The Wind and the Void by Ryan Kirk Read Free Book Online

at Tanak. The name he recognized, but the title was new. His sources had told him Tanak was the Lord of the Western Kingdom. He must have defeated the Southern Kingdom in combat.
    Nameless’ silence made Tanak uncomfortable, so he let it linger for a few moments longer than necessary. “I have no name, as is true of all my kind. However, I am the leader of the People, and I have come to hear what you would say.”
    Tanak looked around as though he disbelieved what Nameless was saying. They were in the middle of nowhere, a mountain pass used more by goats than by humans. It was not what the lord had expected.
    “Are you going to escort me to your people? I come bearing terms of our truce.”
    Nameless stifled a grin. “We can treat here. I am the only one who must hear what you have to say.”
    Tanak looked doubtful, and Nameless saw in the lord’s face that he considered the Azarians to be less than those of the Three Kingdoms. He considered the People savages. Nameless would delight in proving him wrong.
    Nameless glanced at the men on horseback again. “Where is the one we dealt with before? The nightblade, Renzo.”
    Tanak shook his head. “He is dead, killed by another nightblade in battle.”
    Nameless was surprised. He had met Renzo once, and the man had been strong. For him to be defeated indicated there was greater power in the Three Kingdoms than he guessed. It must have been the boy. There was no one else capable. He pushed the thoughts aside. Right now all that mattered was dealing with Tanak. “What are the terms of your truce?”
    “As you discussed with Renzo. All the land south of the Three Sisters is yours. The pass will be considered a no-man’s zone. You will never have to deal with our attacks again. But we never have to deal with yours either.”
    Nameless laughed. It was the deal he had discussed with Renzo. Nameless would distract the armies of the Southern Kingdom, pinning them down in the fort while Tanak and Renzo swept through the Southern Kingdom. Unfortunately, it had taken Nameless longer than he expected to bring the clans in line, and his invasion hadn’t begun until autumn. Fortunately, it had all worked out. He had promised Renzo peace, but what he really wanted was a land torn apart by war. Renzo had always seemed suspicious, but it seemed this lord had fully believed in their agreement.
    Tanak frowned. “What’s so funny?”
    Nameless shook his head. “I will never treat with one as pathetic as you.”
    Tanak wasn’t used to such treatment, and although Nameless saw the fear flash in his eyes, he acted as though he was courageous. “That’s a bold statement when one stands against nine.”
    Nameless smiled. He felt the power flow into his limbs. Without a word, he drew his blade and darted among the horses. Every soldier seemed to be moving through water, unable to respond to his attack quickly enough. He intentionally left Tanak and a guard alive, but he wasn’t quite fast enough to get through the entire line. The soldier who had brought up the rear of the envoy had turned his horse when they had stopped, protecting their flank. As soon as Nameless attacked, he spurred his horse forward, escaping Nameless’ blade. Nameless threw out his energy, a signal to his demon-kind hidden up the trail. They rose in unison, sending an arrow each into man and beast.
    Nameless cleaned his dark blade and turned towards Tanak. “Is my answer enough?”
    Tanak looked terrified, and Nameless could see the dark stain spreading down his leg. The man was a coward. Nameless looked to the other soldier, frightened but standing firm. “Can you deliver a message?”
    The soldier nodded, unable to speak.
    “Good.”
    Nameless leapt easily onto the back of Tanak’s horse. The lord hadn’t even drawn his sword. Before man or beast could react, Nameless’ blade sang one more time, and he caught Tanak’s falling head with his other hand. He leapt down to the ground, landing softly in the snow.