Grudging Read Online Free PDF

his father said. “Their council refused the terms of surrender, and three days later, the city was put to the flame. The ­people slaughtered. The siege towers came from there.”
    â€œSaints.” Ramiro drew in a tight breath. Zapata destroyed. He’d never been to the small city by the sea, but he’d heard of its beauty and legendary gardens, possible because of their more plentiful rainfall. There, Santiago had performed his first miracle. The saint had lain down to sleep on the ground, hungry and unsheltered like a beggar. As he slumbered, a great olive tree rose at his back, providing fruit to satisfy and broad limbs to shade. The ­people of Zapata honored Santiago through horticulture. Through growth and life.
    The Northerners could work no greater sacrilege on Zapata than to destroy its gardens.
    â€œSo some of the Northerners do speak our language,” Ramiro said. “I guess we know their intentions.”
    Salvador nodded. “When they are challenged, they push back. They sent an ambassador to our gates today while we were out patrolling. To offer terms.”
    â€œWhat happened?”
    â€œFather turned him away . . . unseen.”
    â€œWhat?” Ramiro asked. “Why?”
    â€œFor good reason,” Julian said. “I told them I must consult with the council before any meeting can occur. I have not heard their terms, nor accepted or rejected them. They did not give us their ultimatum or their time period until our extermination.”
    â€œSo they cannot say you have defied them,” Ramiro said.
    â€œA technicality.” Salvador rolled his eyes. “You cannot expect our ­people to be saved by such tactics.”
    â€œStalled. I can expect them to be stalled,” Julian said. “A few days to arrange a meeting, more days to give our answer to their terms. It is the way of politicians, a universal language even barbarians comprehend, much like mathematics.”
    â€œThey have no honor,” Salvador said with a shake of the head. “They will not wait because you refused to hear them. Likely the attack today was because of it.”
    â€œSuch attacks we can handle. And there are many types of honor, my sons. Never forget that. If it soothes their conscience to give their victims a sevenday to decide whether to live or die, they will stick to it. Let us hope they do not try to breach the walls until they have delivered their terms.”
    â€œBut they could not get inside,” Ramiro said quickly. “We would repulse them.” The words were foolish pride; he knew it the minute they left his mouth.
    And yet his father didn’t rebuke him. Rather, Julian looked out over the wall at the flickering campfires, “Aye. That we would. We will be no easy meat. But it’s not just walls we must worry about.”
    That was what Ramiro had come to realize. Yes, they could stop the Northerners for a time from breaching the walls. But fire was a different foe. When the enemy used the siege machines or even arrows to fling fire at them long enough, they couldn’t extinguish every one. Their wells were deep, but there wasn’t enough water if the whole city was burning.
    If only they understood the Northerners’ motives, Ramiro thought, they could find some ransom to spare Colina Hermosa.
    As if reading his thoughts—­and coming to the conclusion there was nothing these Northerners wanted, Julian said, “No—­we cannot wait for the Northerners to decide our fate. And while the council bickers, it is up to us. We must take action without their approval. There is an alliance we have not tried.
    â€œIn the swamps.”
    Ramiro stood, his surprise flooding out in words. “You would seek out the witches? The witches are friends to no one.”
    â€œSee, Father,” Salvador said. “I told you he would disagree. Now will you give it up as impossible?”
    Julian raised a hand.