Choosing Hearts - The Fighter's Passion (Gritty, Explicit Romance Novel) (A Lusty Stand Alone Story) by Diana Quippley Read Free Book Online
Authors: Diana Quippley
come by. The forces of Nostrazcus were depleting the land of its
resources as they retreated from Rogan’s superiorand better trained numbers.
“Eat well, men.”
Gregory announced grimly. “For even paltry repasts like this will be hard to
find as we move farther south.”
“Aye, eat well and
grow strong.” Belen held his bow up high, waving at the haggard men. “And
rejoice, for we are driving the enemy back within a fortnight of their
invasion.”
Rogan sighed as he
watched the brave warriors of Kirk Falls gather their strength and make ready
for the next battle. They had all fought hard and well, making him proud to
lead such a brave army. It had barely been three months into his blissful
married life when news of invasion and raids poured in from the southern
borders. Alicia was livid with fear at the prospect of her husband having to
lead the charge against the invading enemy, but she knew it was his duty. Her
sorrowful, tear stained face burned in his mind every time he thought of her.
He hadn’t seen her for almost two weeks, ever since he led the defense of the
Dukedom.
The night was cold
even as the fires burned all around the devastated farmlands of Vineberg. Rogan
wrapped his cloak around himself tightly and watched the embers crackle in the
diminishing flames before him. Sleep had not blessed him with her restful
embrace for more than three days and the effect was telling. He looked years
older.His square jawed face sported a weeks worth of bristle and his long fiery
hair was reduced to a ragged mess, damp and blood stained. As the night wore
on, he thought of Alicia and felt the comforting warmth fill his heart. She
made him stronger, gave him purpose, filled him with the desire to fight and
rid the land of evil.
“It is almost
dawn, Captain.” Gregory softly whispered, squatting down beside Rogan. “And you
are yet to get a wink of sleep.”
“I will sleep, old
friend.” He smiled at the older man. “I will sleep when I have made it possible
for everyone in Kirk Falls to sleep without fear.”
“As will we all.”
Gregory shook his head, but knew that Rogan was too stubborn to heed him as
always. “Yet even an hour’s sleep will refresh you to take on the task at
Orenden come the morrow.”
“I will be fine,
Gregory.” Rogan sighed deeply. “Rouse the men, let us breakfast swiftly and
ride for Orenden. The enemy is reinforcing there and we will have our hands
full.”
“As you command,
Sir Rogan.” Gregory bowed and went off to get the sleeping men ready to ride.
Nostrazcus was a
man Rogan had known of before and he recalled seeing him as a skulking advisor,
keeping to the shadows behind the over ambitious Duke Norton of Avangalus,
during the time when he fought in the first war as a mercenary for Kirk Falls more
than three years ago. In a war where his exemplary fighting skills made the
difference, seizing victory for Duke Edenton and Kirk Falls, and bringing him
much fame and glory. What he did not know was that Nostrazcus was a wizard of
the dark arts and he had been manipulating the Duke of Avagalus to do his own
evil bidding. Now the wizard openly invaded Kirk Falls. He must have grown
stronger in his craft, but that didn’t matter to Rogan, his duty was to protect
the Dukedom with his life. He looked down at the little glowing amulet his
love had given him on their wedding night a mere three months gone, yet it
seemed like a lifetime ago.
Rogan brought the
glowing stone to his lips and kissed it, thinking of Alicia and closing his
eyes. It gave him strength and hope each time he did that. He could feel her
every time the pendant pulsed. Maybe there was something to the power of these
insane seers and spell casters, he admitted to himself. There was something
more to the pendant than what it looked like. He felt the shiny little stone
was actually keeping him safe and well. But then, he knew, if one believed
strongly enough,
resources as they retreated from Rogan’s superiorand better trained numbers.
“Eat well, men.”
Gregory announced grimly. “For even paltry repasts like this will be hard to
find as we move farther south.”
“Aye, eat well and
grow strong.” Belen held his bow up high, waving at the haggard men. “And
rejoice, for we are driving the enemy back within a fortnight of their
invasion.”
Rogan sighed as he
watched the brave warriors of Kirk Falls gather their strength and make ready
for the next battle. They had all fought hard and well, making him proud to
lead such a brave army. It had barely been three months into his blissful
married life when news of invasion and raids poured in from the southern
borders. Alicia was livid with fear at the prospect of her husband having to
lead the charge against the invading enemy, but she knew it was his duty. Her
sorrowful, tear stained face burned in his mind every time he thought of her.
He hadn’t seen her for almost two weeks, ever since he led the defense of the
Dukedom.
The night was cold
even as the fires burned all around the devastated farmlands of Vineberg. Rogan
wrapped his cloak around himself tightly and watched the embers crackle in the
diminishing flames before him. Sleep had not blessed him with her restful
embrace for more than three days and the effect was telling. He looked years
older.His square jawed face sported a weeks worth of bristle and his long fiery
hair was reduced to a ragged mess, damp and blood stained. As the night wore
on, he thought of Alicia and felt the comforting warmth fill his heart. She
made him stronger, gave him purpose, filled him with the desire to fight and
rid the land of evil.
“It is almost
dawn, Captain.” Gregory softly whispered, squatting down beside Rogan. “And you
are yet to get a wink of sleep.”
“I will sleep, old
friend.” He smiled at the older man. “I will sleep when I have made it possible
for everyone in Kirk Falls to sleep without fear.”
“As will we all.”
Gregory shook his head, but knew that Rogan was too stubborn to heed him as
always. “Yet even an hour’s sleep will refresh you to take on the task at
Orenden come the morrow.”
“I will be fine,
Gregory.” Rogan sighed deeply. “Rouse the men, let us breakfast swiftly and
ride for Orenden. The enemy is reinforcing there and we will have our hands
full.”
“As you command,
Sir Rogan.” Gregory bowed and went off to get the sleeping men ready to ride.
Nostrazcus was a
man Rogan had known of before and he recalled seeing him as a skulking advisor,
keeping to the shadows behind the over ambitious Duke Norton of Avangalus,
during the time when he fought in the first war as a mercenary for Kirk Falls more
than three years ago. In a war where his exemplary fighting skills made the
difference, seizing victory for Duke Edenton and Kirk Falls, and bringing him
much fame and glory. What he did not know was that Nostrazcus was a wizard of
the dark arts and he had been manipulating the Duke of Avagalus to do his own
evil bidding. Now the wizard openly invaded Kirk Falls. He must have grown
stronger in his craft, but that didn’t matter to Rogan, his duty was to protect
the Dukedom with his life. He looked down at the little glowing amulet his
love had given him on their wedding night a mere three months gone, yet it
seemed like a lifetime ago.
Rogan brought the
glowing stone to his lips and kissed it, thinking of Alicia and closing his
eyes. It gave him strength and hope each time he did that. He could feel her
every time the pendant pulsed. Maybe there was something to the power of these
insane seers and spell casters, he admitted to himself. There was something
more to the pendant than what it looked like. He felt the shiny little stone
was actually keeping him safe and well. But then, he knew, if one believed
strongly enough,