By the Sword Read Online Free PDF Page A

Talya.
    “I can’t believe I let you drag me out of bed.”
    “Oh, stop. It isn’t that early. Please, tell me what my father decided.”
    “Nothing yet.”
    “He had better ask me,” said Talya.
    She glanced at Tanel , who wiped his eyes with a long yawn . She suddenly felt a little guilty for interrupting his slumber.
    “Are you hoping to go?” Talya asked him.
    “Of course I want to go, but General Edandir will make the right choice.”
    “He’d better.”
    Talya and Tanel entered the meal cabin where several other knights were already polishing off their plates.
    “Oh, look. There a re people crazier than you, Talya,” Tanel muttered.
    “There’s nothing wrong with being a n early riser .”
    “No comment.”
    They both grabbed healthy helpings of eggs, fresh bread, and smoked pork, and then sat down at a nearby table.
    Two other young knights joined them. Both of them looked to be around eighteen. One was a girl with black hair and intense indigo eyes, and the other was a strapping, light-haired lad.
    “You two from Cardamon?” asked the boy as he forked in a mouthful of eggs.
    Talya was too hungry to bother with answering him. She hadn’t bothered to eat dinner the previous night.
    “Yes,” answered Tanel. “I’m Tanel and this is my friend Talya.”
    “I’m Atalsa,” said the girl. “I’m very sorry to hear about Cardamon.”
    “So are we,” said Talya, “but we’ll get it back. I’m sure of it.”
    “I’m going to slaughter those demons,” said the lad.
    “His name is Tasar by the way,” smiled Atalsa. “I must say that I am anxious to get into battle myself. Those Malinorian knights sound like they are from Sheol itself.”
    Talya decided that she would take a break from chewing now that the topic had become interesting.
    “One of ‘ em nearly killed me yesterday,” said Talya. “Tanel here saved my life. My rival was a commander. We fought for nearly two hours, and I almost had him. I hope to see him on the battlefield again. Then I can finish him off.”
    “A little thing like you fighting a Malinorian commander for two hours?” laughed Tasar. “I just can’t see it.”
    “I guess you have a pathetic imagination,” said Talya.
    The smiles were wiped off of the other knights’ faces.
    “Well, there is no need to be insulting. It was a logical assumption,” said Atalsa. “Usually women are archers.”
    “Not this one,” Talya muttered.
    Atalsa scoffed.
    Tasar laughed.
    “Relax, Atalsa. They’re just pups. Not even eighteen yet, I’ll bet.”
    Talya rolled her eyes.
    “I’m an archer,” smiled Tanel, “and Talya’s the best sword fighter I have ever seen.”
    “Is that a fact?” snorted Tasar . “If she is so great, then why did you have to rescue her?”
    Talya slammed her fork down on the table and glared at the oaf. The taunting had gone on long enough.
    She took a deep breath. Rage was something best left for the Malinorians, but it wouldn’t hurt to put a cocky brute in his place.
    “Do you want to have a go?” Talya asked.
    “You bet!” Tasar said with a grin.
    Tanel rolled his eyes as Talya got up to get her sword.
    *****
     
    Jalarn beheld the splendor of Cardamon’s riches as his men loaded the army’s carts with gold, silver, and precious gems from the large mines. He had never seen so much wealth in all his life. They would have to return in a few days to gather its entirety. Ittonifer would be very pleased with him. None of the other commanders had overtaken the palace and obtained Cardamon’s hidden wealth. Waltez had come the closest to overtaking the castle, but Jalarn was always a step ahead of the older commander. Indeed, the devil was smiling upon him these days .
    King Seraphim rubbed his hands together nervously. The incompetent king ’s presence was starting to gnaw on Jalarn’s nerves.
    “Did I please you, my lord?” Seraphim asked.
    “I am very pleased with your country’s best kept secret. We had no idea that your