A Forge of Valor by Morgan Rice Read Free Book Online Page A

gait, Duncan could tell they were not Enis’s boots. In the darkness, his hearing had grown more acute.
    As the soldier approached, Duncan figured he was coming to torture or kill him. Duncan was ready. They could do with him as they pleased—he had already died inside.
    Duncan opened his eyes, heavy as they were, and looked up with whatever dignity he could muster to see who was coming. There, he was shocked to see, was the face of the man he despised the most: Bant of Barris. The traitor. The man who had killed his two sons.
    Duncan glowered back as Bant stepped forward, a satisfied smirk on his face, and knelt before him. He wondered what this creature could possibly be doing here.
    “Not so powerful now, are you, Duncan?” Bant asked, just feet away. He stood there, hands on hips, short, stocky, with narrow lips, beady eyes and a pockmarked face.
    Duncan tried to lunge forward, wanting to tear him apart—but his chains held him back.
    “You shall pay for my boys,” Duncan said, choking up, his throat so dry he couldn’t get out the words with the venom he wished.
    Bant laughed, a short, crude sound.
    “Shall I?” he mocked. “You’ll be breathing your last dying breath down here. I killed your sons, and I can kill you, too, if I choose. I have the backing of Pandesia now, after my display of loyalty. But I shall not kill you. That would be too kind. Better to let you waste away.”
    Duncan felt a cold rage bubbling up within him.
    “Then why you have come?”
    Bant darkened.
    “I can come for any reason I wish,” he scowled, “or for no reason at all. I can come just to look at you. To gape at you. To see the fruits of my victory.”
    He sighed.
    “And yet it so happens, I have a reason to visit you. There is something I wish from you. And there is one thing I am going to give you.”
    Duncan looked back skeptically.
    “Your freedom,” Bant added.
    Duncan watched him, wondering.
    “And why would you do that?” he asked.
    Bant sighed.
    “You see, Duncan,” he said, “you and I are not so different. We are both warriors. In fact, you are a man I’ve always respected. Your sons deserved to be killed—they were reckless blowhards. But you,” he said, “I’ve always respected. You should not be down here.”
    He paused, examining him.
    “So this is what I will do,” he continued. “You will publicly confess your crimes against our nation, and you shall exhort all citizens of Andros to concede to Pandesian rule. If you do this, then I shall see that Pandesia sets you free.”
    Duncan sat there, so furious he didn’t know what to say.
    “Are you a puppet for the Pandesians now?” Duncan finally asked, seething. “Are you trying to impress them? To show them that you can deliver me?”
    Bant sneered.
    “Do it, Duncan,” he replied. “You are no good to anyone down here, least of all yourself. Tell the Supreme Ra what he wants to hear, confess what you’ve done, and make peace for this city. Our capital needs peace now, and you are the only who can make it.”
    Duncan took several deep breaths, until he finally summoned the strength to speak.
    “Never,” he replied.
    Bant glowered.
    “Not for my freedom,” Duncan continued, “not for my life, and not for any price.”
    Duncan stared at him, smiling in satisfaction as he watched Bant redden, then finally he added: “But be sure of one thing: if I ever escape from here, my sword will find a spot in your heart.”
    After a long, stunned silence, Bant stood, scowling, stared down at Duncan, and shook his head.
    “Live a few more days for me,” he said, “so that I can be here to watch your execution.”
     

CHAPTER NINE
     
     
    Dierdre rowed with all her might, Marco beside her, the two of them swiftly cutting through the canal, making their way back toward the sea, where she had last seen her father. Her heart was torn apart with anxiety as she recalled the last time she had seen her father, recalled his bravely attacking the