The Bloodsworn by Erin Lindsey Read Free Book Online

roses.

F OUR

    â€œT hat’s it?” Ide said, looking up at the scarred timber façade of the Kingsword fort. “How in the name of Rahl did we hold off the Warlord with
this
?”
    Good question
, Alix thought, fighting her horse as it danced restlessly before the gate. The fort had probably never been impressive, but it looked positively crippled now, half-razed in the enemy onslaught three weeks before. Builders dotted its surfaces like insects, armed with hammers and saws and buckets of pitch, effecting hasty repairs in anticipation of another assault. It wouldn’t be long, Alix knew.
    Dain Cooper threw a friendly wave up at the ramparts; a pair of archers waved back. “That’s General Black for you,” Dain said. “Man’s a genius.”
    Alix was momentarily surprised, but then she remembered: Before Dain had joined the White Wolves as Liam’s second, he’d been a soldier here in the fort. He knew Rig—and respected him, obviously. She couldn’t help smiling. “My brother is many things, but I’m not sure genius is among them. I think he’d be the first to admit that the secret to his success is less wit than luck.”
    â€œThe secret to his success,” Ide said, “is
balls
. Begging your pardon.”
    Alix laughed. In spite of her fatigue, in spite of the hurt brooding in the pit of her stomach, she found herself enjoying the company of her companions. Though it was impossible not to think of Liam while spending day after day with his men, Ide had been a friend since their days scouting together, and Dain was easy to like. Alix hadn’t realised just how much she missed the scouts; having something like that fellowship again was a comfort, especially now.
    A final scrape and judder heralded the opening of the gate, and Alix and the others rode into a cramped courtyard smelling of straw and smoke. The ring of a forge sounded somewhere nearby, and of swordplay too, soldiers practicing lunges and parries with spears and dulled blades. For all its crude lines and hasty construction, the scene reminded Alix a little of the bailey at Blackhold, as it had been in her youth.
    More so when she heard a familiar voice call out from clear across the yard. “What in the Nine Hells are you doing here?”
    Alix turned to find her brother making his way over in great strides, his expression a mix of concern and delight. After everything that had happened, the sight of him nearly brought her to tears; she was grateful when he enveloped her in a bear hug, shielding her face from prying eyes.
    â€œSeriously, Allie,” Rig’s deep voice rumbled in her ear, “how worried do I need to be right now?” They hadn’t dared send word ahead for fear of it falling into the wrong hands, but Rig was no fool. If she’d left Erik’s side, it couldn’t be good news.
    â€œNot here,” she whispered. “Someplace safe.”
    â€œGods’ balls.” He drew back and gave her a long, appraising look. Brushing her cheek with a rough hand, he said, “Give us a smile, love, and a laugh if you can manage it. Can’t have you standing there looking like you’re about to cry. Bad for morale.” His own features broke into a smile, dark eyes flicking meaningfully to the ramparts, where a handful of soldiers stood gawking at their commander general and his sister.
    Alix did her best to laugh, though she doubted it was very convincing.
    â€œDain Cooper!” Rig clasped arms with the Onnani knight. “Didn’t I throw you to the Wolves?”
    Dain laughed. “You did, General. I’m still nominally Prince Liam’s second-in-command, though by rights that duty belongs to Ide here.”
    Gracious of him
, Alix thought. And true. Ide deserved better than to have been replaced for political reasons and Dain knew it. Though it was no fault of his, he must have felt terribly awkward about it.
    Ide,