pointingtohisright.AtfirstKendrickdidnotseeexactlywhatthescoutwastalkingabout.Butas

hescrutinizedthehorizon,hebegantoseeit,too.Therewasasmall,faintcloud,in the very distant horizon, appearing a tiny bit thicker than the others, andappearingslightlylowertotheground.AsKendrickwatched,itseemedtogroweverthicker,darker.

"Itlookslikesmoke,”thescoutsaid.“Itdoesn'tmakeanysense.”Kendricknodded.Hewasright:itdidn'tmakeanysense.Whywouldtherebe

afireontheMcCloudsideoftheRing?Noneofhispeoplehadlaunchedaraid,

asfarasheknew."Perhapsitisarandomfirethathasbrokenoutinoneoftheircities,"oneof

Kendrick’smen,besidehim,volunteered.Kendricknodded,thinking.Whilethatwasapossibility,hefeltitwasnotthe

case. He sensed that something was wrong, that something bigger washappening.Somethinghedidnotunderstand.

Kendrickstoodthere,wondering,debatingwhathisnextmoveshouldbe.Hehad been gearing up mentally to leave these borderlands, to return to King’sCourt;toleadanexpeditionnowtogoandinvestigatethiswouldtakeheandhismennearlyafullday'srideintheoppositedirection,closertotheHighlands.Itwasnotsomethinghewantedtodounlesstherewasgoodcause.

There came a sudden commotion, and Kendrick turned to see a lone riderapproaching the town from the long road that led in the direction of King'sCourt.His heart soared as he recognized the rider immediately: his horse andarmorgavehimaway.Itwasamanhehadknownandfoughtwithsincethetimehecouldwalk.HisclosefriendoftheSilver,Atme.

Itwarmedhisheart toseehim;butasKendrickwatchedhimgallopfor thetown gate, he could tell by his urgency, by his posture, that something waswrong. This was not a casual visit. Atme had urgent business, and Kendricksenseditwasbadnews.

HebracedhimselfasAtmechargedthroughthetowngate,spottedhim,rodetohimanddismounted,runningupthestonestepsforKendrickthreeatatime.

"The last time I sawyou run like that,youwere running fromyourdebts,"Kendrick saidwith a smile as his old friend arrived, gasping for air, and theyembraced.AnattendantrushedoverandhandedAtmeabucketofwater,andhetookalongdrink,thendumpedtherestonhishead.

"TheEmpire,theCanyon,"Atmebreathed,gasping."Theshieldisdown.”Kendrick'sheartstoppedathiswords.Comingfromanyoneelse,atanyother

time,hewouldhaveassumeditwasajoke.ButnotcomingfromAtme,andnotatthistime.

Kendrickcouldhardlyprocesstheimplications.TheShieldwasdown.Itwasnotpossible.NotwiththeDestinySwordinKing'sCourt.

"WhatoftheDestinySword?”Kendrickasked.Atmeshookhisheadgravely."Itisnomore,"hesaid.“It’sgone.Stolen.”Kendrick'sbreathfroze.“Stolen,"hegasped."Howcouldthatbe?”“Alargegroupofmenstoleitinthenight.TheycrossedtheCanyonwithit,

boardedaship,andthey'vetakenittotheEmpire.”

It all felt surreal. The Destiny Sword, the life-force of MacGil Kings forcenturies,stolen.InEmpirehands.TheRingunprotected.Somehow,hesensedthatGarethwasbehindit.

Kendrick turned and surveyed the new town wall he had just built, andrealizedthatithadallhadbeenfornothing.Withouttheshield,theentireEmpirecouldinvade—andnothing,certainlynotthistownwall—couldstopthat.

Immediately,Kendrickthoughtofhisfamily,ofGwendolyn,Reece,Godfrey.HethoughtofKing’sCourt,vulnerabletoattack.

"King'sCourtmustbefortifiedatonce,”Kendricksaid.Again,Atmeshookhisheadominously.“Therehasbeenarift.YoursisterhasleftKing’sCourtandhastakenhalfthe

people, the ones we care about. They march now for Silesia. The MacGilkingdomisfracturedintwo.King’sCourtisGareth'sdomainnow.Gwendolynsentmeforyou.”

"Wemusttomysister,then,"Kendricksaid.“ToSilesia.”Kendricksurveyedthetownsfolkbelow."Without the shield, these folk will be defenseless,” he said. “These

fortifications are designed to hold against McCloud's troops—not againstAndronicus’ million man army. These people will never survive an Empireinvasion.”

KendrickturnedtoAtme."Go to my sister. Ride ahead of me. Tell her I am coming. I can't return

withoutthesepeople.”Atme’sfaceflashedinconcern."It isnobleofyou,”he said,“but theywillbe slow-moving. Ifyouwait to

accompanythem,youmaynotreachSilesiaintime.”“ThatisachanceImusttake,”Kendricksaid.Atmestaredathisoldfriend,andnoddedslowly."Iexpectednoless,”hesaid.“ThatisachanceIwilltakewithyou.Irideby

yourside.Always!”"My lord!" came the panicked voice of the scout, tappingKendrick on the

shoulder.Kendrick turned and followed his finger as he pointed at the horizon.This

time,somethingdistinctcameintoview.Atfirst,Kendrickblinked. Itwassomethinghehadneverseen inhisentire

life.Somethingwhichtookhisbreathaway—evenhe,ahardenedwarrior.Ashewatched,theentirehorizonmorphedtoblack.Itlookedasifanarmyof

black antswas slowly covering the globe. Itwas like all of humanity spillingacross theworld.Hundreds of thousands of soldiers,wearing the black of the

Empire,spreadacrosseveryinchofthehorizon,movinglikeaswarmtowardsthem.

Andronicus.Hismillionmanarmyhadarrived.

CHAPTERNINE

Gwendolynwas in aweas she lookedupat the soaringgatesofSilesia, itsancientscarletstonerisingintotheskyinanarch,itsredironspikedgatessharpandmassive, itsmeticulouslypaved redcobblestone road linedwithguards inperfectformation,allatattention,allwearingthescarletredarmorofSilesians.Itwaslikeenteringanotherworld.

Lending it an even more surreal feel was its backdrop, the Canyon rightbehind it, the endless stretch of open sky, the swirling mists. The city wasperchedrighton theedgeof theCanyon,as ifbalancingon it,halfof thecitybuiltaboveground,andtheotherhalfbuiltbelow,rightintothegranitecliffsoftheCanyonitself.Itwasliketwocitiesinone.Ithadsurvivedforcenturies,hadalways been known to be the one insurmountable city in the Ring—andeverythingGwenhadeverheardaboutitstilldidnotdoitjustice.Seeingitnow,asanadult,dwarfedevenherchildhoodmemories.

Silesia'sstonewallsroseahundredfeet,wereasthickastenmen,andwererepletewith arrow slits every ten feet, behindwhich stood a score of Silesiansoldiers, bows at the ready. Up top, in the rows of staggered parapets above,werehundredsmoresoldiers,armedwithspears,smallboulders,andmanning,everytwentyfeet,hugeironcauldrons,filledwithboilingtar.Therewereevensmallcatapultsonthewalls,forfiringdownflamingballsatattackers.Thiswasacitythathadbeencarefullythoughtthrough.

GwenwasfilledwithgratitudethatSroghadbeenloyaltoherfatheralltheseyears: ifnot,shehonestlywonderedifherfather’smen,eventheSilver,couldtakethiscity.TheSilverwerethebestwarriorstheworldhadtooffer—yetevenso,whethertheycouldbreachthesewallswasanothermatterentirely.

AsGwenwalked through the gates, her heart soaredwith hope; she felt asurgeofoptimism,feltthatmaybe,justmaybe,behindthesethickwalls,perchedhereontheedgeoftheCanyon,theycouldwithstandanattackhere,evenfromAndronicus’army.Theymightnotwin;but theymightbeable toholdoff justlong enough. Long enough for what, she didn't know. Deep in her heart, shehopedbeyondhope thatmaybeThorwould returnwith theSword and rescuethemall.

"My lady,” Srog said graciously,walking beside her through the gates andintothevastcourtyard,“mycitywelcomesyou."

Fromallcornersoftheimmensesquare,peopledressedinredrushedforwardandshoweredGwendolynandhermenwithredrosepetals.Thepeopleallworegracious smiles, approachingGwen and touching her shoulder, leaning in andkissingheronthecheek,oneafterthenext.Shehadneverbeeninanyplacelikethis;shefeltasifshewerebeingembracedbyallofthem.

"Youwouldthinktheyhadnoideathatawariscomingtothesegates,"Gwensaid,inaweoftheircarefreeandfearlessways.

"Theyknow,"Srog said. "But theSilesians are famous for not giving in tofear.Mypeoplemight feel it—but they never indulge in it.That is theirway.They believe that the personwho fears death diesmany times,while the onewhodoesnotdiesbutonce.

“Weareahappypeople,contentwithwhatlifehasgivenus.Wedon'tcovetanythingthatothershave.Andwearehappywithwhoweare.”

More of the masses spilled out, all smiling at Gwen and her entourage,clasping them on the back, welcoming the huge contingent of soldiers andpeople as if they had been long-lost brothers. Gwen was shocked. She hadexpected these people to be resentful of their presence; after all, they weredigginginforasiege,andhereweretonsofpeoplewhohadcometolivewithintheir gates, off of their defenses and their rations. Yet, on the contrary, theSilesiansstillseemedhappytohavethemhere.Theyweresupremelyhospitablepeople.

“There’s more to it than the fact that your people don’t fear," Gwen said."Theyalsoseemgenuinelyhappy.Eveninthefaceofloomingadversity.”

"Weareahappypeople,”Srogsaid.“Theysaywegetitfromthecanyonairandfromthecolorofourdress,”hesmiled.Thenheturnedserious.“Butthereismoretoitthanthat.Theyarealsohappytoseeyou.”

“Butwhy?”Gwenasked,baffled.“King’sCourt isasistercityandwordtravels,”heexplained.“Noonehere

washappywithyourbrother'sreign.TheyseeyouasthelegitimateheirtotheMacGilthrone,andtheyarehappytohaveatrueruler—notanupstartwhohasoustedhisfather.Weareafairandjustpeople,andwewantthisinourrulers.Theywantarulertheydeserve,andtheyseethatinyou.Theydonotreallycareifwealldiehere,ifweareallcrushedbytheEmpire.Theyonly,whiletheylive,wanttolivejustly.”

Gwen felt her heart swell at hiswords; she felt as if, in her, everyone sawsomethingelse.For someshewasa savior; forothers,aprophet; forothers,ayoung girl in over her head; for others, the extension of her father. She wasbeginning to feel just how much her being ruler meant to others. It wasoverwhelming. She could not be everything for everyone. She swelled with

pride, but also with humility. She felt overcome by the fact that she wasrepresentingherfather'sname,hishonorandmemory.Andshefeltaburdenandresponsibilitytoliveuptothatmemory,tobeasgoodofarulerashehadbeen.Her fatherhadbeen likeagod toher.Shedidnotknowhow to rule; shewasdeterminedtolearn,totryashardasshecouldtobeasdevotedandkindtothemastheyhadbeentoher.

As theycontinueddeep into thecity,a largecontingentofwarriors steppedforward,dressedintheredarmor,anddecoratedinvariousmetals.GwencouldtellrightawaythatthesewereSrog’selite.

Theystoppedtogreether,andtheoneinthecenter,atallthinmanwitharedbeardandglowinggreeneyes,steppedforward,loweredhishead,andheldoutinhispalmsabeautiful,silkscarletcloak,foldedneatly.

"Mylady,"hesaidsoftly."IpresentthiscloaktoyouonbehalfoftheSilesianarmy.Itisthemantleofourformerlady,andhasnotbeenworninyears.Itisthesignofthehighestrespectwecanoffer.Youwouldhonorustowearit.”

Speechless,Gwen reachedout andgingerly accepted themantle; itwas thesoftestpieceofclothingshehadeverfelt,meltinginherhandsassheunfoldedit. Shewas taken aback by its intricate design, by its shining gold clasp. Shedrapeditaroundhershouldersandconnectedtheclaspatthebaseofherthroat,anditfeltnatural.Shefeltsoregalwearingit.

Anoiseroseup,likeasoftcooingnoise,andGwenlookedup,scanningthetoweringwalls,thespiresrisinghundredsoffeetintotheair,andsawallamongthemsmallwindows,peopledressedinredstickingtheirheadsout,makingthenoise.As they did, they raised three fingers to their right temple, then slowlypulledthemaway.

"Whataretheydoing?"Godfreyasked,besideher."ThesaluteoftheSilesians,"Srogexplained."Itisagestureoflove.Andof

respect.”Gwenhardlyknewwhattosay.She'dneverfeltsolovedanywhereinherlife.

Shehadalsoneverfeltsuchasenseofresponsibility.Therecameaslammingofmetal,andGwenturnedandsawadozensoldiers,

on both sides of the city gates, close the iron bars as the last ofKing’sCourtfilteredin.Gwenshudderedatthesound.Therewasafinalitytoit.TheywereinSilesianow.Thiswastheirnewhome.Itfeltgoodtobehere.Butalsoominous.Inthatclang,shecouldhearthemselvessteelingthemselvesforwar.

*Gwendolynsatinthebeautifulcastlechamber,highup,atthetopofSilesia,

andreveledinthequiet.Itwasthefirsttimeshehadbeenaloneinshedidnotknow how long. Outside, behind the closed door, Srog’s men awaited her

bidding.Butshewouldn’tsummonthemjustyet.Shewantedafewminutestoherself.

Itwasabeautifulchamber,thisroomthathadbelongedtohislatelady,andGwenroseandpacedslowly,takingitallin.Carvedofagorgeousredstone,thefloorandwallswereallsmooth,ancient,worn,theceilingscrestingindramaticarches. Perched at the top of the castle, facingwest, the roomoverlooked theCanyon, expansive views flooding the room through wide and tall, archedwindows.

Gwen lookedout, andwas in aweat the commandingview.ShehadneverhadsuchaviewoftheCanyonbefore,beingperchedliterallyonitsedge;fromhereitseemedasifthewholeworldweretheCanyon,onemassiveholecarvedoutoftheearth,insideofwhichswirledmistsofallcolors.Itwashauntingandbeautifulandpeacefulandominousallatthesametime.

Gwen looked beyond, to the distant horizon, theWilds, and in the farthestdistance beyond that, she caught the slightest hint of the ocean yellow of theTartuvian.HerthoughtsturnedtoThor,andherheartbroke.Sheclosedhereyesandprayedwithallshehadforhissafety.Shewantedhimbyherside,nowmorethanever.Shewantedhimalive.Shewantedhimtoraisetheirchildwithher.

Gwenreacheddownandplacedapalmonherstomach,sensingherbaby.Sheknewitwasimpossible,soearlyon,yetstillshefeltfuller,moreofherself.Shefeltthestrengthoftwopeoplewithinher.

It had been an overwhelming day, andGwenwas overcome by conflictingemotions as she surveyed the beautiful landscape. She tried to prepare herselfmentallytobealeader,prepareherselftorideoutwhatwouldsurelybethemostawfulsiegeinthehistoryoftheRing.Insomeways,shecouldnothelpbutfeelthatthiscitywouldbeherfinalrestingplace.

Shetriedtoshakethegloomythoughtsfromhermind.Shewalkedtoasmallstonefountain,scoopedthecoldwater,andsplashedherfaceseveraltimes.Thecoldgustsofwinterwhippedintotheroomandcaressedherwetface,stingingher. It felt good. She wanted to be stung. She needed to wake up, to realizewhere she was, what was about to happen. She needed to stop thinking ofherself,toknowthatitwastimetorule,thatpeoplewerelookingtoher.

The thoughtoverwhelmedher.She thoughtofher father,ofwhathewoulddo, of how he would think. He had taught her to always display an aura ofconfidence,whethershefeltitornot.Tomakebolddecisions.Tonotshowanyweakness,anywavering,anyhesitation.Togivepeoplesomeonetobelievein.

Gwenlongedtoseeherfatheragain,especiallyatatimelikethis.Shewouldgiveanythingjusttohavehimthereforafewminutes,toadviseher.Evenjustafewsentences.Apartofherfelthimwithher.Sheheardascreechandlooked

outthewindow,andsawabirddisappearintothemist,andshewondered.Gwencrossed theroom, to thespiralstonestaircase that twistedand turned

itswayuptotheparapets.Inmomentsshereachedtheroofofthecastle.Aloneuphere,feelingthecoldgustsofwind,lookingoutovertheCanyon,it

was evenmore breathtaking.She looked everywhichway forEstopheles, butcouldnotfindhim.

Gwenwalked to the edge of the parapets and looked out over Silesia. Shelookeddownover theedgeof theCanyon,and saw the lowerhalfof thecity,whichshehadnottouredyet,builtdownlow,hundredsoffeetintotheCanyonitself.Itwasbreathtaking.ShewonderedhowmanySilesiansliveddownbelow,howmanylookedtohertosavethem.Shehopedthatshewouldbeableto.

“Hidingagain?"cameavoice.Gwen felt an immediate sense of repulsion at the sound of the voice. She

turned slowly, but did not need to turn all theway to knowwho it was. Sherecognizedthatvoice,anditputapitinherstomach.Asshesawhisdespicableface,itconfirmedhersuspicions:Alton.

Gwencouldn’tbelieveit.Herehewas,thisdespicablearistocrat,thisexcuseofaman,whoshehatedmorethananything;herewastheboywhohadtriedtotearherapartfromThor,whohadfilledherheadwithlies,whohadplaguedherhalf her life. Somehow the little weasel had followed her caravan here, andsomehow he had managed to talk his way past her guards. She was notsurprised:hewaspersistent, relentless, andanexcellent liar.Andhewasverygoodatconvincingothersthathewasroyalty.

Ofcourse,hewasnotroyalty.Hewasthird-classroyaltyatbest,herparents’distant cousin.Yet that didn't stop him from feeling otherwise. She had nevermetanyonewhohadfeltmoreentitled.

Sheflushedwithrage.Howdareheshowuphere,ofallplaces,ofalltimes?Hehadmarcheduphereandhadassumedhecouldjusthaveanaudiencewithherwheneverhewanted,andcouldspeakinsuchcasualterms—asifrefusingtoacknowledgehernewpostnow.Hisverypresence,sobrazen,unannounced,wasoffensivetoher.

"Whatareyoudoinghere?"sheaskedcoldly."ItaggedalongwithhalfofKing'sCourt,”hesaid.“Tobewithyou.”"Idoubtthatverymuch,”shesaid,seeingthroughhislies.“Youcametosave

yourlife.”Altonshrugged."Perhaps I had a duality of purpose. True, Gareth is unhinged, andKing’s

Court is vulnerable. You could say I was tempted by a certain form of self-preservation."

Hesmiledandtookastepforward."ButIalsocameforyou,”hesaid.“Togiveyouanotherchance.”Gwensnorted,outragedbyhisarrogance.“Togivemeanotherchance?"sheechoed."Doyounotrecognizethelunacy

ofyourwords?YoucanrecognizemadnessinGareth—butnotinyourself?”Altonshrugged,undeterred."The past is the past," he said. "I forgive you yourmistakes. Butwe both

know thatwhatever happened between us does not apply now.Circumstanceshave changed.Hereyou are—aqueenwithout a king, a rulerwithout a court.Everyqueenneedsaking.Rulersfindstrengthinpairs.Doyoureallythinkyoucanrunthisgreatcity,ruleallthesearmiesbyyourself?”

Gwenshookherhead.Shecouldnotbelievehowpathetichewas."Isupposethatyoufancyyourselftobetheonetocometomyrescue,tobe

mypartnertorule?"sheasked,mockingly."Who else?" he answered proudly, his smile widening. "You and I have

knowneachothersincewecouldwalk.Wearebothroyalty.Themassesloveusboth.”

Gwenlaughedagain."Dothey?"sheasked."Ihadnoideathatthemasseslovedyou.Infact,Ihad

noideathattheyevenknewwhoyouwere.”ItwasAlton'sturntoflushwithembarrassment.Before he could open his mouth again, Gwen held up a hand. She’d had

enough.Shedidn'thavetimetowasteforthis.Shehadmorepressingmatterstodealwith.

"I don'twant to hear anotherword,” she said. “I'm not interested in you. Ihave never been. And I'm certainly not ruling anything with you—not that Ithinkyou'recapableofrulinganything.Notevenyourself.Nottomention,IamcommittedtoThor,andhetome.Soyoucanleavenow.”

Altonlaughed,ashort,mockinglaugh."Isthatit?”heasked.“Isthatwhat’sstandingbetweenus?Thor?Youcan'tbe

seriousabouthim.Hehasabandonedyou,onthatfoolishlittlequestofhis.He'sdeepintheEmpirebynow,andwebothknowthereisnopossibilityofreturn.”

Hesteppedcloser,pleading.“Admitit,Gwen.Youknowthetruth.Youknowthatheisgone.Thatheis

nevercomingback.Thathehasleftyoualone.So,yousee,nowthereisnothingleftbetweenus.Nowit is timeforus tomarry. Ifnotme, thenwhoelse?Youwill be left alone in this world. Don’t be scared. You can admit your trueaffectionsforme.”

Gwenseethed.

“I'monlygoingtosaythisonce,"shesaidslowly."Listencloselythis time,becausethis is thelast timeyouwilleverhear thesewords.Ihavenoloveforyou.Idon'twanttoseeyourface.Idon'twanttohearyourvoice.Ifyoucomebeforemeagainunannounced,Iwillhaveyouarrested.Nowleaveme.”

Withthat,Gwenturnedherbackonhim,andtooktwostepsforward,lookingback out over the parapets, surveying the Canyon. Her heart was poundinginside,andsheprayedthatthistimehewouldgetthemessage,wouldleave,andthat she would never see his face again. She was shaking with anger at hispresumptuousness,andshedidn'twanttodoanythingrash.

Gwendidnothearhis footsteps retreating.Shewasabout to turnand look,whensuddenly,shefeltastronghandcoveringhermouth,andanotherreachingaroundandgrabbingherbythechest.Altonheldhertight,evenasshestruggled,andhewas surprisingly strong for a thin andbonyboy.He took several stepsforwardwithher,leaningherforwardovertheedgeoftheparapet.

Gwen'sheartplummeted,asshelookedstraightdownatthefall,andrealizedhowcloseshewastobeingpushedovertheedge.

"Doyouseethatdropbeforeyou?”Altoncried.“DoyouseewhatIcando?Admityourloveforme.Admitit!Ifyoudonot,Iwill—"

Gwensuddenlyrememberedallthatherfather'sfightershadtaughther.Sherememberedthatsheworebootswithwoodenheels,andsheraisedafoothigh,andstompeddownswiftlyonAlton’stoe.

Hescreamedoutlikeagirl,losinghisgrip,andshefreedonearm,pulleditforward,andthenelbowedhiminthesolarplexus.

Hegasped,andkneltdown,wheezing.Thenhe lookedupather,death inhis eyes, and stood,preparing tocharge

again.Gwenreachedforthedaggerinherbelt,preparedtodrawit.ButAltonsuddenlyscreamedoutanddroppedtohisknees.Gwen saw Steffen standing there, and realized he had just punched Alton

hardinthesmallofhisback.SteffengrabbedAltonbyhishair,pulledhisheadback to the sky, pulled a dagger from hiswaist, and held it firmly toAlton'sthroat.

"Givemeword,mylady,"Steffensaid,"andthispieceoftrashwillbegonefromtheannalsoftheMacGils.”

"Please,please!"Altonwhimpered."Pleasedon'tdo this! Ididn'tmean it. Ijustwantedtobewithyou!”

Altonlookedpathetic,kneelingthere,whimpering,beggingformercy."I should have him cut your throat right now," Gwendolyn seethed, still

reelingfrombeingpushedovertheedgelikethat.Itscaredhertothinkofhow

closeshehadcome."Please!" Alton pleaded. "You can’t kill me! I am royalty after all! It is

forbiddenforyoutotouchme!”Therewasasuddencommotionandseveralmenburstontotheroof.Srogled

theway,alongwithKolk,BromandseveralmembersoftheSilver.Theyallranup toher, and several soldiersgrabbedAlton roughly,yankinghim tohis feetandholdinghiminplace.

"Mylady,"Srogsaid,breathinghard,lookingembarrassed,"pleaseacceptmymosthumbleapologies.Somehowthisboyslippedpasttheguards.Hetoldthemhewasroyalty,thathewasrelatedtoyou.”

Gwenwasstillshakingfromtheencounter,butshedarednotshowit."I thank you for your concern," she said, trying to use her queenly voice,

trying to step into the role they expected of her. "But I am fine. He is but afoolishboy,andSteffenwasheretohelp.”

SrognoddedgratefullytoSteffen."Silesian lawdemands thatanypersonwho laysahandonakingorqueen

mustbeputtodeath,”Srogsaid."NO!"Altonscreamed,weepinglikeachild."Please!Youcan’t!”Gwen looked down at him, shaking her head. As pathetic as he was, she

couldn'tstandthethoughtofkillinghim—evenifhedeservedit."Mylord,"GwenrepliedtoSrog,"Iamnewhere,soIaskafavor.Thisone

time,Iwouldasktobendyourlaw.InthisonecaseIdonotwishtohavehimkilled.Iwouldrathersomelesserformofjudgment.”

"Asyouwill,mylady,"hesaid."Whatdidyouhaveinmind?”Gwenthought,tryingtodeviseawaytoridAltonfromherlifeforgood."Well,seeingasthisboyclaimsheisroyalty,let'sgivehimtheroyalrightof

fightingwiththesoldiers.GiveAltonarmorandweapons,andsendhimoutinthefieldwiththecommontroopstofightonthefrontlines.”

"No,mylady!"Altonscreamed."Iamnotafighter!”"Then you shall learn to be one,” Gwen said. “Maybe you can take your

martialskillsoutonourenemy,insteadofonadefenselessgirl.Takehimaway,"Gwendolynordered.

Theguardsrushedtodoherbidding,draggingAltonawayashescreamedinprotesttheentireway.

"Awisedecisionmylady,"Srogsaidinadmiration."My lady, onto more important matters," Brom stepped forward. "We are

receivingreportsofthemobilizationofAndronicus'army.Itishardtoseparatetruthfromrumor.Butifmostreportsbetrue,wemaynothaveasmuchtimetoprepare aswe think.Wemustmakeour finalpreparations and lockdown this

cityimmediately.”"This citywas builtwith anouter layer of defense,”Srog added, “built for

times like this.Wecan seal upouroutergates aswell—butoncewedo, theycannotbeopened.Noonecancomeinorout.”

Gwenthought;sheknewtheyneededtoprepare,butshewasn'treadytosealthecityjustyet.

"MybrotherKendrickisstilloutthere,"shesaid."AndsoisThorgrinandtheother brave Legionmembers. I don't want to seal the city until they've had achancetoarrive.”

"Yes,mylady,"Srogsaid.GwendolynhopedbeyondhopethatThorcouldreturnbeforetheysealedthe

city gates; yet she knew, with a pang of sadness, that that would likely beimpossible.Shehatedtheideaofshuttinghimout.

"My lady, there is one more matter," Srog added, clearing his throat,hesitating."Thiscitywasbuiltwithescapetunnels,deepbeneaththesurface.Ifweareindirecircumstances,thereisawayforafewofustogetout.Foryoutoget out. If we are completely surrounded, and our fortifications give way,Andronicuswilldestroyusall.Wecangetyoutosafety.Beyondthewalls.Farfromhere.”

Gwendolynwastouchedbytheoffer,butslowly,sheshookherhead."I'mdeeplygrateful," she said, "but Iwouldnever abandonanyofyou.Or

thiscity.Youhavetakenmein.Iwilltreatitasmyhome.IfSilesiagoesdown,wewillallgodowntogether.Therewillbenoescape.Notforme.”

Themenalllookedatherwithanewlook,andshecouldseetherespectintheireyes.Forthefirsttime,shewasbeginningtofeellikearuler.Atrueruler.Thiswaswhatitmeanttorule,shefelt.Toleadbyexample.

GwendolynturnedandlookedoutovertheCanyon,attheswirlingmists,litupbythesettingsun,andshethoughtonceagain,ofThor.PleaseThor,shewilled.Comehometome.

CHAPTERTEN

Thor followed the boy closely, the others beside him, as they all finallyemergedfromthethickfoliageofthejungle,thesecondsunlonginthesky.Ithad been an arduous hike back up from the bottom of the crater, where themudslidehad taken them. Ithad felt as if theywouldnever stop sliding,Thorand theothers completely covered inmudas they slidhundredsof feet into ahugemudpit.They’dhadtofighttheirwaybackuptothetop,andithadtakentoolong.

Nowitwasalmostdark,theboymoreanxiousthanever,constantlywatchingthe sky, and the boy seemed immensely relieved as they entered the largeclearinginthejungle,thefirstthatThorhadseen.Forawhilehehadbeensurethatthey’dneversurfacefromthatmudpit—andthatthey’dnevergetoutofthisjungle.

Thorwassurprisedtoseethelargeclearingbeforethem,perhapsahundredfeetineachdirection,andinthecenterofit,asmallcottage.Smokerosefromitschimney,whichThorcouldunderstand,sincethetemperaturehadplummetedoverthelasthour,asnightbegantofall.Itwasstartlingtoseethiscottagehere,adwellinginthemidstofsuchavastwilderness,borderedbytreesthatreachedinto thesky.Thorand theothersexchangeda lookofwonder.Whocould livehere,Thorwondered,inthislonehouseinthemidstofthiswilderness?Itwassounexpected.

"My grandpa doesn't take to most people,” the boy said, turning to them.“Waithere,letmespeaktohim.Hopefullywe'llcatchhiminagoodmoodandhe’llletyoustaythenighthere.”

"Thanks,”Thorsaid,“butwedon'tneedtostaythenighthere—"Before he could finish speaking, the boy was gone, entering his grandpa's

house.Astheyskygrewdarker,strangenightbirdsbegantomakeallsortsofnoises.

Thorleanedbackandlookedupatthetoweringtrees,reachingintothesky;theyclimbedsohigh,hecouldbarelyevenseethetop,andhefeltoverwhelmedbytheimmensityofnaturehere.

Therecameasuddenshoutingfrominsidethecottage,andThorlookedattheothers, shiftinguncomfortably,andwonderedwhat todo.On theonehand,hedid not want to stay the night here—he wanted to keep moving. Yet he also

wantedtomeetthisoldmanandfindoutifheknewanythingabouttheSwordbeforemovingon.

Thedoorslammedopenandoutcameamiddle-agedman,duckinghisheadatthedoorway.Hewasbald,withgrayinghaironbothsides,abignose,narrowbrowneyesandadoublechin, andwasdressed in robes, frayed,hardlybetterthan rags. He stopped before the group and stared directly at Thor, clearlyannoyed.

"What right did you have to press my grandson to bring you here?" hedemanded,angry.

"Wedidnotpressyourgrandsontodoanything!"Thorprotested."Heofferedtotakeus—"

"AndhowamIsupposedtoknowthatyouarenotoftheEmpire?"themanpressed,reachingdownandgrippingthehiltofhissword,restingathiswaist.

Thorandtheothersinstinctivelyreachedfortheirweapons, too,astheydidnotknowexactlyhowbelligerentthismanwouldbe.

"Yourdressseemstoshowyou'renotfromhere,”theoldmansaid,“butwhatifit’sallatrick?WhatifyouarespiesfortheEmpire?”

Thor sensed that the bestway to dealwith thiswary oldmanwas throughkindness,andheraisedhishandsinnocentlyandtookastepforward.

"Sir,wemeannooffense,"hesaid,inasgentletoneashecouldmuster."WearenotspiesoftheEmpire.WehavecomeherefromtheRing.Weseekacertainswordwhichwasstolenfromourkingdom.Wemeanyounoharm.Andifyouwishtotelluswhichdirectionitwasheading,wewillbeonourway.Ifyoudonot,thenweshalljustleavenow,andleaveyouinpeace.Inanycase,wethankyourgrandsonforhiskindnessinsavingus.Weowehimagreatdebt.”

ThemanstaredThorupanddownearnestlyforquiteawhile,thenfinallyhishandrelaxed;heletgoofthehiltofhissword,andhisfacerelaxed,too.

"Ihear it inyourvoice," themansaid.“Thataccent.Youare indeedof theRing.Ithasbeenyears,toomanyyears,sinceI'vebeenthere.Abeautifulplace.Imissitdearly.”

Themansurveyedallofthem,thenfinallyrelaxedhisshoulders."Forgivemyhasteinaccusingyou,"headded."Welivealoneouthere,and

onecanneverbetoosure.Welcome.Iwishforyoutostay.Comequicklynow,"hesaid,gesturingwithhishands,lookingoutatthetreesasifafraidsomethingmightattackthem.

Thor looked atReece and theothers,who lookedback andnodded, and asone, they all filed into theman's cottage, as he followed and closed the door,barringitbehindthemwithalargemetalpole.

"Sit,please,”theoldmansaidasheentered,tidyingup.

Thorsurveyedthecozycottage,andsawthatitwasroomy,enoughtoholdallofthem.Thefloorswerelinedwithfurs,asmallfireroaredinthefireplace,anditsmelledoffood,makingThor’sstomachgrowl.Krohnmusthavesmelledit,too,becausehebegantowhine.

Theboyhastenedtodohisgrandfather'sbidding,hurryingoverwithaplatteroffruitsthatThordidnotrecognize.Thorandtheotherseachgrabbedone,andasKrohnwhined,theboytookapieceofftheplatter,leaneddown,andfedittohim.Krohnsnatcheditfromhishand,wolfeditdown,madeafunnyface,lickedhislipsseveraltimes,thenwhinedformore.Theboylaughed.

Thorexaminedhispieceof fruit. It looked likea fig,butwasmuchbigger,redincolor,andcoveredinasortofmoss.

"Whatisit?"Thorasked."It'samooless,"theboysaid.“Tryit,”thegrandfatherchimedin."It'sbitterbutalsosweet.Itwillgiveyou

energyafteryourlonghike.”Thor raised it to his nose, and it smelled unlike anything he had ever

encountered—like an onion crossed with a lemon. He could feel from hisfingertipsthatitwasstickingtohishand,andastheothers,helifteditandtookatentativebite.

Hewasstruckbythetaste:itwasdelicious,andeventhissmallbitegavehimaburstofenergy.Hegobbleditdownandlickedhisfingers,andalreadyfeltlikeanewman.

Thorsatwiththeothersonthepileoffursonthefloor,spreadoutaroundthefire,Krohncomingupbesidehim,andrestinghisheadinThor'slap.Thorwassurprisedathowgooditfelttosit,theachinessinhislegsslowlysubsiding.Hehadnot realizedhow long theyhadbeenon their feet, howmuchhismuscleshurt. Theywere also all bruised from their encounterwith that animal. Thesefursweresosoftandcomfortable,Thorfeltasifhecouldfallasleepsittingup.

ButhethoughtoftheRing,underattack,andknewtheyhadurgentbusinesstoattendto,anddidnotwanttowasteanytime.Heleanedforward.

"Wearemostgratefulforyourhospitality,"Thorsaidtotheoldman,"butI'mafraidwe haven’tmuch time.We are on an urgent journey.Wemust find theSword.Please,telluswhereitwentsowecanbeonourway.”

Theoldmantookaseat, leaningbackonafurontheothersideofthefire,besidetheboy,andhelookedbackatthemandshookhishead.

"You can't go back out there," he said. "Not now. Haven’t you seen? Thesecondsunisabouttoset.”

“Itoldthempapa!”theboysaid.“We appreciate your caution,” Thor said, “but as I said, we have urgent

business,andwedonotfearinsects.”Theoldmansnorted."Youdon’tunderstand,”hesaid.“Noonecanbeoutthereatnight.Noone.

Youwould not last an hour.After nightfall, sometimeduring the rising of thefirstmoon,therainscome.Noonecansurviveoutsideduringtherains.”

"Andwhycouldn'tonesurvivearainfall?"Reecepressed.Themanturnedandnarrowedhiseyesathim."Becauseitisnotarainfall,"hesaid."Itisnotwaterthatfallsfromthesky,

boy,butEthabugs.”“Ethabugs?”Eldenasked."Akindofspider,butlargerandmoredeadly.InthispartoftheEmpire,the

skyrainsthem,everynight.You'llhearthemfallingagainstourcottage.Itwilllast for about an hour, then they scurry on their way. But if you are outsideduring that time,withoutshelter,you'dbefinished. I'veseenagrownelephantdevouredbythosethingsinfiveminutes.No,youwillstayhere.Atfirstlight,youcango.”

Thor and the others exchanged a look ofwonder, and hemarveled at howdifferent thisplacewas.Ashe thoughtabout it,he realizedhewasexhausted,andwhilehismindwas in a rush togo, his bodywasnot.His friends lookedexhausted, too, and he did not blame them. Thor realized that being a goodleadersometimesmeant inspiringyourpeople togoon—butsometimesitalsomeant allowing them to rest. And if this oldmanwas not exaggerating—andThorsuspectedhewasnot—thenhewasgratefultohavefoundthisshelter,andfor the man's hospitality. He didn’t want to contemplate what might havehappenediftheyhadbeenoutsideduringthattime.

"Thenwearemostgratefulforyourwarning,andforyourhospitality,"Thorsaid.“Thankyouforhavingus.”

Theoldmanshrugged."It'snicetohavecompanyonceinawhile.EspeciallyfromtheRing.Ispent

thebetterpartofmyyouththere.Lovelyplace.”Thor’seyesopenedwideinsurprise;thismanhadbeentotheRing?"Andthenwhatareyoudoinghere?"O'Connorasked.Themanlookeddown,waitedseveralseconds,andlapsedintosilence."I'msorry,"O'Connorsaid."Ididn'tmeantopry.”The old man remained silent for a while more, then finally, took a deep

breath."Iwasyoung,atragedystruckinmylife.Ithoughtthebestthingtodowasto

start clean. I thought I’d head out west, beyond the Canyon, sail across theTartuvianfortheEmpire,headintothewilds.Isupposeatthetimeapartofme

hadbeenhoping togetkilled.Mywoesengulfedme,and itwas theeasywayout.

“But that didnot turnout tobe the case.Somehow, I survived.And then Igrew fond of surviving. I have lived here alone, for all these years—until thearrivalofmygrandson.NowIhave something to live for.Anddespiteall theanimals, Ihavegrownto like ithere. Ihave traveledacross theentireEmpire,have seenplaces and thingsyoucanhardly imagine. It is avast, vastEmpire,dwarfingtheRingincomparison.Youhavenotliveduntilyou'veseenitall.Notjust the Empire proper, and not just the islands. But also the Land of theDragons.AndtheLandoftheDruids.”

"TheLandoftheDruids?"Thorasked,sittingup,shakingoffhissleepiness."Haveyoubeenthere?”

Themannodded."As close as you can come. It is amagical place.There aremanymagical

placesintheEmpire.IthasallbeenruinedbyAndronicus,byhisarmy,whichiseverywhere.Hispatrolsareever-present,whichiswhyIhadtocomeouthere,deep in the jungle. Anyone caught by them is captured and taken either as asoldier or as a slave. His army of slaves is in fact bigger than his army ofsoldiers.Hehastodominateeverything,everylastsoul.”

Theoldmansighed.“Ihavegottenquitegoodathidingfromhismen.Theyhavenevercaughtme

—andtheyneverwill.Ormygrandson.Iwantitthatway.That'swhyI'mwaryofnewvisitors,likeyourself.Idon'twantanyonetogivemeaway.”

Thorandtheotherslookedateachother,takenabackbytheman’sstory."CanyoutelluswhatyouknowoftheSword?"Thorasked.ThemanlookedlongatThor,thenfinallylookedaway."I saw a dozen men the other day. Also from the Ring. They moved

awkwardly through the jungle.Theywere accompanied by severalwarriors, aformidableforce.Theyleftabroadtrail.Easytofollow.Althoughofcoursethejungleconsumesitselfeveryday,sounlessatrailisfreshitwilldisappear.ButIwatchedthem.Iknowwheretheywent.”

"Andwherewasthat?"Reeceasked.Thorthoughthesawsomethinglikefearintheman’seyes."TheytooktheroadtoSlaveCity.”"SlaveCity?"Eldenechoed.Theoldmannodded."Abouttenmileswestofhere.We’reattheedgeofthejunglehere.There's

only one road there. But I warn you: Slave City is aptly named. There arehundredsofthousandsofthem.Allindenturedservants,allservingAndronicus.

Andjustasmanyguards.Venturethere,andyouwon’tgetout.”"ButwhywouldtheytaketheSwordthere?"Convalasked."I didn’t say theywere taking it there,” he said. “I said theywere heading

downthatroad.Theycouldbegoinganywhere.”"Thenweshallfollowthematfirstlight,"Thorsaid.Theoldmanshookhishead."ToenterSlaveCityistogiveyourselfupforcapture.Especiallywithsucha

smallfightingforceasyourown.It’ssuicide.”"Wehavenochoice,"Thorinsisted."WehavecometofindtheSword.And

wemustfollowwhereveritwent.”Theoldmanloweredhisheadandshookitsadly."Willyoushowustheway?”Thorasked.“Inthemorning?""It'syourdeath,"theoldmansaid."Icanshowyouhowtogetanywhere.”Satisfied, Thor leaned back onto the furs—but as he stretched his arm, he

suddenlyfeltitsinged,andheyankeditbackquickly,cryingoutinpain.Heturnedandlooked,expectingtoseeafire,buthesawnone.Hewondered

whathappened,howhehadgottenhurt."Itoldyoutoclosethoseshuttersboy!"theoldmanyelled.TheboyranovertoThorandquicklyclosedthewoodenshuttersbesidehim.

AsThorwatched,herealizedhehadbeensittingbesideanopenwindow.Thorwaspuzzledashelookeddownathisarm,whichhadaslightburnmarkonit.

"Whatsingedmyarm?”heasked."Themoonlight,"theboyanswered.“Moonlight?”Thorasked,shocked.“It’s strong in these parts. Never put yourself directly in its light. It burns

you.”"It'sonly thefirstmoon thatburnsyou,” theoldmanadded.“Itwanes ina

coupleofhours,afterthespidersleave.Thesecondoneisfinetowalkunder.”Thorrubbedhisarm,leaningback,andhewonderedat thisplace.Hefelta

millionmilesawayfromhome.Apartofhimfeltasifhewouldneverreturn."Fetch themeat," theoldmancommanded,and theboycrossed thecottage

andappearedwithaheapingplatter,overflowingwithmeats.Thorandtheothers—especiallyKrohn—allperkedup,openingtheirsleepy

eyesandleaningforward.Thordarednotaskwhatsortofmeatthiswas,hardlyknowing the names of any of the animals out here anyway. But it smelleddelicious,andastheboybroughtitcloser,Krohnsmackedhislipsandwhined.The boy laughed and served Krohn first, ripping off a hunk and throwing itthroughtheair;helaughedharderasKrohnsnatchedit.Krohnwaggedhistailashecarrieditofftoacorneroftheroomandchewed.

Thorsmiledasheandtheothersusedthestickstoliftapiecefromtheplatter.The boy and the old man did the same, and all of them settled back, eatingcontentedlyby thefire.Thor tookabiteandwassurprisedbyhowflavorful itwas—and by how tough the meat was. He felt his energy returning as hechewed.

The boy then carried over a sack ofwine and goblets, handing one out toeach,andfillingthem.Thordrank,andthestrongliquidwentrighttohishead.

Withhisfullbelly,thestrongwineandthewarmfirerelaxinghim,Thorfelthimselfgettingsleepy.Butheshookitoff.Hewasleaderofthisgroup,andhecould not let himself go to sleep just yet.Hewanted tomake sure the otherswereasleepfirst.

As they all sat around, the room fell into a comfortable silence. Soon, theroomwas punctuated by the sounds of the oldman snoring; the boy giggled.KrohncamebackovertoThor,restedhisheadinhislap,andclosedhiseyesandslept,too.

Thorandhisbrothersremainedawake,wide-eyed,eachstaringintothefire.Theyhadeachseen toomuch today,andallof them,despite their exhaustion,wereon-edge.Therewasasomber,unspokensilenceamongst them,as if theyallknewtheywereonajourneythatmustleadtotheirdeaths.

"Youever thinkabouthowdifferent lifewasbeforewejoinedtheLegion?"O’Connorasked.

"What’sthepointofthinkingthatnow?"Eldenasked.O'Connorshrugged."Sometimes I think about what I left behind,” O’Connor said. “Not that I

regret it. I just wonder about it. How life would have turned out differently.SometimesImissmyhometown.Myfamily,youknow?IguessImissmysistermostofall.She'stwoyearsyounger.Now,withtheshielddownandtheEmpireinvading,Ithinkofher,alonebackthere.Idon'tknowifIwillseeheragain.”

"Ifwemakeitbackintime,"Thorsaid,“wewillrescueher.”O'Connorbrooded,lookingunconvinced."Iwanted to be a blacksmith," Elden said. "My father, he droveme to the

Legion.Hehadtriedhimself,asaboy,andhecouldn'tgetin.Hewantedmetoachievewhathecouldnot. I'mglad that Idid.MylifewouldhavebeenmuchsmallerhadInot.Iwouldn’thaveseenhalfthethingsIhave.”

"Wehadbrideswaitingforusbackinourhometown,”Convalsaid.“Wewerebothengagedtobemarried.Adoublewedding.TheLegionchangedthat.Theysaidtheywouldwaitforus.”

“Butwedoubttheywill,”Convensaid.Thor thought about it, and realized that he didn't miss anyone or anything

fromhishometown.TheLegionwashislife,completelyhislife.Andhecouldsee in theeyesof theothers that itwas their life, too.Theyhadbecomemorethanfriends—theyhadbecometruebrothers.Theywereallthateachotherhad.

"Idon'tspeaktomyfamilyanymore,"Eldensaid."NordoI,"saidO'Connor."Weareeachother'sfamilynow,"saidReece.Thorrealizeditwastrue.Therecameasuddensoundpatterontheroof, likehail.Itgrewlouder,and

Thor and the others looked to the ceilingwith alarm, sounding as if itwouldcavein.Theoldmanandtheboywokeandlookedup,too.

"Therains,"theoldmanremarked.Thesoundwasterrifying,all-consuming;itsoundedasiftheskywereraining

small rocks.Makingmattersworse, the soundwas accompaniedby ahorrific,squealing noise of thousands of insects. It sounded as if the animals werechewingontheroofandtryingtogetin.Thorlookedupandwasgratefulforthebarrier protecting them from the outside, so grateful that thisman had not letthemstaythenightinthejungle.

Afterwhat felt likehours, finally, thenoise stopped, and thehissing faded.Theboyjumpedtohisfeet,crossedthecottage,openedthedoorandlookedout.

"It'ssafenow,"hesaid.Theyalljumpedupasone,hurriedtothedoorandlookedout.Inthedistance,Thorcouldseethousandsofhugeblackinsectscrawlingaway

fromthem,headingintothejungle."Themoonlight is safe now, too,” the boy said. “You see—it’s the second

moon.Youcantellbythepurplelight.”Thorwalkedoutside,breathingthecold,nightair,thejunglefilledwithsoft

nightnoises,andhesearchedtheblacknessinwonder."It’ssafefornow,butdon'tstayoutlong,"saidtheboy.Reececameoutand joinedThor,as theboyhurriedback insideandclosed

thecottagedoorbehindthem.Thetwoofthemstoodoutthere,lookingupintothesky,atthelargepurplemoon,atthetwinklingredstars.ThisplacewasevenmorefantasticalthanThorhadimagined.

"Wemightdietomorrow,"Reecesaid,lookingupatthesky."I know,"Thor said.He had been thinking the same exact thing.The odds

againstthemseemedimpossible.“Ifwedo, Iwant you toknow that you'remybrother,"Reece said tohim.

"Mytruebrother.”Reece looked at him meaningfully, and Thor reached out and clasped his

forearm.

"Asyouaremine,"Thorsaid.

CHAPTERELEVEN

HafoldhurriedthroughtheQueen’schamber,preparinghermorningmeal,asshe had done every day during her thirty five years in the Queen’s service.Hafold was a precise woman, and she stuck to her schedule like clockwork,crossingthestonechamberasshepreparedthequeen’sporridge.

On this day, though, shewalked twice as fast. For the first time in all heryearsofservice,shewaslate.Shehadtossedandturnedallnightwithobscure,ominousdreams,thefirstnightmaresofherlife.ShehadseenKing'sCourtriseupinflames,peopleburnedalive,screamingallaroundher.

Bythetimeshehadawakened,thefirstsunwasalreadyhighinthesky,andHafold had leapt from her bed, embarrassed. She felt awful at the thought ofhavingmade theQueenwait, at arriving at such a late hour.TypicallyHafoldarrivedfirst,followedbytheQueen’ssecondmaidservant,whobroughtthelatemorning tea.NowHafoldwouldhave theshameofarrivingat the timeof thesecondserver.Hafolddidnotsufferincompetenceinothers,andshedetesteditinherself.

Hafold tucked her head, doubled her pace, and held the tray firmly in hertrembling hands, hoping the Queen would not be upset with her. Of course,giventheQueen’scatatonicstate,shewashardlycapableofexpressingpleasureordispleasure.ButHafoldcouldsense theQueen’ssmallestmovements.Aftersomanyyears,theQueenwaslikeamotherandasisterandadaughtertoher,allrolledinone.ShefeltmoreprotectiveofherthananyoneinKing'sCourt—thananyoneinherownfamily.

Hafoldturnedthecorner,thinkingofwaysshecouldmakeituptotheQueen,andassheraisedherheadshecaughtsightofherinthedistance,sittinginherchair by the window, staring out with blank eyes as she had for weeks now.There,besideher,stoodhersecondmaidservant,teainhand,rightontime;shewasayounggirl,newtoKing'sCourt,andshepouredherteameticulouslyintoashininggoldcup.

Hafolddidnotwanttodisturbthem,andsoshewalkedquietly,creepingupbehindthemwithoutasound,hersoftsockslininghernoiseonthestonefloor.Assheneared,preparedtoannounceherself,shesuddenlystopped.Somethingwaswrong.

Hafoldwatched themaidservant reachquickly intohervest,extractasmall

sack, spill a white powder into the queen’s tea, then stow it back inside herpocket.ShethenhandedthecuptotheQueen,holdingit inherlimphandandguidinghertodrinkit,asshealwayshad.

Hafold’sheartfloodedwithterror;shedroppedhersilverplatter,thedelicateplates crashing to the floor, and raced for the Queen. She reached up andsmacked the cup away from her lips. Just in time, she sent the delicate chinashatteringtothefloor.

The serving girl jumped back, looking at Hafold with eyes three times aswide, andHafold pounced on her, grabbing her roughly by her shirt, yankingopen her vest, and pulling out the sack filled with powder. She smelled it,touched the tip of her finger to it and tasted it. She snarled at the girl, wholookedabsolutelyterrified.

"Niamroot,"Hafoldsaidknowingly."WhyareyoufeedingthistotheQueen?Doyouknowwhatthisdoestoaperson?”

Thegirlstaredbackdumbly,trembling.Hafold’s fury deepened. This was a toxic poison, one designed to kill the

brainslowly.Whywasthismaidservantgivingittoher?Lookingathowyoungandstupidshelooked,Hafoldrealizedsomeoneelsewasbehindit.

"Whoputyouuptothis?"Hafoldpressed,grabbinghermoretightly."Whomadeyoupoisonourqueen?Howlonghasthisbeengoingon?ANSWERME!"sheshrieked,reachingbackandsmackingthegirlallhermight.

Thegirlcriedout,herbodyshaking,andbetweensobs,shesaid,"TheKing!TheKingmademedoit!Hethreatenedme.Theyarehisorders.I'msorry!”

Hafoldshookwithrage.Gareth.TheQueen’sownson.Poisoninghismother.Thethoughtofitmadehersicktoherstomach.

"How long?"Hafold asked, suddenlywondering howmuch of theQueen'sconditionhadtodowiththestroke.

Thegirlcried."Sinceherhusband’sdeath. I'm sorry. I didn't know.He said itwas forher

health.”"Stupidgirl,"Hafoldshrieked,and threwherhalfwayacross the room.The

girlscreamed,stumbled,andranfromthechamber,sobbingasshewent.HafoldkneltdownbesideherQueen,andexaminedherinawholenewlight.

Fromallheryearsasanurse,HafoldknewexactlywhatNiamrootcoulddo—and she alsoknewhow toheal it. Its effectswerenotpermanent, if caught intime.

HafoldpulledtheQueen’seyelidslow,sawtheyellowishcolorbeneaththem,andconfirmedshewasavictimofthispoison.Hafoldfeltcertainthatthiswaswhyshehadbeencatatonic.Itwasnotfrommourningherlatehusband.Itwas

frombeingpoisonedbyherson.ShehadtohandittoGareth:hehadchosentheperfecttimingtopoisonher,

tomakeitseemtotheworldasifhismotherweremerelyinmourning.Hewasevenmoredeviousthanshehadthought.

Hafold crossed the chamber, rifled through each drawer of her medicinechest, and found the yellow liquid that she needed.With trembling hands shemixed a drop in a cup of water, then hurried back and put it to the Queen’smouth,forcinghertodrink.

The Queen drank and drank, shaking her head, trying to stop, but Hafoldforcedhertodrinkthewholething.

After theQueen, protesting, emptied the cup, finally, theQueen shook herheadandreachedupandpushedHafold'shandaway.

Hafoldwasshockedanddelighted.ItwasthefirsttimetheQueenhadraisedherhandinweeks.

"Whatareyoumakingmedrink?"theQueendemanded.Hafold leapt in joy at the soundof her voice, her firstwords, realizing she

wasback.Shereachedoutandhuggedthequeen—thefirsttimeshehadhuggedherinherthirtyfiveyearsofservingher.

TheQueen,backtoheroldself,indignant,stoodandgasped."MyQueen,myQueen!"Hafoldcried."You’vecomebacktome!”TheQueenshovedHafoldoff,heroldproudself."Whatdoyouspeakof?”theQueendemanded.“Comebackwhere?”"You’vebeenpoisoned,”Hafoldexplained.“Garethhaspoisonedyou!”The Queen’s eyes widened slowly, in recognition, and suddenly, she

understood."Bringmetohim,”theQueencommanded.

*QueenMacGil marched down the corridors of King's Court, corridors she

knewtoo-well,Hafoldbesideher,feelingherselfagain.Forthefirsttimeinshedidnotknowhowlongshefeltaware,filledwithenergy.Shealsofelt infusedwithrage,andeagertoconfrontherson.

With every step she took, the more she was beginning to come back toherself,themoreitwasdawningonherwhatexactlyhadhappened,therolehersonhadplayed.Itmadehersick,andapartofherstilldidnotwanttobelieveit.Whatcouldshehavedonesowrongtoraisesuchamonster?

"MyQueen,thisisnotsuchagoodidea,"Hafoldsaidbesideher."Weshouldleavethisplaceatonce,fleewhilewecan.WhoknowshowGarethmightreact—hemight have you killed.Wemust get far from this place.Wemust go toSilesia,toGwendolyn.Youwillbecaredforthere.”

"NotuntilIspeaktomyson,"shesaid.Nothing would keep the queen from knowing the truth, from hearing the

words fromGareth himself.QueenMacGil had never been one to back awayfrom a confrontation, and shewas not about to begin now—and certainly notfromherownson.

The Queen slammed open the familiar door to her late husband’s study,resentfulthathersoncouldthinkhecouldoccupyit.Shegaspedasshestoodatthethresholdoftheroom,horrifiedat thesightoftheplace,herlatehusband'spreciousbooksandscrollsscatteredandtornonthefloor,theroominshambles,destroyed.

There,acrosstheroom,sittingslumpedinachair,lookingupatherwithanimpervioussmile,washerson.

Garethsatinthecenterofallofthis,andlookedupatherwithblack,soullesseyes. She could smell the faint odor of opium in the air.He hadn't shaved indays, there were dark bags beneath his eyes, his clothes were soiled, and helookedasifhe’dgonemad.Helookednothinglikethesonshehadmothered,theboyshehadraised.Beingkinghadagedhimtwentyyears,andshealmostdidnotrecognizehim.

"Mother,"hesaidflatly,hardlylookingsurprisedtoseeher."Youhavefinallycometoseeme.”

TheQueenscowleddownathim"Whathaveyoudonetomyhusband’sstudy?”shedemanded.Garethlaughed."I don't think he'll be needing it now,”Gareth said, “but I find it quite an

improvement,don'tyou?”Thequeenstormedforward."Didyoupoisonme?”sheasked.Garethstaredback,expressionless."We found the powder, today, on the servant girl, my lord," Hafold

interjected."Shesaidyoucommandedherto.”“Isittrue?”thequeenaskedsoftly,hopingitwasnot.Garethslowlyshookhishead."Mothermothermother,"hesaid."Whyshouldyoutakeasuddenconcernto

menow,afteralltheseyears?WhenIwasyoung,youreservedallofyourloveforReece.Kendrickwasthebestofallofus,butyoucouldn'tbringyourselftolovehimbecausehewasyourhusband'sbastard.Godfreydisappointedyou inhis taverns. Luanda had one foot out the door andwas no threat to you.AndGwendolyn—well,shewasagirl,andyouweretoothreatenedtoloveher.

“SoReece foundyour love.And the rest ofuswere lookedover. I didnot

existforyou.Ittookmydoingallofthisforyoutofinallyacknowledgeme.”TheQueen’sscowldeepened;shewasinnomoodforGareth’ssophistry."Isittrue?"sherepeated.Garethchuckled."Thetruthhasmanylayers,doesn'tit?”hesaid."Whatwoulditmatterifyou

were poisoned? Your life had turned a corner, you were inching towards thegrave.Aqueenwithoutaking.Ican’tthinkofanythingmoreuseless.”

QueenMacGilfeltarageboilingupinside.Shefeltsicktoherstomach."Youareanabominationofason,”shespatbackathim.“Anabominationof

ahumanbeing.I'msorryIeverhadyou.”"Iknowthatyouare,mother,”hesaidcalmly.“I'veknownthatsincetheday

you had me. But you see, there's nothing you can do about it now. Becausefinally,Iamfreefromyourreach,fromfather'sreach.Now,Icommandyou,"hesaidloudly,standing,hisfaceturningredwithanger."Now,youaremysubject.Andwiththesnapofmyfingers,Icanhaveanattendantkillyou.Yourlifeisatmymercy.”

"Do it then," she seethed back, unafraid, equally determined. "Don't be thecowardlyboyyou'vealwaysbeen.Beaman,asyour fatherwas,andhavemekilledface-to-face.Betteryet,drawtheswordanddothedeedyourself.”

Garethsatthere,trembling.“You can’t do it, can you?” she asked. “No. Instead, you have your little

attendantrunaroundandpoisonmeslowly.Youareacoward.Youalwayshavebeen.Youareadisgracetoyourfather’smemory.”

Gareth suddenly reached into his belt, drew a dagger, raised it high andcharged for his mother with a horrific scream. As he neared, he brought thebladedown,rightforherface.

ButQueenMacGilwasthedaughterofaKingandwifetoanother.Shehadbeenaroundviolenceherentire life,hadbeen trainedby the royalguard fromthetimeshecouldwalk.AsGarethcharged,shecalmlyreachedover,grabbedastone bust of her husband, waited until he got close, then stepped aside andswungitforGareth'shead.

Sheconnectedperfectly,dodginghisbladeandimpactinghisskull,sendinghim crashing back into awooden table, knocking it over as he collapsed andslumpedagainstthewall.

Garethlaythere,breathinghard,bleedingfromhishead,andblinkedseveraltimes.Hetriedtositup,dazed,andwipedthebloodfromthebackofhismouth.Atleastithadwipedthesmilefromhisface.

“I'mthroughwithyou,"thequeensaiddowntohim,coldly."Fromthisdayforward, you are not my son. I want you to know that. You are not even a

stranger.Youarenothingtome.Iwillleavethisplace,andnevercomebackaslong as you rule. I know now, with certainty, that it was you who took myhusband fromme.And for that,youwill rot inhell. “Don't thinkyouwillnotpay. I've been told the shield is down. Soon the Empire’smenwill flood thisplaceandburnittotheground—andyouwillburnwiththem.”

Garethsuddenlylaughed,bloodpouringfromhislips."Idoubtthat,mother,"hesaid."Manypeoplehavetriedtokillme.Butthey

donot succeed.Thismorningmy royal tasterdroppeddeadbeforemyeyes—anotherunsuccessfulplotonmylife.AndyesterdayIlearnedthattheclosesttomewillcome tokillme tomorrowatdawn. Ihavenoallies.But Ihavespies.AndIhavethedevilonmyside.Yousee,noonehaseverbeenabletokillme,mother.Andnooneeverwill.AndIamalwaysonestepaheadofthem,mother.That is the one thing you never understood about me. I am always one stepahead.”

Garethlaughed,shaking,andQueenMacGilhadenough.She turned and stormed from the room,Hafold beside her, and slammed it

behindher,hearingherson’slaughterechoandknowingitwasthelasttimeshewouldeverstepfootinKing'sCourtagain.

CHAPTERTWELVE

Gwendolynskipped throughasummerfieldof flowers,burstingwithcolor,herfather,youngandvibrantandhealthy,byherside.Shewasyoung,perhapsten,andhethrewherupintotheairandswungherastheyskipped.Shelaughedhysterically,thrilledtobeherewithhim.Helaughedback,socarefree,adeep,reassuring sound. She felt so safe, so secure in theworld, as if nothing couldeverchange.

Thefieldwasfloodedwithsunlight,brighterthanshehadeverseen,andasshelookedathim,helookedyoungerandhappierthanshehadeverseenhim.

"I'msoproudofyou,mychild,"hesaidtoher.Hereacheddownandpickedherup,grabbingherbythearmsandliftingher

uphigh into theair, justashedidwhenshewasababy,grinningwidely.Shelaughed,exhilarated.

Butasheputherdown,asherfeettouchedtheground,shelookeddownandrealized that everything had changed. Before the ground had been covered inflowers—nowitwasblackdirt;beforetherehadbeenaclear,brightsky—nowitwasdarkandcloudy;before therehadbeen flowers—now theywere replacedwithafieldofthorns.

Andworstofall,herfatherwasmissing,andshewasalone.Gwendolynheardashrillcry,thatofababy;sheturnedandinthedistance,

atopasmallhill,shesawabassinet,lodgedinsideathornbush.Thecriesgrewlouder,andsheapproachedittentatively,knowingsomehowthatitwasherson.

Aboy.Shereachedthebassinetandleanedinandlooked—andwasoverwhelmedby

thebeautyofthechild.Lightshonefromhim,andshecouldnothelpthinkingthathelookedjustlikeher.

She reached down to lift the baby up, but suddenly the bassinetmoved.Astrongcurrentofwatercamerushingbesideher,andcarriedthebassinetdownawindingmountaintrail.

Gwenranafterit,butitwasnouse.Thebassinetflewtooquickly,andsoonthelandscapebeforeherchangedtoavastsea.

Gwenfoundherselfstandingonarockycoastline, lookingoutatabrewingstorm.

"NO!"shescreamed,reachingoutforherbaby,wadingintothewater.

Butitwasnouse.Thebabywasalreadyfarouttosea,carriedoutonthetide,crying in his bassinet. Gwendolyn felt more helpless than she ever had. Shewantedtheoceantotakeheraway,too.

Gwen began to notice a great bubbling, at the surface of the water, andmomentslater,ahugebeastemerged,screeching.

Adragon.Thedragon rosehigherandhigher, thebiggest thingshe'dever seen, likea

wallbeforeher,blockingoutthesky.Itleanedbackitsheadandroared,andthesoundwasthemostterrifyingshehadexperienced.

Behindit,atidalwavesuddenlyappeared,fiftyfeethigh,rushingather.Shetriedtoturntorun,butitwastoolate.Thewave rushed forward,carrying thedragonwith it, ready tocrashdown

andkillher.Gwendolyn awoke, sitting straight up in a bed she did not recognize, in a

room she did not know, breathing hard and looking all around, trying torememberwhereshewas.Thelightofthefirstrisingsunwasbreakingthroughthewindow,andshejumpedtoherfeet,crossedtheroom,dressedquicklyandsplashedcoldwateronherfacefromasmallstonebowlonthefarsideof thechamber.Sheranthecoldwateracrossherscalpandthroughherhair.Sheshookherhead,tryingtoshaketheawfulvisions,tryingtosnapherselfbacktoreality.Reality was dark enough as it was—she didn't need a nightmare to make itworse.

Thedreamhadseemedtooreal.Herfather;thebaby;theocean;thedragon;theworldturningsodark.Shecouldn'thelpbutfeelasifitbodedawfulthingstocome.

Gwendolynstoodbesidethelarge,open-airwindowandlookeddownattheshiningcityofSilesia;peoplewerealreadyout,thisearlyintheday,preparingtheirgoodsforadayofsale.Asshe lookedover thecitizens,shealsonoticedmovement, could see them congregating towards the city gate. She followedtheirdirectionandspottedasmallcloudofdustonthehorizon,slowlyheadingforSilesia,andshe realized itwasa rider,charging thisway.Tworiders.Andbehindthem,agroupofperhapsahundredtownsfolk.

Gwenrelaxed,realizingitwasnotAndronicus’army;yetshewonderedwhoitcouldbe.Adistanthornsounded,andGwensawthegatekeeperstandtallandblowitagainandagain.

As Gwen examined the rider out front, slowly coming into focus, sherecognizedhisarmor,hishorse.

Therecameasoftknockingonherchamberdoor,andGwenspunandcrossedtheroom,andopenedthedoortoseeanattendantstandingthere,bowingather

presence."MyQueen,Iamsorry todisturbyou,"hesaid.“Butourmenhavespotted

tworidersapproachingourgates,withanentourageofpeople.ShouldIclosethegates?”

Sheshookherhead.“No,”shesaid.“Thatisnoordinaryrider.”Herheartfilledwithjoyasshepreparedtoleavethecastle.“That,”shesaid,“ismybrother.”

*Gwendolyn tookthesteps threeata time,excitedassheboundeddownthe

spiralstonestaircaseofthecastle,throughthecorridorsandoutthefrontdoor.She raced across the courtyard, for the main gate, where she saw Kendrickarrive,Atmeathisside.Herheartfloodedwithrelief.Itwaslikeapieceofherwas back home again. With her family so broken, so dysfunctional, havingKendrickheremadeherfeelabitofnormalcybackagain.

Itwas ironic:Kendrickwasherhalf-brother,yethefeltmore likefamily toher than her real siblings. She knew she would have to make some harddecisions as queen, but she hadn’t known how shewould possibly be able toorderthegatesclosedandsealedknowinghewasstilloutthere.Itsavedheraheart-wrenchingdecision.

As she ran for the gates,Kendrick spotted her, dismounted and ran to her,embracing her. Shewas so happy to see him again.A part of her felt that, ifKendrickmadeitback,maybeThorcould,too.

"You'realive,"shesaidoverhisshoulder,atearrunningdownhercheek."I'msohappyyou’realive.”

He pulled her back, grinning wide; it felt so good to see another livingmemberofherfamily,hereinthisforeigncity.Hewasalsothestrikingimageofherfather,andseeinghimmadeherfeelasifshehadasmallpieceofherfatherbackagain.

“I am," he said. “Always. I was told of your travels to this place, ofeverything that has happened. I am so proud of you for leading these people.Theycouldhavepickednofineraleader.”

She smiled, flushed with pride. Coming from Kendrick, whom everyonerespected,whowaseminentlyqualifiedtobe thenextKing, itwashighpraiseindeed.

"Thesepeopledonothavemetothankformakingthemsafe,"sherespondedhumbly."Iamsuretheywouldhavefoundawaytobesafeeitherway.”

Kendrickshookhishead."They needed a leader. Someone to guide them. You led the way. Many

peoplewilllivebecauseofyou."“AndIsee thosepeoplefollowingyou,aswell,”shesaid,noddingoverhis

shoulderasthehundredsoftownsfolkfollowingKendrickandAtmecaughtupandbegantoenterthegates.

Kendrick’sfacefellinconcern."I’mafraidIbearbadnews,”hesaid.“WespottedAndronicus’army.They

marchourway.”Gwen'seyesopenedinalarm."Areyousureofit?”sheasked.“Assureasitisday,”cameavoice.Gwen turned to see Atme coming up beside Kendrick, looking back with

concern.Hereachedoutandtookherhandandkissedherfingertips.“Mylady,”headded.“Ifulfilledthemission.”

Gwensmiled.“Youhavebroughtmybrotherbacktomealive,”shesaid.“Forthat,Ishall

alwaysbeindebted.IknowwhoIshallturntonexttimeIhaveamissionoftheutmosturgency.”

“Youtrustedmewithamostsacredmission,withyourfamily’slife,andforthatIwillalwaysbegrateful,”Atmereplied,noddingback.

There came a commotion and Gwen turned to see Srog, Brom and Kolkapproach,flankedbyseveralmembersoftheSilver.TheyalllitupatthesightofKendrick,hurriedoverandembracedhim.

"Kendrick,"Bromsaid,claspinghisforearm."YouservetheSilverwellinallthatyoudo.”

"MyLord,"Kendricksaidbacktohim.“Youbringmuchhonoruponyourfather’smemory,”Kolksaid.Kendrickmethisembrace."It is an honor to have a knight of your repute in Silesia," Srog said, their

forearmsclaspingfirmly."Thehonorisallmine,myLords,"Kendricksaidback."Infact,Ioweyoua

greatdebtfortakinginmysisterandhalfofKing’sCourt.”"Thedebt ismine,"Srogsaid. "It the leastwecando tohonoryour father,

whowasalwaysgoodtous.Hecouldhavetaxedusfarmorethanhedid,andhechosenotto.”

Kendrickhalf-bowedhishead inappreciation, thenhisbrowfurrowedwithconcern.

“I’mafraid Iarrivebearinggravenews,”Kendricksaid,clearinghis throat.“Andronicus’menfollownotfarbehindus.”

“Welaidourowneyesupontheirforces,”Atmeadded.

Therecameagaspamongthemen.Gwenfeltapitinherstomach.“Howlong?”Bromasked.“Itcouldbeaday.Itcouldbemore.It isawallofdevastation,andnothing

willstopthem.”Theotherslookedateachother,gravely.“Wesavedthesetownsfolk,”Kendricksaid,gesturingtothepeoplewhofiled

inthroughthegates,“butothertownswillnotbesofortunate.Thereisn’ttimetosavethemall.Wemustprepare,ifthere'sanyhopeofdefendingthisplace.”

"Isthereanyhope?"Gwenasked,watchinghisexpressionclosely.Helookedathergravely,andshesawtheanswerinhiseyes.Herheartsank

further."Wemustdothebestwecando,”heanswered.“Weareinthehandsofthe

fates.""Thenthereislesstimethanwethought,"Kolksaid."Wemustfortifythecityatonce,"Srogsaid."Nowthatyou'resafelywithinourgates,”Bromadded,“wecanbegintoseal

theouterwalls.”"Wewerewaitingforyou,"Gwenexplained.Kendricklookedbackather,andshecouldseethathewastouched.“ThenIoweyouagreatdebt,”hereplied."Soundthehorns,”Gwencommanded,takingcharge.“Wehavenomoretime

towaste.”SheturnedtoSrog.“Commandyourmentobeginthefortifications.”Srogshouteduptoasoldier,highuponthewalls,andheturnedandshouted

to several others. Several took up horns and blew them, the sound echoingthroughoutSilesia.Soldiers began to filter from their barracks andhead alongthewalltowardstheouterfortifications.

"My lady,"Srog said, turning toGwendolyn. "Youhave seenbut theuppercity of Silesia.Our people down below, in lower Silesia,who live amidst thecanyonwalls, await your visit. In this time of trouble it would reassure themgreatlytomeetyou.MayIsuggestthatweallsurveythecitytogether?"

“Iwouldbehonored,”Gwensaid.GwenturnedandaccompaniedSrogandtheothersasthemenfellinbehind

them, the large and growing group walking through the streets of Silesia,headingtowardstheentrancetothelowercity.Astheywalked,thesoldiersallspeaking to each other in an excited but agitated way, Gwen fell in besidesKendrick. It was natural walking beside him, as they had since they werechildreninKing’sCourt,yetGwenhadsomethingpressingonhermindwhichsheneededtoshare.

"I feel guilty, being appointed ruler," she said softly, out of earshot of the

others."Yes,itwaswhatfatherwanted.Butyouarehisfirstborn.Andyouareaman. And, with Erec gone, you are the de facto leader of the Silver. All thesoldiers respect you.You've fought side by sidewith each of them.Andme?WhathaveIdone?IfeelasifI'vedonenothingtomeritallthis.AllIhavedoneisbeenourfather'sdaughter.Andnotevenhisfirstborndaughter.”

Kendrickshookhishead."Youdon'tseeyourownvirtues,"hesaid."Youarefarmorethanthat.Father

wasnotarashman.Orafoolishone.Allofhisdecisions,hemadewisely.Andchoosing youwas thewisest of all. It is not strength ormilitary prowess thatmakesagreatruler.Agreatsoldier,maybe—butnotagreatruler.Itisnotaboutone’sabilitytowieldasword,orevenaboutthewayothermenlookuptoyou.Thatmightmakeagoodruler—butnotagreatone.

“A great ruler is forged ofwisdom.Knowledge. Temperance. Compassion.Insight.Anditisyouwhopossessallofthosequalities.Thatiswhatfathersawin you. That is why he chose you. And I must agree with him. Do notunderestimate yourself. And don't feel guilt. I am content with my lot. Youdeserveit,andIwishfornothingmorethantoserveyou,whetheryouaremyyoungersisterornot.”

Gwenfeltarushofloveforhim,asshealwayshad.Healwaysknewexactlywhattosay,eversincetheyweresmallchildren.

"I appreciate yourkindness, brother,” she said. “But I still feel as if you'vebeenpassedover.Andthatdoesn'tsitrightwithme.IfIamtorule,Iwantyoutohelpmerule.Iwantyoutohaveapositionofimport.Iwouldliketonameyouas ruler of our armed forces. I want all of them—the Silver, the Legion, theKing’sMen—toanswertoyou.Afterall,thereisnooneItrustmore,andnoonebetterfitting.YouareaMacGil,too,anditwillinspirethementohaveyouincourt.”

"Thatisnotsomethingyouneedtodo,mysister,”hesaidsoftly,humbled.“Iloveyouequally,nomatterwhat.”

"IknowIdon'tneedto,"shesaid."Iwantto.”Beforehecouldsayanotherword,sheturnedtoSrog.“Srog!"shecalledout."Yesmylady,"hesaid,rushinguptoher,BromandKolkbesidehim."I appoint my brother Kendrick in the new position of ruler of the armed

forces,” she said formally. “I would ask all the generals of all the forcesassembledheretoanswertohim.Ofcourse,youwillleadyourmen,andKolkand Brom, you will lead yours, but Kendrick will take direct control of theSilver, and youwill all answer to him. I realizemy brother is far younger inyearsthanyouare.ButIalsoknowitiswhatmyfatherwouldhavewanted,and

Icanthinkofnoonemoredeserving.”"My lady, it is a wise choice, and admire your sharing of power.We will

gladlyanswertoKendrickwho,afterall,isourbravestandfinestwarrior.”“Aswillwe,”answeredKolkandBromheartily."Thenthematterissettled,"Gwensaid.“Kendrick,Isaluteyouonyournew

position.”Kendricklookeddown."Iamdeeplyhumbled,”hesaid.“Iwillserveyouwithmylife.”"Asyoualwayshave,"Bromsaid,steppingforwardandclaspinghimonthe

shoulder.Theywoundtheirwaythroughtheshining,redcobblestonestreets,thestone

lightingupintheearlymorninglight,andapproachedadeepandnarrowarchedalleyway,carvedofstone,wideenoughforonlytwopeopletopassthroughatatime.Atthefarendofit,maybefiftyyardsaway,thelightoftheCanyonshonethrough.Severalsoldiersstoodguard,snappingtoattentionastheyapproached.

“TheentrancewaytolowerSilesia,mylady,”Srogsaid.Gwenenteredwith theothers, allof themmarching in theblacknessof the

tunnel, the only light that of the Canyon at the far end, their footsteps andwhispersechoingoffthewalls.Itwasaneeriefeeling,walkingthroughthislongtunnel;Gwenfeltasifshewereenteringaportaltoanotherworld.

"Wearethesamepeople,upaboveanddownbelow,”Srogexplained,“yetinsome ways, the upper and lower Silesias are like two different cities. Thoseabovegroundrarelydescend,andthosedownbelow,clingingtothesideoftheCanyon, like to stay there.Thoseafraidofheightsdon’tdowelldownbelow;theyjokinglyrefertolowerSilesiansasmountaingoats.Yetthosewhobreathethe Canyon air are content where they are, and find no need to come to the‘flatlands’,astheycallit.”

Gwensmiled.“Otherwise,”hecontinued,“weareverymuchonepeople.Makenomistake

aboutit:ifAndronicusshouldattack,wewillalldefendasonecity.Andiftheupper city gets overrun, we can fall back on the lower city. That is the greatstrengthofSilesia.Thatiswhyithasnotbeenconqueredinathousandyears.”

Theyallreachedtheedgeofthetunnel,andGwenstoodonasmalllanding.Acoldgustofwindhither in theface,andshelookeddownat thesteepdropbelow.Shegrewdizzy.Itwasasifshewerestandingonalandingattheedgeofthe sky, before her nothingbut the vast expanseofCanyon.She felt as if shewereinsidetheCanyonitself:onemorestepandshewouldgoplungingtoherdeath.

Beneathher,built into theCanyonwalls, shesaw lowerSilesia for the first

time. Also built of an ancient red stone, its architecture was breathtakinglybeautiful,thelowercityrepletewithspiresandparapetsanddwellings,allbuiltright into the side of the cliff, jutting out from the Canyon a good fifty feet.Therewasactivitybelow,peopleswarmingabout,livestock,childrenplaying,allgoingabouttheirordinarylivesasiftheywerelivinginanormalcity,andnotdanglingontheedgeofacliff,withaplungebeneaththemthatwouldsendthemtotheirdeathswithonewrongstep.

Gwendolyn pulled back, feeling nauseated, wondering how these peoplecouldlivethisway.

"Don'tworry,everyonereacts thesamewaythefirst time,"Srogsmiled."Ittakessomegettingusedto.Afterawhile,youdon'tevennoticetheheights.”

Srog led theway down a narrow, twisting stone staircase embedded in thesideof thecliff.Gwendolyngrippedtherailingfirmly,knuckleswhite,as theyheadeddownthesteps,tryingnottopeekovertheedgeasanothergustofwindcame, so strong it knocked her off balance. Shewas not necessarily afraid ofheights,butthisdescentwassosteep,andsoclosetotheedge,itgottoher.Shecould hardly fathom how people did it—especially how they could let theirchildrenplay,socarefree.Sheassumedtheywerealldesensitized.

Afterseveralflightstheyreachedabroadlanding,fiftyfeetwidewithahighrailing, and Gwen finally relaxed again. Waiting to greet them as they camedown were several dozen lower Silesians, pouring out from side alleyways,seemingtocomeoutofthecliffsthemselves.AswiththeSilesiansabove,theywereawarmandfriendlypeople,allwearingwelcomingsmiles,andalllookingtoGwenwithadoration.Itwasclearthat,aswiththoseabove,theyalllookedtoherastheirleader.

Gwendolynfeltoverwhelmed.Itwasasurrealfeelingforher,havingallthesepeoplelookingtoherforguidance,andagainshefeltunsureifshecouldliveuptothetaskofbeingtheleadertheyneeded.Beingaking’sdaughterhadagedhermore quickly thanmost, yet shewas still just sixteen, barely an adult herself.Shemarveledathowthesepeopleputsuchfaithinher.Sheknewdeepdownitwasonlybecauseofherfather.Clearly,theyhadlovedhim.Forthat,shelovedthem back. Anyone who had been loyal to her father earned her love andappreciation.

“My fellowSilesians,"Srogboomed. "It ismyhonor to introduceour ladyGwendolyn,daughterofKingMacGil,thenewruleroftheWesternKingdomoftheRing.”

Therecameashoutandcheeras thecrowdrushedforward,severalwomenclaspinghershoulder,someof themgivingherahug,otherskissingherhand.Others ran their palms on her cheek, and children stroked her long hair.They

raisedthreefingerstotheirrighttemple,thenslowlypulledthemaway,salutingher.

Gwenclearedherthroat."IamheretoserveyouinanywayIcan,"shesaidbacktothem,raisingher

voice tobeheardover thehowlingof thewind."Ihope that thegodsgivemestrengthtoserveyouwell.”

"Youalreadyhave,mylady!"yelledawomanfromthecrowd,andtheothersansweredwithacheer.

Gwendolyn’sbrowfurrowedwithconcern."Itisonlyfairthatyouknowwhatliesaheadofus,”shecontinued.“Asyou

know,theshieldisdown.Asyoumaynotknow,Andronicusandhismenhavealready invaded theRing. Itwill notbe longuntil they reachour city.Wearevastly outnumbered. We will do our best to defend the city. But you mustprepareyourselvesforwar,andforasiege.”

"My lady, ourgreat cityhasbeenattackedmany times,” calledout anothercitizen.“Wedonotfordeath.NotevenfromAndronicus.Ifwegodown,itwillbeasfreemenandwomen.Wewantnothingmore!”

There arose another cheer from the crowd, then the Silesians began todissipate,toheadbacktotheirfortifyingthelowercity,boardingwindowsandsecuringgates.

“Shallwe?”Srogasked.Theycontinuedtheirtourofthelowercity,leadingthemthroughaseriesof

twisting streets and alleyways, past impressive fortifications, all built into thisstartlingcityperchedonthesideoftheCanyon.

Srog led them through an arched stone gate and down a long peninsula ofrockjuttingtwentyfeetintotheCanyon.

"CanyonPoint,"Srogsaid.Theywalkedtotheend,thewindevenstrongerhere,coldgustsbringingtears

toGwen’seyes.She lookeddownand sawher feet enveloped in themist thatrolled in on the breeze. Then she looked up, out into the expanse. She feltdwarfedbytheenormityofthisspotintheworld.

"Youstand in thewestern-mostpointof theRing,"Srog said. “Weuse thisplatform as a lookout,when themists are not too strong. Fromhere, you cangainacommandingviewoflowerSilesia.”

SrogturnedbackandfacedtheCanyonwall,andGwenturnedwithhim.Shegasped, amazed at how impressive lower Silesia was. She saw thousands ofpeoplemillingabout their lives, stackedonestorybeneath thenext,as ifnoneknewwhatwasgoingonaboveorbelowthem.Shecouldseewhythisplacehadlastedthousandsofyears.Itwasinsurmountable.

"Mylady,"Srogsaid."Onbehalfofmypeople,beforethebattlebegins,wewouldliketoknowyourpositiononsurrender.”

Gwenturnedandsawthefacesofallthemendarken."Ithinkwewouldallagreethisisaonce-in-a-lifetimesituation,”Srogsaid.

“Wehaveseveralthousandfinewarriorspreparedtofighttothedeath—buttheywillbeupagainst amillionmen.Even thebestwarriorshave their limits.Wecanholdthemback,maybe.Butforhowlong?”

"Perhaps long enough for Thor and the others to return with the Sword?"Gwensaid.

Theotherslookedateachotherskeptically."Ofcourse,mylady,"Bromsaid,"weallloveThorasason.Andweallhave

greatfaithinhiscourage.Butevenwithasmuchrespectaswehaveforthem,weallknowtheoddsoftheirreturnarenexttoimpossible.Andbeingpracticalwarriors,wemustmakecontingencyplans.”

“Mylady,wewillstandbywhateveryouchoose,”Srogsaid,“butwedoneedtoknow.DoyouatanypointplanonsurrenderingthecitytoAndronicus?”

"That would be naive," Kendrick interjected. “We all know Andronicus’reputation. He kills everyone. A surrender would be to offer ourselves up toslaughter.Orbestcase,tobehisslaves.Andheismerciless.”

"Thenagain,”Kolksaid,“ifweallowhimtocontrolthiscityandtheWesternKingdom,hemightmakeadeal.And ifwedon’t surrender,wemight endupdead,orslaves,anyway.”

AsGwenlistenedtoallthearguments,shefeltoverwhelmedwiththeweightof the decision before her. She did not want to make the wrong one. Yet itseemedthat,nomatterwhatshedid,shecoulddonoright.Eitherway,peoplecoulddie.

"Srog,"shesaid,turningtohim,"thismaybemyfather'scourt,butSilesiaisyour city. These are your people. You have livedwith them, and foughtwiththem,yourentirelife.Iwanttoknowwhatyouthinkfirst.Whattheythink.HowdoSilesiansfeelaboutsurrender?”

Sroglookeddown,grave,andrubbedhisbeard."Silesiansareaverywarmandfriendlypeople.Butthey'realsoaveryproud

people.Wehave never surrendered, not once in the history of theRing.Theydon'tknowwhatsurrendermeans.”

Hesighed.“Theywouldfollowyou,mylady,whateveryouchoose.Buttheywouldnot

wantyou to surrenderon their account.Theyvalue life.But theyvaluehonormore.”

"AndKendrick,”shesaid,turningtohim.“Whatdoyouthink?”

Kendrickfurrowedhisbrow,lookingoutattheCanyon."Adifficultdecision,”hesaid.“On theonehand, it isprized tobefearless.

Yetonedoesnotwanttobetheuncompromisingrulerwhosendsallhispeopletotheirdeathsoutofpride.RememberwhatIsaid:tobearulerisdifferentthanbeingasoldier.”

"Whatwouldfatherhavedone?"Gwenasked.Kendrickslowlyshookhishead."Father was a stubborn, proud man. He was more warrior than king. The

decisionyoufaceisnotadecisionforawarrior.ItisadecisionforaKing.Whatmattersnowiswhatyouwoulddo.”

Gwendolyn felt the weight of his words. She turned from the others, tookseveralstepsout,totheverytipofthelanding,andlookedoutattheCanyon.

Gwen stood there, thinking.Kendrick'swords rang in her head.Theyweretrue.Afteracertainpointshehadtostopworryingandthinkingofwhatothersthought, what others would decide. She had to stop feeling as if she weren’tqualified enough tomake a decision. She thought back to all of her years ofstudy,intheHouseofScholars.Shethoughtofallthewarsshehadstudied,allthesiegesshehadbeenquizzedon.SheponderedtheAnnalsoftheMacGils,thehistory of the Ring. She recalled all the histories of surrender, of protractedsieges.Sherememberedreadingofafewsurrendersthathadgonesmoothly;butshe remembered many more that had gone poorly. And none of the invaderswereasruthlessasAndronicus.

Gwendolynalsorecalledalltherulersshehadreadabout,andtheoneswhohadsucceededandtheoneswhodidnot.Shefeltthatbeingagoodrulerwasnotalwaysaboutmakingthemostlogicaldecision,butsometimesaboutmakingthedecision thatheld themostnobility, themosthonor, for thepeople.She stoodthere and closed her eyes, willing for her father to help her make the rightchoice.

Asshedid,shefeltasuddenstrengthandclarityovercomeher.Shefeltshewasnot alone: therewas the bloodof sixMacGil kings coursing throughher.ShewasaMacGil,justlikealltheothers.Justbecauseshewasawoman,itdidnotmakeheranylesser.

Sheturnedandfacedtheothers,hereyesaglowwithafiercedetermination."Wemayalldieheretogether,”shesaid,hervoiceboomingwithconfidence.

“Butwewillnot surrender.Wewillnever surrender.That iswhoweare.Andwhoweareismoreimportantthanhowwedie.”

Themen all looked back at her, eyeswideningwith a new respect, even alookofawe.Theyallnoddedgravely,andshecouldseetheyagreed.Shecouldalsoseeintheireyesthattheyhad,finally,foundtheirtrueleader.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

Thorand theotherLegionmembersmarched,as theyhadforhours,on thenarrowpaththatledfromthejungleandtookthemintoadesertclime,Krohnattheirsideastheyfollowedtheboy.Thorhadbeensurprisedtoseetheshockingchangeofterrain,fromawallofjungle,toanaridwasteland,nothingbutopenskybeforethem,dominatedbythebeatingsun.Theyhadleftbeforefirstlightatthe behest of the boy’s grandpa,who did notwant them to be spotted by theEmpire. The boy had been gracious enough to accompany them all this way,despitehisgrandpa’stellinghimnotto.Hehadinsistedonseeingthemalloff,onputtingthemallontherighttrail.

Finally,afterhoursofmarching,theyreachedaforkintheroad,splittinginthreedirections.

"You see, this iswhy I had to come," said the boy, as they all stood there,breathinghard.“Thisisthefourthtimetheroadhasforked.Eachtimegetsmoreconfusing.Ididn'twantyoutoenduponthewrongroad.Ifyouhad,you'dbedeadbynow.Therearemonstersinthisdesertplainyoucannotimagine.”

Theboysighed.“Butnowthatwe’vereachedthefinalfork,Icanturnbackaroundandyou

canbeonyourway. Just take the far right path here, and itwill bringyou toSlaveCity.Iwishyouluck.”

They all crowded around theboywithgratitude, andThor reachedout andlaidahandonhisshoulder.

“Weoweyouagreatdebt for thekindnessyouhaveshownus,”Thorsaid.“You saved our lives yesterday, total strangers, by bringing us to yourgrandfather'scottage.Andnow,onceagain,byleadingustotherightroad.Howcanwerepayyouforyourservice?"

Theboyshruggedhumbly."Youneedn’t repayme,"hesaid."I likehaving thecompany. Itgets lonely

outhere.Besides,IhatetheEmpire,andI’dliketoseeyoudefeatthemandfreeusfromthisexistence.Ihatelivinginhiding.Iwanttobefree.”

"Wewillstrivetodoallthatandmore,"Thorsaid,“yetsurelytheremustbesomethingwecandoforyou?Anything?"

Theboylookeddowntotheground."Well,thereisonething,"hesaid,hesitant."Ihavealwaysdreamedofjoining

theLegion.IknowIamtooyoungnow.Andtoosmall.But ifyousurviveallthis,iftheRingsurvives,maybeoneday,Icanfindyouandyoucanletmetryoutforit.ThatisallIask.IknowI'msmall,butIcanthrowaspearbetterthananyoneIknow.”

Thorsmileddownattheboy."Youhaveabigheart,"hesaid."Anditwasn'tlongagothatIwasyoursize—

and despite that, I joined the Legion. I don’t see why you can’t, too. Rightguys?”Thorasked,turningtotheothers.

Theyallnoddedbackenthusiastically.“HehasmoreheartthanhalftheLegion,”Reecesaid.“Wewillmakesuretheytakeyouseriously,”O’Connorsaid.“It istheleast

wecando.”Theboygrinnedwide.“Tellmeboy,"Thorsaid,"whatisyourname?Younevertoldus.”Theboylookedupandsquinted."Idon'thaveone,”heresponded.“Itisnotourcustomtogivenamesherein

theEmpire.WeareallslavestothegreatAndronicus.Givingsomeoneanameispunishable by death. Some of us take names upon ourselves. Hidden names,whichwekeepinside.Butwearetonevertellanyone.”

“Youcantellusyours,”Thorsaid.“Wevowtokeepitasecret.”Theboylookedatalltheirfaces,hesitating,andThorcouldseethefearinhis

eyes.Finally,heclearedhisthroatandsaid:“Ario.”The boy quickly reached out, clasped forearmswith Thor, then turned and

hurriedoff,bouncingbackdowntheroadtowardsthejungle."Remember,"theboycalledout,"donotstrayfromthepath.Thecitycomes

uponyouquickly.Becareful.”Withthat,theboyturnedandran,disappearingdowntheroad.Thorturnedandlookedattheothers,andtheyallfollowedthepathclosely.Hourfollowedhour,andthesecondsunroseandgrewunbearablyhotasthey

marcheddeeperanddeeper into thewasteland.Ashemarched, leftalonewiththemonotonyofhis thoughts,Thorwonderedwhenall of thiswould end.Hesaw before him the footsteps of thosewhomust have stolen the Sword, theirprintsdeep.Theboyhadbeentrackingtheirstepstheentireway,andThorwasbeginningtofeelconfidentthattheywerecloseontheirtrail.Hehopedthattheycouldreachthecityintime,catchthethievesbeforetheirarrival,andsomehowgettheSwordandgethome,undetectedbytheEmpire,beforeitwastoolate.

Astheycontinuedtomarch,Thor'slegsshaking,growingweary,finallytheyturnedabend,thelandslopedoffdownbelow,andtheywereaffordedabird’s-

eyeviewofSlaveCity.Thereitsat,sprawlingonthehorizon.ItwasthelargestcityThorhadeverseen,lowandflat,stretchingformileswithnoendinsight.Ithad a drab, industrial feeling,with thousands of structures built close to eachother.

Amidst thesestructuresworkedthousandsofslaves,packedinto thestreets,millingaboutlikeants.Evenfromhere,Thorcouldseethattheywerechainedtoeach other, and that among them were thousands of Empire taskmasters,whipping them.Punctuating thecitywere large flashesof light, andThor sawsmallfiresshootupfromtheground,allovertheplace.Thecityblendedintothedesertland,andThorwassurprisedtoseeitwasnotenclosed.

"Nogates,nowalls,"Thorobserved.“Iguessthey’renotafraidtheslaveswillrun,”Reecesaid.“Wherewouldtheyrunto,inthisgodforsakenplace?”Eldenasked."They don't need them," Conval said. "They're all chained together. They

couldn’truniftheytried.”"Not tomention thesoldiers,”Convensaid.“Thereareasmanyof themas

thereareslaves.”“Plus, theydon'tneedwalls todefend it,"O’Connor said, "becausenobody

would be stupid enough to attack. There are thousands of Empire here. Andnothingaroundthisplaceformiles.”

"WhywouldthethievesbringtheSwordtothisplace?"Eldenasked.Thorstudiedtheground,andsawthetracksheadinginthatdirection."Itdoesn'tmakesense,”Reeceadded.Thorshrugged."Like the boy said, maybe it's a stop for them, on the road to somewhere

else.”Asone,theyallsetoffonthetrailtowardsthecity,eachofthemtensingup,

handsontheirscabbards."Itwon'tbelonguntilwe’respotted,"Reecesaid."Youseethatcropofrock

there? We should head to it and stay close along its edge, in the shadows.Otherwisethey’llseeus.”

"Buttheboysaidnottogooffthepath,"O'Connorsaid.Reeceshrugged."Wewon’tbefaroffthepath.AndI'drathertakemychanceswithwhatever's

outtherethanwiththeEmpire.”Thorcouldfeelthemalllookingtohimtomakethefinaldecision.Hecould

seebothpointsofview,anditwasnotaneasycall.Finally,henoddedback.“Thepathisaguaranteeddeath,”Thorsaid.“Therockisnot.Let'sgotothe

rock.”Asone,theyallhurriedoffthepath,stickingclosetothehugeoutcroppingof

rocksoasnottobedetected.Theyslowlyapproachedthecity.Hardlyahundredyardsaway,theycouldbegintohearthecriesandmoansoftheslaves,sufferingbeneaththeabuseoftheEmpiresoldiers.Thecitywasfilledwiththesoundofcrackingwhips,andofburstingflames,shootingupeverywhere.

Astheyneared,Thorsawmetalstructuresbuilt into thegroundfromwhichdangledsomesortofminingapparatus; theslaves,heldbythickironshackles,guidedthemtomassiveholes,strikingagainandagainintotheground.Astheydugdeeperintotheholes,flamesshotupandintothestructure.

"Whataretheydoing?"Convalasked."Itlookslikethey’reminingsomething,"Eldensaid."Butwhat?”Theyallshrugged,ataloss.Before theycould takeanotherstep,suddenlyO'Connorscreamedout—and

theyallstoppedandturned.Thorlookeddownandsawthelong,bonyhandofabeast shoot up from the sand and grab O'Connor's calf. It wrapped its clawsaroundhimandyankedO'Connor,dragginghimdown,sinkingintothesand.

Thor was first to react, stepping forward with his sword and slashing thecreature'swrist.Therecameamutedscreechingnoise,fromsomewherebeneaththesand,and thecreature’sarmslunkbackdownto theground.But thehand,severed,stillclungtoO’Connor'scalf,screaming;Krohn,snarling,leaptforwardand bit it, and the hand let go and scurried across the sand, then dove downbeneaththesurface,too.

Theboyslookedateachotherinwonder.Buttheyhadnotimetofigureitout,becausesuddenly,dozensofcreatures’

armsstartedpoppingoutfromthesand,allaroundthem.Thorfinallyunderstoodwhytheboytoldthemnottoveerfromthepath.

Thorjumpedoutofthewayasahandshotoutforhisleg—heleaptoveritandcrusheditwithhisboot.Butthenanothersurfacedandscratchedhisankle.

"Run!"Thorsaid.“Backtothepath!”As one they all ran, slashing down with their swords, trying their best to

avoid the claws. Thor’s legs stung in pain as he was clawed and scratchedincessantly. Krohn snarled and jumped as he ran, snapping at the hands thatemergedfromthesand.

They sprinted for their lives, leaping more than running, and finally theymadeitbackontothepath,juststepsoutsidethecity.

Theyallkeptrunning,tryingtoenterthecityquicklyenoughsoasnottobeseen. Thor led them into the city and down a narrow alleyway between two

buildings where there seemed to be few Empire soldiers, and which wasthrongedwithslaves.

Theslavesstoppedtheirwork,thesoundoftheirchiselsslowing,andturnedand looked at them in wonder. Their eyes were wide open: clearly they hadneverseenfreepeopleinthesestreetsbefore.

"Whoareyou?"askedoneofthem.Thor turnedand sawa largeman, facecovered indirt, leaningbackonhis

pick,surveyingthegroup.Dozensofotherslavesgathered."We've come from the Ring," Thor said. "We are on a quest, to find

somethingthatwasstolenfromus.Weseekadozenmen,carryingasword.Weweretoldtheycametothiscity.Haveyouseenthem?”

Thelargeslaveshookhishead."Youhavemadeagravemistaketocomehere,”hesaidinhislowvoice,as

moreandmorepeoplegathered.“Youwillnotleavealive.Nooneleavesalive.TheEmpiretroopsareeverywhere.Thereisnoescape.”

"Freeus!"criedanotherslave.“Yes, freeus!” cried another, holdinguphis chains, desperate. “Orwewill

alerttheguardstoyourpresence!”Thordrewhissword,asdidtheothers."Youwilldonosuchthing,”Reecewarned.“WewillfreeyouifyoutelluswherethemenwentwiththeSword,"Thor

said."Wehave no fear of you," said the large slave, stepping forward, scowling

downatthem."Doyouknowwhatitisthatweminehere?Fire!”"Fire?"Thorasked,puzzled.Theslaveturnedwithhispick,andstruckthegroundagainandagain.After

severalseconds,aburstofflameshotintotheair,andthelargemetalstructureglowedorange,absorbingtheflames.

"These are the fire mines," another slave said, stepping forward defiantly."OneoftheworstplacesyoucanbesentintheEmpire.Thereisnothingyouoryourswordscandotouswhichtheyhavenotdonealready.Sonowfreeus.Thisisyourlastchance.Ifyoudonot,wewillsummontheguards!”

Thorstoodthere,wavering."Don’tdoit,"Eldensaid.“Ifyoufreethem,”Reecesaid,“theywillstartacommotion,anditwillgive

usaway.”"Freeus!"screamedthegroupofslaves,louderandlouder.Thor and the others looked nervously about, and in the distance he saw

severalguardsturntheirway.

"GUARDS!"screamedaslave.“GUARDS!”theothersechoed.“Run!"Thorsaid,notwantingaconfrontation."Thisway!”They all ran down an alleyway, twisting and turning theirway deeper into

SlaveCity,past rowsofslaves,allofwhomstoppedand lookedas theywent.Thorcheckedbackoverhisshoulder,andhisstomachdroppedatwhathesaw:dozensofEmpiretroopsboredownonthem.

A horn sounded, and dozensmore troops joined them, pouring in from alldirections.

They were quickly surrounded, soldiers charging them from all directions,andtherewasnowheretogo.

"Overhere!"cameavoice.Thor turnedand sawa single slavegirl, chained toapost,gesturingwildly

towardsthem.Withlong,wildblackhair,andaprettyfacecoveredindirt,shehad desperate, flashing black eyes. She lifted a hugemetal trap door into theearth,andgesturedforthemtoruntowardsher.

"Inside,quickly!"sheyelled."Iwillhideyou!”Thorlookedattheothers,whowereskeptical;butthentheyturnedandsaw

allthetroopsbearingdownonthem,andrealizedtheydidn'thavemuchchoice.He didn't want to enter into a battle with thousands of Empire troops, andcertainlynothere, in these closequarters, and in aplacehedidnotknow.Hewouldhavetotrusther.

Thor nodded and the others all turned and raced with him for the opencompartment,diving inhead-first,Krohndiving inbesidehim.Thordove intotheshallowholeintheearth,theothersdivingontopofhim,allsandwichedinlikesardines,andthegirlslammedtheliddownontopofthem—makingtheirworldblackness.

Krohn nestled up against Thor, and it was hard to breathe in here. Thor’sheartpoundedandhecouldnothelpbutwonderiftheywerebeingsetup,ifitwasalla trap.Hewonderedifmaybeithadbeenstupid todivedownhere, totrusther.

Thesoundsabovethembecamemuffled,andThorheardthegirlstandonthemetallid,andthenheardthefootstepsofdozensofsoldiersrunningpast.Afterseveral seconds, the ground above became quiet, and the girl lifted thecompartment.

Themetaldooropenedslowly,harshlightpouringin,andThorsawthegirl’sface,gesturingquickly for them togetup.Theyall scrambledoutandshe ledthem to the shadows of a wall, standing beside them, her wrists shackled inheavyironchains.

"Freeme,"shesaid,hereyeswild,desperate.“Cutmyshackles!”Thorexaminedher:shewastallandbroadandbony,nearlyastallasElden,

with plain features, and large black eyes. Shewas covered in dirt, and had awild,crazedlooktoher,andatoughnessthatThorrarelysawinagirl.Shealsohadabitofashady,wilylook,andThordidn'tfeelasiftheycouldentirelytrusther.Shewasclearlyasurvivor.

"Andwhyshouldwe?"Eldenaskedfirmly,steppingclosetoher.ShelookedupatElden,examininghim,andhelookedcloselyather,too."BecauseIwillleadyououtofhere!”shesaid.“Nooneelseknowsthiscity

asI.Ifyoudon'tfollowme,youwillcertainlybecaughtandenslavedbytheseguards.ButIknowawayout.Thereisn’tmuchtime.Doyouwanttotrustme?”

Thorshookhishead.“Weappreciateyouroffer,butwedidn’tcome to thiscity to runaway,”he

said.“Wecametofindasword,andthegroupofmenbearingit.”“Iknowwheretheywent,”shesaid.Theyalllookedather,wide-eyed.“Andhowwouldyouknowthat?”Convalasked.“Because they are thieves,” she said. “And so am I. Thieves always know

whereeachothergo.”Theboysalllookedateachother,surprisedbyhercandor.“Icanleadyouontheir trail,”sheadded.“It leadsoutof thecity.Theyare

nothere.”Eldennarrowedhiseyes,distrustful."Whydon’tyoujusttellushowtogoandwe’llbeonourway,"Eldensaid.Thor could see something he hadn’t seen before in Elden’s expression; he

seemedmorethanmerelycurious.Heseemedinterestedinthisgirl.Sheshookherhead.“That’snotthedeal,”shesaid.“EitherIgowithyou,ornotatall.”“Whydoyouwanttocomewithus?”heasked.“Iwanttoleavehere,too,”shesaid,“andthisismychance.”"Andhowcanwetrustyou—athief?”Reecechimedin.“Youcan’t,”sheanswered.“Butyouhavetotrustsomeone.Freemenow!”

shedemanded,lookingbothwaysdownthealleyasaguardranpast,“orelse,Iwillbecontenttojustwatchyoudiehere!”

Eldenlookedatherlongandhard."Isaywefreeher,"Eldensaid."And trust our lives in the hands of this slave girl?" O'Connor called out.

“Thisthief?Shecouldbeleadingustoatrap.”“ShemighthavenoideawheretheSwordis,”Convaladded.

"Whatchoicedowehave?"Reeceasked.TheyalllookedtoThor.Thorclearedhisthroat.“ThewayIsee it,”Thorsaid,“shesavedour livesoncealready.Shedidn’t

haveto.WeneedtofindtheSword,andshesayssheknowswhereitis.That’sbetterthanwhatwehavenow,whichisnothing.Thiefornot,slaveornot,Isaywetrusther.”

Thorsteppedforward,closetoher,andraisedhissword.“Ifyouleadustosafety,andonthetrailofthethieves,”Thorsaid,“Ipromise

toprotectyou.Ifyoubetrayus,IpromiseIwillkillyou.”"I don't need your protection,” she sneered, defiant. “Now stop talking and

getmeoutofhere!”Eldensteppedforward,raisedhisswordandbroughtitdowninasingleclean

stroke.Withadecisiveclink,heseveredherchain."Followme!"shesaid,notwastingabeatasshetookoffatasprint,twisting

andturningdownthenarrowalleywaysofthecity.Thorandtheothersdidnotwaitasecondlonger;theytookoffafterherasshe

twistedandturned,dartingdownthealleyways,leadingthemdeeperanddeeperintoSlaveCity.Groupsofslaves,chainedtoeachother,turnedandreachedoutandyelledatthemastheywent,tryingtograbthem,tostopthem.Buttheyrantooquickly.

Thegirlwasincredible,likealivingmap.Sheclearlykneweveryinchofthecity,andshetooksharpturnsthroughnarrowalleywaysthatThorcouldhardlyimagine.The six of them stayed close,Krohn byThor’s side, as theyweavedtheirwayoutofthecity,headingclearthroughtotheotherend.Itwashotanddustyastheyran,andthestreets,filledwiththesoundsofwhipsandcriesandmachinery, began to become filled with something else: the sounds of slavesrisingup,lookingtheirway,andcallingout.

Suddenly,anEmpiretaskmastersteppedforwardwithawhipandlashedthegirlhardacrossherback.

Shecriedoutinpainandstumbled,fallingflatonherface.“Getbacktowork,slavegirl!”thetaskmasteryelled.Elden, redwith rage, didn’t even slow as he continued to sprint, raised his

sword and swung it for the taskmaster. The taskmaster turned and caught aglimpseofElden,andhiseyesopenedwidewithfear;buttherewasnotimeforhimtoreact.

Elden chopped off the man’s head and continued running without evenslowing.Hethenreacheddown,pickedupthegirlbythearmanddraggedherup,helpingherbackonherfeet,torunwiththem.

Thorturnedandsawdozensmoretroopsgathering,chasingthem.Helookedforward,sawthecitylimitsbeforethem,andsawawideopenexpanse,anopenfield that would leave them vulnerable once they exited—especially with thelargecontingentfollowingthem.

Thorranupbesidethegirl,tryingtocatchhisbreath."Youareleadingusoutofthecityandintotheopenfields!"Thoryelled."We

willbeexposed!Howshallweoutrunthemintheopen?”"Thosefieldsarenotopen,"shesaid,gaspingforair."Trustme."Theyallranasone,burstingoutintotheopenfields;Thordidnotunderstand

whatshemeant,butheknewtheyhadnochoice:theyhadtotrusther.Theyfollowedheroutintotheopenfield,Thorwonderingwhattrickshehad

up her sleeve, as suddenly a huge flame burst out of the ground, right besideThor,andsingedhissleeve.Hejumpedback,barelyavoidingit,andcontinuedtorun.

"Whatwasthat?"hescreamed."Thefirefields!"sheyelledback."Lookbehindyou.DoyouseetheEmpire

troops?”Thor turned as he ran and saw the dozens of Empire troops had stopped,

standingattheedgeofthecity,wavering,unsurewhethertofollow."Theyarenotcrazyenoughtopursueusouthere!”sheyelled.Beforeshecouldfinishhersentence,anotherhugeflameshotupintotheair,

nearO'Connor,whoscreamedoutastheflameburnedhisforearm.Hereachedoverandswattedit,puttingitout.

"Wherehaveyoutakenus?"hescreamedtoher."Itisouronlyhopetofreedom!”shescreamedback.“Anditisthepaththe

thievestook!”Thorcheckedoverhisshoulderagain,andsawahandfuloftroopsbreakoff

fromthegroupanddecidetochaseafterthem.Ashewatched,oneofthemranrightintoahugeballofflames—screaming,hecollapsedtotheground,dead.

Flamesshotuparound themwithgreater frequencyas theywent,andThorweaved leftand right,hopingandpraying theycouldsurvive thisminefieldofflames. All around him his brothers did the same, as did Krohn, who waswhiningandsnarlingastheywent,snappingattheballsoffire.Aflamesingedhislegandhewhinedandjumped,butkeptrunning.

“Whendoesthisend?"Thoryelledtothegirl.ThorheardascreamandwatchedanotherEmpiresoldiergetburnedtodeath,

shrieking."There!"thegirlscreamed,pointing."Seethere,inthedistance?”Thorlooked,andbegantoseearagingrivercomeintoview,upahead.

"Thatisourwayout!”shescreamed.“Ifwemakeit!”"Ourwayout?"Thorasked,indisbelief.Thisplanwascrazier thanhe thought: the river’swaterswere foamingand

raging, and he could not see how its waters would be much safer than thisminefield.

Still,theyhadnochoice.Thegirlincreasedherspeedandsodidthey.ThorprayedtoGodwithallhismightthataballofflamenotconsumehimbeforehecouldreachthewaters.Hetriedtorunasfastandaslightashecould.

Thor’sfacewasblackwithsootastheyclosedinontheriver,hardlytenfeetaway,thesoundofitsgushingwatersdeafening—whensuddenlyaballofflameroseupbeforehim.Hedidn’thavetimetoslow.

Thorraisedhisarmstohisfaceashiswholebodywasconsumedinthefire.Hescreamedashebegantocatchfire,sprintingwithallhehadandleaping,inflames,intotheragingcurrent.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

LordKultinmarchedwithpurposedownthestonecorridorsofKing’sCourt,hisdozensofsoldiersbehindhim,lookingforwardtobetrayingGareth,slicinghisthroat,andseizinghisthroneforhimself.

Kultinhadbeenbidinghis time forway too long,puttingupwithGareth’snonsenseonlybecausethepaywasgoodandtheShieldwasupandforawhileitseemedasifGarethwouldruleforever.ButonceAndronicusbreechedtheRing,KultinknewGareth’sdayswerenumbered,andheknewthetimehadcome.AtfirstKultinwas just going to abandonGareth; but then,when he sawwhat aweakandpathetickinghewas,itsickenedhim.Heknewthathe,himself,couldbeabetterking,andthat thatwasexactlywhatKing’sCourtneedednow.NotGareth,nothissisterandnotanymoreMacGils—butratherhe,LordKultin,arealman, amercenarywho could take the throneby force.For centuries, thatwashowkingsweremade,andKultinfeltitwastimetoreinstatetheoldway.Afterall,whobettermeritedbeingakingthanhewhohadseizedthethronenotbyentitlementbutbypower?

Kultinquickenedhispace, looking forward toGareth’sexpressionwhenhemarched into the little weasel’s chamber and defied his command, when hethrewhimfromhisthroneandkilledhimonthespot.HemightallowGarethtobegforalittlewhile.Butnomatterwhathesaid,intheend,hewoulddowhateveryoneinKing’sCourtwanted:hewouldkilltheking.

Kultinbreatheddeep,alreadysavoring therushofpowerhewouldfeel.Hewould be king. He. King. And then he would turn things around for King’sCourt. He would rally all the soldiers, who would be thrilled to have a realsoldier leading them,andhewouldbar thegatesofKing’sCourtandputuparealdefenseagainstAndronicus.HewouldousthimfromtheRingandthenhe,Kultin,wouldbesupremerulerofalltheRing.

Kultinslammedopen thehigh,archeddoors leading into theKing’sprivatechamber,expectingtofindhimsittingthere,onhis throne,ashealwaysdid—excitedtoseeGareth’slookofsurpriseandhorror.

But as he entered the chamber, he knew right away that something waswrong.Itcouldn’tbe.

Itwasempty.Itwasimpossible.KultinhadsealedoffallexitstopreventGareth’sescape.

He couldn’t have just vanished. And he didn’t understand how Gareth hadknownhewascoming.

Kultinscouredtheroomthoroughly,andthen,hesawit:thefireplace.Insideitsopeningwasatrapdoor,ajar.

Kultinleanedback,reddening.Garethhadescaped.Hehadfoundabackwayoutofthecastle.Hehadknownhewascoming.Hehadoutsmartedhim.

Kultin screamed in frustration, knowingGarethwould alreadybe far away,outofhisgrasp.Asheturnedtothewindow,hebegantofeelhisdreamsbeingdashed.

But as he looked out through the open-air window, he caught sight ofsomethingthatgavehimfargreaterworries.Hedidadouble-take,unbelievingatfirst.Butashelookedcarefully,hisheartdroppedtoseethatitwastrue.Forthefirsttimeinhislife,heknewwhatitmeanttofeelfear.Realfear.

Downbelow therecameagreat shout, asAndronicus’ armysuddenlyburstthrough the gates of King’s Court, slaughtering everyone in sight. In theypoured, thousands of them, like a dam breaking, one massive wave ofdestruction.

Behind them, filling the horizon,were amillionmen, covering the groundlikeants.

BeforeKultincouldevenprocesswhatwashappening,beforehecouldeventurntocommandhismen,orreachforhissword,suddenlyalonesoldierlookedup,sethissightsonhimthroughthewindow,andlethisspearfly.

It sailed through the air and piercedLordKultin’s throat, entering one endandexitingtheother.

Kultinstoodthere,wide-eyed,graspinghisthroatasbloodpouredthroughhishands.Andhekeeledoverandfelloutthewindow.

Hetumbled,endoverend,headingfortheground,andinhisfinalthoughts,hewondered,ofallthings,howGarethgotaway.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

Erec charged through the gates of Savaria, Alistair clinging to him on theback ofWarkfin, the Duke, Brandt and several knights charging by his side.They had not stopped riding since encountering those monsters on thebattlefield,andasErecglancedbackoverhisshoulderhesawtheywerestillinpursuit,evenonfootnearlyasfastastheirhorses.

"SOUNDTHEHORNS!"theDukescreamed.“SHUTTHEGATES!”Assoonastheypassedthrough,theironspikesslammeddownbehindthem,

hittingtheearthwithagreatreverberatingthud.As they entered the city a panic ensued, as onehorn after another sounded

andcitizens ran through the streets,hurrying to theirhomes,barring thedoorsand shutters. Troops poured out of everywhere, taking up positions along thewalls,uponparapets,behindthemaincitygates.TheDukebarkedordersatallofthem.

Erec rodewithAlistair across the plaza to theDuke's castle, stopping onlylongenoughtohelpherdismount.Helookeddownatherearnestly,holdingherhand.

"You savedmy life," he said. "Now Iwill save yours. I implore you: staywithinthesecastledoorsuntilthisconflictisover.Ifwedonotwin,theDuke’sattendantswillshowyouasecrettunnelforyourescape.Please,heedme.Thesecreaturesaresavage.”

With that Erec turned and kicked his horse and galloped back across theplaza,joininghisfriendBrandtastheywenttohelptheDuke’sforcesbeforethecitygate.

Theyallsatontheirhorses,inarow,dozensofsoldiers,waiting,facingtheironspikes,andbehindthese,theancientclosedoakdoors.Ereclookedupandsaw hundreds of soldiers taking positions on parapets all about the city. Buthundredsofthosecreatureswerechargingforthecityevennow,andheknewitwouldbeatoughdefense.

"Howlongdoyouthinkthegateswillhold?"Brandtasked.Erec shrugged, studying the ancient wood. If it were a normal human

adversary,hecouldeasilysay.Bothwiththesecreatures,oneneverknew."Thosegateshavestoodthetestoftime,"theDukesaidproudly.Beforehecouldfinishthewords,theywereallshockedtoheararumble,like

elephants charging, then a splitting crack: Erec could not believe it as hewatched,beforehiseyes,thehugeoakgates,fivefeetthick,thirtyfeethigh,gettornoffoftheirhinges,leavingbetweenthemandthecreaturesonlythespikedirongate.

Thecreatures lifted thewoodendoorsas if theywereplaythingsandhurledthemdowntotheground.Thentheysettheirsightsontheironbars.

Hundreds of them converged on themetal, pushing their snarling, hideousfacesagainstit,pokingthroughthebars,whichwerealreadystartingtobend.

“Youweresaying?”BrandtaskedtheDuke,red-faced,mouthopeninshock."ARCHERS!"screamedtheDuke.Erecdidnotwaitforacommand.Hehadalreadyfiredoffthreearrowsbythe

timetheDukecalledout,andhadshotthreeofthecreaturessquareintheheadastheygrabbedthegates.Theyallfell.

AllaroundErec,dozensoftheDuke’smenfired.Thefrontrowofcreatureswentdown,buttherequicklyappeareddozensmorebehindthem.Thereseemedtobeanarmyof these things let loose fromtheothersideof theCanyon, justwaitingall theseyears towreakhavocon theRing,as soonas theShieldwasdown.

The metal of the gates began to bend further, and Erec realized that theirarrowswouldn'tholdthembackforlong.

"TAR!”screamedtheDuke.Highabove,ontheparapets,dozensofsoldiersslowlyturnedoversteaming

cauldronsoftar.As theypoureddownallaroundthecitywalls, thescreamsof thecreatures

arose,doused in theburning liquid. Itkilleddozenson thespot.Bodiesof thecreaturespiledupbeforethegate.

YetErecsawbehind themhundredsmore, stillcharging.Heknewitwouldonlybeamatteroftimeuntilthosegatesgaveway,untiltheyranoutofarrowsandtartoholdthemback.Heknewtheyneededastrategy,andquickly,beforethegatescamecrashingdown.

"Isthereabackwayoutofthecity?"Erecasked.TheDukelookedathim,puzzled."IfIcansneakupbehindthem,Icanflankthem,”Erecsaid.“Createanother

frontanddrawtheirattentionfromthegates.It’stheonlyway.Weneedtosplittheirarmy.Iftheyattackthosegatesasoneforce,theywillsoontearitdown.”

TheDukenodded,understanding."Youareabravesoul,”hesaid.“Crosstheplazaandtakethethirdgateonthe

right. You'll find, just past it, a small arched door with no handle, hidden bystone.Thatistheone.Maythegodsbewithyou.”

Erecturnedandgallopedacrossthecity,followingthedirections.HeheardahorsegallopingbehindhimandturnedandtoseeBrandt,smilingashechargedupbesidehim.

"ThinkI'dletyouhaveallthefun?"Brandtasked.Erechadbeenpreparedtotakeonthearmyalone,butwashappytoseehis

oldfriendbyhisside.They ducked under a stone arch, then followed theDuke’s directions until

theyfoundthehiddendoor.Concealedwithastonefacade,thedoorwashardtofind;as theydismounted,Erec leanedbackandkicked itseveral times,until itfinally gave way. He re-mounted and ducked as he rode through it, Brandtfollowing,andslammingthedoorsecurelybehindthem.

Afterpassing througha long tunnel, the twoof themexitedout thebackofthecitywalls;theywaiteduntiltheywereasafedistance,thenrodearoundtheperimeterofthecityinabroadcircle,toambushthecreaturesfrombehind.

They finally circled all the way around and rode towards the rear of thecreatures.Theycharged,cominguponthemastheywereconvergingatthegate.Theironwasbuckling,andtheyarrivedjustintime.

Erec raised his sword and let out a fierce battle cry,wanting to draw theirattentionfromthegate,andBrandtjoinedin.

Itworked.Half of the army of creatures turned and charged for them.TheCovenieswerehideousbeings,sotalltheywerealmostatface-levelwiththem,evenonhorseback;theirbodieswereripplingwithmuscles,theirskinaglowingyellow, fingers tapering in long, yellow claws, eachwith two heads and armseightfeetlong.Theydidnotcarryweapons:theydidnotneedto.

Theyshrieked,andtheirbattlecrieswereevenlouderthanErec’s.ButErecwasunafraid.Hehadtrainedallhislifefordayslikethis;heknew

hiscausewastrueandnoble,andhefeltmorealivethanever.Erecraisedhisswordhigh,andasthefirstbeastleaptintotheair,raisinghis

claws togougeoutErec’seyes,Erecducked,swunghard,andcuthis torso inhalf.

Erec continued to charge, stabbinganother creature through theheart.Withhisotherhandheraisedalong,spikedflail,spunithighoverhead,andtookoffthreeoftheirheadsatonce.

But Erec felt a searing pain in his side as a creature leapt into the air andtackledhim from the side, knockinghimoff hishorse and to theground.Thecreatureraisedhishandshigh,preparingtobringdownhisclawsforErec’sface—butWarkfinneighed, leanedback,andkicked thecreaturehard inhischest,crushinghisribsandsendinghimflyingbackwards,dead.

Erec rolledoutof thewayasanothercreaturebroughthis fistdownforhis

head, just missing; he jumped and regained his feet, grabbed his sword andslashed,killingit.

Butthesecreaturesweretoofast,andthereweretoomanyofthem.Erecfelthimselfkickedhardfrombehind,andwentflyingfacefirsttotheground.

Erec spun to see the creature extend his claws and prepare to bring themdown and slash his throat. He could not react in time. He braced himself,preparingtodie.

Ashebracedhimself, a lancepierced thecreature'schest.Brandtappeared,stabbingthecreatureinmid-airbeforehecouldharmErec.

Erecregainedhisfeet,asalwaysgratefulforhisfriend;hespottedacreatureleapingforBrandt,andErecgrabbedhisflail,swungit,andbroughtthespikedballdownonthecreature’shead,rightbeforehetackledBrandt.

Another creature dove and knocked Brandt from his horse, falling to thegroundclosetoErec.Erecspunandstabbedthecreatureinthethroat.

Now Brandt and Erec stood back to back, swords drawn, parrying anddefendingthegreatblowsofthesebeasts,whocircledthem.Thegroupofbeastswas growing thicker by the moment, and the two of them were badlyoutnumbered. Erec's arms were growing tired, and a creature pounced frombehindandsnatchedhisflailfromhishands.

Before Erec could turn, another creature kicked him in the back of theshoulderblade,knockinghisswordfromhishands.Athirdcreaturekickedhimhardbehindhisknee,sendinghimdown.

EreclayonthegroundandlookeduptoseehisfriendBrandtgetkickedinthechestandgodown,too,besidehim,unconscious.

He looked up and saw hewas surrounded. Lying there, alone, defenseless,therewasnothingleftforhimtodobuttowatchhelplessly,astheyall,asone,preparedtofinishhimoff.

Finally,Erecknew,histimeofdeathhadcome.

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

Selese paced her cottage, mindlessly fingering an assortment of herbs,lookingout thewindowathersmallvillage,and thinkingonlyofReece.Eversincehehadlefthertown,shehadbeenabletothinkofnothingelse.Hisnamerunginherheadlikeamantra.Reece.Reece.TheKing's son.Theone shehad spurned.Theone shehad saved.Shehad

beensofoolishtobesocoldtohim,tosendhimawaylikethat.NotbecausehewasaKing'sson.Butbecause,despitewhatshe’dtoldhim,shehadlovedhimtoo.Caughtoffguardbyhisadvances,byherfeelingsforhim,Selesehadputona

goodshow,hadactedasifshehadthoughthewascrazy,irrational,toprofesshisloveforhersoquickly.Butdeepdown,shehadlovedhimback—possiblyevenmore than he had loved her. There was something about his personality, hispassion, his honesty, that had drawn her in like a magnet. She had just beenunabletoexpressit.Afraidtoadmitit.Afraidhewouldthinkshewascrazy.

Shehadbeensostupid,sodefensive,sojuvenile.Shehadn’thadthecouragetohavebeenashonestashewas.Becauseshehadalsobeenafraid.Afraid tobelieveitwastrue—andafraidthatitcouldgoawayasquicklyasithadcome.

Nowthathewasgone,andhadbeengonefordays,Selesefeltthepersistentfeelinginherheartthathungoverherlikeacloud,andsheknewthatitwasreal.Sheknewfromtheacheinherstomach,thepaininherchest, thefactthatshecouldnot stop thinkingabouthim,not stop seeinghis face,hearinghisvoice,everywakingminute.Sheknewthather loveforhimwasmorereal thaneveranythingshe'deverfeltinherlife.

Selesehadbeenup for twonights, tormentingherself abouthowshe couldhavedonethingsdifferently.Andhowshecouldmakethingsright.

She stood there, looking out thewindow, fiddlingwith the herbs, choosingwhich she would take and which she would leave. Beside her, her sack waspackedwithherbelongings.Shewasreadytoleavethisplaceandnevercomeback.ShewasdeterminedtoseekoutReeceandbeginalifewithhim.

Whateverittook,shewouldfindhim.Shewouldgivehimanotherchance—andaskforanotherchanceherself.Maybe,justmaybe,shehopedandprayed,hewouldsayyes.Notbecauseshewantedoutofhervillage;shelovedhervillage.

Notbecausehewas aKing's son; she could care less if hewas a pauper.Butbecauseofthatsomethinginhiseyes,inhisvoice,thatsomethingbetweenthem.Becauseofhowmuchhelovedher.Becauseofthewayhespoketoher.

Asshestoodthere,watchingthedawnbreak,shementallypreparedherselftosaygoodbyetothisplace.Sheclosedhereyesandsaidaprayertoeverygodsheknew,praying that shewould findhim, and that hewouldnot sendher away.Eyes closed, shememorized theway her cottage looked, theway her potionswerespreadout,herherbshung.ShehopedthatonedayshecouldlivetogetherwithReecesomewhereinaplacelikethis.

Thatwaswhensheheard thenoise. Itwasanunusualnoise,oneshehadn'theard in years, and at first she thought her ears were deceiving her. But shelistenedmore closely, and knew that it was real. It was the sound of insects,scatteringtheirwayacrossthebakeddesertfloor.Thousandsofinsects;millionsofthem.Itwasanoiseoffrenzy.Theveryvibrationofitranthroughherbody.

A nation of insects didn’t run, Selese knew, unless something was wrong.Very,verywrong.

Sheturnedandboltedfromhercottage,stoodoutsideandwatchedthedesert.Sureenough,shespottedthem:alineofinsects,racingaway,asifrunningfromadisaster.

Orfromanarmy.Selese,heartpounding,slowlyturned,afraidtoseewhatshewoulddiscover.

She looked back in the other direction, the direction the insectswere runningfrom,andherthroatwentdry:thehorizonwasblackwithmen.Itappearedtobethe entire planet, marching right towards her village, an enormous force ofdestruction.Theinsectswerewise;theyknewwhenitwastimetorun.

Hervillage,stillasleep,layrightintheirpath.AndSelesewastheonlyoneawake.

Selese sprinted across the town square, charged up the steps, and rang thetownbell,againandagain,yankingthecoarseropewithallhermight.Slowly,thetownwoke,peoplecomingfromoutoftheirhomes,halfawake,lookingupatherasifsheweremad.

Shepointedatthehorizon."Anarmy!"shescreamed.Thetownsfolkfinally turnedandlookedout,andtheirhorrifiedexpressions

showedthatthey,too,sawwhatapproached.Terrifiedshoutsroseup,andmoreandmoreofthemfilteredoutoftheirhomes.Astateofpanicfloodedthetown,astheyallbegantofleefromthevillage.

Selese’sheartpoundedasshesawthearmybeardownonthem,pickingupspeed. Her first instinct was to turn and flee with the others. But she forced

herselftofirstrun,cottagetocottage,allthroughoutthevillage,andmakesureeveryone was awake, accounted for. She woke up several families, helpedchildrengathertheirpossessionsandsavedmorelivesthanshecouldcount.

Finally,wheneveryoneelsewas takencareof, sheprepared to fleeherself.She started to head back to her own cottage to gather her sack—but then sherealized there wasn’t time. She would have to leave her things behind if shewantedtosurvive.

Seleseturnedandfledoutthevillagegateswiththeothers,joiningthemassexodus. They charged across the empty desert, under a burnt-orange sky,headingsomewherenorth.SomewheretowardsSilesia.

Andsomewhere,sheprayed,towardsReece.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

Godfrey sat hunched over a bar, in a seedy pub in a forgotten corner ofSilesia,flankedbyAkorthandFulton,ashetookadeepdrinkandadmiredthestrongaleofthiscity.Heemptiedit,settingdownhisfourthmugoffoamingredale,anditwentrighttohishead.Hewasfeelingoverwhelmedbythecolorsofthisplace:everythinginthiscitywasred,fromthebartender’sredoutfit,tothetablesandchairs—evenhisale.Itwasstartingtomakehimdizzy.Eitherthat,orthebeer.

But thatwashardlyforemost inGodfrey'smind:asheburiedhisheadoverthebarwithhiscompatriots,hetriedtoforgethiswoes,toforgettheimminentwar. Most of all, Godfrey hated himself. He knew he should be out there,supporting his sister, his brother, out with the others, trying his best to helpdefendthecity.Buthejustcouldn’tbringhimselfto.Thatwasthewayhehadalways been, since his youth: when hard times came, he was unable to facethem.Instead,hewouldretreattothebaranddrownhissorrows.

Godfreywasjustnotwiredliketheothers,asmuchashewishedhecouldbe.When he found himself feeling overwhelmed, instead of being brave, likeKendrick or Reece or Gwendolyn, he became too frozen with panic to takeaction;insteadofconfrontinghistroubles,hewouldavoidthem,andhopetheywouldgoaway.Timeaftertime,afterafewstrongdrinks,hehadbeenabletoconvincehimself thateverythingwouldbeokay, thatheneednotmettleinthetroublesoftheworld—thathecouldleavethattoothers.

Butthistime,Godfreysensedthatthingsweredifferent;thistime,heknew,everythingwouldnotbeokay.Herehewas, in thisforeigncity, in thisforeignbar,everythingchangedforever,andeverythingabouttobechangedforever.Hisold stompinggrounds,King'sCourt, the old alleyways he had known, the oldneighborhood, theoldpubs—everythingheknewwouldbewipedaway.Soonnothingwouldeverbethesame;soon,deathwouldbecomingforthem,here,inthisplace.

TheShieldwasdown.Hecouldstillhardlyfathomit.Thathadalwaysbeeneveryone's greatest fear, ever sincehewas a child, andnow it had come true.Godfrey knew that, especially in a time like this, he shouldn’t drink, that heshouldstandupstraight,beaman,hurryoutthereandjoinhissisterandbrotherand all the others and confront the danger coming for the gates. He knew he

shouldbemoreofaman thanhewas.Andheknew thathehadpromisedhissisterhewouldneverdrinkagain.

He was disgusted with himself. Yet still, as much as he wanted to beotherwise, he was overwhelmed with fear and inertia. He just could not gethimselftogetup,getoutthere,anddowhateveritwasthattheyneeded.Hewasnotatrainedwarrior,ashisbrotherswere.Hehadneverembracedthelessonsinchildhood,alwaysrefusingtoobeyhisfather.Hedidnotactuallyhaveanyreal-lifeskill,otherthanknowingwhichpubstofrequent,andwhichbadcompanytochoose.

As he sat there sulking, he felt as if he had wasted his life. He wanteddesperatelytochangeit.Buthedidnotknowhow.Andhecouldnothelpfeelasifitweretoolate.Afterall,whatcouldhe,asingleman,doagainstanarmylikeAndronicus’?Andhe,hardlyatrainedwarrior,noless.Itallseemedsofutile.Ifheweregoingtodie,hemightaswellenjoyit.

One thing he could do, one thing he could control, was having one moredrink,andnumbinghisworriesasmuchashecould.

"Another!"Godfreyyelledtothebartender."AndI!”echoedAkorth."AndI!"criedFulton.Severalpatronsjostledinbesidehim,moreandmorepouringin,andGodfrey

hadtosqueezeinevertightertothebar,packedshouldertoshoulder.Hisfriendsdrankindespair,too,asdidtheotherpatronsinthisplace.

"I've never seen this place so jammed," the bartender said, as he slammeddowntheirdrinks."Warshouldhappenmoreoften,”headded.“Itseemseverydamnsoulinthecitywantstodrownouthistroubles.”

"Wellifit’sourlastday,”Fultonsaid,“Isureashelldon'twanttogodownsober."

"Well said," Akorth roared. "Nor do I. If I'm going to die, why not diedrunk?”

“Whatmeritisthereinbeingsoberwhenbeingthrownintotheearth?”Fultonadded.

"Well,”Godfreysaid,playingdevil’sadvocate,“there’sonegoodreasontobesober:youcouldgooutthereandfight,andpreventyourselffromdying.”

“Ha!”Akorthscoffed.“Icouldfightjustaswelldrunk!""Ayay!”echoedFulton.“Don’tyouknowthathalfthesoldiersoutthereare

drunkanyway?Doyoureallythinktheyfightsober?”“Noneofitmattersanyway,”Akorthsaid.“Soberornot,doyoureallythink

onefightercanstopamillionmen?"Godfrey couldn’t help but agree with them. Yet still, he was disappointed

with himself.He loved his sisterGwendolyn, and his brotherKendrick,morethanhe could say, andhe felt as if hewere abandoning them, as if hewere adisappointmentintheireyes.Thatwastheonethinghedidnotwanttobe.Hecouldbeadisappointmentinhisfather'seyes—hehadlearnedtolivewiththat.But he had grown to love his siblings, especially Gwendolyn, and she hadtrustedinhim,andhehatedtheideaoflettingherdown.Especiallyaftershehadsavedhim.

"Forwhathasshesavedme?"Godfreycalledout,tohimself.AkorthandFultonturnedandlookedathim,baffled."What are you talking about, boy?” Fulton asked. “Are you mumbling

something?”Godfreyfeltthathewasdifferentthanallthesepatronsinhere.Afterall,he

was the son of a King. He was made of different stock. He had somethingdifferentwithinhim.Shouldn’thebeactingdifferently?Thesepeoplehadneverhadachanceinlife.Buthe’dhadmorethanachance—hehadhaditall.

Ordidhe?Wasallthatjustrubbish,allthistalkofhisbeingaMacGil,ofhisbeingthesonofaking?Diditnotmeananythingafterall?Washe,attheendoftheday,justasgoodaseveryoneelse,nomatterwhotheydescendedfrom?

AsGodfrey took a deep drink of yet another beer, the answers to all thesequestionseludedhim, swarming inhisbuzzingmind.Hedidnotknow ifhe'devergettothebottomofit.

The door to the pub suddenly slammed open and all heads turned, as inmarched a beautiful woman. Godfrey turned, too, and blinked several times,trying to focus, to rememberwho shewas.And thenhe realized,with a start:Illepra.Thehealerwhohadsavedhislife.

Illepralookedmorebeautifulthanever,wearingherbrownleatheroutfit,herhair tasseledandlong,hergreeneyesgleaming.Hereyeslockedonhisasshemarchedhisway,cuttingthroughthepub,oblivioustoallthepatronscrowdingaroundher.

Theypartedways,makingroomforher,allthedrunkmenseemingsurprisedatthetouchofbeautyenteringthisplace.

"IwastoldIcouldfindyouhere,"IlleprasaidaccusinglytoGodfreyasshemarched up close to him, frowning. The room grew quiet, watching theconfrontation.

Godfreycouldhardlybelievethatshehadsoughthimout,hereinthisplace.TheyhadtalkedthewholewayontheirmarchfromKing’sCourttoSilesia.Hehadfeltabondwithher fromthefirst time they’dmet,andduring theirwalk,theirconnectiondeepened.Hehadpromisedher thathewouldchange, thathewouldgiveupdrinkandtakeuparmswithhissiblings.

Andyetherehewas.His face reddened, ashe felt aneverdeeper senseofshame.

"Youdisgraceyourfamily,"sheaddedharshly."IsthiswhyIsavedyou?Soyoucouldhidehere,atourdarkesthour,anddrinklifeaway?Tolaughwithyourfriends?Is thatwhat's important toyounow,whileyoursiblingsareout there,preparingtofightforourlives?”

Godfreylookeddowninshame.Hehadnoanswer.Hehadbeenthinkingthesameexactthinghimself.

"I'msorry,"hesaid."Youareright.Idon'tdeservetobeuptherewithhim.Ineverdid.I'msorry.Idonotmeantoletyoudown.”

"Thenanswermethis,”sheinsisted,hereyesflashing,“forwhatreasondidIsaveyourlife,ifyouwillnoteventakeuparmstodefendit?”

Illepraturned,angry,examiningallthefacesinthebar."Ispeaktoallofyou,”shesaid,raisinghervoice.“Allofyouhideinhere,

while your countrymen are out preparing.Not oneof you iswilling to gooutthereandtakeuparmstosaveyourlife.Forgetaboutyourlife—whataboutthelivesofothers?Yourpeopleneedyou.Areyouallthatselfish?Isthatwhattheyarefightingfor?Tosavethelikesofyou?”

Allthepatronsstaredback,silent."Ifwefightornot,miss,"onepatronyelledout,"itain’tmakeanydifference.

Amillionmenwon’thardlybestoppedbyafewthousand.”Therecameagruntofapprovalthroughouttheroom."No,maybetheycan't,"Illeprareasoned."Butthatdoesn’tmeanthatwedo

not try.Oneday,wewill all die. It is not aboutwho lives andwhodies. It isabouthowwelive.Andhowwedie.”

SheturnedandstaredatGodfrey."I thought you were different," she said softly. "I thought you had the

potential to be something greater. But now I see I was wrong. You are justanotherdrunk.Asthewholekingdomsaysyouare.”

"There's nothing wrong with that miss!" Akorth called out in his defense,raisinghismug."Youcandieinhereoryoucandieoutthere.Butat leastmyfriendwilldiehappy!”

Thecrowdcheeredinapproval,raisingtheirmugs.Illeprareddened,turnedonherheel,andstormedfromthepub.Asthepatronsslowlywentbacktotheirbusiness,Godfreywatchedhergo,

burningupinside.Fultonreachedoverandpattedhimontheback."Women are that way,” he said consolingly. “They don’t know what’s

important.You’redoingtherightthing—haveanother!"hesaid,slidinganothermughisway.

AsGodfreylookeddownatthemug,somethingroseupwithinhim.Itwasanewfeeling,somethinghehadneverexperiencedbefore.Itwasasenseofpride.Asenseofsomethingbiggerthanhimself.Forthefirsttimeinhislife,hedidnotthinkofhimself.Hedidnotthinkofthenextdrink.

Instead,hethoughtoftheRing.OfSilesians.Ofputtingothersfirst.Themorehethoughtofit,themorehisfearsbegantodissipate.Themorehe

ponderedhelpingothers,thelessheafraidhebecameforhimself.Godfreyhadenough.Suddenlyhethrewdownhismug,jumpedupfromthe

barandbegantohurrythroughthecrowd,towardsthedoor."Whereareyougoing?"Akorthcalledafterhim.Godfreyturnedandlookedathisfriendsonelasttime,beforeheadingoutthe

door."I'mgoing to don armor, take up arms, and helpmy sister!” he announced

gravely.Hisfriendslaughedathim."You'venevertakenuparmsinyourlife!”Fultonyelled.Godfreystaredback,reddening,undeterred."No,Ihaven't,”headmitted.“ButIshalllearn.OrIshalldietrying!”

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

GwendolynstoodatopthehighestparapetinSilesia,hergeneralsaroundher,watching the horizon. They had just finished a tour of all the inner and outerringsofdefenses,andonebyone,Srog,Kendrick,Brom,Kolkandthegeneralshad discussed with Gwendolyn how best to fortify each one, what to expectwhen the army arrived, how to defend attacks frommultiple fronts, and howlongitwouldtakeuntiltheirdefensescollapsed.Theyhadtalkedaboutfoodandprovisionsandwater,hadtalkedaboutcontingencyplans,aboutretreatingtothelowercity.Theyhadcoverednearlyeverything,andtheywereallexhausted.

Whatnoneofthemhaddiscussedwaswhattheywoulddoincaseofadefeat.Itwasunspokenamongst themthatsurrenderwasnotanoption,butnonehaddiscussedtheinevitable:whattodoifalltheirmenwerekilled.Itwasunspokenamongst themthat theywouldall fight to thedeath.Insomeways, it feltas iftheywereallsettlinginforwhatwouldbeamasssuicide.

Hours had passed, andwith all theirmen in position, all the plans thoughtthrough,therewasnothinglefttodiscuss.Nowtheyallstoodthere,comfortablein each other’s silence, watching the horizon, the dark storm clouds forming,waitingfortheinevitable.AsGwenlookedout,itseemedsopeaceful,socalm;itseemedasifAndronicus'menwouldnevercome.

Yet she knew they were coming. All day long, reports had come in frommessengers from all over the Ring updating her on the invasion. There evenarrived a report thatKing'sCourt had been attacked—and thatwas the reportthathurtthemost.Shetriedtoblottheimagefromhermind.

Now,more than ever,GwenwishedThorwere here.Argon's fatefulwordsrang in her head, and she did not understandwhat theymeant. She knew shewouldhavetodiealittledeathtomakeupforsavingThor'slife.Didthatmeanshewouldactuallydie?Here,inthisplace?Sheclosedhereyesandthoughtofthebabyinherbellyandtriednottothinkofdeath.Notbecauseshefearedherown death. But because she feared for her baby’s life; and she feared a lifewithoutThor.

Therewasastir,andGwendolynturnedandlookedoverthemen’sshouldersto see a small entourage of soldiers coming their way—and her eyes openedwide in surprise as she saw who they were accompanying. There, marchingtowards her, was a woman she thought she’d never lay eyes upon again: her

sister.Luanda walked hand-in-hand with her new husband, Bronson, who, Gwen

wassaddenedtosee,wasmissingahand.Theybothlookedtattered,broken,andbeyondexhausted;theylookedasiftheyhadbeenridingallnight.

Gwencouldnotunderstandwhat theyweredoinghere.Shewasrelievedtoseethem,butalsoconfused.Wasn'tBronsonaMcCloud,andshouldn’thebeontheMcCloudsideoftheRing?AndLuandawithhim?

Gwenwassorelievedtoseehersisteralive,safe,herfirstimpulsewastostepforwardandgiveherahug.Butgrowingup,theirrelationshiphadalwaysbeenatarm’slength,formal;itwasLuanda’sdoing—shegotthatfromtheirmother.Gwendolynhad triedone toomany times togetclose toher,andafterenoughrebuffs,shehadlearnedherlesson.SoGwensimplystoodthere,facingheroldersister,andnoddedbackgravely.

"Mysister,"Luandasaid,asBronsonbowedhishead.Gwendolynnoddedback.“Brother," Luanda added, turning and nodding to Kendrick, who nodded

back,silent,probablyasconfusedasGwendolynwas.HeseemedtotenseupatthesightofaMcCloudnearhim,asdidtheothersoldiers.

"Whatareyoudoinghere?”Gwendolynasked."Imadeagravemistake,”Luandasaid,“ingoingtotheMcCloudsideofthe

Ring.NotamistakeinmarryingBronson,whoIlovedearly,andwhoisnothingliketheothers.TheotherMcCloudsarebrutal,savagepeople.Hisfathertriedtokillbothmyselfandhisownson.”

TherecameasurprisedgaspfromamongstGwen’speople,andsheexaminedBronsonandsawtheseveredhand,thescars;shecouldtellhehadbeenthroughhell,yethestoodthereproudly.Therewassomethingabouthimthatsheliked;he seemed nothing like his father, who was a real brute, who Gwendolynrememberedwithdistaste.

“TheMcCloudsdon’tchange,”Kendrickpiped in.“Theyarewho theyare.Theyalwayshavebeen.”

“Youareluckytohaveescapedwithyourlife,”Bromadded."Wehavecometoaskyouforhelp,”Luandasaid,lookingfromKendrickto

SrogtoBrom—toanyonebutGwendolyn.“Weaskyoutotakeusin.WeweretoldthattheworthyhalfofKing'sCourthadfledhere.WewanttodefectfromtheMcCloudsideoftheRing.WewanttobewiththeMacGils.”

“TofightwiththeMacGils,”Bronsonaddedproudly.“Iwillswearmyloyaltyto you. Iwill fight to the death for you. Especially againstmy father and hismen.”

Gwendolyn and the others exchanged a glance, and she could see the

hesitationintheireyes."Andhowdoweknowwecantrustyou?"Bromasked,steppingforwardand

staringMcClouddowncoldly. "Your fatherkilledmoreofmymen then I cancount.Andallinabrutalandcowardlyway.Howdoweknowthesonisnotlikethefather?Howdoweknowthisisnotallatrap,thatyouarenotmerelywaitingtobetrayus?”

Bronson slowly raised his arm, displaying the stump where his hand oncewas.

"Thisismyfather’swork,”hesaidgrimly.“Whatwasoncebetweenusisnolonger.Iwouldgladlybefirsttokillhiminbattle.”

Bromstaredback,asifsumminghimup,andfinallyseemedtobelievehim.Gwendolynbelievedhim,too.Heseemedtobeanhonestandsincereman."Youare family,"Gwensaid toLuanda,breaking thesilence.She turned to

Bronson."Andthatmeansyouarefamilynow,too.Ifshelovesyou,thatisgoodenoughforme.Weacceptyouwithopenarms.”

Bronsonnoddedback,hiseyesfloodingwithappreciation."Andronicus will soon attack, and we will be in for a siege,” Gwendolyn

warned.“Wewillneedeveryhandwecanget.”"Iamhonoredtofightforyourcause,mylady,"Bronsonsaid.LuandagaveGwendolynapuzzledlook."Who is in charge here?” Luanda asked, looking from face to face. “With

Gareth in King’s Court, I presume that leaves you, Kendrick? Or is it you,Srog?”

All the others exchanged confused glances;Gwen realized that no one hadtoldLuandayet.

"Our sister is now ruler of the Western Kingdom of the Ring," Kendrickanswered.

"Gwendolyn?"Luandasaidderisively,disbelieving.ShelookedGwenupanddown,shocked."You?Ruler?”

"Itwasourfather'sdyingwish,"Kendricksaidfirmly."But…but,” Luanda began flustered. “You are a woman. Andmy younger

sister,besides.Ifoneofusshouldrule,thenwhywoulditnotbeme?"GwenfelttheoldchildhoodrushofangertowardsLuandariseupwithinher.

Her entire life, as long as she could remember, her sister had been deathlyjealousofher.Clearly,nothinghadchanged.

“MyLady,”Steffeninterjected.LuandalookeddownatSteffenwithsurpriseandcondescension.“Pardonme?”shesaid.Steffensteppedforward,frowning.

“YouwilladdressGwendolyn,whoisnowourqueen,as‘mylady,’”hesaid,defensive.

Luanda lookeddownat him in surprise, then looked at the set faces of theothersandrealizedhewasserious.ShelookedatGwenwithconsternation.

“You don't seriously expect me to have to answer to my younger sister?”Luandaasked,turningtoKendrick.

“Youwillanswertoher,"Kendricksaiddarkly,"ifyouwishtostayhere.Or,ifyouwish,youcanleavethegatesofSilesia,andbeatthemercyoftheenemy.Youwillrespectourlatefather'swish,astherestofusdo.”

BronsonreachedoverandlaidahandonLuanda'swrist."Luanda,” he said softly, “your sister has beenmost kind and generous to

acceptushere.Iseenoreasonwhyweshouldnotanswertoher.”ButLuanda’seyesflashedwithdefianceandambition,astheyalwayshad."Father alwaysmade bad decisions,"Luanda seethed. “This is howwe got

into this mess to begin with. Do you really think that you, of all people, arecapableofrulingthispeople?"sheaskedGwendolyn."Don'tyoufeelashamedtoeventry?Won’tyoufeelterriblyguiltyifyoufail,ifyouleadthemalltotheirdeaths?”

"We are all heading towards our deaths anyway, Luanda,"Gwendolyn saidcalmly."Thequestionisnotifwedie.It'showwelive.Andyes,toansweryourquestion, I am capable of leading this people," she said, a new strength risewithinher,actuallyfeelingcapableforthefirsttime,nowthatshewasdefendingherself. "I don't have to explainmyself toyou.AsKendrick said, if youdon'tlikeit,ourgatesareopenforyoutoleave.”

Luandaflushed,turned,andstormedaway.Bronsonstoodthere,shifting,clearlyembarrassed."Iamsorryforher,"hesaid."Iamsureshedoesnotmeanit.Wehavebeen

throughanordeal.”“Shedoesmeanit,”Gwendolynsaid.“Shehasalwaysmeant it.That’swho

sheis.”Bronsonloweredhishead.“I,forone,ammostdeeplygratefulforyourhavingushere.Iwillspeakwith

her.Shewillcomearound.”Bronsonquicklybowed,andhurriedafterher.Therewas a sudden commotiondownbelow, andGwen lookeddownover

the parapets to see a woman come running up to the gates, hysterical. Twoguards tried to hold her back, and she screamed, flailing, trying to push pastthem.

“Letmepass!"sheshrieked.“Youmustletmepass!ImustseetheQueen!”

“Letherthrough,”Gwendolyncalleddown.Theguardsturnedandlookedupatherandreleasedtheirgriponthewoman.As soon as they did, she ran through the gates and up the spiral stone

staircase, right forGwendolyn,weaving through thegroupof soldiers, crying.She stoppedbefore her, knelt and lowered her head.Thewomanwas sobbingandshaking,andGwendolyn’sheartbroke;shereacheddown,andgentlyhelpedpullthewomanup.

“Youneedn’tkneelbeforeme,”Gwensaidcompassionately."Mylady,"thewomanheaved,betweensobs."Youmusthelpme!Youmust!

Please!”"Whatisitthattroublesyou?”Gwenasked."My village—it has been evacuated. They say the Empire is coming.

Everyoneran.Butmydaughtersarebackthere,intheHouseoftheSick.Theycannotwalk.Icouldnotcarrythemwithme—andtheotherslefttooquickly.Ihavenoonetohelpme.Please!Theyaremybabies!”

Gwen’sheartbrokeinside,hardlyabletocomprehendthiswoman’ssuffering."We are hearing similar reports from across the Ring, of villages being

raided,”Srogsaid."Iamsorry,”Gwendolynsaidtoher.“Andwhatwouldyouhaveusdo?”"Please,sendyourmen,beforeit’stoolate.Fetchmydaughters,bringthem

here.Ican'timaginetheirdyingallalone,atthehandsofthosesavages.It’stoocruel.”

“Wemightalldiehere,too,”Kolksaid.“If they are to die, let them at least die here, with me,” the woman said.

“Don'tthemdiealoneoutthere.Please.Youareawoman—youunderstand.Youmusthelpme!”

ThewomanreachedoutandgrabbedGwendolyn’shandroughly,andSteffensteppedforwardandthrewherhandoff.

"Do not lay your hands on ourQueen," Steffen rebuked, standing betweenthem.

"It'sokay,"Gwendolynsaid.Shereachedupandstrokedthewoman’shair."This woman has been made mad by her grief,” Gwen continued. “I

understandthetouchofgrief,alltoowell.”Gwenthoughtofherfather,andkeptbacktears.“Iempathizeforyourdaughters,”Gwensaid.“Ireallydo.Butyoumustalso

understand that we are receiving reports of villages being pillaged, peoplemurdered, from all corners of theRing, and thatwe cannot spare ourmen tosendout toeachandeveryone.Wearealsointhefinalstagesofsecuringour

gates and locking down this city, for the good of all the Silesians and theremainderofKing’sCourt,andthethousandsofliveshere.Weneedeveryhandwehave.Mostof all, ifwewere to sendapartyout therenow, foryourgirlsnow, theywouldnotmake itbackalive.TheEmpire is toocloseat thispoint.Ourmenwoulddie,andyourgirlswoulddiewiththem.”

Gwendolyn sighed. She hated having tomake these decisions, but she feltthatshehadanobligationtolookoutforthegoodofherpeople.

"I'msosorry,”sheconcluded.“Ipineforyourdaughters.Ireallydo.Butwarisamongus.Andharddecisionsneedtobemade.”

"NO!"thewomanshrieked,breakingoutintoawail.Shethrewherselfface-downtothefloor,shriekingandwailing."Youcan’tletmydaughtersdie!”

Gwendolynlookedaway,outtothehorizon,wishingshehadnevermetthiswoman.Shewasbeginningtofeelwhatitfeltliketobearuler;shedidnotlikethefeeling.

"Iwillgoforthem,"cameavoice.GwenturnedandsawKendrickstepforward,handonhishilt,standingnobly,

proudandunflinching.Gwendolynlookedatherbrother,touchedandinspired."Youunderstandthatifyouleave,wecannotreopenthegatesforyou,”she

saidsoftly.“Youwilldieoutthere.”Henoddedgravely.“Whatbetterwaytodiethaninaservicesuchasthis?"hereplied.Gwendolyn breathed sharply, taken aback by his chivalry, his fearlessness.

She loved her brother more than ever in that moment; yet she also feltprofoundlysadatthethoughtofhimonthismission.

Alltheothersoldiersstaredgrimly,nooneabletorebuthim."Iwilljoinyou,"Atmesaid,steppingforwardbesideKendrick.Kendricknoddedbackathisfriend.“Thankyou!Thankyou!” thewomancried, rising toherkneesandkissing

theirhands.Gwendolynsighed."Kendrick,Icannotsaynotoyou.Youleadbyexample,asyoualwayshave.

Youdoourfather'snamegreathonortoacceptthismissionuponyourself.Youhavemyblessing.Go,andsavethesegirls.IwillkeepthesegatesopenforyouaslongasIcan—upuntiltheverylastsecondwhenAndronicusattacks.”

"My lady, I admire Kendrick’s courage, and I don’t disagree with hismission,”Srogsaidgravely.“ButImustwarnthatittakestimetosealtheoutergates.Itwillnotbeeasytodowithsuchshortnotice.Youmustrealizethatyoujeopardizetheentirecitytoagreetothismission,andtokeepthegatesopenas

longasyouwill.”Gwen turnedand lookedoutat thehorizon.Somewhereout therewere this

woman'sdaughters,sick,alone.Shecouldnotstandthethoughtofit.“I thank you for your counsel, my Lord,” she said softly to Srog. “I do

understandtheconsequences.Iwillnotjeopardizeourpeople.Thegateswillbeclosedwhennecessary.”

SheturnedtoKendrick."Go.Findthesegirls,andreturnquickly.Idonotwishtoclose theseGates

withyououtsidethem.”Kendricknoddedgravely,thenturnedandhurrieddowntheparapet,Atmeat

hisside.The othermen dispersed, andGwen turned andwalked by herself down a

stoneembankmentat thefarendof theparapets,soshecouldhavesometimealone, toprocess itall—andsoshecouldhaveabettervantagepoint towatchKendrick and Atme ride off. She stood there, at the very edge of thefortifications,watchingthemrideawayintothehorizon,raisingagreatcloudofdust.

Asshestoodthere,feelingmorealonethanever,shecravedforThor.Shefeltincreasingly that theywerefacingabattle theycouldnotwin,anddeepdown,shefeltthattheironlyhopewasThor,theDestinySword,gettingtheshieldbackup.Ifshewasgoingtodie,shewantedtodiewithThoratherside.

She closed her eyes tightly and prayed to God with all she had that Thorreturnedtoher.Please,God. I knowIhaveaskedyou toomuchalready.But Iaskyouone

morething:returnThortome."Godhasamysteriouswayofanswering."Gwendolyndidnotneedtoturntorecognizethevoice.She turnedand saw, standing there,Argon.He stooda few feetbesideher,

lookingoutatthehorizon,watchingKendrickrideoff,hiseyesaglow.Herheartliftedtoseehim.“IneverthoughtIwouldseeyouagain,”shesaid."Why? Because you are in a new place? Physical barriers don't mean

anythingtome.”"Sothenwillyoubeherewithus?Duringthesiege?”sheaskedhopefully."Iamalwaysherewithyou.Sometimesnotalwaysphysically.”Gwenwasburningforanswers."Tellme,”shesaid,“Ibegyou.IsThorsafe?”"Heisnow.”"Willhebe?”shepressed.

"That is always thequestion, isn’t it?”heasked, turning toherandsmilingmysteriously.“Hisdestinyismurky.Itisset—yetitcanbechanged.Aswithallofus.”

"Willhelive?”sheasked."WillIeverseehimagain?”Shebracedherselffortheanswer,hopingandprayingitwasayes.“Ifnotinthisworld,”Argonsaidslowly,“theninthenext.”Gwendolynfeltherheartsinking."Butisnotfair!”sheprotested.“Imustseehimagain!”"Hechosehisdestiny,”Argonsaid.“Youchoseyours.Sometimesdestinies

cannotintertwine.”"AndwhatoftheEmpire?”Gwenasked.“Willtheyattackthisplace?”"Yes,"hesaidflatly."Willwebevictorious?”"Victory is relative," he answered. “There are all types of victory. The red

walls of Silesia have stood for one thousand years. But even these walls aremeanttofall.”

Shefeltanincreasingsenseofforeboding."Doesthatmeanthiscitywillfall?”Shehadtoknow.Buthewouldnotanswer,lookingaway.“Butsurelytheremustbesomewaytostopthem!”shesaid.“Youfocustoomuchonthehereandnow,"Argonsaid.“Butthereareother

centuries.Centuriesbeforeyours—andcenturiestocome.Wearebutaspeckinthewheeloftime.Peoplewilldie—andpeoplewillbeborn.Placeswillfall,andotherswillbebuilt.Nothinglastsforever.Notevendestruction.”

Gwendolyn stood there, thinking about all he said. She wondered if thatmeanttherewashope.

"Ifeelinadequate,"Gwendolynsaid.“Asifsomehowthisisallmyfault.Asifallofthesepeoplewouldbenefitfromarulergreaterthanme.”

Heturnedandlookedather,hiseyessearing."TheRinghasneverhadarulergreaterthanyou,”hesaid.“Anditmaynever

again.”Herheartsoaredandshefeltagreatsenseofencouragementathiswords.For

thefirsttime,shefeltlegitimate."Tellme,”shesaid,desperatetoknow.“Howwillitallend?”Slowly,Argonshookhishead."Sometimesbeforethegreatestlight,therecomesthegreatestdarkness.”

CHAPTERNINETEEN

Krohnwhined and lickedThor’s faceuntil finally, slowly,Thoropenedhiseyes.Hediscoveredhimselflyingface-firstonthesand;sandwasinhislips,onhistongue,inhiseyes.

Thor blinked several times, then slowly sat up, wiping away the sand andreachingoverandkissingKrohnandstrokinghishead.Helookedaround,tryingtogethisbearings,torememberwherehewas.

Beneaththemutedlightofthefirstsun,Thorsawallofhisfriendsspreadoutonthebeach,supineinthesandaroundhim.Thankfully,theyalllookedalive—andafterdoingaquickheadcount,hesawtheywereallthere.Allofthem,plusone:agirl,withlong,tousledhairspreadoutonthesand.

Thor tried to remember. Suddenly, it came rushing back: the slave girl, theoneEldenhadsaved.Hesatup,squinting,stretchinghisachingmuscles,tryingtorememberexactlywhathadhappened.

Thelastthingheremembered,hewasonfire,jumpingintotheicy-coldwateroftherapids.Luckilyhehadbeenbutafewfeetfromthewaterwhenhecaughtfire,anditallhappenedsoquickly,hehadlandedinthewaterbeforetheflamescouldburnhim.Hecheckedhisskin,andwhilehewassore,hismusclesaching,andallbruisedup,hewasnotburnt.Hesighedinrelief.

Thorrememberedthewildridedownriver,allofthemtumblingend-over-endin the rapids, thrown downstream.He remembered glancing back, once, rightbeforehishead impactedwitha log, and seeing thegroupofEmpire soldiers,alreadyfarupriver,allconsumedbyanenormousburstofflame.

Thor reached up and felt a big lump on his head, sore to the touch, andrealizedhemusthavepassedoutalong theway.Theyallsomehowmade it tothisshore,andmust'vesleptthenighthere.Itwasanarrow,smoothwhitebeach,beside a raging river. The sound of the ragingwaterwas relentless, andThorroseand turnedand looked inalldirections,wanting to seewhat elsewasoutthere.

Ontheothersideofthebeachstoodagroveoftrees,andbehindittheriverforked,splittingoff inacalm,peacefulcurrent.Thegrove led intoadeepandbroadforest,awindingtrailleadingintoit.Theyseemedtohavewashedupatanintersectionofsorts.

"Andwethoughtyouweregoingtosleepallday,"cameavoicewhichThor

dimlyrecognized.Thor spun, as did Krohn beside him, and could not believe who he saw

standingthere,behindhim.Threeboys, legionmembers,dressed inshinynewarmor, bearing new weaponry, and staring down at him with a look he’dencounteredhisentirelife.

Itwasthethreepeoplehehadbeenraisedtobelievewerehisthreebrothers:Drake,DrossandDurs.

Thorwasspeechless.Thor couldn’t imaginewhat theywere doing here, and he rubbed his eyes,

wonderingifheweredreaming.Buttheywerestillthere,andherealizeditwasreal.

Thorrosetohisfeet,eyeswidewithwonder,tryingtocomprehenditall."Whatareyoudoinghere?"heasked."Howdidyougethere?”AllaroundThor,hisLegionbrothersbegantoarise,theslavegirl,too,slowly

gaining their feet, brushing off the sand, and gathering aroundThor. They alllookedbackatDrake,DrossandDurswithequallooksofwonder.

"Wecameheretohelp,"Drakesaid."WeweresentbyKolk,shortlyafteryouleft.Wefollowedyourtrail.Afteryoulefttheyfeltbad,thesixofyougoingitalone.Theywantedtosendyoureinforcements.”

"They also received new information,”Dross said, stepping forwardwith ascrollinhand,“fromathieftheycaughtconnectedtothetheftoftheSword.HeconfessedastowhereintheEmpireitwasbeingtaken.Hedrewusamap.”

Dross rolled out the scroll before them, and they all gathered around andexaminedit.

"Weknowwhere they'regoing,”Durssaid.“We'vecometo leadyou there.Andtohelpyoumakeitbackalive.”

"And why didn’t you volunteer to help us sooner?" Reece shot back,defensive.

"You come now,” Elden added, guarded. “Onlywhen you are commandedto."

"Wearedoingjustfinewithoutyourhelp,"O’Connorsaid."Areyou?"Drakeasked,lookingthemupanddownwithcontempt.“Itlooks

tomeasifyou'relost,allwashedupandbruisedfrombattle.”“You’ve even managed to pick up baggage along the way,” Dross added,

lookingcontemptuouslyattheslavegirl.Thor,thoughguarded,appreciatedtheirbeinghere,andwantedtodiffusethe

argument."Howdidyoufindus?"Thorasked."AgoodtrackerandplentyofKing’sGold,"Drossanswered."Wemanaged

to follow your trail. Quite a calamitous one. Amazing that you escaped fromSlaveCitythewayyoudid.Wecircumventeditourselves,butluckilytherapidsleadbutoneway,andwehadonlytofollowthemtoleadtoyou.Hardtomiss:thesevenofyousprawledoutonthesandlikeabunchofdrunks.I’dsayyouareallhardlyinconspicuous.”

Thethreebrotherslaughedderisively.“Waytosetupcamp,”Dursadded.Thorreddened,andsawhisLegionbrothersseething."Liketheysaid,"Thorsaid,assumingauthority."Wedon'tneedyourinsults.

Oryourhelp.Wemade it this faronourown—andwithout amap,without atracker,andwithoutKing’sGold.”

Thethreebrotherslookedathimwithsomethinglikesurprise,andThorwasimpressedbytheauthorityinhisownvoice.Hisentirelifehehadbeenbulliedbythesethreeboys,andhewasn'tabouttobebulliedbythemnow,tohavethemassume control of the mission. He knew their nature—and it was not kind.Whatever help theywere offering, hewas sure itwas only because theywerecommandedto,oronlyfortheirownpersonalgainupontheirreturn.Heknewthat,deepdown,theydidn’ttrulycareforhim.

Heexpectedtheirfacestoharden,forthemtoarguewithhim,astheyalwaysdid, to try to demean him. But to his surprise, Drake’s face softened and hesteppedforwardandloweredhisvoice.

"Thor,weunderstandyou’reupsetwithus.Infact,itiswarranted.Wewerenotkindtoyouasbrothers.Forthat,weapologize.Wearenotheretodemeanyou, or to undermine your authority. We realize you have command of thismission.Wesincerelywishtohelpyou.Please.ThefateoftheentireRingisatstake,andthemapweholdisinvaluable.”

Thor was caught off guard by Drake’s kind tone, at his deferring to hisauthority. He had never seen them like this. It was surreal, as if he were notlookingatthesamethreepeople.

He thoughtofwhathe’d said, and itmade sense.The fateof theRingwaswhatwasmost important,whateverpersonaldifferences theyhad.Anddespitethepast,Thorwasalwayswillingtogivesomeoneanotherchance—especiallyiftheyseemedsincere.

Slowly,henoddedbacktothem."Inthatcase,”hesaid,“weshallbepleasedtohaveyou.”Thethreeofthemnoddedback,pleased.Thorlookedpastthem,attheforkin

the river, and saw their longboat anchored at its shore; it looked like a longcanoe,largeenoughtoholdmaybeadozen.

"Toreachthethieves’destination,”Drosssaid,lookingdownatthemap,“we

mustgetbackontheriverandtakeitsouth.Itwillbringustoagreatlake,andthen tootherchannels. It is themostdirectway to find them,cutting themoffand gaining us time. If you agree, let us leave at once—we haven't anymoretimetowaste.”

They all began to turn and head for the boat—when the slave girl steppedforward.

"Youarewrong!"sheyelledout.Theyallstoppedandturnedandlookedather."Thethieveswouldnothavegonethatway,”shesaid.“Idon'tcarewhatyour

mapsays.Iknowmynativelandbetter thanyou.Doyouseethatforest?"sheasked,turningandpointingtothegroveoftrees."Thatiswheretheywent.”

"Andhowwouldyouknowthat?"Drakeaskedher.“Becausethisriverleadstodeath,”shesaid.“Itisnotapaththeywouldtake.

Tocrossthegreatdivide,thereisnosafewaybutthroughthisforest.Itbordersthedesertlands.”

Thorlookedatthetrees,thenbacktotherapids,andwondered."Andwhoisthiswomanwhoknowseverything?"Durssneered.Eldensteppedforwardanddrapedanarmaroundhershoulder."SheisagirlIfreedfromSlaveCity,”Eldensaid,“andItrusther.Sheledus

outofthere.”"Youdon'tevenknowher,"Drakesaid."Iknowherenough,"Eldensaid."Andthenwhatishername?"Drossasked.Eldenblushed,andthethreebrotherslaughedathim.“Intheselandsweareforbiddentohaveaname,”shecalledout.“ButIhave

takenasecretnameuponmyself.ItisIndra.”"Well, Indra,wearenot interested inyour tribal tales.Wearemen,andwe

fearnoriver.Wegowherethethievesleadus—andwewilltakethisriverwhereitleads,”Drakesaidfirmly.“Ifyouareafraidofwater,youcanstayondryland.ThisisamissionoftheLegion:nooneisaskingyoutojoinus.”

Thethreebrothersallturnedandheadedfortheboat,andastheotherslookedto Thor, he stood there, wavering. His logic told him to go to the boat; yetsomethinginsidehimwaswavering.

HefinallywalkedtoIndra.“Comewithustotheboat,"hesaid."Ifwedon'tfindwhatweneed,wecan

alwaysturnbackandfollowyourtrail.”Sheslowlyshookherhead."Thatriverleadstodarknessanddeath,"shesaid,throwingoffElden’shand,

andstormingfortheboat.Shenonethelessjoinedtheothersastheyenteredthe

boat.Beforeshedid,shelookedbackatThorangrily.“Just beprepared,” she said, asThor and theothers piled in. “Youboard a

boattohell.”*

Theyallpaddledonthestillwatersofavastlake,andThorwonderedifthiswouldeverend.Theyhadallbeenpaddlingforhours,andfinallysettledintoacomfortable silence, paddling in unison as this new body of water seemed tostretch forever. It felt like anocean,withno land in sight, yet itswaterswerecompletelystill,withnobreezetobehad.

Thorwasstill trying toprocess seeinghis three“brothers”again, theirnewkindness tohim,andwhat thiscouldmean for theirmission. If theirmapwasaccurateandnotthedreamofsomedesperatethief,thentheirappearancecouldbeagodsend,exactlywhattheyneededtofindtheSwordandbringitback.Butthewordsof theslavegirl rang inhishead,andhecouldnothelpwondering,witheverystroke,iftheyweregoingthewrongway,ifhisbrotherswerebeingplayedbythisthiefandhismap.

"Where are you from?"Elden asked the girl softly, seated beside her.Thorwasbutafewinchesaway,andcouldnothelpbuthear,despiteElden’sspeakingsoftly. Elden had been trying to engage her for quite some time, and she hadseemedaloof.ThorcouldseethatEldenhadtakenareallikingtoher.ItwasthefirsttimehehadseenEldenthisway.

"Fromaplaceyou'veneverheardof,"sheanswered,“andaplaceyou’dneverwant to go. It’s just another slave town on the periphery of theEmpire. TheyroundedusuptoSlaveCityaboutayearago.Notallofus.Justme.Myfamily,theykilledonthespot.”

Eldenshookhishead."Youareaslavenomore.Nowyouarefree.”Sheshrugged."What does being free really mean? The entire Empire are slaves to the

Empire.Showmeaplacethatistrulyfree.”"TheRingistrulyfree,"Eldeninsisted.Shegrunted."Andforhowlong?"shecountered."Soonyouwillbeoverrun,likeus,and

youwillanswertotheGreatAndronicus.Justlikeallofus.”"Never!"snappedElden."Youdon'tknowme.Youcan’tsaythat.”Sheshrugged."I knowAndronicus.Nothing can stop him.Nothing.Not even yourRing,

withitsCanyon,anditsmissingSword.Youliveinfantasy.Iamarealist.”"Youareacynic,"Eldencorrected.“Youclearlylostyouridealslongago.I

myselfhavenot.Iwillneverbecomeaslave.IwillneveranswertoAndronicus.Andmy peoplewill never go down. If they do, Iwill go down fightingwiththem.”

Sheshrugged,unimpressed."Thenyouwillgodown,”shesaid.“AsIsaid, likeeveryoneelse,youwill

succumbtoAndronicus—onewayoranother."Theboat fell intoagloomysilenceas theycontinued topaddle,deeperand

deeperintotheunknown,theonlysoundthatofthelappingwater.Thesecondsunclimbedtoitspeak,burninghot,reflectingoffofeverything.

Thelakewaslikeahugemirror,shiningwhite,lightbouncingoffofeverything.Itwaslikepaddlingintoheaven.

JustasThorwasbeginningtowonder,onceagain,iftheywereheadingintheright direction, suddenly, a soft sound began to rise on the horizon. Itwas sosoft,atfirstThorwonderedifhewereimaginingit.Itsoundedlikeasong,likeadistant,softsonginawoman'svoice,risingandfalling.Itsoundedlikeachorusofwomen.Itwas thesweetestandsoftestsoundThorhadeverheard,echoingoffthewater.Hewonderedifheweredreaming.

Fromthelooksonthefacesoftheothers,whosuddenlystoppedpaddlingandlookedinthatdirection,Thorknewhewasnotaloneinhearingit.

"The song of the Sentions," Indra said, with fear. "Youmust turn the boataround!”

"Whatdoyoumean?"Thorasked,alarmed.Indralookedfrantic,lookingeverywhichway,asiftryingtogetofftheboat."Thatisland,”shesaid,“itisanislandofseductresses!Themusicismeantto

draw passersby in. Music that men cannot resist. Once they arrive, they arekilledandeaten.Youmustturnaroundatonce!”

"Youdon'tknowwhatyou're talkingabout," saidDross. "Weare followingthetrailtotheSword.”

But Thorwas beginning to feel a strange feeling pass over him, a tinglingthroughout his body—a lust. The more he heard that music, the closer theycame, themore this feeling intensified, themoreheneeded tohear it.Hehadneverexperiencedanythinglikeit—itwasasifhisbodyhadbeentakenoverbya life-or-death desire to hear their song. He would have killed anyone oranythingthatgotinhisway.

His fellow passengers—except for Indra—clearly all felt the same, turningtowardsit,hypnotized,paddlinghardasasuddencurrentpickedupandpulledtheminonedirectiontowardsthemusic.

Asmall islandbegantocomeintoview, in thecenterofwhichsata round,lowbuilding,madeofashiningwhitemarble.Ontheshoresoftheislandstood

agroupofwomen,wearingwhiteflowingrobes,withlongbrownhairspillingdown to their lower backs, each leaning back, palms out, and singing. Thechorusofvoicesgrewlouder,thetidestronger,andbeforeheknewit,Thorandtheotherswereattheedgeoftheisland.

Thor's heartwas poundingwith a desire to bewith thesewomen; he couldthinkof nothing else.He couldnot even thinkofGwendolyn. Itwas as if hismindhadbeentaken.

"Turnaround!"Indrayelled,frantic.But nothing could stop them now. The current grew even stronger, racing

them towards the island, and inmoments their boatwas lodged firmly on thesand,severalwomenwaitingtopullitashore.Theyreachedoutwiththeirlong,delicatehandsandeachgrabbedapieceoftheboatandpulledthemup.

Thor was electrified by the feel of a woman's touch as she grabbed his,smilingandsingingthewholetimeassheguidedhimofftheboatontothesand.Heletherguidehim,unable toresist,upasetofendlessmarblesteps to theirisland. Beside him, Krohn snarled and whined, and Indra shouted. But Thorcouldbarelyhearthem,allsoundsbutthesongmuted,fading.Hewalkedwithallofhislegionbrothers,allofthemallowingthemselvestobelead.

Eachof theboyswas ledbyawomanwho tookhishand, smiling sweetly,singing,leadingthemdeeperanddeeperintotheisland.Astheywent,Thorsawthat the islandwas covered in themost beautiful fruit trees he had ever seen,orangeandredandyellowfruitshanginglow,branchesflowering,floodingtheplace with delicate aromas. There also came the smell of distant cooking,makingThor’sstomachgrowl.

Thor heard Indra screaming, then heard her being gagged andmuffled; heturned andwatched the women pounce on her, binding her hands behind herbackandcarryingheroff.SomepartofThorwantedtohelpher, tostopallofthis. But a bigger part of himwas under a spell, so deep that hewould havewalkedofftheedgeoftheworldifthesewomenhadledhimthere.

Atlast,hehadfoundhistruehome.Andheneverwantedtoleave.

CHAPTERTWENTY

Gwendolyn stood on the upper ramparts of the castle, Steffen by her side,watchingforKendrick, lookingforanysignofhimonthehorizon.Allaroundher,hermenwerebusypreparingthefinaldefenses,agroupbesidehergroaningas they pushed yet another iron cauldron filled with boiling tar into place.Archerstookuppositions,hundredsofthem,kneelingallaboutthewalls,bowsand arrows at the ready. Beside them sat dozens of attendants, young boysholdingtorchesreadytobelit.

On the lower ramparts, hundreds more men took up positions with longspears;amidsttheseweredozensmorewithslings.

Down below, in the inner court, amassing behind the gates,were hundredsmore soldiers, bearing swords and shields and everyweapon imaginable. Herarmy grew with each passing moment, and Silesia was beginning to feelimpenetrable.Gwenwasfeelingoptimistic.

Butshelookedoutagainoverthehorizon,andremindedherselfofwhatwascoming.ShehadheardstoriesofAndronicusherentirelife,andsheknewthatwhile Silesia had lasted a thousand years, this time would be different. Sheclosed her eyes and prayed that she be given the strength to at least put up anobledefense.Whatevershouldcome,whether theyshouldall liveordie, shejustwantedtogodownwithhonor.

Gwen opened her eyes and looked back at the horizon, and began to paceagain.Shewasanervouswreck,andhavingKendrickouttheredidn’thelp.Shecouldnotimaginehavingtoshutthegatesonherbrother.Itwastoopainfultoevencontemplate.

"Watching the horizon won't make him come any faster," Steffen said,standingbesideher.

She lookedover,grateful,asalways, forSteffen'spresence.Hehadbecomeherbackbone throughoutallof this,alwaysatherside,always lookingout forher,alwaystheretoofferagoodwordofadviceorcomfort.Hewaswisebeyondhisappearance,andshewasviewinghimmoreandmoreasasoundingboard.Hewasalsotheoneshecouldtrustmost,whohadsavedherlifealreadytwice;shewasgrowingcomfortablesharingwithhimevenhermostprivatethoughts.

"I don't think I could do it,” she said to him, quietly. “Seal the gateswithKendrickoutthere.”

"You will have to," he said. "That is what it means to be Queen. To putcountrybeforefamily.Yourbrotherisbutone;yourpeoplearethousands."

Asshecontinuedtopace,Gwendolynknewthathewasright.Shejustprayedshewouldnothavetobeputinthatposition.

A trumpet sounded, and Gwen spun, staring back down at the road,wondering whose approach they were heralding. Her heart beat faster as shehopedtoseeKendrickridingtowardstheplace.

Butherheartfellasshesawasmallcaravanandrealizeditwasnothim.Itwas a horse and carriage, coming from the road fromKing's Court. She wassurprised:someonehadmadeitoutoftherealive.

She was anxious to have the news. She took off down the twisting stonestaircaseuntilshereachedthedustyinnercourtofSilesia.Steffenclearedapathforherbetweenthesoldiers,andshehurrieddownthemiddleastheinnergatewasslowlyopened.

Thecarriagecameuptotheentranceandpulledtoastop.Several soldiers approached and opened the door, and Gwendolyn was

shockedasshesawwhocameout.There,standingbeforeher,wasawomanshewassureshewouldneversee

again.Hermother.TheformerQueen.Andbesideher,herdevotedservant,Hafold.Gwendolyn’s mother stared back at her, one queen to another, and

Gwendolynfelttornwithamyriadofemotions.Shewentfrombeingshockedtoseeher, torelief thatshewasalive, tosadnessandcompassionforherstateofhealth,toangerfromalltheoldmemories.Shealsofeltasuddendefiance:ifhermotherhadarrivedheretotrytotellherhowtorule,shewouldhearnoneofit.

Most of all, she was bewildered. How was her mother, who was so sick,standing?AndhowhadsheescapedfromKing’sCourt?

"Mother,"Gwendolynsaid.Hermotherstaredback,expressionless."Gwendolyn," she said, matter of factly. "I find myself in the odd and

unfortunatepositionof having to askmydaughter to allowme intoher court.Since the destruction of King’s Court, of the one place I called home, I findmyselfhomeless.Agreatarmyfollowsonmytail,andifyoushutmeoutfromyour gates, I will die out there. However youmay feel aboutme, surely thatwouldnotbeawaytohonoryourfather.”

Thecrowdofsoldiersaroundthemgrewquiet,andGwendolynfeltthemallwatching the exchange between them. She took a deep breath, swirling withmixedemotions.

"Iamnotvindictive,mother,”Gwendolynsaid.“Unlikeyou.IwouldneverthrowyoutothemercyoftheEmpire,regardlessofthesortofmotheryouhavebeen.Ofcourse,youshallbewelcomewithinourgates."

Hermotherstaredback,stillexpressionless,andgavehertheslightestnod."Howdidyourecover?"Gwendolynasked."LastIsawyou,youwereunable

tospeak,ortomove.”"I discovered she had been the victim of poisoning,"Hafold said. "By her

son,theKing.”Agaspspread through thecrowd,mostofall fromGwendolyn.Despite the

depth ofGareth’s treachery, she had never imagined this. She shook her headinvoluntarily.

"ThenweshallputyouintothehandsofIllepra,ourhealerwhoisherewithus, and shewill giveyouwhateverhelpyouneed for apermanent recovery. Iwelcomeyouhere,mother.”

Hermothernodded,butstoodwhereshewas."Ihearyouarequeennow,"hermothersaid.Gwendolynnoddedback,guarded,unsurewhereshewasgoingwiththis."Itiswhatyourfatherwanted.Ifoughtit.Butnow,finally,Iseethatitwasa

wisedecision.Perhapshisonlywisedecision.”With that, hermother turned andwalked past her, followed byHafold, too

proudtostopandsayanythingelse.Gwendolyn,knowinghowproudhermotherwas,knowing thatshe’dnever

hadakindwordforher,knewhowharditwasforhertosaysomethinglikethat.Shewastouched.Shewondered,forthemillionthtime,whysheandhermothercouldnothavebeencloser.

Thecarriagedooropenedyetagain,andGwendolynturnedandwassurprisedto seeAberthol exit the other side,walking slowlywith his cane, the soldiershelpinghim.

He turnedandwalkedwithhisdistinctivegait towardsGwendolyn, smilingwarmlyasheapproached.

Shetookseveralstepstowardshim,andgavehimahug.Itwarmedherhearttoseeheroldteacherandherfather’sadvisoragain;itwas,insomeways,likehavingapieceofherfatherthere.

"Gwendolyn, my dear,” he said slowly in his ancient voice. “Hugging ahumbleoldmanlikemewillnotseemquiteappropriateinfrontofallyournewsubjects,"hesaidwithasmile,pullingback."Youarequeennow,afterall.Forthat,Iamveryproudofyou.Andaqueenmustalwaysactasaqueen.”

Gwendolynsmiledback."True,”shesaid,“butbeingqueenalsogivesmeprerogativetogiveanyoneI

wanttoahug.”Hesmiled."Youalwaysweretoosmartforyourowngood,"hesaid."Seeingyouheremakesmefeartheworst,"Gwendolynsaid,somber."Ihave

heard that King's Court was attacked. But knowing that you have fled yourpreciousbooksmakesmeknownow,forcertain,thatitistrue."

Aberthol’sfacefell,ashegravelyshookhishead."Burned,”hesaid.“It'sallbeenburnedtotheground.Weescapedthenight

before.”Gwendolyn,heartthumping,wasafraidtoaskthenextquestion."AndwhatoftheHouseofScholars?”shefinallyasked.Herheartpounded

asshethoughtoftheplacethatwasasecondhometoher,thatwasmoresacredtoherthananythingintheworld.

Aberthollookeddownsadly,andforthefirsttimeinherlife,shewatchedatearfallfromhiseye.

"Nothingremains,”hesaid,hisvoicegravel.“Thousandsofyearsofhistory,ofpriceless,preciousvolumes—allsetaflamebybarbarians.”

Despiteherself,Gwendolyngroaned;shereachedforherheart,clutchingherchest.

"AllthatremainsarethefewvolumesIgrabbedbeforefleeing,allIcouldfitinthecarriage.Athousandyearsofhistory,ofpoetry,ofphilosophy—allofit,wipedaway.”

Gravely,heshookhisheadagainandagain."Wewillrebuildit,"shesaidtohim,layingareassuringhandonhisshoulder.

"Oneday,wewillgetitallbackagain.”Shetriedtosoundconfident,torestorehisspirits,butevensheknewitcould

neverbe.Helookedupatherindoubt."Do you know what's coming for us on the horizon?" he said. “An army

greaterthananythingyourfatherhadfaced.”"Ido,"shesaid."AndIknowwhoweare.Wewillsurvive.Somehow.And

wewillrebuild.”Helookedather,longandhard,andfinallyhenodded."Yourfatherchosewell,"hesaid."Very,verywell.”Abertholsquinted,hisfacecollapsinginamillionlines."Yourememberyourhistory?”heasked.“TheAcholemes?”Gwenwrackedherbrain,itslowlycomingbacktoher.“Theywerefacedwithagreatsiege,”shesaid.“ThegreatestsiegeinalltheannalsoftheMacGils,”Abertholadded.“They

werebutonehundredmen—andtheyfendedofftenthousand.”Gwen'seyesopenedwideandherheartswelledwithhopeasthestorybegan

tocomebacktoher."How?"sheasked."They fought as one," he answered. "Battles are not always won by the

sword.More often, they arewonby the heart.By the cause.The bookof theancientlanguageisfilledwithstoriesoffewtriumphingagainstmany.”

Hesighed.“Whenyourulethesemen,”hesaid,“don'tappealtotheirweaponry.Lookto

theirhearts.Eachisason,afather,abrother,ahusband.Eachhasareasontodie—buteachalsohasareason to live.Find thereason to live,andyouwill findyourpathtovictory.”

Hebegantowalkaway,whensuddenlyhestoppedandlookedather.“Mostimportantly,”heaskedher,“askyourself:whatisyourreasontolive?”Shestoodthere,alone,hiswordsringinginherhead.Whatwasherreasonto

live?Assheponderedit,sherealizedshehadtwoofthem.Shereacheddownand

rubbedherstomach,thenlookedtothehorizonandthoughtofThor.Inthatmoment,sheresolvedtolive.Nomatterwhat,shewouldlive.

CHAPTERTWENTYONE

Kendrick galloped on the dusty road, Atme at his side, charging into ahorizon brewingwith thick, gathering storm clouds. The sky thundered againand again, threatening rain. In the distance, finally coming into view,was thevillagethewomanhadtoldthemabout,andKendrickwasfloodedwithrelief.Itcouldnothavecomeamomentsooner.

They had been riding for hours, and Kendrick's apprehension deepened asthey continued farther from the safety of Silesia and closer towards theoncoming army, out there somewhere, heading right for them. Kendrick onlyhopedthat theyfindthevillage,findthegirl,andgetbackbeforeAndronicus’menreachedthem—andbeforeSilesia’sgatesclosedonthem.

Kendrick knew that thiswas a recklessmission; yet he also knew that thismissionwastheverycoreofwhohewas.Hehadtakenavowtohelpthosewhoweredefenseless,andthatvowwassacredtohim.ForKendrick,thatwasmoreimportantthanhispersonalsafety,andmissionssuchasthese,whetherrecklessornot,mustbetaken.HehadheardthestoriesofAndronicus’sbrutality,andheknew what his men would do to the girls. That was something he could notallow,evenifhehadtogodownfighting.

Kendrick rode harder, out of breath, giving it everything he had, and wasencouraged as the village began to loom larger. It sat as a small dot on thehorizon, just another farming town on the outskirts of the Ring, shaped in acircle, like most of them, with but a few dozen dwellings and a rudimentarytown wall. He exchanged a knowing glance with Atme and they both rodeharder,encouraged,determinedtomakeittherebeforeAndronicus—andrescuethegirls.

Astheygotcloser,Kendrickheardadistantrumbleandlookeduptosee,inthedistance,agroupofadozensoldierscomeintoview,gallopingtowardsthevillage from theotherdirection.Hisheart beat faster ashe saw theywore theblackof theEmpire.Theywerehere.And theywereboth racing for thesametown.KendrickandAtmeweremuchcloserthanthey—butnotbymuch.

TheonethingthatgaveKendrickcomfortwasthathedidnotseetheentirearmywiththem;rather,itseemedtobeasmallcontingent.Herealizedinstantlythat it was an advance party, scouts, riding ahead to report back to the mainarmy.Wherevertherewerescouts,themainarmywasneverfarbehind—usually

butafewminutes.The urgency was even greater as Kendrick screamed and kicked his horse

again, and the two of them charged right through the town gates. They rodedownthenarrowstreetsandlookedsidetoside,examiningallthesmall,humbledwellings.Thisentiretownwasdeserted,aghosttown;possessionswerestrewnall throughoutthestreets,anditwasclear that thevillagershadevacuatedinahurry.Itwaswiseofthem.Theyknewwhatwascoming.

Theyrodeblocktoblockuntilfinally,Kendrickspottedadwellinglargerthantheothers,witharedstarpaintedonit.TheHouseoftheSick.

They rode for it and as they reached the front, they each dismounted andsprinted through the open door. Before they did, Kendrick glanced over hisshoulderandsawthescoutsgettingcloser,hardlyaminuteaway.

Kendrick andAtme sprinted through the building, past rows of abandonedbeds.Foramoment,hewonderedifthisplacewerevacant;hewonderediftheyhadfoundthewrongplace,orifthegirlshadalreadybeenmovedsomewhere.Ittookhiseyesamomenttoadjusttothelight,andastheydid,heheardasoftcry.

Theyturnedandinthefarcorneroftheroomlaythetwosickgirls,supineontheir beds. They appeared to be maybe twelve years old, and they weaklyreachedoutforhim.

"Help!"oneofthemcalled.Theotherwastoosicktoevenliftherhand.Kendrick darted across the room and hoisted one of the girls over his

shoulder,moaning,whileAtmegrabbedtheother.Theythenturnedandranbackthroughthebuilding,chargingthroughtheopendoorandtotheirhorses.

Theyeachmounted thegirlson theirsaddlesandprepared to jumpupontothehorses—whensuddenly,behindthem,therecamethedozenEmpiresoldiers,charginglikeastorm.Therewasn’ttime,Kendrickrealized.Theywouldhavetofight.

Kendrick and Atme turned and rushed forward to meet them, puttingthemselves between the contingent and the girls, drawing their swordswith adistinctiveringandraisingtheirshields.

TheleadattackerbroughthissworddownandKendrickraisedhisshieldandblocked it at the last second—then parried back with his sword at the samemoment,slicingtheman’ssaddle,sendinghimflyingoffhishorseandcrashingdown to theground.Anotherattackedswunghisaxe forKendrick’shead,andKendrick ducked, then stabbed him in the ribs, sending him off his horsescreaming. Another attacker thrust a lance his way, and Kendrick spun andsnatcheditfromhishands.

Kendrick held the lance to his shoulder and charged and knocked another

attackerfromhishorse.Hesenthimflyingbackintoanotherattacker,sendingthem both to the ground. Kendrick then pulled back the lance, took aim andthrewit;itsailedthroughtheairandkilledanotherattacker,piercinghisarmorandimpalinghischest.

Kendrick, now weaponless, was vulnerable and had no time to react asanother attacker leapt off his horse and tackledhim, sending themboth to theground.Theyrolledandrolled,wrestling,andthesoldierdrewadagger,raisedithigh,andbroughtitdownforKendrick'sthroat.

Kendrick caughthiswrist inmid-air andheld it there as they engaged in apower struggle, the soldier pushing down with all his might, sneering, andKendrickbarelyholdingitback,thetipjustinchesfromhisface.

Finally,Kendrickmanagedtotwistthesoldier'swristtotheside,thenrolledandpunchedhimwithhisgauntletacrossthejaw,knockinghimontohisback.Hethenpunchedthemanonemoretime,knockinghimoutforgood.

Outofthecornerofhiseyes,Kendrickspottedyetanotherattackercharginghim,gearingup tokickhimin theribs;Kendrick thoughtquick,snatching thedaggerthathadfallenfromthesoldier'shand,turningandthrowingit.Theknifesailedendoverendandlodgeditselfintheattacker’sthroat,stoppinghiminhistracks.Hestoodthere,frozenforaminute,thenkeeledovertotheside,dead.

Atmehadbeenbusy,too.Kendricklookedovertoseefiveofthesixsoldierswho’d attacked him dead on the ground, all in various positions, their bloodstainingtheearth.Ashewatched,Atmefinishedoffthesixth,duckingbelowaswordslash,spinningaround,andchoppingoftheman'sheadwithhissword.

Kendrick and Atme both stood there for a moment, breathing hard in thesuddenstillness,surveyingthedamagetheyhaddone.

"Liketheolddays,"Atmesaid.Kendricknoddedback."I'mgladitwasyouonmyside,"heanswered.Therecameachorusofdistanthorns,andKendrickfeltagreattremorinthe

earth.Helookedtothehorizonandsawthefaintestglimmerofdustarising.Thistime,itwasnotthedustofadozenmen—butthedustofavastarmy,stretchingasfarastheeyecouldsee.

The two of them wasted no time. They turned and ran for their horses,Kendrickmountingbehind thesickgirl,holdingher tightwithonearmas shewobbled limplyon thesaddle,andgrabbing thereinswith theother.Atmedidthesame,andinmomentstheywereracingoutofthetown,throughtheentranceandbackontotheroadthatledtoSilesia.

Kendrickthoughtoftheclosinggates,andonlyhopedthatitwasnottoolate.*

GwendolynstoodatopasmallhilloutsidetheoutergateofSilesia,waiting,watching,herheartpounding.Shehadbeenscrutinizing thehorizonforhours,prayingforanysignofKendrickastheycounteddownthehours,theminutes,untilshewouldhavetosealthegates.

"My lady," Steffen said, still standing loyally beside her, “youmust retreatintothecity!WaitingouthereforKendrickwon’tmakehimcomefaster—anditwillonlyjeopardizeyoursafety.Please:retreattowithinourwalls.”

Gwendolynshookherhead."Icannotwaitwithinthesafetyofourwallswhileheriskshislifeoutthere.”"Butmylady,yourpeopleneedyou.Theylooktoyou.”"Theyalsolooktomeasanexample,”shesaid,“offearlessness.Inwar,that

hasmerit,too.”“Wellthenifyouwon’tgobackinside,neitherwillI,”hesaid.Steffenfellsilent,andthetwoofthemcontinuedtostandandwatch.Gwendolynknewhewas right,knew itwasonlyamatterof timeuntil she

wouldhavetoordertheoutergatessealed.Herheartwasbreakinginside.Shebegantodetectadistantrumbling,andherheartpoundedasshelooked

uptoseetheentirehorizoncoveredinblack.Moretroopsthanshehadeverseenin her life were stretched out before her, thousands and thousands of them,seemingtostretchacross theentireworld.In theircenterrodetwodozenflag-bearers, waving the Empire colors high above their heads, and hundreds oftrumpetssounded.

"My lady, we are out of time!" shouted Srog, riding up beside her with adozentroops.“Wemustsealthegates!”

Gwen looked over her shoulder and saw her men, hundreds of them,anxiouslypreparing,takinguppositions,spreadoutalongtheparapets.Shethenturnedandlookedbackatthehorizon.Realitywassinkingin:here,atlast,wasAndronicus.Andyet,still, therewasnosignofKendrickandAtme.Herheartfell. Had he been killed? She had never known him to be unsuccessful. Howcould it be? she wondered. Kendrick was their finest knight. If he had beenkilled,thenwhathopewasthereforanyofthem?

Gwencursedherselfforallowinghimtogo.Sheshouldhaveorderedhimtostayput.Shelovedthathelivedbyhisvowofhonor—butinthiscase,chivalryhadledtohisdeath.

"Mylady,youcannotstandhereanymore!"Steffenyelled,andshecouldheartheagitationinhisvoice.

Gwendolyn knew the time had come. The armywas getting closer, and inmomentstherewouldbenochanceforhertoenterherowncitywalls.Butshejustcouldnotbringherself to.Notuntilsheknewforsurethatherbrotherdid

notmakeit.“My lady!”Bromurged, standing besideSrog. “Ifwewait any longer, our

menwilldie!”Suddenly,asmallcloudofdustcaughtGwendolyn’seye,offtotheside;she

turned,andonasmallsideroadthere,herheartwaselatedtosee,rodeKendrickandAtme,carrying the twogirlson theirhorses.Theygalloped towards them,outpacing thearmy, faster,andcloser.Theyhadagoodhundredyards leadonthem,andGwen'sheartsoaredtoseethemaliveagain.

Theyhadmadeit.Shecouldhardlybelieveit.Theyhadmadeit!Gwendolynfeltahugeweightliftedoffherheartassheturned,mountedher

horse,andbeganridingbackfortheopengatesofSilesia,Steffen,Srog,Bromanddozensofsoldiersaccompanyingher.Astheywent,moreandmoretroops,waitingpatientlyforher,filledinbehindthem,andtogethertheyallracedbackthroughtheoutergates.Astheydid,dozensofmen,waiting,begantoclosethemassiveirongatesfrombothsides.

Theyracedthroughjustintime,thegateonlyleftopenedafewfeetforthem,andaftertheydid,KendrickandAtme,justfeetbehindher,racedthrough,too.Thesecondtheydid,theheavymetalslammedbehindthem.

They continued riding, through the inner gates, and as they did, a secondspikedirongateslammedbehindthem.

AsGwendolynrushedintotheinnercourt,allaroundher,thousandsoftroopswere rushing intoposition,chaoseverywhere, theenergy in theair frantic, theanticipationpalpable.

"SOUNDTHEALARMS!"shescreamed,andassoonasshedid,achorusofhornseruptedallaroundher.

Citizens ran to their homes and barred windows and doors, the courtyardemptying.Onceinside,mostrushedtotheirupperwindows,leavingthemopenjust a crack, to look out over the square, and to hold bows and arrows at theready.EverylastSilesianman,womanandchild,Gwenknew,waspreparedtojoininandfighttothedeathhere.

Herheart floodedwith relief asKendrick rodeupbesideher, he andAtmehanding the sick girls to their mother, who embraced themwith tears of joy,sobbing.ShegrabbedKendrick'sleg.

"Thankyou,"shesaid."Iwillneverbeabletorepayyou.”GwendolynandKendrickdismountedandembraced.“You’realive,”shesaidoverhisshoulder,sohappy,andwishingforThorto

havethesamefate,too.“Andyousavedtheirlives.”Kendricksmiled."Therearemanymoretosave,”hereplied.

Gwen had no time to respond, because suddenly, there came a horrificslammingagainsttheoutergate,sofierce,itshooktheentirecity.

Kendrick tookuphispositionwith the restof theSilver,whileGwendolynran,Steffenatherside,upthewindingstonestepstothetopoftheinnerparapet,wantingtogetthebestview.

AsGwen looked down there came another tremendous crash, and shewasshocked by what she saw: Andronicus' army swarmed outside the city, anddozensofsoldiers,inacoordinatedcharge,rammedtheirshieldsintotheoutergate,puttingtheirshouldersintoit.

Thatwasalljusttheprelude:thesemensteppedaside,andtherecamerollingforwardalong,thickironbatteringram,onwheels,mannedbytwodozenmen.Theyrushedforward,gainedtraction,andasGwendolynwatchedinhorror,theyrammed the outer gate, denting it, shaking thewalls, andmaking someof thestonearoundhercrumble.

"Awaitingyourcommand!"Srogsaid,standingbesideher."NOW!"shesaid."ARCHERS!"screamedSrog.Upanddowntheparapets,archerspulledbackontheirbows,andfoundslots

througheverynookandcrannyinthestonewalls,takingaimbelow.“FIRE!”The sky turned black with the rain of arrows, thousands of them sailing

throughtheair,findingtargetsbelowintheexposedEmpiresoldiers.Screamsroseup,asdozensofEmpiretroopskeeledoverontheground,dead.ButAndronicus’armywaswell-disciplined:hundredsofsoldierstookaknee,

linedupinperfectrows,andfiredrightbackupatthewalls.Gwendolyn stood there, amazed,her first time in themidstof a realbattle,

andshedidn'teventhinktoreact.Shefeltastronghandgrabhershirtandyankherdown,slammingheragainstthestone.Shefeltthebreezeofanarrowasitsailedthroughtheair,justmissingherhead,andlookedovertoseeSteffenlyingonthegroundbesideher.Shelaythere,herheartpounding,realizinghowstupidshehadbeennottogetdownsooner,asalltheothermenaroundherhaddone.Steffen,onceagain,hadsavedherlife.

Noteveryonehadbeenso fortunate.Aboy,hardlyolder thanThor, stoodafew feet away from her, staring down at the men, as if in shock, an arrowthroughhis throat.He stooda secondmore, then toppledover theedgeof theparapetandfelldownontotheheapofbodies,fiftyfeetbelow.

"ARCHERS!"Srogscreamedagain.Again, the Silesians took up their bows, re-strung, and fired down at the

Empire.

Morescreamsrangup,andmoreEmpiretroopsfell.Buttherecameanothervolley,rightback.Thebattleintensified,andarrowssailedthroughtheairineverydirection,the

Empire taking heavier casualties asmost of theSilesianswere spared, able totakecoverbehind the thick stonewalls.But as thebattle continued,moreandmore Silesians got killed as they fired. There were perhaps a dozen Silesiansoldiersdead,comparedtothehundredsofEmpire—buttheSilesianshadfewermentospare.

Itwas all happening so quickly,Gwen could barely process it. It had gonefrom absolutely nothing, from days of calm, of endless waiting, to a sudden,ferociousbattle.

TheEmpire rolled thebatteringramtowards thegateonceagain,denting itfurtherandshakingthegroundastheystruckitwithacrash.

Kendricksteppedforward,rallyingtheSilver."CAULDRONS!”hescreamed.Kendrick rushed forward,Atmebyhis side, alongwithadozenSilver, and

togethertheyhoistedahugeironcauldronovertheedgeofthewall.Momentslater, boiling tar came gushing over the edge, pouring down on the soldiersmanning thebattering ram. Inperfect unison, a dozenSilver leanedoverwiththeirbows,arrowsaflame,andfired.

Screamingeruptedasthesoldierscaughtfire—stoppingthemjustbeforetheyhadtimetoramthegateagain.

Butwithinmoments,dozensmoretroopssimplypushedtheflamingsoldiersoutofthewayandtookupthebatteringramsthemselves.

Gwen was struck with a hopeless feeling. The number of Empire troopsseemed limitless, and no matter how many they killed, it seemed futile. Foreveryhundredthatdied,twohundredmoreappeared.Allthewhile,thehorizonjust continued to floodwith them, as far as the eye could see, row after row,divisionafterdivision,crammingtogetherlikeamillionworkerants.ThedeathofseveralhundredEmpiredidn’tevenputadentintheirforces.

Yeton theSilesianside,everysingledeathhadan impact.Byanymeasuretheywerefightingtremendouslywell,holdingoffahugearmywithafractionofthemen—yetstill,theyfelteveryloss—andGwensawtheirranksbeginningtothin,theirmunitionsbeginningtodwindle.

ItwasobviousthatAndronicushadnoregardforlife,thathewouldjustkeepsendingmen to theirdeathswithoutanother thought. It evenseemedas if thatwerehisstrategy—tojustkeepofferingupasmanyofhisownmenashecould,untiltheSilesiansranoutofarrows,tar,spears.Eventually,theywould.Fightingagainst any other commander would have given the Silesians a chance; but

againstAndronicus,againstamanwhodidn’tevencareabouthisownpeople,whatchancewas there?Gwenwondered.Washe thatmerciless tosacrificesomanythousandsofhisownpeoplewithoutasecondthought?

AsGwenwatchedsoldieraftersoldierfalltotheirdeathsbelow,sherealizedthathewas.

Before she could finish the thought, she caught a glimpse of somethingsailing at her out of the corner of her eye, and this time, she ducked in time.Inchesoverherheadtheirsailedahuge,flamingboulder.Itsoaredthroughtheair,over theparapets,and landed inside thecity. It landeddeep in theground,like a flaming comet, and impactedwith such force that it shook the ground.After it landeditcontinuedtoroll,stoppingonlywhenitsmashedintoastonewallinaburstoffireandflame.

Dozens of these flaming boulders suddenly soared through the air, oneshattering the stone wall close to her head. Gwen, on her hands and knees,peakedthroughaslittoseethatarowofcatapultshadbeenrolledforward,anddozens of soldierswere arming themwith boulders, setting them aflamewithsomesortofliquid,crankingbacktheropesuntiltaught,thenslicingtoletitgo.

Thegroundandwallsshookallaroundherasthesebouldersflewthroughtheairlikearrows;screamroseup,anddozensofhermendied.

"FIREONTHECATAPULTS!"Gwenshouted.“Aimfor themenmanningthem!”

Herorderswereshoutedand repeatedupanddown the ranks,allalong theparapets,andall thearchers turnedtheirattentionfromthetroopsmanningthebatteringramstothosemanningthecatapults.Ahailofarrowsshiftedtowardsthem,woundingandkillingmostofthesoldiers.

But themovemusthavebeenanticipatedbyAndronicus’smen,becauseassoon as Gwen’s archers stood and fired, exposed, they were fired uponthemselves,dozensofspearshurlingthroughtheairandimpalingthem,Gwenwas horrified to see.Their screams rose up, and their bodies toppled over theedge,crashingdownbelow.

"Iwanttojoin!"yelledavoice."Iwanttojointhefighting!”GwendolynturnedandwasshockedtoseeherbrotherGodfreyapproaching,

breathinghard, slightlyoverweight,huffingandpuffing inhisclotharmor,hisfaceredfromexertion,hiseyeswidewithfear.

"Getdown!"shescreamed,andSteffenyankedhimdown just in time,asaspearsoaredoverhishead.

"Iwanttofight!”hecried."Please!Givemeaposition!”GwendolynlookedatKendrick,whonoddedback."Youcanjoinmymen,"Kendricksaid."Haveyoueverfiredabow?”

"Ofcourse!”Godfreysaid.“Fatherhadusalltakelessons.”“Butdoyouremember?”Kendrickpressed.Godfreystaredback,wide-eyed,trembling.“Ithinkso,”hesaid."Takethis,"Kendricksaid,reachingoverandhandinghimasparebowand

quiver."Andtakeupapositionalongthiswall,with thearchers.Staylowanddon’texposeyourself.Awaitmycommand!”

Godfreydidashewastold,hurryingoverandtakingupaposition,kneelingdownwith shakinghandsashe tookanarrow from thequiver and loaded thebow.Hewassonervousthathe,fumbling,droppedthequiver,andhisarrowsallspilledout.

But thenhe regainedhimself, loadedanarrow, and stuckhisheadup for amoment over the stonewall.An arrow sailed by, justmissing it, and he kneltbackdown,trembling.

“Itoldyoutostaydown!”Kendrickyelled.“I’msorry,”Godfreysaid.Helookedasifhewereabouttocry."Don'tgiveintoyourfear,"Kendrickcommanded."Takeadeepbreath.Stay

lowtotheground,always.”Godfreyshuthiseyesandbreatheddeeply,severaltimes.“ARCHERS!”Kendrickyelled.“FIRE!”Godfreyopenedhiseyes,tookaimthroughaslitinthewall,pulledthebow

backwithshakinghands,andfired.Hewatchedthroughtheslitinthewall.Hisfacefellasherealizedthathemissed.Butheplacedanotherarrowonthebow,hishandsabitmoresteadythistime,

andtookaknee,tookcarefulaim,andfired."Igothim!"hescreamedintriumph."Ican'tbelieveit!Ireallygothim!”GwenwasthrilledtoseeGodfreyoutofthealehouse,fightingbytheirside.

Shewassoproudofhim.Onherotherside,notfaroff,washernewbrother-in-law,Bronson,whohad

been fightingnoblywith theothers,evenwithonehand, findingaway to firearrowafterarrowatAndronicus'men,andtakingoutmanyofthem.Luandawassomewheretuckedsafelyinsidethelowercity,whichsheexpectedhertobe.

Allthatwasmissing,shepainedtothink,wasThor.Suddenlytherecameanunfamiliarnoise,aloudcreaking,andGwencraned

herneckandpeekedthroughtheslitsofthestonewalltoseewhatitwas.Herheartfell.

ScoresofEmpiresoldierspartedwaystomakewayasdozensofmenpushedforwardcartsinthemud,ontopofwhichwerepiledtall,woodenladders.Theremusthavebeenahundredofthem,andtheyheavedthecartscloserandcloserto

theouterwall."TORCHES!”Kendrickscreamed.Allupanddowntheparapets,soldiersandtheirattendantslittheirtorches.“WAIT!”Kendrickscreamed.Theyallwaited,thegroaningofcartsgrowinglouder,Gwen'sheartpounding,

as the slew of ladders came ever closer. Theywere just a few feet away, andeveryimpulseinherscreamedoutforthesoldierstoemploythetorches.ButshedeferredtoKendrick,allowinghim,aveteranofbattle,tocommandhismen.

Shewaitedandwaited,watchingtheladdersleanupagainstherwall,sweatformingonherbrow.

"NOW!"Kendrickfinallyscreamed.TheSilesiansroseupwithagreatshout,leanedover,andlittheladders.One

byone,thewoodenladdersbegantoburn.ButnotalltheSilesiansweresuccessful:severalofthem,astheystood,were

shot through the chest and eyes and throatwith arrows; otherswere killed byspearsandjavelins.Gwenwatchedinhorrorasdozensofhermentoppledovertheedge,hurlingdowninachorusofscreams.

Manyladderswereonfire—butmanyhadalsomadeittothewalls,alreadyfilledwithEmpiresoldiersscramblinguplikemad.

The Silesians broke into action, led by Kendrick, as he ran to the nearestladder, raised his axe and swung, chopping it and sending it crumbling to theground.

ButKendrickpaiddearlyforit:heshoutedoutinpainasanarrowpiercedhisbicep, blood squirting everywhere. He reached over and yanked it out, withanothergreatscream.

Hisattendantwasnotsolucky;anarrowpiercedhimthroughthethroat,andhecollapsedtotheground,dead.

Soldiers up and down the parapets ran for the ever-increasing number ofladders, trying to fend themoff.Godfrey, to his credit, stood and ran for one,screaming in his first battle cry; he seemed as if he had overcome somethingwithin him. As he approached, an Empire soldier was just reaching the top,abouttoclimboverthestonewall,whenGodfreychargedandranhisspearrightthroughhim.

The Empire soldier shrieked, staring blankly Godfrey, who stared back,equallyshocked;hehesitatedforamoment, thenbegantofallbackwards.Butbeforehedid,hereachedoutandgrabbedGodfreybytheshirtandyankedhimbackwithhim.

Godfreyscreamedashewentrushingtowardstheedge.Hereachedoutatthelastsecondandgrabbedthestone,bracinghimselfbeforehewentover.Hewas

strugglingwithallhehad,buthisgripwasslipping.Gwendolynsawthathewasabouttodie.

Gwendolyn, without thinking, rushed into action. She sprinted forward,grabbedaforgottenswordfromtheground,itshiltbloody,andrightbeforeherbrother losthisgrip,sherushedforward,raisedtheswordandchoppedoff thesoldier’shandwhichwasgrabbingGodfrey.

The soldier, screaming, fellbackwardsdown the ladder, taking severalmenwithhim.Godfreystumbledbackwards, freefromthegrip,andlookedoveratGwenwide-eyed,inshock.

“Theladder!”shescreamed.Sheranforwardandgrabbedoneendoftheladder,andhesnappedoutofit

andgrabbedtheother.Steffen,rightbehindher,cameupinthemiddle.Together,thethreeofthemheavedandpushedtheladderoffthewall,sendingitcrashingdowntotheground.

But therewere toomany ladders and not enoughmen to be everywhere atonce;thefirstbunchofEmpiresoldiersjumpedovertheparapets,andsoon,theparapets were filled with them. Gwendolyn's heart pounded as she saw menrunningtowardsherfromallsides.

“SWORDS!”Srogscreamedouttohismen.Hand-to-hand fighting broke out all around her, preoccupying hermen and

forcingthemtoabandonattackingthesoldiersbelow.ThislefttheEmpiremenfreed up to concentrate once again on ramming the iron gates of the outerdefenses;againandagain,thebatteringramshookthewalls,withenoughforcetomakeGwenandtheothersstumble.

Thegateswereriddledwithhugedents,andbeginningtobuckle.“Mylady,wehavetogetyouinside,tosafety!”Steffenyelled,frantic.ButGwendolyndidnotwanttoleavehermen;shewasabouttolookoverthe

wall, to assess thedamagebeingdone to thegates,when suddenly anEmpiresoldier jumped over the railing beside her, reached over and backhanded her,sendingherflyingbackwards.Gwen’sworldfilledwithpainasshereeledfromthestingoftheblowonherface,shockingher.

Thesoldierthenpouncedonher;Gwendolynrolledoutofthewayatthelastsecond, as the soldierwent topunchher and justmissed,punching stone.Shedrew a dagger from her belt, spun around, and thrust it into the back of thesoldiersneck.Hisbodywentlimp.

Gwenfeltnumb;shecouldscarcelybelieveshehadjustkilledaman.Itmadehersick.Inside,shewasshaking.

Butshehadnotimetoconsiderit:anothersoldierapproachedandswunghissworddown right forGwendolyn's face.Shehadno time to react; she braced

herself,raisingherhandsforimminentdeath.At the last second there came a great clang; she opened her eyes to see

Steffenbesideher,blockingtheblowwithhissword,onlyafewinchestospare,struggling mightily to keep it from her. Gwendolyn rolled out of the way,grabbeda looseshield,spunaroundandsmashed thesoldier in thesideof thehead. Steffen then kicked him, leapt to his feet, and stabbed the man in thethroat.

GwenturnedandsawasoldierraiseaspearandbringitdownforSteffen'sback. She dove forward and pushed Steffen out of theway, saving him, thenwatchedinhorror,helpless,asthespearcamedownforherinstead.

Therecamethesoundofcuttingwood,andGwenlookeduptoseeGodfreystandingoverher,swordinhand,havingjustslashedtheattacker’sspearbeforeitcouldreachher.

Godfrey stood there, lookingamazedatwhathehad just done.The soldierturned to him, drew a short sword, andwas about to stab him.Godfrey stoodthere,dazed,notquickenoughtoreact.

Before thesoldiercouldcompletehisattack,hescreamedoutandstumbledforward;behindhimstoodKendrick,whohadjustpiercedhiminthebackwithaspear.

Steffenturned,realizingwhathadjusthappened,andlookedatGwendolyn."NowIoweyou,mylady.”Therecameanothergreatcrash, thewalls shaking, louder thananyshehad

heard—followedbyahugecheeramongsttheEmpire.Gwendolyn looked down to see, with terror, that the outer gate had been

breached.Sosoon,despitealltheirdefenses,ithadgivenway.HundredsandhundredsofEmpiresoldiersweredead—butithadn’tevenput

adent in their forces.She lookedoutat thehorizonandsawthehordesof theworld before them—and more pouring in every second. Below them, with ashout,dozensofEmpiresoldiersbegantorushthroughthegates.

"Retreattotheinnerwall!"Gwenscreamed.Her orders were repeated up and down the ranks, and her men retreated

acrossthenarrowwoodenskywalks,fiftyfeetintheair,totheinnerwall.Astheyallreachedtheinnerwall,theyturned,andasinstructed,smashedthe

woodenskywalksbehindthem,causingalltheEmpiresoldierspursuingthemtofallcrashingdowntotheirdeathsbelow.TheEmpiresoldierswhohadmanagedto climb the walls were now stranded on the first row of parapets, unable topursue.Theywerestuck.Ithadworked,exactlyastheyhadpracticed.

Down below, Empire soldiers were pouring through, rushing for the innergate,thecity’sfinallineofdefense.Butintheirhastetheydidn’tlookcarefully

enoughattheground;iftheyhad,theywouldhaveseenthatitwasatrap,afalsecovering,beneathwhichwasamoatfilledwithwater.

Theyallfellandsplasheddown,intothewater,flailing.Yet even this couldn’t stop them: more and more Empire soldiers, driven

relentlessly,forward,pouredin,steppingmercilesslyontheheadsoftheirfellowsoldiersinthewater,crushingthemanddrowningthembeneaththewater,andnotcaring.Unlikemostcommanders,Andronicuswouldn’tstoptotakethetimetobuildabridge:hewouldusehisownhumansacrificetobuildhisbridge.

Unfortunately,itbegantowork.Thebodiescreatedahumanbridgethattherestofthesoldierscouldrunacross.

“ARCHERS!”Kendrickscreamed.DozensofSilesianspreparedtheirbowswitharrows, litbytheirattendants.

Gwenlookeddownattheslickfilmofoiltheyhadpreparedonthewaters,andprayedthatthisworked.

“FIRE!”Kendrickscreamed.They shot the flamingarrows into thewaters andas theydid agreat flame

spread across the surface of the water. Shrieking arose, along with the awfulsmellofburningflesh,asthemenbelowwereburnedalive.

There appeared to be at least a thousand men dead, piled up between thewalls.Itwouldhavebeenenoughtostopanyotherarmy,toendanyothersiege.

Butthiswasnotanyotherarmy.Andronicus’s men were limitless, and were as indispensable as dogs.

Unbelievingly, more and more men poured in. They kept charging, with noregardfortheirownlives,rightintotheflames,rightpasttheburningbodies.

Whenthesemendied,evenmoremencharged.Thesoldiersbodiesputout the flames,andsoon therewasnootherway to

stopthem.Gwendolyn’smenfireddowneverythingtheyhadleft.Butasanotherhourwentby,theydepletedalmostalloftheirmunitions.

Andstill,Andronicus'smenkeptcoming.TheEmpirefinallyrolledforwardanotherbatteringram,rightovertheirown

bodies,andwithagreatheave,theysmasheditagainsttheinnerirongate.The entirewall shook, andGwendolyn stumbled and fell. Beneath her, the

gatewasalreadyhalfwayoffitshinges.BeforeGwenandhermencouldregroup,theramsmasheditagain—andwith

agreatcrash,itsmashedopentheinnergate.A cheer arose among Andronicus' men, as moments later, they all came

pouringintotheinnercourt.Gwenandhermenexchangedahorrifiedglance.Hismenwereinside.Now,therewasnothinglefttostopthem.

CHAPTERTWENTYTWO

Thorwalkedhand-in-handwith thewomaninwhiterobes,being ledacrossthesmallisland,trance-like.Besidehim,hisLegionbrotherswereledbyothers.Theypassedthroughalow,archeddoorwayandintoaround,whitebuildinginthecenteroftheisland,andasThorcameouttheotherside,hewasinacircular,open-aircourtyard,coveredingrass,andplantedwithanexoticfruitorchard.Hetriedtoprocesswhatwasgoingon,buthewasnotinhisrightmind.Hewantedtoresist,butasthewomanledhim,hewashelplessathertouch,atthefeelofherskin,thesmellofherhair.Itwasintoxicating.

Mostofall, itwasthesoundofthatmusic—itneverstopped,ringinginhisears,luringhimin—itwouldhavemadehimdoanythingshewanted.Somedimpart of him knew he shouldn’t be here, knew he should be thinking only ofGwendolyn.Of home.Of hismission.Of amillion other things—of anythingbutthisplace.Ofthiswoman.

Buttryashedid,hecouldnotgaincontrolofhismind.Themusicdrownedoutallthoughts.

Thewomanledhimtoahammockandlaidhimdowngentlyonit.Heleanedbackand,rockingeversoslightly,helookedupandsawthelong,narrowleavesofafruittree,swayinginthewind.Beyondthat,hesawthesky,cloudsdriftingslowlyby.

Thorfelthimselfrelaxing,sodeeply,hedidn'tfeelasifhecouldevergetupagain.

"You are a great andbravewarrior," thewomanwhispered, kneelingdownbesidehim,runninghersoftpalmsthroughhishair,overhiseyes.Thesoundofher voice electrified him. As her skin touched his eyelids, they felt heavy,closingonhim.

"Whoareyou?"hemanagedtoask,hisvoicehoarse."Iameveryoneandnoone,"sheanswered."Iamyourgreatestfantasy—and

yourworstnightmare."At her finalwords,Thor felt a sense of alarm.Apart of himurgedhim to

breakfreefromthisplace,fromthiswoman’sgrip,whilehestillhadthechance.Buthewastooentranced:hecouldnotgethisbodytofollowhismind,which

wasovercomebythoughtsofher.As she finished speaking, Thor felt thick twine begin towrap around him,

againandagain; itwrappedaroundhis shoulders, thenhis arms,his torso,hislegs,securinghimtothehammockasifhewereafishhauledinfromsea.Heopenedhiseyesandsawthathewascompletelybound,fromheadtotoe,unabletomoveevenifhewantedto.

The woman stood over him and looked down, smiling; Thor, confused,lookedaroundandsawallofhisbrotherswereboundinhammocks,too.

"Bravewarrior,"shewhispereddowntohim."Yourdaysareover.Nowyouwillbefoodforafeast.Afeastforus.”

Abonfire roseup in thecenterof thecourtyard, and two femaleattendantsappearedfromasidedoor,carryingamanThordidnotrecognize,boundwithtwine.Themanwasheldbetweentwolongsticks,andtheattendantscarriedhimeverclosertotheflames.

"No,pleasedon't!"themanshrieked,eyeswideinterror.Theattendantscontinuedcarryinghim,screaming,untiltheyhoistedhimand

placedhimovertheflames,proppinghisstickonspikesasifhewereananimal.Hescreechedastheyturnedhimslowly,againandagain,roastinghimoverthefire.

Thortriedtolookaway,buthecouldnot.After severalminutes, after the screaming stopped, finally they pulled him

out, completely blackened, and he was carted away and laid out on a huge,marbleservingtable.

"I thinkwe shall roast this one next," one of thewomen said, gesturing toThor.

Twomoreattendants,carryinganewpole,walkedtowardsThorandloweredit,preparingtobindhim.

Krohn,lurkingintheshadows,suddenlyleaptforward,snarling,andsankhisfangsintooneoftheattendant’sthroats.Shewentdownscreaming,andKrohnpinnedherdown,standingonallfoursonherchest,andwouldnotletgountilshestoppedmoving.

Krohnthenturnedandpouncedontheotherattendant,whotriedtorun.Hesankhisfangsintohercalf,downingher,thenpouncedonthebackofherthroat,clampinghisjawsandkillingher.

OneofthewomentookaburninghotspearandjabbeditatKrohn.Heyelpedas ithithis rear right leg, leavinganastyburnmarkonhis thigh.Buthe thenturned and leapt in the air, and bit off thewoman's hand; she shrieked as shedroppedthespeardowntotheground.

The other women converged around Krohn, who stood before Thor, notlettinganyoneget close, snarlingas thewomenapproachedwith spears, allofthemjabbingKrohn.

"Krohn,overhere!"yelledIndra.Krohnturnedandtookoff,racingaroundthecircularcourtyard,dodgingthe

spears, and running to Indra,who laid stretchedout, boundbyher ankles andwrists.

"Krohn,teartheropes!"shescreamed.Krohnunderstood.Hepouncedontheropes,sinkinghisfangsintothemand

shakingthemviolentlyuntiltheysevered.“Nowfetchmethatknife!"Indrayelled,lookingnervouslyoverhershoulder

astheotherwomenbegantobeardownonher.Krohnseemedtounderstand:heboundedovertoalargedaggersittingona

table, grabbed it in his jaws, then ran back to Indra. She snatched it fromhishand,reachedoverandcuttheropesbindingherfeet.

Indrarolledoutofthewayjustasthefirstwomanjabbedatherwithaspear,thenrolledbackaroundandstabbedherinthethroat.

Thewomancollapsed,wide-eyed,dead."I'mnotaman,”Indrasneereddown.“AndIdon’tlikemusic.”The other women, charging, suddenly hesitated, seeing who they were up

against. Indradidn’tpause: she jumped forward, snatcheda spear fromoneofthewomen’shands,andspunitaroundandslicedherthroat.

Shethenlungedforwardandstabbedanotherwomaninthegut.Not wanting to waste anymore of her precious energy on a confrontation

withthesewomen,Indraturned,sprintedacrossthecourtyard,andwentrightforThor,Krohnatherside.Asshereachedhim,shesawhiseyeswereglazedover,thathewasstillinatrance.

Indra quickly sliced all the ropes binding him, then sliced the rope of hishammock,andhefellandhit thegroundwitha thud.Helookedupather,hiseyesstillglazed.

"Thor, listen tome," shesaid. "You're ina trance.Doyouunderstand?Youhavetosnapoutof it!Youhavetosavetheothersandyourselfbefore it’s toolate.Please.Formysake.Comebacktome!”

KrohnleanedforwardandlickedThor'sfaceagainandagain.Somewhere deep inside of Thor, a part of him began to stir. He began to

realize thathewas lost,deep inanother realm.Slowly, themusicof thesirensbegantofadeinhishead,andthefaceofthewomanbeforehimcameintofocus.

Indra…the slave girl…she was speaking to him…telling him something…tellinghimtogetup…togo…togonow!

Thor shook his head and jumped to his feet. Suddenly, hewas free of thespell.

Thorfeltatinglingrisewithinhim,risingupfromhistoesthroughthetipsof

hisfingers,felthimselfovercomebyarushofheat.As the first of the women reached him, charging with a spear, Thor

sidestepped, snatched it from her hands, took the shaft, and butted her in theheadwiththewoodenend,knockingherdown.

Hethenspunaroundandusedthespearasastaff,knockingthespearsfromthehandsof theotherwomen, then spinningaroundagainandknocking themdown.Hedidn'twant tokillanyof them—hejustwantedtostopthem,andtorescuehisfriends.

“Freetheothers!"ThoryelledtoIndra.ThorandIndrasplitup,KrohnrunningbyThor’sside,astheywentfromone

legionmembertothenext,slicingtheirropes,freeingthem.Theyallremainedinatrance,butasThorknockedoutmoreofthewomen,slowlythespelllifted.TheboysfinallybecamesuggestibleenoughtoatleastobeyThor'scommand.

"Followme!"Thoryelledtoeachofthem.Thor, IndraandKrohnranwith theothers, leading themas theyallcrossed

thesmallisland,backtotheirboat.Theyalljumpedin,andThorreachedoutwiththetipofthespearandshoved

offhardfromshore,Indradoingthesamebesidehim.Theotherboys,all finally snappingoutof it,began topaddlewithall they

had,fightingthetideastheypulledawayslowlyfromtheisland.The women left on the island ran to the shore, to the water’s edge, and

watched them go; distraught, they began shrieking and tearing out their hair.Their screams, evenmore awful than the soundof theirmusic, echoedoff thewaters,hauntingThorasthetidefinallypickedupandcarriedthemaway.

*Thorwassullenashepaddledsilentlywiththeothers.Asomberfeelinghad

permeatedtheboat,as theypaddledforhours,puttingmoreandmoredistancebetween themselves and that island. They passed by ever-shifting terrain, andThorcouldnothelpbutcontemplatehowclose theyhadcometobeingkilled.Hestilldidn’tentirelyunderstandwhathadhappenedbackthere.

After they had left that place, for the first several hours they had all beenridingonadrenaline,theirfearandexcitementpropellingthemtokeeptheboatmoving.Butnow,asthesecondsungrewlong,theexcitementwaswearingoff,andThorandtheotherswerefeelingdrainedinthepervasivesilencewhichhadfallenover them.Thor's shouldersweregrowing tiredandhisbackstiff,ashewonderedifthispaddlingwouldeverend.

“Howlongshallwekeepgoingonlikethis?”O’Connorfinallyaskedaloudthe question that had been on all of theirminds, putting downhis paddle andwipingthebackofhishead.“Itisuseless.Wearenotgettinganywhere.”

“And we don’t even know where we’re going,” Elden added, in equalfrustration.

“Yeswedo,”Drakesaiddefensively,hoistingthemap.“Youandyourstupidmap,”Convalsaid.“Themapofa thief.Howdoyou

evenknowit’saccurate?”“Italmostgotuskilledbackthere,”Convensaid.“WeshouldhavelistenedtoIndrafromthestart,”Eldensaid."Yes,youshouldhave,”Indrasaid.“Wearegoinginwrongdirection.Itold

youthat.”"Thisslavegirldoesn'tknowwhatshe'stalkingabout,”Durssnapped.“The

mapisveryclear.”"Don't you call her that again,"Elden snapped, turning toDurs, reddening.

"Indrasavedallofourlivesbackthere,lestyouforget.”Dursfellsilent,anditwasthefirsttimeThorhadeverseenhimbackdownto

anyone.Thenagain,Eldenwasbiggerandbroader,despitehisage,anditdidn'tappearthatDurswantedaconfrontation.EldenwasalsomoreheatedthanThorhadeverseen,andin thatmoment,Thorcouldtell thatEldenhadreallyfallenforher.

"Thepointis,"Drosssaid,"weknowwheretheyaretakingtheSword.Thismapleadsusthere.Andthischannelofwateristheonlyway.Wejusthavetosticktothecourse.”

"Iwilltellyouwherethesewaterstakeus,"Indrasaiddarkly."ThesewaterswillbringustotheLandoftheUndead.Anevilanduninvitingland;aplaceofthedeepestgloomanddeath.Thosewhoenternevercomeout.Ever.Thatisforcertain.Haven't you noticed the tides?” she asked, looking down. “They havegrownstronger.Theypullusinonedirection:tothegreatwaterfall.Oncewegodownit,thereisnoturningback.Thisisyourlastchance:turnbacknow.”

Theylookedateachotherwithapprehension."Andgowhere?"Reeceasked."Backtowherewebegan,”shereplied.Therecameacollectivegroanfromthethreebrothers."Allthewaybacktothebeginning?"Drossasked."Soyouwouldhaveus fight these tides,all thewayback, startoveragain,

withoutamap,withoutanythingtogoonexceptforyourword?"Drakeasked."Andwho'stosayyoudon'thaveanagendaofyourown?"Dursadded."You

arenotoneofus.Arewe toputour lives into thehandofawildslavegirl,aprofessedthief?”

"Youalreadyhave,”Indraremarked,“andyoucameoutalive.”“IwouldtrustherwithmylifebeforeIwouldyou,"Eldensaid,sneeringback

atDurs.Thegroupfellintoatensesilence.Drakesighed.“Sothenwhatwouldyouhaveusdo?”Drakeasked,turningtoThor."Since

you are leader of thismission.Would you have us all start again, follow thisslave girl’sword, this strangerwhowe don't even know, and ignore thismapfromtheRing?”

Thor sat there, feelingall the eyesonhim, anddebated.Somepartofhim,deepdown,feltasifsomethingwasnotrightwithwheretheyweregoing.Butatthesametime,hewasn'tgettingaclearfeeling.Somethingwasobscured.Hedidnot knowwhy—and that frightenedhim.Hedidnot know for sure that goingbackwasthebestroute.Andeveniftheywantedto,thecurrentshadbecometoostrong,andtheywerealltootired.Hedidn'tseehowthatwasevenapossibility.At least the threebrothershadamap,adestination,aplan.Plus, theycouldn’trisklosingmorevaluabletimeinsearchingfortheSword.

"We’llgiveyourmapachance,"Thorsaid to them."Until tomorrow.Ifwedon'thaveprogressbythen,someconcretelead,thenwewillturnbackaroundandfollowIndra’sway.”

Everyonenodded,seemingcontent,andtheyallwentbacktopaddling."Assumingwealllivetoseetomorrow,"Indrasaidominously,astheyallfell

back into silence, theonly sound in theworld thatof the lappingof thewaterbeneaththeiroars.

*They paddled so long that Thor felt his armswould fall off his body. The

secondsunsanklowinthesky,andjustasThorfelthecouldn’tliftthepaddleonemoretime,thewidebodyofwatershrankintoanarrowchannel.Landcameintoviewoneithersideofthem—avast,desolatelandmadeofablack,craggysoil, stretching as far as the eye could see. It looked like endless fields ofupturneddirt,anditfeltasiftheyhadcometoaplacewherenothinglived—asiftheyhadcometotheveryendoftheearth.

"TheWastelands,"Indrasaidsoftly,ominously."Thefallsaren’tfarnow.”Thorbegantohear thedistantsoundofrunningwater,growingstronger,as

thecurrent, too,grewstronger,pulling themdownwhatwasbecomingariver.Soon theyall lifted theirpaddles,no longerneeding touse them,as thewatercarriedthemitsway.

Therecameabendintheriver,andastheyturned,thesoundofrushingwatergrewlouder;Thor’sheartsankasinthedistancehespiedfoamingwater,adrop-off.He could begin to feel the spray, themoisture in the air, even from here.Indrawasright:waterfalls.

Theyalllookedateachotherominously.“Lookslikeyou’rewrongagain,”Reecesaid,turningtoDrake."Youbetterberightaboutthismap,"Eldensaidthreateningly."Thosefallswillkillus!"O'Connorcried.“Howdeepisthedrop?”Convalasked.NowtheyalllookedtoIndraforanswers."Idon’tknow,"sheanswered."Butifwesurviveit,Iassureyou,thefallswill

betheleastofourproblems.”Thecurrentbecametoofast, thenoiseandthespraystronger,andThorand

theothersclutchedthesidesoftheboatfirmly."Wehavetoturnaround!"Convensaid,tryingtoback-paddle.."It’stoolate!"Thoryelled."Thecurrentistoostrong!Braceyourselves!”Theboatrusheddownstream,fasterandfaster,andThor’seyesopenedwide

asthefallscameintoview.Itwasawallofwhitewater,gushingdown.BesideThor,Krohnstartedtowhine,andThorreachedaroundwithonearmandheldhimtight.

"It'sokay,Krohn,”hesaid.“Juststayclose.Andifyoufallinthewater,swimbacktous.”

Krohnwhinedagain,as if in response,andamoment later,Thor’sstomachbegantodropastheirboatwasbeginningtotipovertheedge.

Thor looked down over the edge and saw a tremendous drop, at least fiftyfeet.Itwasawallofwhitewater,andtherewasnotimelefttoreact.

The boat went over the edge and as one they all screamed, plummetingstraightdownthroughtheair.

Thorfoundhimselfimmersedinawallofwater,fallingfromtheboat,flyingthroughtheair,flailing.Hebecamelostinaworldofrushingwater,ashewasflippedendoverend,waterwashingalloverhim.

Heplungedbeneaththewaterforhedidnotknowhowlong.Hislungswereburstingaswatershotuphisnose,tumblingendoverend,hisfacestungbytheimpactofthefall.

Whenhewas finallysurehis lungsweregoing toburst, thewatercasthimup; he emerged, flailing, taking huge breaths, somewhere downriver. He wasdisoriented,waterinhiseyesandearsandnose,andashestruggledtoopenhiseyesamidsttheroaring,gushingcurrent,allhesawwasmorewater.

Thecurrentsuckedhimdown,submerginghimagainandagain,untilfinallyitbegantoslow,andhesurfaced,severalsecondslater,gaspingforairandabletostayafloat.

Thortreadedwater,lookingallaroundforhisfriends.Onebyonetheybeganto surface, bobbing their heads, gasping for air, flailing, as the current carried

themdownstream.Thor also spotted Indra pop up,Elden swimming over andgrabbing her. Thor looked everywhere, frantic, for Krohn, but could not findhim.

"KROHN!"Thorscreamed.He turnedeverywhichway,andforamoment, fardownstream,hesawhis

headsurface,thengounderagain.HesawalookoffearinKrohn'sfacewhichhehadneverseenbefore;itwasalookofhelplessness.

Theirboatsurfacednottoofarfromthem,beatenupbutsomehowstillintact,andall theLegionbegan to swimfor it.ButThor swamoffbyhimself in theotherdirection,headingforwherehehadlastspottedKrohn.

"Swimfortheboat!"Reeceyelledtohim.ButThorignoredhim;hehadtogettoKrohn,especiallyashewasaboutto

enterasectionofthecurrentwhichwouldforcehimoffinadifferentdirection."Getback!"O'Connorscreamed."Don'tgothatway!”ButThorswamwithallhehad,fightingthecurrent."KROHN!"hescreamedagain.ImagesflashedthroughThor’smindofthetimehehadfirstfoundKrohn,of

hisbeingatinypup,ofthebondthattheyhad.ThethoughtoflosinghimpainedThorbeyondwhathecouldimagine.

Suddenly,ThorsawoneofKrohn’spawssurface,beforegoingdownagain.Thordovedown,beneath thewater,andswam;asheopenedhiseyesbeneaththe surface of the crystal-blue waters, he spotted Krohn, sinking towards thebottom.

Thor dove deeper, his ears bursting from the pressure, then grabbedKrohnandswamtothesurface,dragginghim.

As they surfaced, Thor took a deep breath and Krohn did, too. Krohnwhimpered, treading water against the current, and Thor turned and kicked,tryingwithallhehadtodistancethemfromthefork.Hewasn’tmakingasmuchheadwayashewouldhaveliked.

Thor felt a hand on his arm and looked over to seeReece; he kicked, andtogethertheymadeheadway,fightingthecurrentandmakingittowardstheboat.

As they reached it,ThorhoistedKrohnuponboard; he stoodon all fours,grateful to be out of thewater, and shook like crazy, then coughed outwater,again and again. Thor andReece held onto the rim of the boat and it carriedthembothdownstream.

Thor turned and looked back, up at the falls; from here, they lookedimpossibly high, like amountain.He could not believe they had survived thefall.Theywerejustluckytherewerenorocksatthebottom,andthatatitsbasewasadeeppoolofwater.

Astheyhungon,floatingquickly,ThorandReeceturnedtoeachotheratthesametime,stilldazed,andsuddenlyburstoutlaughing.

"Wesurvived,oldfriend,"Reecesaid,unbelieving.Thorshookhishead."Somehow,wedid,”heanswered.ThorandReecepulledthemselvesbackupontotheboat,andasthecurrent

tookthemalldownstream,theyspottedtheirpaddlefloatinginthewater.Theydirected the boat over to them and each reached down and snatched themup.Thorwasfinallybeginningtofeelasenseofcontrolagain.

Astheriverbendturned,though,Thor'sreliefturnedtoanxiety.Awholenewland spread out before them, and Thor realized immediately that everythingIndrahadwarnedofhadbeentrue.Herealizedtheyhadmadeabigmistakeincominghere.

The underworldwas the darkest,most desolate and gloomy land Thor hadeverseen.Therivercutthroughitscountryside,comprisedofavolcanic,blackdirt,inwhichtheregrewendlessfieldsofstubby,blacktrees,leafless,theirdeadbranchestwistedintoominousshapes,coveredinthorns.Itlookedlikeaforestthathadbeenburnedandnevergrewback,anditfeltasifnothinghadeverlivedheretobeginwith.Nothinggood,anyway.

Even the skyherehadapallorofgloomunlikeanyThorhadever seen.Adark grey had replaced the bright blue, and black clouds rolled amidst it,threateninga storm.The sun, too,hung lower, andagloomy twilight replacedtheafternoonlight.Thorfeltasiftheyhadleftafternoonandarrivedintwilight,asiftheywerebeingcarriedintoalandwheredespairruled.

Therearosestrangenoisesallaround them, likeabird’ssongmixedwithawail,andThorlookedoverandspottedflocksofenormousblackbirdsperchedonthebranches.Theyresembledravensbutwerefour timesthesize,andtheyhadeyesintheirheadsandontheirchests.Insteadofwingstheyhadclaws,andthey shook these furiously as they leaned back and stuck out their chests,creatingthestrangenoises.

They all watched the boat as it went, and Thor felt as if anymoment thewhole flock might pounce on them. In some ways, having their creepy eyeswatchtheireverymovewasworse.

Besidehim,Krohnsnarled.“Andwhatofyourmapnow?"Eldenaskedthethreebrothersderisively.Thethreebrothersallsatintherearoftheboat,andnowtheyalllookshell-

shocked,unsureofthemselves."Istillhaveit,"Drakesaid,holdingitup.“It'swet,butitreads.Iheldontoit

withmylife.”

"Whydidyourmapmakenomentionofthefalls?”Reecepressed."It's not a topographicalmap,"Drake sneered. "It's drawn by a prisoner to

pointustotheSword.”“Ortoourdeaths,”O’Connorsaid.“Didyoueverconsideritcouldbeatrap?”Convenasked."Ithinksomeoneisplayingusallforafool,”Convaladded."Sowhatdoyouproposewedonow?"Durssaidback."Turnbackandclimb

thosefallsandstartagain?”Theyallglancedback,andknewthatwasanimpossibility."Wehavenochoice,”Drosssaid.“Westicktothemap.”Theboatsettledbackintoagloomysilence."It seemseverythingyou’ve saidhasbeen right so far,”Thor said to Indra.

“Tellusmoreaboutthisunderworldwetravelin.”Indralookedaboutwarily;shedidnotlookhappytobehere.Shewassilent

foralongtimebeforeshespoke."Itisfabledtobeoneofthesevenrealmsofhell,"shesaid,staringoutatthe

gloomylandscape."Legendhasitthatwhenhellhadnomoreroom,theDevilsweregivensixmorerealms.ItwasforgedduringtheearlydaysoftheEmpire.BeforeAndronicus—beforeevenhisancestors.ItisaplacewhereevenEmpiretroopswillnotgo.

“This river that cuts through it connects twodifferentEmpire lands. It is ashortcutofsorts.Yetnooneisfoolishenoughtoactuallyuseit.Peoplewilltakethelongway,howeverlongittakes.”

Theyfellbackintosilenceastheyallpaddledonthetwisting,narrowriver,asthe sky fell into a deeper twilight. It was like paddling into somebody’snightmare.

There came a sudden splashing, and Thor looked over and saw a set ofglowingeyessurfacefromthewater—thendisappear.

"Didyouseethat?"O'Connorasked.Theyallexaminedthewater,asallaroundthemitbecamefilledwithsmall

splashingnoises,andsetsofglowingyelloweyespoppedupeverywhere.AsThorleaneddowntogetabetterlook,suddenlyareptilejumpedupfrom

thewater, thesizeofa largefish,withhugeglowingeyes,and long,crocodilelikejaws.Thejawsmusthavebeentwofeetlong,anditsnappedrightatThor.

Thorleanedback,atthelastsecond,justbeforethejawscuthiminhalf.Krohnsnarledatthecreature,butthenpulledbackhimselfasanotheroneof

thesecreaturesleaptoutoftheairandsnappedathim.Thorliftedhispaddleandsmashedthereptilesas theyleaptoutof thewaterallaroundthem.Theothersdidthesame,beatingthemback,astheycircledtheboat.

One of them leapt into the air andmanaged to sink its teeth intoConval’sarm.

"Getitoff!”heshrieked,clawingatit.Convenhurriedover,grabbeditsjawsandmanagedtoprythemoffhistwin

brother’s arm, then threw the thing back into thewater. Luckily he got it offquicklyenoughtoleavehisbrotherwithonlyaminorwound.

"There's thousandsof these things!"O'Connoryelledout,ashedodgedonewhichleaptthroughtheairrightpasthim."Wecan’tholdthembackforever!”

Thorrealizedhewasright;theywereoverwhelmedbythesecreaturesanditwasonlyamatteroftimeuntiltheydidsomeseriousdamage;therewasnowaythey could fend them all off. It was as if they had navigated into a den ofpiranhas.

But then all of the creatures suddenly turned and took off, submergingunderwateranddartingawayatfullspeed.

"Whataretheydoing?”Eldenasked."Itlookslikethey'rerunningfromus,”O'Connorsaid."Orfromsomethingelse,"Indrasaidominously.Thor realized, with a pit in his stomach, that she was right. All of those

creatureswouldn'tdartawaylikethatunlesstheywerescared,unlesstheywererunningfromsomething.Somethingmuchbiggerthanthey.

Suddenly,therecameahugerushofwater,andasThorlookeddown,hesawthewatersfoaming,bubbling.

Heknewsomethingwasabouttoattackthem.Somethingbig.“Braceyourself!”hescreamed.Before themcameanexplosionofwater, andburstingup frombeneath the

surfacecameamassiveseamonster.ItwasunlikeanythingThorhadeverlaineyesupon. Itwas ahuge,whale-like creature, its jaws twenty feet long, filledwithrowsofrazor-sharpteeth.Itsredeyesprotrudedfromthesideofitshead,several feetwide, and itsnosecurvedupward, several feet,with razorson theendofit.

Itsopenjawscamedownfortheboat,andThor'sreflexeskickedin.Withoutthinking, he placed a stone in his sling, leanedback, andhurled itwith all hehad,aimingforthemonster’snose.Thorrememberedhearingthatthenosewasthemostsensitiveplacetowoundabeast,andheprayedwithallhehadthatitwastrue.Ifnot,withinseconds,theywouldallbeinsidethebeast’sstomach.

Itwas aperfect strike, at full force, andas the rockhit, thebeast suddenlystopped,halfwaydown,andleanedbackandroared.

Itwasanearth-shatteringroar,loudenoughtoshakethewatersandrocktheirboat;Thorbarelykepthisfootingashereacheduptograbhisears.

Themonster surfaced even higher, raising up another thirty feet, revealingrowsofclawsextendingalongthesideofitsbody,taperingtoapoint,lookinglikeawhalecrossedwithaseasnake.

AlltheLegionbrokeintoaction,inspiredbyThor,hurlingspearsatthebeast,all lodging into its body; Elden threw an axe, lodging into its head, andO’Connormanagedtofireoffthreearrows,alllandingwithprecisioninoneeye.

But, toThor’s shock, thebeast remainedunfazed. It simplypulled themalloutasiftheyweretoothpicksusingitsvariousclaws,thenthrewthemintothewater.

Thebeast,evenangrier, threwbackitshead,openedits jawstwiceaswide,andbroughtthemdownagain,preparingtoslicethemallinhalf.

Thistime,therewasnothinglefttostopthem.

CHAPTERTWENTYTHREE

AsGwendolynwatchedtheEmpirebreakdownthegatesbelowandpourintoSilesia,shestood therefrozen.Shecouldhardlybelieve ithadcometo thissoquickly.Alloftheircarefully-laidplansfordefense,washedawayinamatterofhours.

“Mylady,wemustmove!”Steffenyelledbesideher,frantic,tuggingonherarm.

She snapped out of it, her instincts kicking in. She sawSrog,Brom,Kolk,Kendrick,Godfreyandtheothersallretreatingwiththesoldiersdownthebackstepsoftheparapets,andsherememberedtheircontingencyplan.Shehadgoneover theplanendlesslywithhergenerals, andnow itwas surreal to see it putintomotion.

AsthefirstEmpiresoldiersrushedthroughthegates,Srogturnedtohismenandscreamed:

“NOW!”Several soldiers pulled huge levers from up above, and as they did, a trap

dooropenedupinthegroundbelow,rightpastthegate,makingallthesoldiersfall, dozensofEmpiremen, screaming, into a deep anddarkpit.Themassiveholepreventedthesoldiersfromgettinganyfartherpastthegates,intoSilesia.ItboughtGwen and the others precious time—butGwen knew itwouldn’t holdthembackforlong,andtheyallcontinuedwiththeircontrolledretreat.

TheEmpiremenwerebeginningtocatchon,andtheystoppedracingintothecity,stoppingatthegates,rightbeforethepit.Yettheywerelogjammed,withnowhere togo;unable tobackup, theirownmen stampeded them, rushing toenterthecity,andpushedmoreandmoremen,screaming,intothepit.

Whenthetideofmenfinallystopped,theybegantoturnbackaround,presstheirwayoutofthegates,andlookforotherwaysintothecity.

It boughtGwen and her people the time they needed to retreat.Gwenwaspleased to see this plan working—it had been a finishing touch that she hadadded to thewarplans. Itallowed themtime tomarshal thecitizens, togatherthe old men and women, the children and usher them from their homes andthrough the arched gates leading down to the lower city. To save time in thedescent,Gwenhadhadironpolesinstalledupanddownthewalls,anddozensofcitizensatatimegrabbedandslidtheirwaydownthemountain,landingonthe

lowerlevelsinanorderlyfashion.Theplanworked likeclockwork, andwithinamatterofminutes, allof the

Silesians of the upper city were safely past the second set of city gates, anddescendingdowntothelowerlevels.Gwenstoodoutsidethegates,waitingforthelastpersontoexit,makingsurenoonewasleftbehind,SteffenandKendrickstanding loyally by her side. Finally, assured everyone was gone, she passedthrough,andasshedid,fourrowsofheavyironspikedgatescamedownbehindher,oneaftertheother.Itwouldnotbeeasytopenetrate,especiallyastheywereembeddedinstonewallsadozenfeetthick.

Gwenjoinedthesoldiersonnextlineofdefense,theupperparapets,behindthebars,attheCanyon’sedge.ShetookupapositionbesideSteffen,Kendrick,Godfrey,Srogandtheothers.HundredsofSilesianarchersknelt there,waitingtoholdthisfinallineofdefense.

Downbelow,Gwencouldalreadysee thefirstof theEmpire troopsscalingthewallsintothecourtyard,loweringropesandladdersfortheotherstofollow.Withinmoments,dozensfollowed,alreadychargingrightforthem,towardsthesecondsetof irongates.Butonlysomanymencould filter throughata time,giventhattheycouldnotchargethroughonfoot,theirwayblockedbythehugepitbeforethegates.

Kendrickkneltbesideher,holdinghisownbow,waiting.“NOTYET!"hecalledtohismen,allawaitinghiscommand.Themengotcloserandcloser,andtheairfilledwithtension."FIRE!"Kendrickscreamed,standingwithhisbow.HundredsofSilesiansoldiersstoodwithhim,amongthemGodfrey,Steffen,

Srog, Brom,Kolk—and evenGwendolyn—and a hail of arrows fell from thesky,stoppingdozensofEmpiresoldiersintheirtracks.

Thearchersimmediatelyrestrungandfiredagain.Andagain.Theymanagedtotakeoutthefirstroundofmen,tokeepthecourtyardempty

of them, filling thegroundwith their bodies.TheEmpirehadbeencaughtoffguard,unpreparedforacounterattackaftertheyhadbreachedthegates.

Butnomatterhowmanytheykilled,theEmpiresoldierskeptcoming.Soon,on their heels, there arrived a discipline squad of archers, who took a knee,raisedshieldsinunisontoblockthehailofarrows,thenfiredback.

Gwenduckedastheskyfilledwitharrowsheadingtheirway.Onesailedbyherhead,justmissing.

Some of the other Silesians were not as fast as she, and a few of themscreamedout,wounded,andcollapsedoverthestonewall,hurlingdown,dead.

Gwenstoodandfiredagain,andwassurprisedtoseesheactuallyhitone,inthe throat. She felt a hand pull her down as an arrow flew by her ear. Itwas

Steffen,besideher."There are advantages to being short,my lady," he said. "You do not have

these.Followmeandstaylow.”Steffenpeakedovertheedge,leanedoverwithhisbowandfiredthreequick

shots,takingoutthreesoldiersnearingthegate."Youdonotneedtobetalltokillaman,"hesaidtoher."Ifthere'sonething

I'velearnedinmylife,itisthis.”The fighting went on for round after round, arrows flying incessantly,

screamingeruptingfrombothsidesasbodiesmounted.Empirebodiespiledupinthecourtyardashourspassed.

Still,moreandmoreEmpiretroopsscaledthewallslikeants.Theonlysavinggrace for the Silesianswas that the Empirewas trickling in, unable to chargeoverthepitatthegate.

And then,everythingchanged.Gwenwatchedwithhorrorasa squadronofEmpiresoldiersappearedwithlongwoodenplanksandlaidthemdownoverthepitat theentrance.Onebyone theycovered itup,andsoon, theymanaged tocover it completely, building a bridge. They didn’t try to rescue their soldierstrapped below; instead, to save time, they smothered them, building a bridgeovertheirheads.

With themakeshiftbridge laid,hundredsofEmpiresoldiers rushed into theinnercourtyard,atadizzyingpace.Theyallletoutabattlecry,chargingforthegates.

Gwendolyn'sheartdropped.Hermenwererunningoutofarrows,theirranksdwindling, and she knew their timewas numbered.They couldn’t continue toholdtheline,toholdbackthismanymenforlong.

TheEmpire soldierspartedwaysasahuge ironbattering ramwaswheeledforwardbytwodozenmen.Theychargedforwardandslammeditintotheirongatewithacrash.ThegroundshookbeneathGwenasthemetalbent.

These four iron gates, which seemed indefensible, were already provingvulnerable.

"CAULDRONS!"Kendrickscreamed.Silesian soldiers rushed forward, andasone theypouredhugecauldronsof

moltentarovertheedge.ScreamsarosefrombelowasdozensofEmpiresoldiersweredoused in the

thickliquid."ARCHERS!”Kendrickscreamed.Thearcherssteppedforward,thistimearmedwithflamingarrows,andfired

downatthesoldiersdousedintar,settingthemonfire.Screams filled the courtyard as the flames spread, and dozens more died.

Bodies piled high at the gates. It would have been enough to stop any otherarmy.

ButnotAndronicus.TheEmpiretroopskeptcoming.Andcoming.Therewasnoendtothem.Gwenwatched in horror as the battering ramwas taken up by others,who

rammed the first gate so hard that they knocked it off its hinges. TheEmpiretroopseruptedinacheer.Onlythreegatestogo.

“Mylady,we'renearlyoutoftarand—"Srogreportedurgently.Beforehecouldfinishtherecameanothercrash,sostrongitsentGwendolyn

stumblingback;shepeereddowntoseetheytookoutthesecondirongate."It’stimetoretreattothelowercity!"Srogsaid.Gwenrealizedhewasright.Shenodded,andwithouthesitationSrogcalled

out:"RETREAT!”Gwen's soldiers turned and gave up their posts, sprinting down the back

staircasesfromtherearwall.Gwen joined theothers inhurryingdown the stone steps,descending flight

after flight, passing dozens of soldiers standing guard on her way down, alltaking positions at every level. There came another great crash, and Gwenlookedoverhershoulder,andwithapitinherstomach,watchedthethirdirongategiveway.

AssoonasGwenandtheothersclearedthelowerlevels,theyreachedupandturned huge cranks; as they did, it raised aminefield of iron spikes, shootingstraight up into the air, covering the lower city like a shield. As the Empirecrashed through the fourth and final gate with a cheer, they raced forwardthroughthearchedgate,expectingtoattack.

But therewas nowhere for them to go. The lower citywas protected fromabovebyafieldofironspikes.Afewsoldierscouldnotstopintime,andtheykept charging, and fell through the air, impaling themselves on the spikes,danglingintheair,theirblooddrippingdown.

Finally,theEmpiretroopsstopped,andstoodattheveryedgeoftheCanyon,lookingdownat thespikesbelowandrealizing therewasnowaydown to thelowercitywithoutgoingthroughthem.

Gwendolyn looked up, and saw that finally, theEmpire could not proceed.Finally,theyweresafe.

AsGwenreachedthelowerlevelsofthecity,shewasgreetedbydozensofhergenerals, all anxiously awaitingher.The citizensmilled about, an agitatedbuzzintheair.

"Wearesafedownhere,mylady,"Srogsaid."There isnowayfor themtogetthrough.”

"Yesbutforhowlong?"Kendrickasked,astheyallconvened,surroundedbytheirtroops.

"Aslongasweneedto,"hereplied."Aslongaswedon’trunoutoffoodandsupplies,"Bromaddedominously."Howlongcanwesurvivedonehere,withoutprovisions?"Kolkasked.Srogshookhishead."Ithasneverbeentested.Maybeaweek.Maybetwo.”"Andthenwhat?"askedKendrick.Slowly,Srogshookhishead."Atleastwearesafefromtheirreach,"hesaid."Butwearenotsafefromhunger,"Gwendolynadded.Gwendolynlookedupwiththeothers,sawthefacesoftheEmpiresoldiers,

lookingdown,andknewthat,soonerorlater,theywouldfindawaytogetdownhere.Andnow,backedintoacorner,theyhadnowherelefttorun.

Eventually,theywouldhavetofacethem—ordie.

CHAPTERTWENTYFOUR

Thorstoodontheboatwith theothers, theseamonster loomingover them,andbracedhimselftodie.

HeclosedhiseyesandprayedtoGodwithallhehad.PleaseGod,givemethepowertostopthisbeast.ThorthoughtofArgon'swords.Donottrytooverpowernature.Becomeonewithit.Harnessnature'spower.

Afterall,you,too,areapartofnature.Thor felt a tremendous heat overwhelm his body, rise up from his feet

throughhislegs,throughhistorso,throughhishands,andintothepalmsofhishand.

He opened his eyes and raised his palms, aiming them at the beast as itdescendedwithopenjaws,abouttokillthemall.

ToThor’sshock,anorboflightemanatedfromhispalmsandshotupthroughtheair,landinginsidethebeast’smouth.

Thebeastwentflyingback,clearoutofthewaterandontotheshore,agoodthirty feet away. It squirmed and flapped on the soil, screaming out, its clawsflailingineverydirection.

Afternearlyaminuteofthrashing,thebeastlayonitsside,dead.The others all turned and looked at Thor in the silence that followed. He

wishedhehadananswerforthem;hewishedheunderstoodwherehispowerscamefrom,understoodhowtoharnessthemperfectlyondemand.Andmostofallhewishedheknewwhohewas.

Buthedidnot.Hewasdifferentfromeveryoneelse,heknew.Buthow?Wouldheeverknow?

*The slow-moving river tide carried them farther downriver, deeper into the

heart of the underworld. They all paddled with all they had, trying to put asmuchdistancebetweenthemselvesandthemonsterastheskygrewincreasinglydark.Thorstillstoodthere,atthebackoftheboat,tryingtounderstandwhathadjusthappened.Itwaslikeanotherpartofhimself,onehecouldnotquitereach.Ithadtakenhimawhiletocomebacktowherehewas.

"Iknowofyou,”Indrasaid,lookingoverathimwithsomethinglikefearand

awe.“Youarethesonof theDruid.TheChosenOne.Ihaveheardtalesaboutyou.Greattales.”

Thorblinkedather,confused."Whatdoyoumean?"heasked."Youcouldn'thaveheardanythingaboutme.

I'mfromasmallvillageinsidetheRing.IamjustanotherLegionmember.”Indrashookherhead,adamantly."We have legends, our people. Ancient legends. They tell of the day the

ChosenOnewillarrivetolead.Theysayhewillcarrywithhimballsofflameandlight,apowerunlikeanywehaveseen.ThesonofaDruid.Hewillcomeatatimeofgreatcalamityintheworld,agreatbattlebetweenlightanddarkness.Amanwhostandsbetweentwoworlds.Ourlasthope.”

Thorlookedather,notsureifsheunderstoodwhatshewastalkingabout.Heassumedshewasconfused,mistakinghimwithsomeoneelse.

"Ibelieveyouhavemeconfused,”hesaid.“Iamnotoneofyourlegends,"headded,finallysittingbackdownandpaddlingwiththeothers.

"Iconfuseyouwithnoone,”shesaiddefiantly.“Iknowwhatthelegendssay.AndIknownowwhoyouare.”

Theothersstoppedandturned,staringatThor,andThorshookhishead."I'mjustaboy,"Thorinsisted."Justlikeeverybodyelse.”Itwasallhewanted.Tobe just likeeverybodyelse.Not tobe lookedatas

different.Indrashookherhead,continuing tostareathimas ifhewereanalienwho

hadjumpeddownfromthesky.Shemadeastrangesignwithherhandoverherthroatandchestandhead,almostasifshewereprayingtoThor.Orprotectingherselffromhim.

Shebowedherhead,thenturnedbacktowardsthewater.Thor felt a chill, andhardly knewwhat tomakeof it. Itwas the first time

anyonehadlookedathimthatway.AsifhewereaGod.The tide grew strong and the night thick, and Thor looked around at the

current with a new respect for what creatures might be lurking beneath. Upaheadtherecameasmallmountain, intowhichtherivercontinuedrunning, itstideflowingintoasmall,blacktunnelinthestone.

"TheCaveofDevils,"Indrahissed,fearinhervoice.Everyonelookedtohernowwithanewsenseofrespect."Thatdoesn'tsoundveryhospitable,"O’Connorsaid.Indrashookherhead."It is a house of bones. Legend says it is where devils go to have their

snacks.”Theboysalllookedtoeachother,apprehensionetchedacrosstheirfaces.

"Is there another way?" Reece asked, as the tide continued to pull themstrongly.

Indrashookherhead."Wecouldpulltheboatasideandtrytomakeonland,”Eldensaid.Sheshookherhead.“Thelandisworse,”shesaid.“Doyouseethesoil?”Thorturnedwiththeothersandlookedoutattheshore.“It is not soil,” she added. “It is a hundred million worms. Flesh-eating

worms.Thesecondyoustepfootonit,yourfootwillbenomore.”Thorexaminedthedarksoilclosely—andashedid,hecouldseethatitwas

indeedmoving,eversoslightly.Hegulped,withanewrespectforthisplace."Ourmapsayswemusttaketheriverthroughthecave,"Drossinsisted.Indraletoutashort,mockinglaugh."Yourmapssaysmanythings.Butdoesittellushowtostayalive?”The tidebecamestronger,andsoon theirdecisionwasmade for them,as it

suckedthemrightintothecave,allofthemduckingtheirheadssoasnottohitthelow,stonearchedentranceway.Thor’sstomachdroppedindread.Whatwasthisplace?

Astheyenteredthecave,itwaslikeenteringawholedifferentworld.Atfirst,itwaspitchblackinhere,theceilinglowtotheirheads,deadsilentsaveforthesoundofdropsofwaterechoing,reverberatingoffthewalls.Thorcouldhearhisbrothers breathing hard, the sound amplified, echoing, and he could sense thefear in all of them. He felt it himself. He braced himself in the blackness,expectingtobeattackedanyminute.

Afteraminute,thecaveopenedup,theceilingabovetheirheadrisingdozensof feet, the tidecontinuing topull themslowly through. Itwasnoisier inhere,every drop of water reverberating off the high walls—and there also cameanother noise: a cacophony of insects and small animals. There was thefluttering of wings, strange cooing noises which Thor wished he had neverheard.Therecamethelowandhigh-pitchedgroansandmoansofallsortsofoddinsects,eachsoundmoreominousthanthenext.Itwasasiftheyhadenteredacaveofhorrors.Andnotbeingabletoseeanythingjustmadeitallworse.

BesideThor,Krohnsnarled,hishaironend.Thorturnedsidetoside,asdidthe others, trying to peer into the blackness and see if he could decipheranything.

As thewater carried themdeeper inside, the cavewalls began to takeon asoftglow,tolightupjustabit;Thorlookedclosely,wonderingwherethelightswere coming from, and all along the walls he spotted thousands of insects,clingingtothestone,hissingatthem,theirglowinggreeneyesopeningasthey

passed them and casting off a light. Thor realized,with dread, that theywerewakingthem.Itwaslikeathousandsmallcandlesintheblackness,butatleastitaffordedthemalighttoseeby.

"Whatarethey?"EldenaskedIndra,onguard,afraidtheymightattack."Cavesuckers,"Indrasaid."Theycarrythestingofahundredbees.Youneed

notworry:theysticktothewalls.Unlessyouprovokethem.”"Howdoyouknowifyou’veprovokedthem?"O'Connorasked."Theireyeswillglow,”sheanswered.Thorgulped.“Astheyaredoingnow?”heasked.Shenoddedback.Thehissingcontinued,andthecavesuckerscrawledalongthewalls,someof

themarchingtheirsmallheadstowardstheboat.With the cave aglow, Thor could dimly make out its proportions: it was

cavernous,itsarchedceilingsoaringdozensoffeet,andtheywereridingdownthecenterof anarrow river.Huge stalagmites and stalactiteshung fromeverydirection.

Therecamea low, soft snarlingnoise fromsomewhere in thedepthsof thecave,andThorturnedwiththeothers—butsawnothing.

"Idon'tlikethefeelofthis,"Reecesaid,tighteninghishandonhisswordhilt."Nor do I," Conval said. He drew his sword, and themetallic ring echoed

loudlyinthecave,againandagain,asifadozenswordshadbeendrawn."Youshouldn'thavedone that," Indra scoldedhim. "Nowyouwillprovoke

them.”"Provokewho?"Convalasked.There began to appear from the depths of the blackness, walking towards

them,dozensofshadows.Theyresembledhumanskeletons,allbones,noflesh,but their boneswere black, and their eyes glowedwhite. They each carried along,whitesword,glistening,reflectingoffthewater’slight.Thorcouldseethateachswordwasmadeofbone.Itlookedlikehumanbone.

"Thearmyoftheundead,"Indraanswered,fearinhervoice.Thorturnedslowlyandsawthatfromeverycornerofthecavethereemerged

hundredsof these things, theseundeadskeletonswieldingswordsofbones,allheadingrightforthem.

“Undead?”Eldenasked.“Cantheynotbekilled?”"No,”Indrareplied.“Theyarealreadydead.Theonlyones left tobekilled

areus."Therecameagreatclatterofbones,andsuddenlytheundeadracedtowards

them,raisingtheirswords.

“Well,ifwe’regoingtodie,”Thorsaid,“it’sgoingtobeondryground,andwithourswordsheldhigh.ATTACK!”Thorcommanded.

Asone,thenineLegionmembersjumpedfromtheboat,ontothedrygroundof the shore, Krohn leaping out with them. They all drew their swords andbravelychargedtheundead.

There came a great clash of weapons as sword met sword, the soundsamplified,echoingoffofeverythinginsidethecave.TheLegionhadtrainedforthis, had trained to be outnumbered, had trained to be pitted against fiercewarriors—and while these shadow skeletons were fierce, they were stillconventionalwarriors,andnomatchfortheexpertiseoftheLegion.

Thor and the otherswent blow for blowwith the skeletons, and as Thor’sswordmetoneoftheirs,hewashappilysurprisedtoseethathissteelshatteredthebonesword;hethenswungaroundandslashedtheskeletonbeforehim,andashedid,allofitsbonesbrokeandcrumpledintoaheapontheground.

Thorwheeledineverydirection,blockingblows,parrying,shatteringswordsandslashingskeletonafterskeleton,leavingheapsofbonesathisfeet.

Allaroundhim,hisLegionbrothersweredoingthesame,deftlydefeatingthewarriorsbeforethem.

Krohn joined in, leaping into the fray, snarling, pouncing on one skeletonafterthenext,knockingthemdowntotheground,andleavingtheminpiles.

After nearly an hour fighting, the shores were lined with heaps of bones.ThoughThorandhisLegionbrotherswerebruisedandscratchedandbreathinghard,exhausted,nonewereseriouslyinjured.

Theyall lookedateachother, regrouping,outofbreath.For their first timesincebeing in theEmpire,Thorwashopeful, evenoptimistic.Theyhad takensomeoftheworsttheEmpirecouldthrowatthem,andtheyhadsurvived.

"Wewon,"O'Connorsaid."Ican'tbelieveit.”They all turned andwalked back towards the boat—but as they did, Indra

stoodthere,eyesstillwidewithfear,lookingovertheirshoulders."Donotboasttoosoon,warrior,"Indrawarned.There arose from behind them a sound thatmade the hairs on the back of

Thor’sneckrise.Itwasthesoundofathousandbonesclattering.Slowly,Thorturned,almostafraidtolook.There,hewashorrified tosee,wereall thebonesof thedefeatedskeletons,

slowlybeginningtoriseupfromtheground,andre-attachthemselves.Oneboneatatime,theentirearmyoftheundeadwascomingbacktolife.

"AsIsaid,”Indrasaid,“youcannotkillwhatisalreadydead."Thor watch wide-eyed as the entire army began to reassemble itself, to

prepare foryet another attack.All that fighting, all of theirvictory—ithadall

been useless. These monsters would just keep regenerating themselves, untilfinallytheytiredThorandhismenout,andkilledthemall.Theymightnotbeasgood fighters—but they had something that Thor and his men never would:endless endurance. And at the end of the day, Thor knew, endurance wouldalwaystriumph.

"Backtotheboat!"Thoryelled,steppingbackwardsslowlywiththeothers.As one, they all turned and jumped back into the boat and gave it a good

shovefromshore,paddlingharderthanever.Thetidespickedup,andsoontheywere rushing downriver, gaining distance from that shore. Thor and his menduckedastheypassedintoyetanothercanal,leavingthecavernousroom,justintimetobeoutofreachoftheadvancingarmy.

Itwasthefirst timeinThor's life thatvictoryhadbeenmeaningless,andastheyenteredyetanothertunnelofdarkness,hewondered,withafutilefeeling,whatotherhorrorscouldawaitthemaroundthebend.

CHAPTERTWENTYFIVE

Gwendolyn stood on the broad stone landing of the lower city of Silesia,surrounded by her generals, soldiers andSilesian citizens, all of them lookingoutinominoussilenceintothevastexpanseoftheCanyon,watchingthesecondsundropin thesky.TheyhadnotheardapeepfromtheEmpire'smenall thistime,andafteralong,agitatedpanicamongthecrowd,slowly,theyhadsettledinto adeepquiet.The tensionhung thick in the air, eachof them lost in theirownworld,lookingoutatthesky,facingtheirownmortality.Itwasthequietofa thousandsouls in theeyeofastorm,ofpeoplewhoknewtheyhadnowherelefttogobuttotheirdeaths.

Thesilence fromtheEmpirescaredGwendolynmore than theirattack.Sheknew that Andronicus was up there somewhere, plotting something, and sheknewitwasonlyamattertimeuntilheexecutedit.Hewasasruthlessasoldieras she had ever seen. The worst part was that, even if he did nothing, therewouldstillbenowayoutforthembutdeath.Howlongcouldtheysurvivedownhere,untiltheirprovisionsranout?Theyhadnowheretogobutup.Andupwasnotanoption.

Andronicus knew that, of course.He had them all by the throat.Hewouldmakethemwaititout.Allowtheirpanictosetin.Hewasprobablyrevelinginitrightnow.Hehadthemexactlywherehewanted.

Gwensupposedsheshouldbepleasedwithherselfforatleastfendingthemoffaswellasshehadinherfirstbattle,fortakingoutsomanyofthem,andforsavingsomanyofherpeople in theevacuation.But shewasnotpleasedwithherselfatall.Shefeltshehadfailed.

NearbystoodSrog,Brom,KolkandGodfrey,alongwith theothersoldiers,andbesideherstoodSteffenandKendrick.Theyall lookedoutat theCanyon,facesgrim.Shewishedsheknewwhattosaytothemtocheerthemup,wishedsheknewwheretogofromhere.

"Do you remember that one time with father," Kendrick answered softly,nostalgically,lookingoutatthesky,"whenhewastryingtoteachyoutoswingasword?Yourefused.Yousaidswordswereforweakmen.”

Gwendolynsmiled."Onlyvaguely,"shesaid."Imusthavebeenveryyoung.”Kendricksmiled.

"Fathergotsomad,”hecontinued.“Heendedallofourtrainingsessionsfortheday.Backthen,itseemedlikeyou’dsaidthedumbestthingintheworld.”

Hesighed."Butyouknow,nowthatI'molder,Irealizetherewasgreatwisdominwhat

you said,” he added. “The simplest battles are won by swords. The mostcomplexonesarewonbyothermeans.Bystrategy.Bylogistics.Bywillpower.”

"I'msureIwasnothintingatallthatwhenIsaidthatasayouth,"shesmiled.Hesmiledback."No, I amsureyouweren’t.Whatyou’d saidwaswisebeyondyouryears.

Eventhen.”Heturnedandlookedather.“Ijustwantyoutoknowthatyoufoughtthisbattlebrilliantly,”hesaid.“We

killed twenty times our ranks, and lost far fewer of our own than we shouldhave.Foranyotherleader,thatwouldbeavictorytoberememberforalltime.Don’tfeelbadly.Theirnumbersweretoovastforanyarmytoconquer.”

"He’sright,mylady,”saidSteffenbesideher.“Truerwordswereneverspoken,”addedSrog."Thankyou,mybrother,"shesaidtoKendrick."IwantyoutoknowthatI've

alwaysthoughtofyouasmybrother.Mytruebrother.Wesharethesamefather.Andthatisbloodenoughforme.”

Kendrick looked back to her and he could see in his eyes how much herwordsmeanttohim.

"And what now, my lady?" Srog asked. “I'm afraid we have no othercontingencyplansbeyondthis.Now,thepeoplelooktoyou.Now,thedecisionisyours.”

"It would do us little good to surrender as a people to Andronicus,"Gwendolyn said. "We all know his reputation: he does not keep his prisonersalive.Wemustwaititout.”

"Andifhungerfindsusfirst?"Bromasked.Gwensighed."Thenwefightadifferentkindofdeath,"sheanswered.“Unlessoneofyou

hasotherideas?”Theyallstoodintheglumsilence, listeningtothehowlingof thewind.No

onehadanythingtoadd.Kendrickfinallyclearedhisthroat."WhenwejoinedtheLegion,”hesaid,“andthentheSilver,wetookavow.It

wasavowtofight,evenwhentherewasnochancelefttowin.Itwasavowofhonor.Avowofglory.That iswhatwehaveachievedheretoday.Notvictory,but glory. And sometimes, long after the victor has left, it is the glory that

remains,thatissungof,nottheconquest.Sometimes,gloryisgreater.”Astheyallsatthereinthesilence,watchingthesundrop,swayedbyagustof

howlingwind,suddenly,aboomingvoicesplittheair."Gwendolyn,Icallforyou!"camethevoice,echoingofftheCanyonwalls.Theyallturnedandlookedateachother,baffled,thentheyalllookedup,as

one,andastheydid,Gwendolyncouldseewherethevoicewascomingfrom.Achillwentthroughher.

Andronicus.Therehewas,surroundedbyhundredsofhismen,leaningoutovertheedge

oftheCanyon,lookingdownatherwithatriumphantsmileonhisface."Gwendolyn, ruler of theWesternKingdomof theRing, it is only you left

now.King’sCourt isnomore.TheMcCloudsaremyprisoners. It isonlyyouleftwhodaresdefyme.”

Hepaused."Despitewhatyouhaveheardaboutme, Iamnota savage. In fact, I ama

mostreasonableman.Youfoughtbravelyheretoday.BetterthanIhadexpected.And for that, I commend you. And for that, I wish to reward you. I can usevaluablecommanderslikeyouinmyarmies,andIcanusevaluablesoldiersliketheSilesians.

“Ineverkeepcaptivesalive.Butonthisday,becauseofyourbravery,Iwillmakeanexception.Ifyousurrendertome,youpersonally,thenIwillspareyourentire city fromdestruction. Iwill let everyone live, includingyour soldiers. Iwillevenfreeeachoneofyou.YouwillliveinpeaceinmyEmpire,andIwillleaveSilesiaalone.

“AllIaskinreturnisthatyouswearallegiancetome.Thatyouvowtoserveme,tobearulerundermycommand.Iwilltreatyoujustlyandfairly.Youwillbegivenanypositionyouchooseatmycourt.Surelyitisasmallpricetopay—yourpersonalsacrificeforthegoodofyournation.

“It is a kind and generous offer. Be wise, and accept it, on behalf of thethousandsofsoulsaroundyou.Lookaroundyou,seetheirfaces.Theyarealive.Ifyoudefyme,theywillfacethewrathofthegreatAndronicus.

“Donot think too long. If Idonothaveyouranswer in themorning, Iwillrainfireonyouunlikeanyyouhaveeverseen.Andbythetimeofthesecondsunsettomorrow,thelegendofSilesiawillbenomore.Noteveninthehistorybooks,whichIwilldestroy.”

Finally,Andronicus’voice stoppedbooming. It echoedbrieflyon thewind,thendisappeared,retreatingbacktowhereveritcomefrom.Asshelookedup,heandhismenretreatedfromtheupperlanding,disappearingfromview.

Gwenturnedandlookedattheothers,whoalllookedbackather,wide-eyed

insurprise."Don'tdoit,"Srogsaidgravely."Youcannottrusthim,"Kendricksaid."Itisafalseoffer,"Steffensaid."Iwouldneverhaveyouservehimtosavemysoul,”Kolksaid."NowwouldI,"Kendricksaid.Gwendolynstood there, thinking.SheknewAndronicuswasnotbe trusted.

Yet hiswords seemedgenuine.Andwhat choice did they have, really?As hesaid,iftheyrefused,theywouldallbedead.Sheknewthatherself.Ifnotbyhishand,thenbysomeotherway.

"Iwouldgladlygointohisservitudetosparethelivesofallofyou,"shesaid."IfeelitisanofferthatIshouldaccept.”

"Youcannotmylady!"Kendrickcalledout."Iwillnothearofit!”“Iwouldneverhaveyousacrificeonmybehalf!”Srogsaid.“Iwouldrather

godownfighting.”“Islifethatprecioustoyou?"Bromasked.“Notmylife,”sheanswered.“Butyours.Allofyours.Itwouldbeselfishfor

metorejectitandhaveyoualldie.”“Yourhonorisatstake!”Srogsaid.“Wehavefoughthonorably,"shesaid."Theonlyonethatwillbeinservitude

ismyself.”"Your servitude is one toomany,"Kendrick said. “It is not fair for you to

sacrificeforallofus.”"IamwithKendrick,”Srogsaid.“SoamI,”echoedtheothers.“Wewillnotletyougo,mylady,”Steffensaid.“Weareallforoneandone

forall.”A cheer arose among the men. She was touched by their loyalty. Yet the

weightofAndronicus’offersatheavilyonhershoulders.Herlifeforeveryoneelse’s.Itwassomethingshewouldgladlygive.

*Gwendolynstoodalone,ontheedgeofCanyonPoint,watchingthelastlight

ofdaycastapallovertheCanyon.Itwasthemostbeautifulsunsetofherlife,sparklingin theswirlingmist,aflamingredwhichseemedtoset theworldonfire.Itwassomberandfatalistic.Itmatchedhermood.

Asshewatchedit,apartofherfeltshewaswatchingthe lastsunsetofherlife.Especiallysinceshehad,finally,cometoadecision.

Gwendolynhadwalkedthroughthecamp,hadlookedcloselyatthefacesofall the men and women and children, the young soldiers—had seen all the

aspiration,allthehope,intheireyes;theylookedatherasifsheheldsomelonglostanswer,as if shewere their savior. It struckher thatshehadbeengivenachance,auniqueabilityatauniquemoment in time tosave thesepeople.Herlife for theirs. Itwouldbeagreathonor.Maybeshehadbeenputhere, in thistime and place for just this reason, for just this onemoment in time, for thisdecision.Maybe thatwaswhy she had beenmeant to rule—tomake this onedecisionthatwouldsavethousandsoflives.

Gwendolynhadmadeuphermind.Sheknewwhatshewoulddo.Notwhatheradvisorswoulddo,notwhatherfatherwoulddo,notwhatKendrickwoulddo.Butwhatshewoulddo.Andthat’sallthatmatterednow.

Atfirstdawn,whenitwasstilldark,whentherewasnoonearoundtostopher,shewouldgoupthere.Alone.Shewouldsurrenderherself toAndronicus.She would agree to his terms, serve him, and give herself up for the greatergood.

AsGwendolynstoodthere,lookingoutatherlastsunsetasafreewoman,shethoughtofThor.She reacheddownand felt her stomach, and thought of theirchild.Shewantedthischildtolive.Forthischild,iffornooneelse,shewantedtosparemorebloodshed.Shemightbea servant toAndronicus,but thischildwouldbefree.

GwendolynlookedoutandhadtoadmitthatapartofherhopedforThortoappear,toswoopdownwiththeSwordandrescueherfromallthis.Shewouldgiveanything,andherheartpoundedatthethought.

Butdeepdownsheknewitwasjustadream.Thorwasgone,farawayfromhere.Shewasallalone.Itwasmeantforhertostandalone,asherownwoman.As thewomanher fatherhadexpectedher tobe.Thiswaswhatbeinga rulermeant, she finally understood. To be surrounded by people—and yet, to beutterlyalone.

"Notalldreamsaremeanttobefulfilled,"cameavoice.GwendolynlookedovertoseeArgonstandingthere,besideher,staringoutat

thesunset.Shefeltnumbtotheworld,andapartofherwasnotevensurprisedtoseehim.Littlematteredtoheranymorenow,sincehermindhadbeenmadeup.Shefacedthesunsetwithhim.

"YoucomeatatimewhenInolongerneedyourcounsel,"shesaidtohim."Ihavenotcometogiveyoucounsel,”hesaid.“Buttopaymyrespects.Ihad

notseenyourdecisioncoming.Sobrave.Yourfatherwouldbeproud.YouarethefinestoftheMacGils.”

"Isthatwhyyouhavecome?”sheasked,sensingtherewassomethingmore."No,”heanswered.“Ihavealsocometosaygoodbye.”Sheturnedandlookedathim,buthecontinuedtostareoutattheCanyon.

“Areyou leavingus?” she asked, struckwith fear.But then shewas struckwithanevergreatfear:“OrisitIwhoisleavingyou?”

Argonstared,expressionless,andwouldnotanswer.“IsupposeonceIamasubjecttoAndronicus,youshallhaveanewMacGil

rulertocounselsoonenough,"shesaid.Heshookhishead."Timesareshifting,”hesaid.Gwendolynwassuddenlyburningwithadesiretoknow."Justtellmeonething,”shepleaded.“Thor?Ishesafe?Ishealive?”Shecarednotforhersafetyanymore,butonlyforhis."Heisalive,yes.”Shestaredathim."Youdonotanswerifhesafe,”shepressed.Argonremainedsilent,notresponding.Herheartwasbreaking."Canyou savehim?” shepleaded. “Fromwhateverperil he is in?Please. I

willgiveyouanything.Canyoukeephimalive?”Argonturnedandstaredather,andhiseyesburnedrightthroughher."IhavealreadysavedThorgrinonce.Foryou.Andnowyour fatedemands

somethinginreturn.”Argontookthreestepsforwardandlaidahandonhershoulder,anditburned

rightthroughher,feelingasifshewastouchedbythesun."You have done the gods proud," he said. "Always therewill be a spot of

honorreservedforyou.”JustasGwendolynwasabouttopullawayfromhisburninggrasp,suddenly

hedisappeared.Gwenturnedandlookedeverywhere,butsawnotraceofhim.Shewasalone

againupthere,ontheedgeoftherock,morealonethanshehadeverbeeninherlife.

ShelookedupattheCanyonwallrisingtotheuppercity,andknewwhatsheneededtodo.

Itwastimetotakethefirststep.

CHAPTERTWENTYSIX

Erecbracedhimselfashelaythere,defenseless,andthecreaturepreparedto

bring his claws down for his face. Images flashed through his mind as hepreparedtomeethisdeath—ofhistimeasaboy,hisdaysintheLegion,hislifeasaknight—andnoneflashed throughhismindsostronglyas thatofAlistair.Hehadonlyoneregretinlifeashepreparedtomeethisdeath:nothavingmoretimetospendwithher.

But as the creature brought the stone down, suddenly something happened.An intense light shone through the air, and the creature went flying back,knocked off its feet as an orb of light hit him in the chest and knocked himhalfwayacrossthebattlefield.

Erec blinked several times, confused, not understanding what had justhappened.

Another orb of light flew across the battlefield, and then another, and thecreatureswentflyingineverydirection,clearingasafeperimeteraroundhim.

Erecturnedandlookedupandsaw,standingoverhim,Alistair.Tohisshock,hesawherholdingoutapalm,fromwhichwereradiatingthe

orbs of light. Her light-blue eyes were aglow and she looked other-worldly,angelic,withherlongblondehairfallingdowntowardshim.

Hedidnotknowwhattothink.Erecscrambledtohisfeetandstoodathersideasshecontinuedcastingorbs

at all the creatures on the battlefield, saving his friend Brandt right before acreatureslicedhiminhalf.Withinmomentsawaveofdestructionspreadacrossthefield,allthecreatureshurlingthroughtheair.

Thecreatureswhowerenotyethitlookedatthemwithanewfearandbegantobackawaywarily,thenallturnedandran.

ErecturnedandlookedatAlistairwithawholenewappreciationandsenseofwonder.Didthishavetodowiththesecretofherbirth?Whowasshe,really?Howdidshehavethesepowers?Andwhyhadshekeptitasecret?

Hecouldbarelygetoutthewords,histhroatdry,asheturnedtoher.Hewasalmostafraidtoaskthequestion:

“Whoareyou?”

CHAPTERTWENTYSEVEN

As the first sun broke over the Canyon, showering it with the mostmagnificentsunriseGwendolynhadeverseen,fillingtheuniversewithredandorange hues, swirling clouds of mist, Gwen climbed the spiral staircases, upflight after flight, feeling as if she were climbing her way to heaven. Shetrembledinwardlyandherheartpoundedwithanxiety,herlegsgrowingheavierwitheachstep.Shehadneverfeltmorealonesinceshehadbegunhertrekandleft the comfort of her family, her army, her people, everything she knew andhelddear.

ShepreparedtofaceAndronicusalone,togiveherselfovertohisservice,forthesakeofherpeopleandeveryonesheloved.Itwastheloneliestwalkofherlife, and she forcedherself togoquickly, notwanting to think about it. If shethoughtitovertoocarefully,shewasafraidshemightturnback.

Gwen reached the final landing before the top, and encountered severalSilesian soldiers, all snapping to attention, surprised by her presence. Theysalutedher.

"My lady," one of them said. "What are you doing up here? Is everythingokay?”

Sheclearedherthroat."Alliswell,”shesaid,tryingtomaskherfear,tryingtosoundconfident.“Whereareyougoing,mylady?”anotherasked.“Tothetop,”sheanswered.Thesoldiersallexchangedalookoffear."Thetop,mylady?”oneasked.“YouknowthatAndronicus’sarmyawaitsup

there.”Shenodded."Iknow,toowell.Now,pleaseexcuseme.”The soldiers looked at themselves in hesitation and confusion, and for a

momentitseemedasiftheymightnotletherpass;butthentheydeferred,andfinallysteppedaside.

As shewalked past them,Gwen turned and faced them, remembering thattheywerealllookingtoherastheirruler.

"You have all done a magnificent job,” she said. “I thank you for yourservice.”

"My lady," one of the guards said, clearing his throat, looking gravelyconcerned."IfImaysay,whateveritisthatyouareabouttodo,youneedn’tdoit.Allofusarereadytofighttothedeathforyou.”

Shesmiledbackathim."Iknowyouare,”sheanswered.“AndthatispreciselywhyIamdoingthis.”Without another word, Gwen turned andmade her way alone up the final

flight of steps, circling and circling, until she finally reached the uppermostlevel.Shestoodthere,inthefieldofspikes,allstickingstraightupintothesky,her last protection from the hordes of Empire, and walked over to the smallplatforminthemiddleandpulledonaheavyrope.

Asshepulled,slowly,onepullatime,theplatformraised,liftingherhigherandhigherabove thespikes.Witheachpull,shefeltherheartsinking, felt theanticipationofwhatcouldbeherneardeath.

Finally she reached the top, above the spikes, and tooka stepout,onto thelandingofupperSilesia.StandingthereweredozensofEmpiresoldiers,whoallturnedandlookedather,eyeswideinshock.Theystoodthere,gaping,unsurewhattodo.

Gwentookseveralproudstepsforward,raisingherchinandchest,realizingshe represented theRing.Everything she did reflected on her people, and shewasdeterminedtobebraveandstrong.

Shelookedforthemostimportant-lookingsoldiershecouldfind,andsteppedtohimandstaredcoollyback.

"Bring me to Andronicus," she commanded, using her most authoritativevoice.

TheEmpiresoldiersalllookedateachother,dazzled,asifthey'dseenaghostappearintheirmidst.

Then,finally,theleadsoldiernoddedback.Heturnedandwalkedalongsideher,andseveralsoldiersfellinbehindthem.

The group of themmarched, Gwen’s heart pounding, crossing through theinner courtyard of Silesia. Gwen’s heart broke at the site: it was destroyed,ravaged, burnt to embers, and now filled with thousands of Empire soldiers,milling about.As theymarched through, all the soldiers on either side of herjumpedtotheirfeet,staringatGwendolynasifshewereananimalinazoo,asifshewerealambbeingledtoslaughter.

Gwen’s heart swelled with increasing anxiety. It was too late to turn backnow.Now,shewasentirelyattheirmercy.

SheprayedtoGodthatshehadmadetherightdecision,wasdoingtherightthing.SheprayedthatAndronicuswouldindeedhonorhisword.

Amurmurspreadthroughoutthecamp,astheyallmarchedoutthecitygate,

and into the huge camp beyond the walls. Gwen was awe-struck at the site:hundredsof thousandsofEmpiresoldierswerecampedasfaras theeyecouldsee.TheyallturnedandstoodandstaredatGwen’sarrival—andagreatmurmuraroseamongstthesoldiers.

Gwen was led across the remains of the drawbridge, and towards a hugeblack tent pitched in the center of the soldiers, which she assumed wasAndronicus’camp.

Astheynearedit,suddenlyitsflapsopened,andoutofitemerged,duckinglow,thenraisinghisheadhigh,Andronicus,wearingablackcape,noshirt,andhisnecklaceofshrunkenheads.Shecouldseeanewadditiontoit—theheadofLordKultin,Gareth’spit-bull.Shetriedtolookaway.

GwenwalkedasconfidentlyasshecoulduptoAndronicus.Heworeahuge,triumphantsmile.Hewasmorebeastthanman,toweringtwiceaslargeasanymanshe'devermet, andwithhis long fangsandclaws, itwashard forher tobelievethathewalkedontwolegs.

"Well well, my little lamb," he said to her, his deep voice snarling andboominginhischest."Youhavetakenmeuponmyofferafterall.”

Thecampgrewsilent,asGwendolynclearedherthroat.“Youvowednot toharmanyofmypeople,ormyself, and to letus live in

freedom,”shesaid,“ifIwouldswearallegianceandenteryourservice.ItisanofferIampreparedtoaccept.”

Hisgrinwidenedashiseyestwinkleddownather."Youareverybrave,”hesaid.“Youarewillingtosacrificeyourselfforyour

people.Averynoble trait, indeed.Youwerewise toacceptmyoffer.YoucanbeginbykneelingbeforemeandtakingtheEmpirevowofallegiance.”

The ideaofkneelingbefore thismonsterandvowingallegiance tohimtoreGwenupinside.Everymuscleinherbodyscreamedathernotto.Butsheforcedherselftothinkofherpeopledownbelow,ofthesufferingtheywouldendureifshedidnot, and slowly, shewilledher knees tobend, and took akneebeforehim.

“Bowyourhead,”cametheharshvoiceofAndronicus’attendant.Slowly,Gwendolynloweredherhead."Repeat after me,” the attendant said. “I Gwendolyn, daughter of King

MacGil,ruleroftheWesternKingdomoftheRing….”“IGwendolyn, daughter ofKingMacGil, ruler of theWesternKingdomof

theRing….”"DoherebyacknowledgethatthegreatAndronicusistheoneandonlyruler

oftheuniverse….”"DoherebyacknowledgethatthegreatAndronicusistheoneandonlyruler

oftheuniverse….”"Thattherehasneverbeenanygreater,andneverwillbe….”"Thattherehasneverbeenanygreater,andneverwillbe….”"AndthatIshallforeverswearmyloyaltytohim.”Asshespoketheselastwordstheynearlystuckinher throat,andshefelta

sense of nausea spread through her. She paused, wondering if she could gothroughwithit.

"AndthatIshallforeverswearmyloyaltytohim.”Shedidit.Shemanagedtogetthemout.Finally,itwasdone.Sheraisedher

head,lookingupatAndronicus.AgreatrumblearosefrominsideAndronicus’throat,likeapurringsound.It

wasthesoundofsatisfaction."Very good,” he said. “Very good indeed. You will make a most obedient

subject.Now,youcanrise.”Gwendolynstood,andstaredbackathimcoldly."Andnowyoucanletmypeoplego,”shesaid.Andronicus's smilewidened, as he reachedup and fingeredhis necklaceof

shrunkenheads."Wellyes,aboutthat,”hebegan.“Yousee,sometimesIenjoybeinghonest.

AndsometimesItakegreatpleasureoutofalie.Inthiscase,I'msorrytosay,itis the latter. Ipromisemany things.Some things Ikeep,andsome things Idonot.AndIamafraidyoucaughtmeonthewrongday.”

Gwendolyn’s heart began to pound. Inside, she screamed at herself. Howcouldshehavebeensostupid?

"Your people,” Andronicus continued, “well, I may not kill all of them,becauseofwhatyou’vedoneheretoday.ButIwillkillagreatdealofthem.AndtherestIwillenslave.I'mafraidtheywon'tknowwhatfreedomisanymore.Butthenagain,fewpeopledo.”

Hesighed.“And as for you my dear," he said, "you should know that there are no

positionsofhonorinmyranks.Therearenoleadersbutme,andallthosewhoareslavestomeareslaves.Includingyou.”

Andronicus nodded and two soldiers rushed forward and grabbed her armsroughly.

"Let me go!" Gwen screamed, struggling. "You promised. You promised!Whereisyourhonor?”

Andronicuslaughedheartily.“Honor?”heasked.“That is something I lost longago.AndIamsoglad I

did.Ican’tthinkofhowmanybattlesIwouldhavelostwithoutit.”

Hislaughterdieddown."I'm afraid,my dear, that an examplemust bemade of you.A particularly

brutal example.You see, it is theonlyway that anyonewhodares todefymewilllearn.”

Andronicusturned.“MCCLOUD!”heshrieked.Fromoutoftheranks,toGwendolyn'shorror,thereemergedtheelderKing

McCloud,his facedisfigured,halfof itbranded,markedbyahugeburnmarkwiththeemblemofAndronicus’Empire.

"ItistimeweteachthisMacGilgirlalesson,”Andronicussaid.“Iwoulddoitmyself,butIgetmorepleasurefromwatchingmyenemiestortureeachother.Infact,isoneofmygreatesthobbies.”

“Iwilldoanythingyousay,mylord,"McCloudsaidhumblytohim."Iknow that youwill,”Andronicus sneeredback coldly. “Youaregoing to

haveyourwaywiththiswoman.Maybeyou'llgetluckyandshewillbearyouason.AndIshallwatchitall.”

AhugesmiledcrossedMcCloud’sface,ashelookedGwenupanddownasifshewerehisprey.

“Itwillbemypleasure,mylord,"McCloudsaid.GwendolynscreamedandstruggledasMcCloudchargedher.Shemanagedto

breakthegraspofthetwosoldiers—andturnedandran.But shedidnot get very far.Shehadonlygone a few feetwhenMcCloud

tackledherfrombehind,sendingherflying,face-downtotheground,layingontopofher,knockingthewindoutofher.

“NO!"shescreamed,flailing.Buthewastoostrongforher.Soonhisthick,roughhandsweretearingather

clothes,andshefeltthecoldwinterbreezestingherbareskin.She heard the cheers of all of Andronicus's men, and she screamed and

screamed, struggling with every she had, wishing and praying that she wereanywhere else. Somewhere, high overhead, she could have sworn she heardEstopheles,circling,screeching.

She closed her eyes, trying to make it all go away, imagining herselfsomeplace,anywhereelse.SheimaginedherselfwithThor.Withtheirchild.Inafield of summer flowers. In a paradise far, far away from the horrors of thisworld.

CHAPTERTWENTYEIGHT

Thorstoodaloneinavastfieldofscarletflowers, litbyabloodredsunset.Overhishead,somewherehighup,circledEstopheles,screeching.Upahead,inthedistance, therewasa lonefigure, lying limp in thegrass.Hecouldnot tellwhoitwas.

Thor walked towards it, his heart pounding as he went. The sky darkenedwitheachstep,andhefeltanincreasingsenseofforeboding.Somethinginsidetoldhimitwasthebodyofsomeoneheloved.

Asheapproached,hecould tell, from the flowingwhite lace spilledon theground,thatitwasawoman.Hesawherlong,blondehair,spillingoutaroundhershoulders,withdread,andbeforehereachedher,heknewwhoitwas.

Gwendolyn.Thor reached outwith a trembling hand, grabbed her shoulder, and slowly

turnedherover,afraidtoseewhathemightfind.Hewasbreathlessatthesite.ThereGwendolynlay,herbodycoveredinblood,notmoving.Thorbegantoweepuncontrollably,unabletostophimself.Heleaneddown,

scoopedherupinhisarms,stood,andleanedbackandshoutedtotheheavens."NO!"Thorshouted.Hiscrysoaredup,echoing,reachingtotheveryheavens,asheheldherlimp,

inhis arms, the loveofhis life.Theonewomanwhohadmeantmore tohimthan anyone he had ever known. The woman he had planned on marrying.Somehow,dead.Andhenottheretosaveher.

"NO!"heshriekedagain.Thor’scrywasmetbyascreech,asEstophelescircledandswoopeddown,

clawsout,rightforhisface.Thorwoke breathing hard, sitting straight up, looking all around, his heart

slamminginhischest.Disoriented,hehadahardtimediscerningwhatwasreal,wherehewas.

Thorgraduallyrealizedthathewasstillintheboat,thathehadfallenasleepin it—that all his Legion brothers had. The whole group of them were lyingthere, sleeping, as the boat slowly drifted down the river, carried on the slowcurrent.Hetriedtoremember,wonderinghowlongtheyhadbeensleeping,howfartheyhaddrifted,wheretheyweregoing.Hefeltasiftheyhadbeenonthisjourneyforever.

Thor took a deep breath, thinking of his dream, of Gwendolyn, trying toshaketheawfulimage.Ithadseemedsoreal.Tooreal.Theimageterrifiedhim.

Heknewitwasjustadream,yetatthesametimehesensedthatitwasmorethan that.He sensed, in every fabricofhisbody, that shewas indanger.Thatsomethinghorriblehadhappenedtoher.

Ittorehimupinside.Morethaneverhewantedtojumpfromtheboatandruntoher,torescueherfromwhateveritwas.

Buthewasaworldaway,andtherewasnothinghecoulddo.Hehadneverfeltmorehelpless.Apartofhimhatedhimselfforgoingonthisquest.Shouldhehavestayedbehind?

Thorsatupstraighter,andKrohnsatupbesidehim,whining,leaninghisheadintoThor'schestasThorstrokedhim.Krohnkeptwhining,andThorknewthatKrohn sensed it, too, that Krohn, too, knew that something had happened toGwendolyn.Afterall,KrohnwasalmostasattachedtoherasThorwas.

Thor felt a pit in his stomach thatwouldnot go away.He felt as if hehadabandonedherinhertimeofneed.

Thor lookedupandsawyetanotherbreakingdawnhereon thissideof theworld;itbrokeasadayofgloom.Therewasnosuntobeseenanywhere,onlythickblackclouds,withamutedlightstrugglingtoappearthroughthem.Theyfloated past vast stretches of wasteland, nothing but those dead black treeseverywhere,thoseeeriebirds,staringback,watchingthem.Apparentlytheydidnotsinginthemorning.Instead,theywatchedthemsilently,theirglowingeyesmovingslowly,followingthetidesoftheboat.

Thor looked straight ahead, and as he did, hewas surprised to see that theriverwascomingtoanend.Inafewfeet,theirboatslammedintoland,startlinghim,andwakingtheothers.

The others all sat up with a jolt, one by one, and looked around, startled.Without waiting, Thor gained his feet, walked to the front of the boat andjumpedontodryland,Krohnonhisheels.Theotherboysfollowedhim.

"Where arewe?"Reece asked, jumping onto dry land beside him, lookingaroundinwonder.

“Isthiswheretheriverends?”O’Connorasked."Ihavenoidea,"Thorsaid.Thethreebrothersjumpedoff theboat, too,Drakeholdingoutthemapand

lookingaround."Isthiswhereyourgoldenmaphasleadus?"Indraaskedsarcastically."Weareexactlywherewearesupposedtobe,"Drakeanswereddefensively.“Andwhereisthat,exactly?”shesaid.“Inthemiddleofnowhere?”"Actually,ourdestinationisclose,”Drosssaid,leaningin.“Accordingtothis

map,it'snotmuchfarthernow.”“Followus,"Drakesaid,settingoffwithhistwobrothers."Idon'tlikethisplace,"ConvalsaidtoConven,standingclose.Thorwasjustthinkingthesamething.Itwashardtoseefarahead,withthe

thick fog rolling in and out. He could only catch glimpses of the trees, of abarrenwasteland.

After trekking for some time, finally, the fog cleared, and Thor spotted ahuge, circular clearing open up before them. The landscape changed abruptlyfromdirttoapurplegrass,asifonelandwasbeingdemarcatedbytheother.Itwasasif theystoodatanintersection:inonedirectionwasalandofgreen, inanotherayellowdesert.

“Whatisthisplace?”Eldenasked."Itlookslikeacrossroadsofsorts,”Reecesaid."Thecrossroadsofthedead,”Indrasaid.“Fromherethelandleadstothree

terrains.Itistheedgeoftheunderworld.”"Nowwhat?"Thorasked,turningtoDrake.Butsomethingstrangehappened:asThorturnedtolookatDrake,hesawthe

three brothers suddenly retreating, taking several steps backwards, away fromtheothers.

BeforeThorcouldprocesswhatwashappening,thefogliftedagain,andhesuddenlysaw,bearingdownonthem,ahundredEmpiresoldiers.

Before Thor could reach to draw his sword, he felt himself pounced uponfrom behind, grabbed by several soldiers and slammed down to the floor.Allaroundhim,hisLegionbrotherswereambushed,too.

Intheblinkofaneye,theywerecapturedandbound,renderedhelpless.Theyhadbeensetup.

Everyone,except forDrakeandDrossandDurs.TheEmpiredidnot touchthem.

The three brothers came forward and stood over Thor. All with malicioussmilesacrosstheirfaces.

Thorcouldnotbelieveit.Hehadbeenbetrayed.Byhisownbrothers."Itrustedyou,"ThorsaidtoDrake.Drakesmiledandshookhishead."Youneverhadgoodjudgment,"heresponded."But why?" Reece asked. "Why would you betray us? Your own Legion

brothers?”"You are not our brothers,” Dross answered, then turned to Thor. “And

especiallyyou.Wehavewaitedhalfour lives to seeyoudead.Andnowyourdayhascome.”

"Saygoodbye,littlebrother,"Durssaid.Hedrewhisswordwithadistinctivering,as theEmpiresoldiersheldThor

downtight.Thor tried to struggle, but itwasuseless.Therewas something about these

ropesthatnullifiedhispower.Hecouldnotevenmusterthestrengthtosquirm.Hehadnothingleft todobutwatchhelplesslyasDurssteppedforwardand

raisedhisswordhigh,aimingforThor'sexposedneck.Thorknewthathistimehadcome.

Andhehadbutonewishleft in theworld: ifonlyhecouldseeGwendolynagain.

COMINGSOON….Book#6intheSorcerer’sRing

BooksbyMorganRice

THESORCERER’SRINGAQUESTOFHEROES(Book#1)AMARCHOFKINGS(Book#2)AFEASTOFDRAGONS(Book#3)ACLASHOFHONOR(Book#4)AVOWOFGLORY(Book#5)

THESURVIVALTRILOGY

ARENAONE:SLAVERSUNNERS(Book#1)ARENATWO(Book#2)

THEVAMPIREJOURNALS

TURNED(Book#1)LOVED(Book#2)

BETRAYED(Book#3)DESTINED(Book#4)DESIRED(Book#5)

BETROTHED(Book#6)VOWED(Book#7)FOUND(Book#8)

THEVAMPIRELEGACYRESURRECTED(Book#1)CRAVED(Book#2)

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