Heirs of the Enemy Read Online Free PDF Page A

respond. He merely sat on the stump, staring at the destroyed building, his face a mask of hopelessness.
    “I think he is in shock,” one of the soldiers whispered to the sergeant.
    The sergeant nodded in agreement and placed his hand firmly on Lycindor’s shoulder. “Snap out of it, lad. Tell us what happened.”
    “They are all dead,” Lycindor said so softly that only the sergeant heard him. “Gone. I should be dead, too.”
    The demonkin hung his head down and stared at the ground before his feet. The sergeant frowned with concern and placed both hands on the man’s shoulders. He shook him vigorously until Lycindor raised his head and looked the sergeant in the eye. Streams of tears flooded down the demonkin’s cheeks and he sniffed loudly.
    “I don’t know how it started,” blubbered the demonkin. “I was in the barn trying to get an early start on the day. By the time I realized something was wrong, it was already too late. I tried to go inside anyway and save my family, but the fire had already devoured the stairs. My whole life has gone up in flames.”
    Lycindor started bawling, and the sergeant turned to the soldier nearest him. “Get this man something to eat and drink and then find some clothes that will fit him.”
    The soldier ran off and the sergeant examined the farmer from a distance. The farmer’s hair was singed, and his clothes were badly burned, but there didn’t appear to be any life-threatening wounds.
    “Who was inside?” he asked softly.
    “Sophia and my two little girls,” Lycindor answered shakily. “I can’t believe that they are gone.”
    “No one survived that blaze,” the sergeant said sympathetically. “What is your name?”
    “Lloyd Becker,” answered the demonkin.
    “Well, Lloyd,” the sergeant replied compassionately, “we will take you back to Southland with us. Maybe you can find some people there to help you rebuild the house. Are you known in Southland?”
    Lloyd wiped his eyes and looked up at the sergeant. Slowly he nodded. “There are people who know me in Southland, but I have no desire to go there.”
    “You can’t just stay here alone,” cautioned the sergeant. “Being alone here will eat you up from the inside out. Let us take you back to Southland.”
    “You misunderstand me, Sergeant. There is nothing left for me here. I will never repair this house, and I will never again work these fields. Without Sophia and the girls in my life, I want to get as far away from here as possible, and that does not mean going to Southland. If anything, I want to get away from this whole area of the country. Where are you heading?”
    “We are going to Tagaret,” frowned the sergeant, “but we have no spare mounts to carry you.”
    “I have an old nag in the barn. She is not a proper cavalry horse, but she will carry me.”
    “And what will you do in Tagaret?” the sergeant asked with a disapproving tone. “You cannot just throw your life away over this.”
    “I will start a new life,” Lloyd said with confidence. “I have heard rumors that war is coming once again to Alcea. Perhaps your men can teach me about soldiering along the way. At least that way my life will have some meaning.”
    “Did you serve in the last war?”
    “No. My family thought I was too young, but I am strong, and I am an excellent shot with a bow. Surely, the king must be looking for recruits?”
    “Aye,” sighed the sergeant. “We are always looking for good men, but I advise you to think long and hard on this. A soldier’s life is not for everyone.”
    “I know you are trying to stop me from doing something foolish, Sergeant, but a man’s life has to be worth something, or it is worth nothing. I farmed because that is what Sophia wanted me to do. Now she is gone, and she is never coming back. I never want to see another farm in my life. It would only remind me of what I have lost. Take me to Tagaret, Sergeant. Make a soldier out of me, and let my life have some meaning